Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Martin de Porres, Rel., (03rd November, 2017) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
(Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
Ps 147:12-15.19-20. (R.v.12);
Lk 14:1-6.
Saint Martin de Porres (9th December 1579 -
3rd November, 1639), the illegitimate son of a Spanish gentleman and
a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent, was
born in Lima, Peru. His father abandoned him, his mother and younger sister at
a young age. After two years in primary school, he was sent to learn how to cut
hair and the medical arts. He was greatly ridiculed for being of mixed-race.
Martin found it very difficult becoming a religious because law forbade all
descendants of African or Indians from being full members of religious orders.
At 15, he entered the Dominican Convent of the Rosary in Lima as a servant boy
and became a Dominican lay brother in 1603. Ten years later, he was assigned to
the infirmary where he remained until his death. He had virtues needed to
carefully and patiently care for the sick. Martin was praised for his
unconditional care of all people. His life reflected his great love for God and
all of God's gifts. Before his death after almost a year full of illness, he
was widely known and accepted. His body exhaled a splendid fragrance and was
still intact when exhumed 25 years later. He was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI
on 29th October, 1837 and canonized by Pope John XXIII on 6th
May, 1962. He is the patron saint of people of mixed race, innkeepers, barbers,
public health workers and more.[1]
Topic: Hunting faults.
While Jesus was going for a meal, people watched Him closely.
Just before Him was a man with dropsy. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees,
“Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” They were silent. He took
the man, healed him, and sent him away. Jesus again queried, “If any of you has
a child, or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it
out on a sabbath day?” Again, they were silent.
Those who watched Jesus was only interested in finding out
faults. They could not answer any of the questions Jesus asked them.
What about us? We ought to go about doing good to everyone,
cf. Acts 10:38; 1Tim 5:10. This is what
we are called as children of Good to do and never witch-hunting others. Even if
one notices the fault of his/her brother/sister, one suppose to pray to God and
never see it as an opportunity to deal with him/her, cf. 1Jn 5:16. We are all children of the same father and mother, cf. Mal 2:10; Rev 12:17.
We should imitate Saint Martin de Porres who carefully and
patiently cared for all. His life reflected his great love for God and all of
God's gifts.
Bible Reading: Jas 1:12-18; Lk 6:27-42.
Thought for today: We are to help and not to destroy.
Let us pray: May God help us through the
intercession of Saint Martin de Porres to always look for ways to help and
never to destroy – Amen.
Saint Martin de Porres – Pray for us.
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