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.

XXVII ORDINARY SUNDAY--(Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4)

Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:6-7)

One of the great privileges of being a priest is giving blessings. I believe that we should bless each other often, invoking God’s name over one another. One of my favorite “benedictions” is taken from this passage from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.

The picture today is the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. Today is his feast day.  Pax et bonum!