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.
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
(1 Thes 4:13-14)
We are still within the Octave of the Faithful Departed (November 2-9), and we will continue to remember them throughout the month of November. This Sunday we have this wonderful reminder from Saint Paul about those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. As Christians we have called the places where we bury our dead, “cemeteries” literally “sleeping places,” where their bodies sleep until the Resurrection. Today's photo is of Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama.
Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
(Eph 5:14)
Johann Sebastian Bach used the Parable of the Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) as the basis for his cantata, Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake!), ca. 1731.
You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel,
when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me
in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you
through Epaphroditus,
“a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:15,18-19)
How important this tiny community of Philippi is to Saint Paul’s ministry. And he is grateful. And we’re grateful that Saint Paul’s mother taught her son manners—because we now have this ancient “thank-you” letter in our Bible today! Today's photo is of a papyrus of Philippians 3-4.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
(Phil 4:1)
Paul really gets effusive in this letter to the Philippian community. But “my joy and crown” and “beloved” say it all. For all of us, to “stand firm in the Lord” is our challenge and our hope. Today’s photo is of the Baptistery of the Octagonal Basilica at Philippi.
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.
My boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation
upon the sacrificial service of your faith,
I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.
(Phil 2:16-18)
Joy in being poured out as a libation in service to others . . . that’s a sentiment not very common among us. But during this pandemic we have seen it displayed over and over again in our health care workers who have laid down their lives caring for those stricken by Covid-19. And because of the pandemic, many families have not been able to be with their loved ones in hospital, but the health care workers were there holding the hands of our loved ones as they slipped away.
Today is the feast of Charles Borromeo who organized his church to care for victims of the plague.
