September 9 2022 - St. Peter Claver - For I was a slave and you cared for me

 St. Peter Claver, whom we honor today, lived in a time when men, women, and children in Africa were being captured and sold into slavery.  The poor Africans were put on slave ships where they suffered from starvation, dehydration, and truly disgusting conditions.  Although the practice of slave-trading was condemned by the Popes of the time, it continued to flourish. Africans died by the thousand as they made their way from Africa to the Americas.  

St. Peter Claver, a priest born in Spain, understood the wickedness of the slave trade.  He came to South America where he would minister to the slaves brought there. As they came into harbor, he gave them food and water and medicine, and told them about God who loves them, and about Jesus who suffered like they did, and so many asked the priest for baptism. St. Peter Claver baptized hundreds of thousands of African slaves into the Catholic faith.

Peter Claver recognized the human dignity of the slaves when the rest of the world treated them like property and cattle to be sold, traded, and slaughtered if they did not perform. The recognized their humanity because he had learned to see with the eyes of God and love with the heart of Christ. 

Peter Claver remarked more than once how it took everything in him at times to go down into the disgusting conditions of the slave-ships filled with filth and stench.  He reminds us that true loving service isn’t necessarily about liking what we do—we might even experience revulsion at the conditions in which the poor live; but loving service means being faithful to the duties of mercy despite our personal feelings.  

Peter himself, came to be despised by the slave-traders and those making a profit from the slave-trade. No doubt, his care for the slaves pricked their consciences. But remember, the Lord did say, you will be hated because of me. St. Peter was hated because he sought to be faithful to Jesus in caring for Him in the enslaved. When I was a slave you cared for me. One of the consequences we must accept is that seeking radical holiness will lead us to be hated by the world. But, when the wicked hate you, you’re doing something right.

In 1650 Peter Claver fell victim to an epidemic and was abandoned to die in his sickness.

St. Peter Claver saw with the eyes of Christ, and loved with his heart, pouring out his love in such humble, humble service—he came to be known as a slave of slaves. May each of us respond to the call to holiness with that same radical generosity for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be diligent in bringing the truth of the Gospel into every sphere of society, and for all those who harden their hearts toward God, for those who have left the Church, for all those in serious sin, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For an end to slavery, human trafficking, and all forms of inhumane oppression; and for the protection and respect of all human life.

For those whose lives are marked by suffering, illness, or grief, that they may find hope in the promises of Christ.

For the repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth II who died yesterday, for her family and subjects who grieve her loss, for graces upon the rule of her successor King Charles, that his reign may be Godly, and for the repose of the souls of the dead, for all of the souls of purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrimage Church, grant us what we truly need to remain faithful to your Son in all things. Through Christ Our Lord.