Homily for Thursday
23d Week of Ordinary Time
Sept. 9, 2021
Col 3: 12-17
St. Peter Claver
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Home, New
Rochelle, N.Y.
“Put
on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience…” (Col 3: 12).
In
that one sentence is an entire program of Christian life. God has chosen us. He loves us.
His love makes us holy—before we respond to him. Therefore, we practice virtue.
It’s
not easy, for sure. I find it hard
always to be patient, kind, gentle, humble, compassionate, and often fail—to
which my confreres could testify. So I
strive, as they say, to “get with the program,” the program of Christian
life: to grow in such virtues.
Today’s saint, Peter Claver, gives tremendous example of compassion and kindness toward the least, most despised people of 17th-century New Spain, the slaves. In one of his letters, quoted in today’s Divine Office, he comments that he and his companion showed newly arrived slaves by their actions more than by their words the compassion of Christ.
St.
Peter’s work wasn’t much appreciated by his confreres, not to mention the
“important” people of Cartagena. But he
kept at it. He was doing what Christ
preaches today, caring for those who couldn’t reciprocate (Luke 6:35) except
with their appreciation for his kindness.
He also urged plantation and mine owners to treat their slaves
better—not always appreciated for that.
If such men weren’t his enemies (cf. 6:27), they weren’t his friends;
but it was love for them that aimed at improvement in their behavior—conversion
to some degree.
I
remain in need of conversion—more compassion, more patience, etc. As Paul prays today, may the peace of Christ
control my heart—and yours (Col 3:15).
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