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.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 Jn 2:29-3:6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010326.cfm
On this feast of the holy name of Jesus, the Scirptures remind us who we are and whose we are. https://youtube.com/shorts/NLOwwbm7Kac?si=XuH99ZcpRBlONqh8
Responsorial Psalm
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010226.cfm
The fourth century was a critical time for the church as it reflected on God’s salvation in the mystery of Christ. Basil the Great (330-379) and his best friend, Gregory of Nazianus (329-390), helped the church to celebrate its faith in God’s wondrous love. https://youtu.be/QlqSAyp34TU?si=Um4lWdkSwBk6JDj7
This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Num 6:22-27)
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Lk 2:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010126.cfm
As we begin this new civil year asking God’s blessings, Mary reminds us to keep all these things, reflecting on them in our heart. https://youtu.be/1rog6qg6INg?si=838-XupJe2sBaGPJ
Children, it is the last hour. (1 Jn 2:18-21)
In the beginning was the Word. (Jn 1:1-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123125.cfm
A little bit of liturgical humor on this last day of the civil year: the lectionary gives us the Last Hour and the Last Gospel, which used to be read as the final blessing at Low Mass. The year 2025 has been filled with chaos in the lives of so many people. May the coming year hasten God’s agenda: justice for the poor, reconciliation, peace. A Happy New Year filled with God’s blessings! https://youtu.be/iyqtTLIg1l0?si=LCngkZ2Vmzfxz0wj
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (Lk 2:36-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123025.cfm
I love the story of Anna. She is in the Temple waiting for the Christ Child for years and years and years. How important are our elders. They have wisdom, perseverance, faith, aren’t afraid to speak their minds and know how to give thanks. Anna reminds me of my grandmother, Minnie Goetting Torp (1906-1987), who taught me the stories of Jesus. https://youtu.be/deJj1ovPfrQ?si=otDff6kt5pkr9gHL
