Thought for the Day – 14 January – The Memorial of Blessed Peter Donders C.Ss.R. (1807-1887)
Blessed Peter is a sure sign of God grace and providence. The old saying “God works in strange and wondrous ways” are proved in Peter’s life.
Although all the odds were against Blessed Peter, he struggled on, always trusting, believing and loving our most gracious and loving God and the Church. He gave his life to Him who gives us life. Peter gave all he had to God and his children, working tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to improve the lives of the poor and the sick, the lepers and all the extremely underprivileged, who did not even display gratitude for his work.
In the end, he died of leprosy but he joined his suffering to all those he had worked so tirelessly for, choosing to spend his last days with them in the leper colony and now he is honoured in the halls of the Saints, his light never to be dimmed.
What a lesson Blessed Peter is for us all – we who so easily bemoan the so-called hardships of our lives! Blessed Peter Donders was happy to lose his life for Christ’s sake. So also should we.
Blessed Peter Donders, pray to God for us, that we may learn gratitude, that we may learn generosity, kindness, justice and love.
AnaStpaul 