Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Martin
De Porres, Rel., (3rd November, 2016) on the Gospel and the Memorial
Phil 3:3-8;
Ps 104:2-7. (R. v.3);Lk 15:1-10.
Saint Martin de Porres (9th December 1579 -
3rd November, 1639), the illegitimate son of a Spanish gentlemen 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: Each is particularly important.
Today’s gospel is made up of two parables; the parable of the
lost sheep (Lk 15:4-7), and the
parable of the lost coin (Lk 15:8-10).
Verses 1-3 serve as introduction to these parables.
In the first parable, one who loses a sheep out of a hundred
will leave ninety-nine and search for it. Similarly, in the second one, a woman
with ten silver coins, if she loses one will light a lamp, sweep the house, and
search carefully for it. Both will rejoice if they succeed in finding the lost.
Like the person who had a hundred sheep in the first parable and
the woman who had ten silver coins in the second one, each and every one of us is
blessed with so many things. Every one of them is particularly important. Preserving
them might be very difficult but the more one achieves the greater the joy.
Saint Martin de Porres was one of those whose lives were
filled with a lot of difficulties. He was never daunted. In our lives, we also experience
a lot of difficulties. We must follow his example who rather remained with God
in prayer.
Bible Reading: Matt
25:14-30.
Thought for today: You are particularly important to God.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to actualize every grace
you have given us – Amen.
Saint Martin De Porres – Pray for us.
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