Gospel - John 15: 1-8
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." (John 15: 7-8)
REFLECTION
St. Peter Damian lived from 1007-1072 A.D. Peter was born into a poor and very large family and became an orphan at a young age. He was taken in by his older brother who was an archpriest. At first, Peter was treated like a servant, but his brother began to see his younger brother's talents. He was intelligent, humble, and devoted. So, the archpriest sent his little brother to school and the University of Parma. After graduation from University, Peter was compelled to the religious life in particular for the Rule of St. Benedict.
He was accepted into the Benedictine hermitage of the Reform of St. Romuald at Fonte-Avella. Peter's life was that of a "well-traveled monk who was known for his knowledge of the Holy Scripture, by his penitential acts which served both as a rebuke and as an inspiration to his fellow monks and secular clergy at the time when moral depravity was endemic in clerical ranks." Peter was asked by several Popes in his time for his counsel and diplomatic aid.
St. Peter Damian wrote a very timely treatise, The Book of Gomorrah, a lesson for our own times even though it was written in the 10th Century. He wrote in a direct manner which was easy to read. He was ready to defend the truth that he exposed to his brethren.
"In keeping with traditional Church teachings handed down from the time of the Apostles, he holds that all homosexual acts are crimes against Nature and therefore crimes against God who is the author of Nature." He also stressed the responsibility of bishops and superiors of religious orders "to curb and eradicate the vice" from their clergy, religious, and seminarians.
St. Peter Damian was a man chosen by God for his time and for all times.
In his own words, Peter explains, "How indeed am I to love my neighbor as myself if I negligently allow the wound, of which I am sure he will brutally die, to fester in his heart? So let no man condemn me as I argue against this deadly vice, for I seek not to dishonor, but rather to promote the advantage of my brother's well-being."
In 1828, St. Peter Damian was declared a doctor of the church.
PAPA prays for Priests to be Holy, to have a Love for God, and to remain in Christ and let His words remain in him.
Let us pray the PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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