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.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. (Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111422.cfm
As the liturgical year comes to a close, we begin the reading of the Book of Revelation. A key to understanding the book is perhaps hidden in the above passage. It seems that the setting for the book is the liturgy of this community: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen.” The “letters” to the seven churches of Asia Minor although addressed to specific communities have always been treasured by the whole church.