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.

Tuesday, Week XIV, Ordinary Time

The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” (Gen 32:23-33)

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:32-38)

Sometimes when we have struggled and yet perservered, we should not let the angel go until we have asked for a blessing. And the Lord will give us a blessing because he is the Good Shepherd, and we always have a place in his heart.