Homily for the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver
September 9, 2024
Theological College of the Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C.
Isaiah 58:6-11
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
Matthew 25:31-40
Saint Peter Claver was born in Spain and began life with a very shy disposition. One day, while he was praying, Peter Claver had a spiritual experience of being called by Christ, a vocation. At the encouragement of Saint Alfonso Rodriguez, he joined the Jesuits and received his assignment to serve in the missions of the Spanish colony of Colombia where he was ordained a priest in 1615. In that sense he was very much part of a system of colonization by a European power that included human trafficking and slavery.
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Do we express the mystery of our common humanity, or do we do violence to it?
Bishop Michael Olson delivers his homily during the Mass for Peace Among People of All Races at Nolan Catholic High School Sept. 9, 2020. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
Homily
Feast of Saint Peter Claver
Mass for Peace Among People of All Races and in Time of War and Civil Disturbance
Isaiah 58:6-11
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Matthew 25:14-23
The Gospel of today speaks of three different servants who were given an unequal number of similar coins that were known as talents. The two servants who were given more, responded in generosity and gave all they had to the Master, who represents God. The third servant looks at the little he has been given and buries it out of fear and selfishness. He loses the little that he has been given because in hiding it he has abandoned generosity — a sure sign of ingratitude.
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