Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, priest
(Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 6:27-38)
Few have fulfilled Jesus’ commands in today’s gospel like
St. Peter Claver. A Jesuit missionary
during the 17th century, Peter Claver entered fetid slave ships to
minister to their human cargo. He gave
instruction in the faith as well as food, medicine, bread, and lemons. It is said that Claver catechized and
baptized more than 300,000 African slaves!
In the gospel Jesus admonishes his disciples to love those
in need. He does not mean that they are
merely to think of or even to pray for them.
Love is very practical in Scripture.
Jesus is telling his disciples to help those without resources. Like Peter Claver assisting African slaves,
Jesus disciples are to give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and
shelter to the homeless.
It is not hard to bring old clothes to Goodwill or to serve
in a soup kitchen once every month. But
as the ministry grows to gathering, assorting, and hauling a whole parish’s
donations or serving food three times weekly, the work becomes a burden. We do it not only because of the Lord’s
command, but also because mystically we meet him in the effort.
