HOMILY OF SATURDAY IN THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Saint Peter Claver
Saint Peter Claver, a 17th-century Spanish Jesuit missionary, is renowned for his tireless efforts to alleviate the suffering of African slaves in Cartagena, Colombia. He dedicated his life to ministering to these oppressed individuals, offering them spiritual guidance, healthcare, and basic necessities. Saint Peter Claver’s compassionate work and unwavering commitment to social justice have made him a symbol of selfless service and solidarity with the marginalized.
Colossians 1:21-23, Luke 6:1-5
THEME: BEING AN APOSTLE OF LIBERATION
Any religion that does not serve man’s needs is slavery. More so, If we approach our relationship with God in a legalistic manner, we might obstruct our ability to perceive how He desires to have a tangible, intimate connection with us.
In today’s gospel, the pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of plucking ears of corn to eat on the sabbath. But Jesus replied to them,
“So, you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is master of the sabbath.”
Just the way he spoke for his disciples, Jesus came to set us free from every shackle of life. There is no need putting undue pressure on people under the guise of religion.
However, true freedom is to know God’s laws and his ways as sons and daughters, and not as slaves. Although, free born, we must not despise God’s ways. We must enjoy our freedom responsibly.
Peter Claver, in his own way, fought for social justice, just the Lord Jesus stood for his disciples.
May we be true agents of freedom and liberation wherever we find ourselves.
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