November 3, St. Martin de Porres

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.-- Psalm 131

Mass readings: Romans 12:5-16 / Luke 14:15-24

Qualifying the Called

He was the illegitimate offspring of a mixed-race union. The son of a former slave and no stranger to poverty, he worked as a servant in a Dominican priory in Lima, Peru. Yet, Martin de Porres (1579-1639) was placed in charge of the Dominican infirmary, became a Dominican brother, and later established an orphanage and hospital for children of the slums. God does not call the ''qualified''; instead, He qualifies those whom He calls.

Jesus tells a parable about a great dinner. Invitees make various excuses for not attending, but the Master sends slaves into the streets to gather in the apparently ''unqualified'' -- the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame. The only qualification required to enter God's kingdom is to humbly and gratefully accept His invitation. And when we do, God qualifies us to serve Him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for choosing me; please keep on using me in Your service.