MEMORIAL ST PETER CLAVER, SPETEMBER 9, 2026, WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Gospel
Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, or you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
REFLECTION
Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.
We have been told and reminded to savor the delight of the Lord present in our lives. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” ( Psalm 34:9 ) is a beautiful invitation from David saying to us to experience God's goodness personally as he just had. He was running from Saul and found himself in the land of Gath, hometown of Goliath. The people were angry at David. David was very much fearful and afraid and needed to avoid the wrath of King Abimeleche. He cried out to the Lord and was delivered.
David praises God not because his life is easy but because he discovered, felt and was comforted in the presence of God in the middle of fear and trouble .
In spite of whatever we go through, God is right there. God shines forth in us so that others can see Him reflected in the mirror of the human heart as it imitates Him. ( St Leo the Great)
St Peter Claver ministered to the slaves who came in on the slave ships. He spent his life serving enslaved Africans who arrived in Cartagena, Colombia, after horrific journeys across the sea.
St Peter Claver did not stand at a distance. He went down into the crowded, filthy holds carrying food, water, medicine, and whatever comfort he could offer. He cared for people whom society treated as if they had no value. Jesus had given him the courage to do so. St. Peter Claver teaches us not only to see Jesus in the Eucharist, but to recognize and serve that same Jesus in every person we meet.
For those who hunger for Jesus, we will be satisfied when we taste and see that the Lord is good.
Always praising the Lord
God Bless You
,.
Comments