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, Christmas Weekday, January 7

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 149)
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010723.cfm
The human story, as well as our personal story, is often one of failure and disappointment. But over and above all, the human story and our personal story are the story of GRACE. The Bible tells us that God not only loves us but that God delights in us. Perhaps, the best response is to sing God’s praise with music and dancing and Christmas lights!