St Peter Claver SJ | Thursday 9 September 2021
Today is Thursday the 9 September, the feast of St Peter Claver SJ, in the 23rd week of Ordinary time.
Madison Cunningham, with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Little Things with Great Love’.
Today’s reading is from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 3:12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
‘God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.’ These are Paul’s words for the Church in Colossae. Are you able to receive these words for yourself today? That you are also chosen, holy and beloved? Does a particular word stay with you?
Paul continues, ‘clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience… Imagine putting on each of these, as if wearing special clothes, what might they look like? Compassion…kindness…humility…meekness...patience.
How would it feel to wear these garments as outward signs of inner grace?
Would wearing these clothes make a difference in your everyday life, perhaps in your encounters with others?
As you listen to the reading again, notice which of Paul’s instructions you most need to hear today…
‘And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Spend a few moments thinking about the day ahead of you with the Lord, inviting his presence into your activity, your encounters and your rest.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.