Thursday, November 3, 2022

 (Optional) Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, religious

(Galatians 3:26-28; Matthew 11:25-30)

St. Martin de Porres lived four hundred years ago in a provincial setting.  At least part of his spirituality, like flagellating himself with a chain, seems weird today.  He never attended a university nor received seminary training.  Could he mean more to us than a representative African American on the long list of saints?  Absolutely.  Looking beyond the peculiarities of his situation, we can see that Martin has much to say to the contemporary world.

Martin disciplined his body to seek the favor of the Lord, not his own comfort.  He slept over a cowskin with a torn pillow, much like Jesus with no place to lay his head.  Today’s world, in great contrast, seems geared to comfort and pleasure.  To reassure access to sexual pleasure, many are calling for abortion on demand.  Many, as well, are unwilling to make any sacrifice to conserve the burning of fossil fuel.  St. Martin shows how discipline does not lead to misery but to glory.

Martin, as a person of mixed race, had to endure prejudice and no doubt contempt at times.  Yet there is no record of his becoming resentful, much less rebellious.  He remained tolerant of all to the extent of caring for the dirtiest and most wretched.  No great end in itself, tolerance at least allows people to communicate with those whose manners or traditions they find repugnant.  There is need for public order, but its pursuit should not unduly restrict self- and, much less, cultural expression.

Martin's biographers highlight the fact that he not only cared for the sick but also cured them.  Searching for and using different herbs to create medicines, he may be considered a scientist as well as a healer.  He was also very attuned to nature because of his sympathy for animals. Martín teaches today’s world the need to protect the environment.  Plants and animals should be used for human good.  They should never be abused for profit or even entertainment.

Above all, Martin de Porres was a humble servant. For this reason, he is associated with the broom he used to clean the priory in which he lived. Like Jesus inviting people to come to him in today’s gospel, Martin was willing to help everyone, no matter a person’s ethnic background or social class.  Today, when public service is almost a joke, Martin provides a model to imitate.

As a last characteristic to instruct contemporaries, Martin prayed constantly.  He spent most of the night standing before a crucifix or a statue of the Virgin Mary.  No doubt, he prayed for the people to whom he ministered, but also he likely prayed for himself.  Martin was aware of sins that people would think are not more than foibles today.  Especially Americans are preoccupied with self-improvement.  Martin’s life tells them to go to God first.           

Martin left no books, articles, speeches, or sermons behind to give a clear picture of how or what he thought.  The testimonies of his life indicate that he was an exemplary religious and humanitarian.  From all that is known of him, we see virtues to be emulated and sanctity to be beseeched.