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.

Our Lady of Mercy, September 24

But now take courage, Zerubbabel, says the LORD, and take courage, Joshua, high priest, son of Jehozadak,
And take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work!
For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt,
And my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear! (Haggai 2:1-9)

Take courage, work, I am with you, don’t be afraid. Powerful words from the Prophet Haggai, words for God’s people in every age, words for us today in this time of the politics of division. For there’s work to be done: to care for the sick and the imprisoned, to welcome immigrants, to give people hope, to build a world of justice where everyone can find a place at the table of the human family. Today is the feast of our Lady of Mercy, the feast of the Sisters of Mercy.