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.

SATURDAY, WEEK IV, ORDINARY TIME—Saint Paul Miki and his companions, First Martyrs of Japan, February 6

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant, 
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.
(Heb 13:15-17,20-21)

Today the conclusion of the Letter to the Hebrews is this beautiful blessing. When I was in language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico, we visited the Cathedral (early 16th century). I was surprised by the ancient murals (today's picture) telling the story of Saint Paul Miki and the First Martyrs of Japan. The first native born Mexican saint, Saint Felipe de Jesús, was one of the companion martyrs.