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.

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS—September 14 (USA)

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.  (Jn 3:13-17)

If God loves the world and everyone in it so much, then perhaps we should too. The Son came not to condemn but to save. In most of Latin America this feast is celebrated on May 3.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you
because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.