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.
While he was at table in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Mt 9:9-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092124.cfm
To sit at the Table with Jesus means we have to rub shoulders with tax collectors and sinners and those outside the Law. It’s always been that way, it always will be, because he came for sinners.
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. (Lk 8:1-3)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092024.cfm
The women disciples were with Jesus throughout his ministry and were faithful to the end whereas the gospels record that the Twelve abandoned him and fled. Saints Andrew (1821-1846) and Paul (1794-1839) and the First Martyrs of Korea, 227 men and women, (1791-1888) remained faithful even to death.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the Apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. (1 Cor 15:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091924.cfm
Today we have another piece of catechesis from the early church that Paul has been taught. And like the teaching about the Eucharist, Paul begins with the same formula: “I handed on to you what I also received.” Paul, in turn, has taught this to the Corinthians. Of course, Paul adds the final part to the teaching: “Last of all, he appeared to me.” How important are the teachings we receive!
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 12:31-13:13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091824.cfm
Paul’s Hymn to Love is probably the most famous passage in all of his letters. It is also one of the greatest challenges to live. To say that love never fails means we are definitely talking about God’s love. Would that our frail human love could mirror the love that never ends.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it. (1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091724.cfm
Baptism doesn’t erase our differences, rather it makes us one in the One Body of Christ because we share the one Spirit. Saint Hildegard (1098-1179) was filled with the Light of the Holy Spirit and fostered a practical spirituality. Attached is a YouTube link to a very short BBC production entitled Hildegard of Bingen starring Patricia Routledge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlziyM3xWWs
