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.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 145)
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112725-Thanksgiving.cfm
I give thanks to God this Thanksgiving Day for my family of origin, for my Colombian family, for all of you my friends and for the opportunity to continue to serve the People of God. https://youtu.be/Q7cli3xy-tQ?si=ccrQ2KztCR7hzOI2
This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Dan 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112625.cfm
Prophets speak truth to power. Daniel is not afraid to tell the mighty king: your days are numbered, you’ve been weighed and found wanting, your kingdom will go to your enemies. Who are the prophets who will speak truth to power today? https://youtu.be/VwcKwGS7OSQ?si=GyK9yifQWcRSKZ6r
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." (Lk 21:5-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112525.cfm
A little deja vu with the lectionary, we just heard this passage a couple of Sundays ago. But it’s always good to hear it again, because the message is very important in these days when folks keep thinking it’s the end of the world. https://youtu.be/CprYUY9RQ_0?si=qj6b8BwZpfNUKNII
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." (Lk 21:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112425.cfm
The Lord judges the world by the values of the Kingdom and invites us to do the same. Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc (1795-1839) and his companion martyrs are the first martyrs of Vietnam. Today’s video is of the ordination of presbyters and the hymn is called God Himself Chose You. https://youtu.be/z-zpeX0D-Gw?si=RSTa5liz013jt5KG
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Lk 23:35-43)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm
The Cross is a good corrective to so-called Christian Nationalism and attempts to justify using our faith as a weapon against others. The One we follow gives himself away for love of us.
