Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 98)
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120924.cfm
In the United States today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, but here in Colombia we have permission to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Today we remember the Virgin Mary, through whom we received the Author of Life. Tonight is the second and final night of the Velitas in Colombia. In honor of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Colombians light little candles (velitas) in front of their homes to illuminate the path of the Virgin Mary who brings us the Christ Child. I celebrated Mass at the shrine of the Immaculate Conception for our neighborhood which is named La Inmaculada.
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.
Immaculate Conception, December 8 (Colombia)
