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 Wednesday, January 14th, and the Gospel reading is Mark 1, 29-39, and the scripture to reflect on is Mark 1, 34. And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, Here are my mother and my brethren. Jesus was sent to earth to heal, preach, teach, love, share, and to show how much God loves his people.
He took care of others' hurts inside and out.
He has come back to life so that we might live.
We should try remembering that Jesus promised to be with us always.
He heals physical hurts, but most importantly, he heals our inner trouble, like the feeling in our hearts.
Jesus cares for us always. Today’s Saint of the Day is Blessed Peter Donders.
He was born 1809 and died 1887.
He is a patron saint of those rejected by religious orders. Peter Donders was born in Tillingburg, Holland.
Because of his family’s poverty, he received little schooling.
From a young age, Peter had to do farm work and work in a factory to help support his family.
Peter wanted to become a priest, and finally, with the support of some local priests, he entered the diocese and seminary at the age of 22.
On June 5, 1841, he was ordained a priest.
Soon after his ordination, he traveled to the Dutch mission of Suriname, South America, arriving in Paramaribo.
He ministered to the poor and plantation slaves.
He worked to improve their appealing conditions and baptized over 1,200 people before volunteering to serve the leper colony at Batavia. There, he personally nursed the lepers and worked with the civil government to better the conditions of the leper colony.
In 1866, the Remdeporists arrived to take over the mission of Suriname.
Peter had always wanted to become a religious priest, but he had been refused admission by the Redemptors as a young man. God’s poverty provided another chance.
He asked to be admitted to the congregation, which took two vows in one year later.
Then he spent several years ministering to the Indian people of Suriname, leaving the native language and catechizing them.
When his health failed, he eventually transferred back to the leper colony, where he spent the rest of his life nursing the sick. Jesus always took time to show that he came to care for people.
Whether that was time to heal one of his disciples' mother-in-law, a follower with a demon, or just someone in the crowd, he proved physical healing but also took time to do his teachings and show genuine love.
When he was on earth, his ministry demonstrated how much he cared for people.
Because we know he cares for us still, we should pass this love along to those around us. Peter risked his life for the faith, serving lepers and making long, dangerous missionary journeys.
Peter’s life demonstrates a zeal in selfless dedication to proclaiming Jesus Christ despite challenges. Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you that you are always here with us.
Help us to never forget. And help us that no matter what happens, we will always love you, even if things don’t go our way.
St.
Peter, Donders, 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!