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.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, November 21

Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. They sang a new hymn: “Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.” (Rev 5:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112124.cfm
As the liturgy of heaven continues, we get a new hymn praising the Lamb Who was Slain and proclaiming that we are now a kingdom of priests for our God. Today is the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple of Jerusalem, and we celebrate our share in the One Priesthood of her Son as we echo her hymn of praise.