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.

THURSDAY, WEEK XIII, ORDINARY TIME

To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now hear the word of the LORD!” (Amos 7:12-16)

Retreats are nice, having a mountain view is lovely, a walk in nature is very relaxing, watching the waves break on the shore is captivating. But like the prophet Amos, when God calls us . . . it’s usually in the middle of everyday life: I was a shepherd and the Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people.” Then Amos lowered the boom: “Now, hear the word of the Lord!”