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.

I ADVENT SUNDAY

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot ; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.” (Jer 13:14-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112821.cfm
We begin the liturgical year preparing for the coming of the Lord (His Advent—his coming toward us). The longing for Emmanuel (God with us) is expressed so beautifully in the great Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.