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.

TUESDAY, WEEK VII, EASTER

From Miletus Paul had the presbyters
of the Church at Ephesus summoned. 
When they came to him, he addressed them:
“I consider life of no importance to me,
if only I may finish my course
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace.”
(Acts 20:17-27)

Saint Paul will finish the course. His martyrdom in Rome, along with Saint Peter’s martyrdom in Rome, marked a turning point for the Early Church. Of course, the church of Rome could then claim the two greatest apostles as their own. This time between the Ascension and Pentecost is considered the first novena . . . praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit.