September 9 2024 - St. Peter Claver - If you can't feed 100 people, then just feed 1

 In the age of the explorers and conquistadors, many young men left Europe for the Americas in order to seek out a fortune. Peter Claver, a young Jesuit priest, rather, left his native Spain, to build up treasure in heaven, in Cartegena, a port city in modern day Columbia. The Collect prayer refers to Peter Claver as “a slave of slaves” for he ministered to the African slaves who were brought there to work in the fields and the mines. 

When the slave ships entered the port, Peter Claver would board the ships to care for the sick and malnourished. And when the slaves were herded to the slave-market, Peter, would bring them medicine, food, bread, and other items that would help them survive in this new land.  

With the help of interpreters, he gave the slaves basic instructions in the faith; he assured them of their human dignity and the salvation that awaited them in God's kingdom.  During the 40 years of his ministry in Columbia, it is estimated that Claver baptized more 300,000 slaves.  

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 always pretty, neat and clean—we might even experience revulsion at the conditions in which the destitute live.  But loving service means being faithful to the duties of mercy despite our personal feelings.  

On this Memorial we read from Matthew 25, the Lord’s teaching on the final judgment, a reminder that service of those in need is never a waste of time. In each slave, to whom he ministered, Peter Claver ministered to Christ himself. And for this, he is counted among the blessed. In the words of Mother Theresa: "At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me.

We might not be called to enter into the filth of slave-ships, but we are certainly called to enter into the lives of others to help someone other than ourselves today. Again, in the words of Mother Theresa, “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

May we use the time we have been given today, to serve Christ in those who suffer, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be diligent in bringing the truth and goodness of the Gospel into every sphere of society.

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 souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this mass is offered.

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

21st Week of Ordinary Time 2022 - Friday - Eternal Consequences and the Light of Faith

 

Chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel contains the Lord’s final teachings prior to the beginning of his Passion. In it we read two parables—the parable of the 10 virgins and the parable of the talents. The chapter concludes with the Lord’s teaching on the great judgment—the eternal separation of the sheep and the goats.

These are some solemn teachings. They all speak of consequences.

The wise virgins are allowed into the banquet feast, while the foolish are shut out. The wise stewards who invest the talents with which they’ve been entrusted are praised by the master when he returns and welcomed into joy, while the foolish steward is called wicked and lazy and useless by the master; he is thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. And then of course the great judgment. For engaging in the works of mercy: feeding the Son of Man when he appeared as a stranger, clothing him, visiting him in prison, they shall inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, while others, are called goats, and for neglecting the works of charity, they are ordered to depart from the Son of Man, they are called accursed, and sent to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels.

The teachings of the Lord Jesus have consequences—eternal consequences.

Like all 10 virgins at the beginning of today’s parable, all Christians are given a lamp of grace. In the baptism ritual, a candle is handed to the newly baptized and the priest tells them: “receive the light of Christ. You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.”

This post-baptismal instruction is clearly inspired today’s Gospel. The light of Christ, the light of faith is given to us in baptism, and wisely it must be kept alive by practicing the pillars of our faith: right belief, sacraments, obedience to the commandments, and prayer. Without all four of those, we foolishly allow the light of faith to become extinguished.

Sadly, we all know of Christians who appear to have allowed their lamps to become extinguished, or whose flame is but a bare flicker, in danger of the next wind, the next sin, blowing it out. We have a duty to them to help rekindle the light, by leading them to the truth of Christian doctrine, the grace of the sacraments, the right practice of the moral teachings, and a vibrant prayer life—especially to relight extinguished flames through the Sacrament of Confession.

We do not know the day nor the hour when the Bridegroom will return or our earthly life will come to an end. May the Lord find our souls persevering in his grace, with the flame of faith alight and blazing, for the glory of God and salvation of souls

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For the flourishing of spiritual gifts in the Church and in our parish; and for the grace during this month of August to practice the virtue of humility in all of our relationships and interactions. 

For our young people in these early days of the school year, and for their teachers: that the Word of God might be cherished, studied, and practiced in every classroom and home. 

That politicians and government officials may protect religious freedom, promote virtue, and look to the law of Christ to guide their work for the good of nations and all peoples. 

For those beset with any sort of trial, illness, or burden: that the Lord will build up his strength within them and assist them in their needs. 

That those who have died may share in the joy of life-everlasting with the Risen Lord, especially the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the souls in purgatory…

O God, who 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.