Saint Peter Damian was born at Ravenna in Italy in the year 1007. After completing his studies he became a priest and began to teach, but soon abandoned this and entered the hermitage of Fonte Avellana where, once elected prior, he promoted the religious life with such fervor that all of Italy was affected by his renewal. During calamitous times, he helped the Roman Pontiffs through his works and writings and by various missions on behalf of Church reform. He was created bishop and cardinal of Ostia by Pope Stephen IX. Peter Damian died in 1072, and soon afterward was venerated as a saint. He was later named Doctor of the Church.
While Peter Damian was concerned with the reform of the clergy he can be a model for us today who are concerned about the reform of the Church as a whole, and as it stands in direct opposition to a worldly spirit that threatens the souls of the same people who comprise both arenas. The people of the Church are the people who live in the world.
When the people of the Church, living in the world, stop listening to sound doctrine (I) and follow their own desires and insatiable curiosities – then they will be diverted to myths – myths that can threaten the eternal salvation of souls. Many people of the Church are willing to do these things, in spite of the threat to their eternal salvation.
Peter Damian would fulfill his ministry as evangelist and teacher – were he alive today! He would proclaim God's word and be persistent whether convenient or inconvenient. He would convince, reprimand and encourage through all patience and teaching. The teaching authority of the Church these days needs to do the same thing: convince, reprimand and encourage through all patience and charity! It is so easy for Catholics living in the world to be taken in by the glitter, the glamour and the false sense of propriety that the "spirit of the evil one" still sows. He is subtle. He is cunning! He is also very patient! But he has already been defeated. He just doesn't know it yet! And some are risking the farm buying into his illusory power.
May we this day (II) – remain truly connected as branches to the vine who is Jesus – so that we may resist temptation, keep our sights clear, and courageously bear fruit as loved and loving disciples! We can make the world different, by being the same Catholics who have been around for millennia!
Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
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