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.
Alleluia (Mt 5:10)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080324.cfm
The Beatitudes prepare us for the challenges of a life of faith. The people and leaders seeking to kill the prophet Jeremiah, King Herod beheading John the Baptist. The question comes, “Is it worth it?” Despite all the problems we may face, the Virgin Mary joyfully proclaims the greatness of the Lord!
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 69)
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080224.cfm
Saint John Damascene (675-749) taught the church long ago that prayer is the lifting up of our hearts and minds to God. We can place all our needs before the Lord in confidence, because we trust in God’s great love for us revealed in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080124.cfm
The image of the potter’s house tells us that God is not finished with us just yet. We might not turn out as God hopes, but God keeps working with our clay and re-forms us and re-makes us. Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) is remembered for his self-offering: “I love you, Jesus, my Love, more than myself. I repent of ever having offended you. Never permit me to offend you again. Grant that I might love you always, and then do with me what you will.”
When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073124.cfm
It took Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) some time to find God’s words . . . but once found he really did devour them and gladly bore God’s name the rest of his life. It was at the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat that Ignatius, on pilgrimage in 1522, gave his sword to the Virgin of Montserrat as a sign of his conversion.
Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people, over her incurable wound. Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but terror comes instead. We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your name's sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. (Jer 14:17-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073024.cfm
Jeremiah, like most of the prophets, was not a very popular. In fact, his life was always in danger. But his love for God’s people brought forth some of the most tragic poetry in all the prophets. Today’s picture is by Marc Chagall, Jeremiah, Man of Tears.
