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.

Friday, Week XXX, Ordinary Time

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 147)
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
 Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
 praise your God, O Zion.
 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; 
he has blessed your children within you. 
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. He has granted peace in your borders; 
with the best of wheat he fills you. 
He sends forth his command to the earth;
 swiftly runs his word!
 R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Peaceful borders. Finest wheat in abundance. Gates strengthened. God’s word freely given. Children blessed, precious in God’s eyes. And so our hearts are moved to praise: glorify the Lord with me, together let us bless God’s name!