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.
'Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . Come, share your master's joy.’ (Mt 25:14-30)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111923.cfm
Today I think about the many wonderful priests in my Diocese of Charlotte who touched my life and have now gone before us: Fr Wil Thomas, Msgr Tony Kovacic, Fr Frank Connolly, Msgr Bill Pharr, Msgr Frank Smith, Fr Tom Clements, Fr Jim Cahill, Fr Bill Evans, Fr Ed Beatty, Fr Joe Kerin, Msgr Dick Allen, Fr Tom Walsh, Fr George Kloster, Msgr Rich Bellow, and Fr Joe Waters. Well done, good and faithful servants! After today the Daily Reflection and the "Mass in Spanish with a Little Bit of English" go on vacation until the First Sunday of Advent. Happy Thanksgiving!
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, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. (Wis 18: 14-16; 19:6-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111823.cfm
This passage from the Book of Wisdom influenced the Christmas traditions more than we realize. The famous carol and Marian hymn, Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming (in German, "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen”), as well as the Christmas tradition of Midnight Mass comes from this passage: when half-spent was the night. Today is also the dedication of two of the major basilicas of Rome, the Vatican Basilica of Saint Peter and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, honoring the two apostles of Rome.
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 . . . for the original source of beauty fashioned them. (Wis 13:1-9)
The heavens declare the glory of God. (Psalm 19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111723.cfm
The beauty of creation should lead us to praise the Creator, the original source of beauty. As the responsorial psalm tells us: ”The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) followed in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. She cared for the sick and is the patron saint of the Third Order of Saint Francis.
For Wisdom is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. (Wis 7:22b-8:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111623.cfm
The Hymn to Wisdom finds echoes in the Hymn to Christ in the Letter to the Colossians: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col1:15-20). Of course, early Christians would make those connections as they searched the Scriptures to find references to Christ.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you." (Lk 17:11-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111523.cfm
The healing of the lepers reminds us of the importance of giving thanks: all ten were healed, but only one was saved—the foreigner who came back to give thanks. It reminds me of Captain Kangaroo, who was long before Mister Rogers. The Captain taught us children the Magic Words: Please and Thank you!
