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.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. (Ez 37:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082324.cfm
Our final reading from the Prophet Ezekiel is this rather macabre prophecy of the Dry Bones. And even though white folks have made fun of the old spiritual, Dem Bones, the message of the prophet as well as the spiritual is dead serious. Our God can breathe new life into our dry bones so that we may live.
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ez 36:23-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082224.cfm
A new heart, a new spirit. As we come to the conclusion of the prophecy of Ezekiel, the prophet offers hope and a renewal of the covenant: “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Today is the octave day of the feast of the Assumption of Mary. We celebrate Mary as queen because she is the Mother of the King of Heaven, her son Jesus Christ. One of the most popular Christmas carols in Colombia is Salve, Reina y Madre (Hail, Queen and Mother).
For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. (Ez 34:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082124.cfm
The prophecy of Ezekiel against the leaders (shepherds) of the people ends with the promise God makes: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” It’s not often that the church chooses a pope who has actually had experience as pastor of a parish. Based on his practical experience Pius X made some interesting changes in the liturgy of the church. Pius X encouraged the active participation of the faithful. He ordered a renewal of church music. The other significant change was encouraging frequent communion (at that time people received communion very rarely) and allowing children who had not been confirmed to be admitted to the Table of the Lord. Pius X is known as the Pope of the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." (Mt 19:23-30)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082024.cfm
It is only God who can lead us to salvation. Saint Bernard (1090-1153) heard God’s call and left everything to follow Christ. In my younger years, I was a monk of Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama.
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mt 19: 16-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081924.cfm
What is the cost of discipleship, to be able to follow him? It is a challenge we must all face throughout our lives. There is a scene in the movie, Becket, where the recently named Archbishop of Canterbury is required to give away all his possessions. Becket is in the hall of the monastery giving away all his possessions to the poor, when he looks up at the wall, sees the Crucifix, and says to himself, “It’s so easy.” Of course, as the story goes on, it will become exceedingly more difficult.
