Desert Reflections: Celebrating the life of St Peter Claver, S.J.

As a student at the University of Barcelona, St Peter Claver wrote these words in the notebook he kept throughout his life: “I must dedicate myself to the service of God until death, on the understanding that I am like a slave.”

St Paul points out in today’s first reading that our suffering allow us to participate in the suffering of Christ – if we join our suffering to his. St Peter Claver, Fr Jim observes, understood the value of joining our suffering with the suffering of Jesus.  The more than 300,000 men, women and children Peter baptized and ministered to over his lifetime worked and died as slaves. They lost their lives, yet through Peter Claver’s efforts, they also found them.  We may not be Peter Claver. Yet, even the smallest kindness we offer to someone who is suffering is of inestimable value – if we offer it in union with Jesus.

Today’s Readings

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
COL 1:24 – 2:3 (New Living Translation)

God is my safety and my glory.
PS 62:6-7, 9

“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
LK 6:6-11