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.

XXIII ORDINARY SUNDAY

Thus says the LORD:
  Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
  Here is your God, who comes to save you. (Is 35:4-7a)

September is a time of memories: fond memories of school years past when classes actually began after Labor Day; back-to-school memories of class mates, and teachers and making new friends and the excitement of new challenges ahead. But September has become a month of anniversaries . . . in fact, next Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Perhaps it is good that the Scriptures remind us that we should not be afraid and that it is God who comes to save us.