November 3 2017 - St. Martin de Porres - Charity rather than resentment

Martin was born in Lima, Peru in 1579 to Spanish conquistador and an African Slave, who were not married.  Martin’s father rejected him at his birth because of his dark skin, and throughout childhood, Martin was given cruel names like “half-breed”.  Perhaps because he himself was poor and despised, Martin developed a heart for charity.

While a young man, he became an associate of the Dominican Order. He spent long hours caring for the sick and dying, particularly among the slaves and indigent. Daily he fed nearly two hundred people, and weekly he disbursed hundreds of dollars worth of food, clothing, and other necessities of life among Natives, Africans, and Spaniards.

There is an interesting confluence in the life of Martin and the Gospel today. Once again, Jesus is found in the middle of a controversy over healing on the sabbath. Jesus points out that the Pharisaic interpretation of the law was quite ridiculous. For, the Pharisees condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath even though they wouldn’t hesitate to pull their son or ox out of a cistern on the Sabbath.

Due to a ridiculous interpretation of church law, Martin was forbidden to become a full member of the Dominican Order. A law from Deuteronomy was being interpreted to exclude him from the order due to his slave background. So what did Martin do? He dedicated himself to healing, to charity, He became known as the Apostle of Charity, and many stories arose about his closeness to God and healing miracles.

No matter what our circumstances: whether we are ridiculed for our race, our nationality, our economic level, excluded unjustly, like St. Martin, being conspired against by the powers-that-be, like Our Blessed Lord, we are called to intimacy with our Lord, we are called to be instruments of healing and charity.

Martin could have developed a bitterness and even hatred for his fellow man, even for the Church, but he allowed God’s grace to break through any resentment or self-pity.  We too are called to open ourselves to God through prayer, scripture, and the sacramental life of the Church, that God’s life may penetrate and transform us into Apostles of Charity, for the glory of god and salvation of souls.
 
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That religious indifference and religious persecution in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.

For the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.”

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.