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.
The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. (Jn 3:31-36)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050125.cfm
Jesus is from above and speaks the words of God, but he is proud to be known as the son of the carpenter. My favorite image of Saint Joseph the Worker is the “cartoon” of the stain glass window that my family donated to Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Winston-Salem, NC, in memory of the departed members of my family. The “cartoon” and the window are by the artist, Patrick Pollen (1928-2010). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Pollen
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (Jn 3:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/043025.cfm
To love the world and every one in it as God does is the work of salvation to which Christ calls us. We accomplish it one act of kindness at a time. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we choose a new pope. https://youtu.be/_14CpHBRd3k?si=tnKZ-vGccDJQe7PH
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042925.cfm
To be of one heart and one mind is always a challenge for the church. Saint Catherine (1347-1380) lived in a very troubled time for the church and faced incredible challenges, but she never gave up. She had faith in her mystical Bridegroom. Now we are praying for a new pope, one after the Heart of Christ.
Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' (Jn 3:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042825.cfm
Jesus didn’t say we must be “born again.” What Jesus says is that we need to be “born from above.” Either way, to be “born from above” or to be “born again” is certainly not meant to be used as a weapon against others. It is not some secret knowledge that only the Elect possess. To be “born from above” means we should ACT like we’re from above instead of what we usually do, act like we’re from below, from hell itself. Today's picture is of the Padre with Doña Gil, the mother of the pastor of my parish. https://youtu.be/MbXWu4Z9ECA?si=b_ojdhtVawcYzJ7n
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:19-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm
Mercy is giving others another chance. It’s what we call a do-over. Thomas wins a second chance for all of us. For whatever reason, Thomas missed the first Easter Sunday—he was simply absent. And when the others told him what had happened, he refused to believe. But the NEXT Sunday he didn’t miss the gathering, Thomas was there. And even though the Lord tells him to touch his wounds, Thomas DOESN’T. Instead Thomas sees and believes and then gives us the highest confession of Jesus in the entire New Testament, “My Lord and my God!” Doubting Thomas has become Thomas is the Believer! That is truly Divine Mercy, a mercy we should in turn extend to others.
