St. Peter Claver

September 9, 2013:  St. Peter Claver, Priest

Readings

• 
• Col 1:24–2:3  I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his Body, the Church.  Christ is in you.  Be encouraged; come together in love.

• Ps 62:6-7, 9  "In God is my safety and my glory."  Trust God alone, my hope, rock, salvation, stronghold, refuge.

• Lk 6:6-11  Jesus in synagogue with scribes, Pharisees, man with withered hand:  “Lawful to do good, save life on sabbath?  Stretch out your hand.”  Hand restored; people enraged.

In the first reading, is Paul saying that Christ's afflictions/sufferings weren't enough?  No! We with Paul are united to Christ; so too our suffering which unfolds over our lifetimes.  See this Biblical Evidence for Catholicism post about this issue; it includes references from St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Music

• Only in God/ Foley (psalm)

• Only in God/ Talbot (psalm)

• "Hands" tie:  "stretch out your hand" (gospel), slaves reaching out to St. Peter Claver (today's feast)

• Owl tie pin: wisdom (Sunday's 1st reading and psalm)

• Abacus tie pin: "calculate the cost" of discipleship (Sunday's gospel); "teach us to number our days"(Sunday's psalm) [it works; see instructions]