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.
Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, who comes to save you. (Is 35:4-7a)
September is a time of memories: fond memories of school years past when classes actually began after Labor Day; back-to-school memories of class mates, and teachers and making new friends and the excitement of new challenges ahead. But September has become a month of anniversaries . . . in fact, next Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Perhaps it is good that the Scriptures remind us that we should not be afraid and that it is God who comes to save us.
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him. (Col 1:21-23)
We always like to think that WE have a part to play in the great plan of salvation, and we do in one sense, in the things that we do for God. But the Scriptures are always quick to remind us that salvation is about what GOD has done for us in Christ. And as Saint Paul would add “so that no one can boast” (1 Cor 1:29). Today is the birthday of my great friend, Father Larry Richardt.
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation. (Col 1:15-20)
The beautiful poetry from the Letter to the Colossians is a good example of early Christian hymnody: hymns of praise to Jesus Christ. Gregory the Great was really great. He took as the theme of his ministry: Servus servorum Dei (Servant of the Servants of God). And every pope since Gregory has done the same. Today's photo is of fictional character, Nucky Thompson, receiving the Order of Saint Gregory the Great (from HBO's Boardwalk Empire).
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him. (Lk 5:1-11)
The Big Fisherman (Simon Peter), in a boat with Jesus, gets more than he bargained for, but with James and John, he makes the right decision: to leave all and follow Jesus.
