Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest

“Saint Peter Claver"
Artist and Date are UNKNOWN

Additional Information about St. Peter Claver

 

(Alternate Readings may be taken from either the Common of Pastors or The Common of Holy Men and Women)

 

Readings for Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time [1][2]

 

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

 

Commentary:

 

Reading 1: Colossians 3:1-11

 

Commentary on Col 3:1-11

 

St. Paul continues his exhortation to the Colossians by telling them to focus on their spiritual selves rather than on things of the flesh.  He goes on to provide a litany of conduct that has no place in the Christian community, sins of the flesh and violations of the commandments.  He concludes by reminding them that in their faith community there must be unity and that despite the vast differences in social, economic and former religious status in Christ all are equal.

 

CCC: Col 3-4 1971; Col 3:1-3 655; Col 3:1 1002; Col 3:3 665, 1003, 1420, 2796; Col 3:4 1003, 2772; Col 3:5-8 1852; Col 3:5 2518; Col 3:10 2809

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab

 

R. (9) The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.

 

Commentary on Ps 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab

 

Psalm 145 is a song of praise and thanksgiving.  This part of the song focuses on the Kingdom of God, its splendor and its inclusive nature indestructible – existing for all eternity.

 

CCC: Ps 145:3 300

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Gospel: Luke 6:20-26

 

Commentary on Lk 6:20-26

 

This passage is the introductory section of St. Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain”.  Addressed primarily to a gentile audience, this discourse differs from St. Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:1-7:27) in that it addresses economic conditions of the day.  It begins, as does St. Matthew’s sermon, with the Beatitudes but follows these with the woe’s which contrasts the blessed with those who ignore the poor and hungry.

 

CCC: Lk 6:20-22 2444; Lk 6:20 2546; Lk 6:24 2547

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Reflection:

 

The Christian is confronted with paradox in an ongoing way.  We are called to be in the world, but apart from it.  We are called to be meek but strong; humble but resolute.  The list can go on.  In so many ways our call is one of stark contrasts and seeming opposites.  How are we to resolve these paradoxical exhortations?  Is there a common thread that runs through St. Paul’s instructions to the Colossians and Jesus’ beatitudes?

 

St. Paul tells the Colossians that all of the attitudes and passions associated with “normal” secular behavior must be cast off.  What standard does he apply to these attitudes? It is so fundamental – he tells them to put on the love of God and the love of one another.  He does not say it in those terms but it is exactly what he is telling them.  If they are to avoid sin, they must avoid the failure to love.  How else does one avoid “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry”?  Applying Christ’s rule of loving God first and loving one another as like it will place these behaviors out of the minds and hearts of the faithful witnesses of Christ.

 

In the same way those attributes blessed by the Lord, the poor (in spirit), the hungry (for spiritual food), those who mourn (earthly loss), and those persecuted for their faith in Jesus are all reconciled when love is put on.  Love- it is for the Christian the common denominator.  Love of God and love of one another is the standard by which we should measure ourselves.

 

When we have internalized this concept fully, all the paradoxes are resolved.  Love of God separates us from the world.  Our minds and souls focus on the Lord not on earthly demands.  Love of others makes us part of the world and witnesses of God’s love for all His creation.  We can be meek, accepting the easy yoke of slavery to God’s wishes but strong, unbending in our rejection of hatred and evil; we can be humble (who could not be in the face of God’s majesty and power) and at the same time like rock in our resolve to transform the world.

 

All of this is possible through love.  Today our simple prayer is that our love of God may be increased and with it our love of others.  It is his great command.

 

Pax

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[1] S.S Commemoratio

[2] The picture is “Saint Peter Claver", Artist and Date are UNKNOWN