September 9, St. Peter Claver

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. — Psalm 139:24 

Mass Readings: 1 Corinthians 8:1-7,11-13 / Luke 6:27-38  

Saintly Example 

How is it that periodically we are blessed with the presence of people like Mother Teresa — and Peter Claver? In 1610 he left his home in Spain, never to return, to minister to slaves in what is now Colombia. He worked in the foul holds of slave ships where he delivered food, medicine and brandy to the exhausted, maltreated prisoners. A Jesuit priest, Peter declared he was “the slave of the Negroes forever.” He also converted thousands through his compassion. “We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips,” he said. 

His feast today is an appropriate day to count our blessings and to vow to bring comfort to the less fortunate. God has given us so much and calls us to share. 

Prayer: God, let me appreciate all I have and embrace sharing with others