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.
While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (Lk 9:43b-45)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092725.cfm
The Cross is a difficult road that many do not understand. Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) understood the Cross very well as a journey to be shared by accompanying the poor. He had the gift of inspiring others to follow Christ by serving the poor. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an on-going testimony to Vincent’s faith. https://youtu.be/GTP0KPi6MYU?si=Tpe0iO8R2-_-kVWL
Then Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Lk 9:18-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092625.cfm
Peter’s confession is correct. Jesus IS the Christ of God. The question is how do we know this. The Lord tells us plainly that the Cross and the Resurrection are essential to understanding who he truly is. They are also essential in knowing who we truly are as his disciples. https://youtu.be/pKsh9ZPM0tY?si=f6WbfY2jejpbUE_S
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 149)
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092525.cfm
I received word yesterday that my Aunt Mary died (+Mary E. Jackson Torp, 1938-2025). She and my Uncle Percy were high school sweethearts and remained deeply in love until his untimely death at age 49. I was able to visit with her and her sister in my visit to the United States in June. During my sabbatical year at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, I invited Aunt Mary to experience the musical, Godspell. She was fascinated with the production, but I will never forget her wistful words to me afterwards, “Why couldn’t they have told us the story of Jesus like that?” I know that Aunt Mary and Uncle Percy are dancing the jitterbug with all the angels! https://youtu.be/wSIs1MHdFQY?si=AeubC6yhoI9xY3SS
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Lk 9:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092425.cfm
The instruction to “take nothing for the journey” implies that there is an urgency in proclaiming the kingdom. Perhaps, we need to travel lightly and trust that God will provide. Today’s feast of Our Lady of Mercy reminds us that God’s providential care surrounds us like a mother’s love. https://youtu.be/DdFJstx9ucE?si=ju67jm836_twbtkz
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." (Lk 8:19-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092325.cfm
Some folks spend lots of time trying to figure out why Jesus seems to ignore his own family. What I see is Jesus expanding the notion of who belongs to his family to include all those who “hear the word of God and act on it.” Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) is known for his famous advice: "Pray, hope, and don't worry." https://youtu.be/P4l-TRl5CvI?si=o-tf6uRNfyj_f-5M
