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, July 27

Put not your trust in the deceitful words: "This is the temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD!" Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; if each of you deals justly with his neighbor; if you no longer oppress the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow; if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place, or follow strange gods to your own harm, will I remain with you in this place, in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever. (Jeremiah 7:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072724.cfm
The prophecy of Jeremiah continues the tradition of the prophets in calling for justice, especially justice for aliens, widows and orphans. Unfortunately, many church people choose to ignore these passages. As they say, “Catholic Social Teaching is our best kept secret!” But according to the prophets, justice is the essence of faith. Justice is not optional.