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.
As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!" (Lk 18:35-43)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111725.cfm
“Jesus, have pity on me!” And of course, Jesus does. But would we? That’s the question that trips up all of us would-be disciples. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) was filled with compassion and cared for the sick. She is the patron saint of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them!.” (Lk 21:5-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm
Who’s got time to worry about the end of the world? It’s time to get to work. There are hungry people to feed, good decent neighbors who have been locked up and separated from their families and their spiritual communities, sick folks who have been abandoned without insurance and medical care, human rights being trampled on, and children living in fear of going to school. Is it a scary time? Absolutely. But the Lord reminds us: ‘by perseverance you will secure your lives.’ So breathe, say a prayer, and get back to work. https://youtu.be/nsMQ8V4pNCI?si=ldrtV2Lmeq5NoQtz
When peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne bounded. (Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111525.cfm
Today’s passage gave rise to Christmas Eve tradition of Midnight Mass. Remembering the Virgin Mary, we begin the preparations for Christmas. In Envigado (my town within the great metropolitan city of Medellín), the Christmas lights will be turned on next Friday, November 21, with great festivity and will remain until January 18. Advent used to be six weeks long, and in some parts of the church it still is. Tomorrow, November 16, is the First Sunday of Advent, or we can wait until Sunday, November 30. But either way, may the Holy Season of Advent make us more aware of Christ in the poor, especially in immigrants, and in those who have nothing. https://youtu.be/X0ZSRwrmNKA?si=sfGozG7uhRr9UlgG
All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan; But either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water, or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods. Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them. (Wis 13:1-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111425.cfm
The traditional philosophical arguments for the existence of God are somewhat dry and not very convincing. Belief in God has always seemed something wild, wonderful and absolutely terrifying. The Book of Wisdom suggests that beauty is the way that God captures our hearts. https://youtu.be/BBPbZHK41dM?si=0RFA910Q4Etl1vGo
Wisdom, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. (Wis 7:22b-8:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111325.cfm
Wisdom in Hebrew, Greek and Spanish is a feminine noun. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) was filled with wisdom and was a friend of God. She was an immigrant missionary sister who became the first United States citizen to be canonized. I remember how some folks said that Mother Cabrini really didn’t count as a US saint because she was an immigrant. These folks were pushing for the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) as the first “native-born” US saint. (Mother Seton wasn’t born in the United States either, but rather in the British Colonies that later became the United States!). https://youtu.be/rLex5QGMp70?si=a88wGgcRycmiZGYC
