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.
“You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My cup you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mt 20:22-23)
When the Lord tells the two ambitious disciples, "My cup you will indeed drink," he was not referring to a gold cup on the altar. As Saint John Chrysostom reminds the church, "God has no need of golden vessels but of golden hearts."
"Do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice." (Mt 23:3)
In the ordination rite for deacons, the bishop gives the Book of the Gospels to the one ordained and says: "Receive the Gospel of Christ. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach." A good reminder for us all.
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him. (Mt 17:5)
In the glory of the Resurrection Jesus is transfigured and so are we. We see Him in new light, and we catch a glimpse of what awaits us all in the Easter that never ends.
Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. (Mt 5:44)
The Lord knows us oh too well. Love your enemies . . . and how do we do that? He gives us an example: on the Cross Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
