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.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. (Sirach 6:5-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022825.cfm
There is an old hymn that sings of our friendship with the Lord, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Our friends in life reveal to us the Love which the Lord has for each one of us. Many people see that friendship in the ministry of Pope Francis. We pray for his health and his ministry among us.
Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath. (Sirach 5:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022725.cfm
God has never been impressed with wealth, but even less when we take food from the poor to give tax breaks to the super wealthy. For good reason billionaires don’t spend much time reading the Scriptures. We pray for Pope Francis, surrounded here with children on the World Day of the Poor.
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us." (Mk 9:38-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022625.cfm
Some folks want the church divided into opposing sides, but the Lord offers us another way: “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Perhaps we should be looking on one another not as the “enemy” but rather as working together to proclaim the Good News. We continue to pray for Pope Francis, for his health and his ministry of unity in the church.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." (Mk 9:30-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022525.cfm
Greatness is defined by getting ahead, being successful, and winning. But Jesus does just the opposite. Jesus describes true greatness in terms of service.
But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:14-29)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022425.cfm
Sometimes when everything seems hopeless, we cry out in desperation like the father of the little boy in the gospel story. And the Lord always helps us. We continue to pray for Pope Francis and his ministry in the church. Today’s picture was taken at the canonization of Mother Teresa in 2016 when Pope Francis passed in front of us.
