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.
Jesus said in reply, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12:46-50)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072324.cfm
What is the requirement for being a member of the family of Jesus? Is it race, ethnicity, skin color, church membership, party affiliation, immigration status, gender identity, a fat bank account, social class? Jesus tells us, “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Today’s hymn says that Christ needs you to love: “Do not care about race or skin color. Love everyone as brothers and sisters and do good.” https://youtu.be/GiVtA9PBrZg?si=hKqJMMWr-0s4FiEd
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he told her. (Jn 20:1-2, 11-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072224.cfm
The church has always called Mary Magdalene the “Apostle to the Apostles.” Her celebration has the rank of ‘feast,’ the same dignity as any of the apostles. The Risen Lord appeared first to Mary Magalene, as the Fourth Gospel (the one called According to John) clearly states. Even though some have conveniently ignored this detail, Mary Magdalene still proudly proclaims to the disciples and to the church, “I have seen the Lord!”
Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. (Jer 23:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072124.cfm
People sometimes lose their way. The world is a mess and people seek simple answers, and of course, they seek someone who will deliver them from the chaos. Unfortunately, there are those who gladly lead others astray. They are really wolves in sheep’s clothing. God’s words to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock should be posted not in school classrooms but rather in the halls of power and especially in the halls of political conventions. https://youtu.be/J3k2b5hDK0c?si=1fZQwOpxSN2B9JSq
Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power. They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and they take them; They cheat an owner of his house, a man of his inheritance. (Micah 2:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072024.cfm
In the daily readings, we begin reading from the Prophet Micah. The prophet’s image of the wealthy lazying around on their couches planning how to rob the poor is a pretty apt description of how it’s done today on corporate jets. The Virgin Mary has always been seen as the Mother of the Poor, for she sings the praises of God who fills the hungry with every good thing and sends the rich away empty.
Jesus said, “I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath." (Mt 12:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071924.cfm
The Crucifixion of Jesus is proof that the human race always prefers sacrifice to mercy. But if we acknowledge Jesus to be the Son of Man, the one whom God sent into the world, the Lord of the sabbath, then we must always choose mercy for others.
