On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year, that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile, The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—There the hand of the LORD came upon me. (Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080822.cfm
We begin today reading the prophet Ezekiel. Many of the prophets had a very rocky relationship with the priestly clan . . . but Ezekiel is a priest, although in exile and with no temple worship to keep him busy. His visions are unique among the prophets and holds out hope for the future. Saint Dominic founded the Order of Preachers to promote the preaching of the Word. Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare: To Praise, to Bless, to Preach.
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.
Saint Dominic, presbyter, August 8
