Sep 9 – Memorial for St. Peter Claver, Priest
St Peter Claver was born in Catalonia and studied at the University of Barcelona. He became a Jesuit; and while he was studying philosophy in Mallorca, the door-keeper of the college, Alfonso Rodríguez, saw that his true vocation was to evangelize the New World, and encouraged him to fulfil that vocation. (Rodríguez was later canonized on the same day as Peter Claver himself).
He arrived in Cartagena (in what is now Colombia) in 1610, and after his ordination six years later, he became ‘the slave of the Negroes forever’, labouring on their behalf for 33 years, attending to both their spiritual and material needs. The slave trade was repeatedly condemned by the Popes; but it was too profitable to be stopped and, on the whole, the local church hierarchy kept quiet about it, much as they did in North America in the 19th century.
He brought fresh food to the slave ships as they arrived, instructed the slaves and baptized them in the faith, followed their progress and kept track of them, even when they were sent to the mines and plantations, defending them as well as he could from oppressive slave owners. He organized teams of catechists who spoke the many languages spoken by the slaves. He worked in hospitals also, looking after lepers among others, and in prisons.
Naturally he made himself unpopular by his work. As his superior said, ‘unfortunately for himself, he is a Catalan — pig-headed and difficult’. Opposition came from both within the Church and outside it, but there were always exceptions. For instance, while many fashionable ladies refused to enter his city churches because they had been profaned by the presence of the blacks, a few, such as Doña Isabel de Urbina, became his strong and lifelong supporters.
At the end of his life, he fell ill with a degenerative disease and, for four years, he was treated neglectfully and brutally by the servant whose task it was to look after him. He did not complain, but accepted his sufferings as a penance for his sins.
– Universalis
1 Cor 7:25-31
Lk 6:20-26
…the world as we know it is passing away.
I once read a story about a competition where participants were asked to come up with a phrase that will make someone happy sad, and someone sad happy. Now, I heard this story more than 30 years ago so I’m sure it was not AI.
The phrase that the winner came up with was ‘This, too, shall pass.’
I remember being very young when I read the story. It got deeply imprinted in my psyche that every now and then, I would remind myself that whatever situation I’m in, it will also come to pass. And the first reading today reminded me of this. I’m still trying to imagine what made St Paul say this to the Corinthians. If St Paul were saying this me, or to you, what could he be trying to communicate?
If you are in a time of suffering right now, in a time of darkness, in a time of sorrow, have hope. This, too, shall pass.
If you are in a period of abundance, if everything seems to be going your way, if it looks like things cannot go wrong, enjoy it. Thank God for it. But do not let it define you, because this, too, shall pass. Define yourself in how God created you to be. In how God crafted your identity. You are his beloved child.
If you are in a period of uncertainty, when dark clouds seem to cover all the light and you do not know where to go, have faith. This, too, shall pass. Keep holding on to God and allow him to lead you by the hand when you can’t see the way. This period of uncertainty will also pass.
If you seem filled with wisdom, and have no doubt on where you are going, thank God and don’t take it for granted. Be guided by the wisdom that God has graced you with, because this time, too, will pass.
If your life is filled with friends and loved ones and you know that you will not be left alone, enjoy it. Cherish your loved ones and remember to show them your love, because their time with you will also, pass.
If you are feeling all alone, this is a good time to spend it more closely with God. Spend your time wisely with him. Enjoy his company. Enjoy having nothing but his love to support you because this time, too, will pass. One day, your life will be filled with a lot to distract you from God.
Having said all these, I think God makes our lives ever-changing because he wants us to rely on Him — who is unchanging. And when we do, we will always be on the right track.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Father, please help me see you in all phases of my life.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Father, for making sure I am reminded of what is important.
OXYGEN 
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