Memorial of St. Peter Claver
We can so easily place ourselves
right at the center
of our own little universe.
Only what we think…
only what we feel…
only what we believe…
seems to matter.
But that kind of living
is badly out of focus.
My brother once shared a story
about a new priest
sent down from New York City
to a small parish in central Louisiana.
He thought he’d come to preach justice…
but he ended up preaching himself.
He judged the very people
he was sent to love.
Never learned their stories,
never saw their dignity,
never recognized their wounds.
And the hypocrisy of it
was so heavy,
so loud,
that my brother, his wife,
and their child
got up and walked out the door.
They never went back.
Saint Peter Claver
lived a different kind of justice.
He stepped into suffering,
looked his brothers and sisters in the eye,
and told them they were loved…
they were human…
they were precious to God.
So today…
anchor your heart
in the Kingdom that does not pass.
Hold lightly
to the things that fade—
possessions, pride, reputation—
for the world is passing away,
but God’s Kingdom is permanent.
And when you live that way…
with a humble spirit
and a clear-eyed love…
you can rejoice,
you can leap for joy,
for your reward
will be great in heaven.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
Steady my heart in Your Kingdom.
Teach me to see every person
with dignity and mercy.
Guard me from pride,
prejudice, and self‑importance.
Let justice be gentle, humble,
and rooted in Your love.
And lead me to rejoice
in all that is eternal.
Amen
St Peter Claver, pray for us.
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