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.

Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8 October

For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:22-29)

How radical is our baptism! Baptism makes us a new creation in Christ. It erases all distinctions and makes us one in Christ Jesus. No wonder the Virgin Mary sings God’s praises. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” The photo today is of the baptistery in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.