November 3 2023 - St. Martin de Porres - The choice to love

 

Martin was born in Lima, Peru in 1579 to Spanish conquistador and an African Slave, who were not married.  His father rejected Martin at his birth because of his dark skin, and throughout childhood, Martin was given cruel names like “half-breed”.  Despite the cruelty showed to him, Martin had a heart for the poor and despised.  

St. Martin is the patron saint of barbers, because at the age of 12, his mother, apprenticed him to a barber, who also taught Martin several medical techniques—caring for wounds. 

At the age of 15, Martin went to be a “lay helper” to the Dominicans, he did not feel himself worthy to be a full member of the order.  Yet, soon, it was the Dominicans who asked Martin to make full profession as a brother, so moved by Martin’s prayer and penance, his charity and humility.

Martin spent his days caring for the sick and poor, whatever their color, race, or status.  He helped found an orphanage and helped care for slaves newly arrived from Africa.  

He himself lived an extremely simple and austere life and had a great devotion to the Eucharist.  He died at the age of 60, and was immediately venerated as a saintly man.    

Early in life, Martin made a choice didn’t he. He could have become bitter at his difficult lot in life. He could have allowed hatred foment toward his father who rejected him. He could have allowed resentment about his poverty to shape his attitude toward his follow man. But he chose the path of life. The true path out bitterness—he chose to love, to serve.

At Saint Martin’s Canonization Pope John XXIII said, Martin “lovingly comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing, and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers…and slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: ‘Martin of Charity.’

We cannot change the circumstances in which we are born.  Many of the challenges, difficulties, sorrows, and trials of life are beyond our control.  But we are each given a choice.  Will I complain and curse God for my life, or will I allow God to teach me, how to love, how to be like Christ? To do the best with what we’ve been given, the cultivate virtue amidst the constraints that our beyond our control, is the path of life.

As we prayed in the collect, God led Saint Martin “by the path of humility to heavenly glory”, may we “so follow his radiant example in this life as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

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.

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

During this month dedicated to prayer for the faithful departed, we lift up to God, the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and all the poor souls in purgatory…

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.