These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Then Jesus said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Lk 9:22-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030625.cfm
Love so amazing, so divine. Lent is not about what we do for God, but rather what God has done for us in Christ. The Lord reminds us what this journey of Lent is all about: a daily following in his footsteps. We remember Pope Francis and the Cross he bears.
We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 5:20-6:2)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030525.cfm
The Day of Salvation is NOW. God invites us into this NOW where the fullness of God’s love for us in Christ is revealed. NOW is the acceptable time, in one sense it is the only moment we truly have. Our fasting, prayer and works of charity are an expression of our thanksgiving to God for such wondrous Love. May you have a joyful Lent! We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030425.cfm
Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras Day was always the best: parades all day, walking around downtown, visiting the ships in port, sticky candy apples, hot peanuts in the shell, moon pies and beads, people everywhere.
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ""You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."" At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mk 10:17-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030325.cfm
What are the things that keep us from following the Lord? As we prepare to enter the Holy Season of Lent, perhaps we need to remember that the Lord looks at us with love and then invites us to free ourselves from the burdens that weigh us down. The look of love from the Lord is all we need to be able to let go and follow on the Way. We continue to pray for Pope Francis and his ministry in the church.
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:54-58)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030225.cfm
What does the death and resurrection of Jesus mean for us? Saint Paul spells it out: God has won the victory for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything has changed. We are indeed “pilgrims of hope” which is the theme of this Holy Year that Pope Francis has proclaimed. We continue to pray for the health of our Holy Father.
