Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the Daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Tuesday, September 9th, and the Gospel reading is Luke 6, 12-19, and the scripture to reflect on is Luke 6, 12.
In these days he went out to the hills to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
In today’s reading, Jesus chooses his twelve disciples, but before he does, he spends time in the night, seeking his Father in prayer.
Do you spend time before you go to sleep every night?
I do.
I pray with my dad every night, and we make sure to sprinkle some holy water in my room.
God is like a best friend.
You can tell him about your day, things you did, what you’re proud of, and even things you aren’t proud of.
He wants to know when you’re happy, sad, hurt, worried, or mad, and even sorry.
You can share anything with him, your worries and your hopes.
No matter what, God loves us.
Who wouldn’t want to fall asleep knowing that?
Today’s Saint of the Day, St.
Peter Claver.
He was born June 26, 1580, and died September 8, 1654.
He’s the patron saint of Columbia and victims of slavery.
Peter was born and raised in Spain.
He was the son of a farmer and lived a poor life.
After graduating from the University of Barcelona, he joined the Jesuits.
Peter was ordained as a priest in Columbia in 1616.
He then assisted Father Alfonso, a fellow Jesuit, who ministered to Africans captured by slave traders.
Together with interpreters, the priest would climb down ships to hold the men and women being treated as cargo.
They would treat their wounds, give them baths and food, and speak to them with words of comfort and faith.
St.
Peter baptized around 300,000 slaves in the 40 years of his ministry.
He also visited prisons, plantations, hospitals, and mines to follow up on them.
He continuously found clothing, fruit, and other goods to give to his people.
Since he only had a small knowledge of the African language, he made a method to teach using large drawings of the life of Christ.
Even in his final years when he got very sick, Peter Claver continued to receive visitors and listened to confessions.
To be a good prayer, you have to make good habits and remember to do it daily and nightly, regularly, just like when we learn to read.
You start with ABCs, and then it eventually clicks.
Prayer habits can be made the same way.
You can do it first thing in the morning or before bed.
If you can, read more scripture, or maybe the daily readings or a verse of the day.
Prayer is just spending time with God.
Peter Claver always gave of himself to care for others.
He called himself a slave of the slaves.
We could be more like him by serving and caring for others too.
Are there hungry people in your neighborhood?
Help them with the local food pantry, soup kitchen, or invite them over for dinner.
Are there lonely people?
Befriend them or invite them to join your family for a game night or on a walk.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you for all you do for us.
Help me to be better at spending time with you in prayer.
And help me to be a servant to those who are in need.
Help me to show others your love by serving them.
St.
Peter Claver, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!