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.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110924.cfm
The cathedral of the City of Rome is the Lateran Basilica, NOT the Basilica of Saint Peter. But church buildings represent all of us. For as Saint Paul points out, we “are the temple of God.” Of course, the early church had NO buildings at all (Christianity was not a “tolerated” religion in the Roman Empire). Unfortunately, we tend to think of the church building as the church. Actually, WE are the church, the building is simply where we, the church, gather to celebrate our Lord.
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 3:17-4:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110824.cfm
Because of tomorrow’s feast, today is our final reading from the Letter to the Philippians. When Saint Paul refers to the community as “my joy and crown,” we begin to see how dear this community is to him. The bonds of love and affection that knit us together is the joy and crown of ministry. It’s the part that they never really teach in seminary.
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.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. (Lk 15:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110724.cfm
Sometimes context gives us a fuller understanding of a passage. Three of the greatest parables follow this complaint against Jesus: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Child (or the Prodigal Son) are far more radical than we ever imagined. Instead of “our search for God”, these parables of Jesus turn that spiritual canard upside down. It is God who comes searching for us and doesn’t give up until we are safely found and then throws a party to rejoice.
Hold on to the word of life, so that 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 2:12-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110624.cfm
In this passage from the Letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul is facing his own martyrdom. Reviewing his life in Christ, he doesn’t complain about the race he has run nor all the labor he has done, rather he rejoices. When we have done all that we can do, the rest is in God’s hands. As my grandmother would always say with a smile, “Do the best you can, that’s all the angels can do!”
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 22)
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the LORD shall praise him: “May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110524.cfm
On a day when many hearts are filled with anxiety concerning the elections in the United States, the scriptures remind us that God has a plan beyond anything we can imagine: God will raise up the Crucified and give Him the Name above every other name; the hungry will be filled with every good thing; our hearts will be merry; and we will praise the Lord in the great assembly. As Psalm 30 reminds us: Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
