September 9, 2026
St. Peter Claver
A Challenge
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.
Luke 6:20-21

“The slave of the slaves.” That’s how St. Peter Claver is remembered, the 17th-century Spanish Jesuit whose memo­rial is today. He spent most of his ministry in Cartagena, Colombia, the hub of the still-flourishing slave trade.

Peter and his associates would wait at the docks for the ships coming from Africa, and as the ships poured out the hundreds of suffering human beings, this Christian cohort would get to work, ministering to both body and soul.

We hear Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes as a promise about the future. They are certainly that, but perhaps they are a challenge for the present as well. It was a challenge taken up by St. Peter Claver and all the saints: to reveal the truth of Jesus’ promise to those suffering—to let the poor, hungry and imprisoned know that with Jesus near, they are, indeed, blessed.

Jesus, may the suffering find blessing in you

- Amy Welborn

1 Corinthians 7:25-31 ✚ Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17 ✚ Luke 6:20-26
Wheat ears, grains and bowl of flour on a wooden table. Image by Nitr | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

Salina (not in control)
September 9, 2026 at 06:20 PM

Reading my response above is confusing :-) Ignore my wife or husband? Ignore my feelings? Ignore my responsibilities?That’s what I wrote but that’s not what I meant…God above my wife or husband! God above my circumstances in feelings! God above my work and possessions!

Salina (not in control)
September 9, 2026 at 06:09 PM

The challenge is to recognize the paradoxes in God’s Word describing ithe Kingdom of God on earth!!! See them in these verses… *** 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, “Brothers and sisters, what I mean is that the time is short. From now on, those who have a husband or wife should live as if they did not. Those who mourn should live as if they did not. Those who are happy should live as if they were not. Those who buy something should live as if it were not theirs to keep. Those who use the things of the world should not...
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freeter
September 9, 2026 at 12:56 PM

Amen. :)

Cheryl
September 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM

Amen

ADV
September 9, 2026 at 09:24 AM

AMEN!

CBR
September 9, 2026 at 08:53 AM

Lord God let all them who are suffering find you and be satisfied Amen Amen Amen

Stormi
September 9, 2026 at 08:49 AM

Amy thank you for your words of reflection. Give us the strength to find goodness in the suffering of all in this world. Blessings to all the LFF especially those with extra needs these days. Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all to guide us to a more Heavenly Earth.

Gary
September 9, 2026 at 08:27 AM

"Jesus, may the suffering find blessing in you." Thanks for the words today Amy . Amen!

Mike
September 9, 2026 at 08:28 AM

Jesus, may the suffering find blessing in you

Wheat ears, grains and bowl of flour on a wooden table. Image by Nitr | stock.adobe.com
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