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.

XXII ORDINARY SUNDAY

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Mt 16:24-26)

It’s fascinating that Matthew’s gospel follows the great handing over the keys scene with Peter putting his foot in his mouth. And the Lord speaks the harshest words in the gospel to Peter: Get behind me, Satan! But the Lord uses the moment to remind the disciples about the meaning of discipleship: to follow him.