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 XXXI, ORDINARY TIME

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
(Lk 15:1-2)

Sometimes we forget that the Pharisees and scribes were good church people. But of course, it’s always good church people who are the first to complain when sinners show up at the table. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” is probably one of the oldest memories that the church has of the Eucharist.