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.
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.” (Jer 33:14-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Caring Hearts AIDS Ministry when I was pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Asheville, NC. We lovingly remember all those we have lost. As we begin this season of Advent, we prepare for the coming of the Lord who brings us justice. May this season remind us that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121).
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! (Rom 10:9-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113024.cfm
Beautiful feet! That’s what we aim for in bringing the good news. For we are missionary disciples proclaiming the unconditional love of the Lord without distinction as Saint Andrew did together with his brother, Saint Peter.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 29:1-4, 11-21:2)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112924.cfm
A new heaven, a new earth, a new city, a new us! We come to the conclusion of our reading of the Book of Revelation with the vision of all things being renewed in Christ. We also come to the conclusion of the liturgical year preparing ourselves for the Coming of the Lord.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:11-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112824-thanksgiving.cfm
All ten lepers were cleansed, but only one was saved—the one who returned to give thanks. How important it is to give thanks for all the gifts we have received. Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and also in my little corner of Colombia with members of my Colombian family. The menu today: turkey and dressing with cranberry sauce, my grandmother’s purple cabbage recipe, sweet potatoes, green salad almondine, and a Colombian dessert—buñuelos y natilla! I give thanks to God for the gift of family and friends—the gift of all of you!
They were holding God’s harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Rev 15:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112724.cfm
The liturgy of heaven continues with the Song of the Lamb. I grew up in a church where music was important. I even sang in the children’s choir. And I can still remember the songs we sang. Music is one way we come to God. As the hymn says, “Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring!”
