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.

Monday, Week XVII, Ordinary Time—Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, July 26

The LORD answered, “Him only who has sinned against me
will I strike out of my book.
Now, go and lead the people to the place I have told you.
My angel will go before you. (Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34)

The Incident of the Golden Calf so disheartens Moses that he asks God to strike him out of the book. God tells Moses that he doesn’t get off that easy: “Now, go and lead the people to the place I have told you.” God will take care of those who have sinned later. Today’s feast of the parents of the Virgin Mary reminds us of the importance of our grandparents in the life of faith.