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.

Friday, Week XI, Ordinary Time

Are they Hebrews?  So am I.
Are they children of Israel?  So am I.
Are they descendants of Abraham?  So am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? 
(I am talking like an insane person).
I am still more, with far greater labors,
far more imprisonments, far worse beatings,
and numerous brushes with death. If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
(2 Cor 11:18,21-30)

Paul has to defend himself from the attacks of the “super apostles.” Of all the challenges facing Saint Paul this had to be the hardest—attacks from fellow Christians, from fellow apostles, all in the name of God.