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 to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. (Lk 8:16-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092523.cfm
“This little light of mine . . . I’m gonna let it shine!” is not just for children. It’s a challenge for all of us—not to let anyone (including ourselves!) conceal the flame of faith burning brightly in our heart and in our life.
Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. (Is 55:6-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092423.cfm
Our God is near to us always. The Merciful, the Compassionate. In the liturgy, the hymn, Lord, Have Mercy is from the Greek (Kyrie eleison) but is not originally a penitential plea for mercy. Rather, it is an acclamation that means “Lord, you are the giver of mercy.” Today (September 24) is the feast of Our Lady of Mercy—so Happy Feast Day to all the Sisters of Mercy!
When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. "A sower went out to sow . . .” (Lk 8:4-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092323.cfm
The little details often get overlooked, but in the case of the parable of the sower the little details mean a lot. Part of the key to evangelization is that we can’t evangelize inside the four walls of the church. Some of us are content with getting stained-glass suntans, but we have to go outside the church building if we’re going to sow the word. Even if, like the sower in the parable, we throw the seed in the middle of the street or among the weeds. It is not our careful preparing of the soil, but rather God who brings the miraculous harvest. Maybe it’s just that simple . . . “a sower went out to sow.” Padre Pio (1887-1968) always gave advice: "Pray, hope, and don't worry."
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. (Lk 8:1-3)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092223.cfm
As evidenced by the gospels, the earliest communities had little problem with women disciples, (especially since in the ministry of Jesus the women footed the bill!). Today is the feast of my heavenly patron, Saint Maurice of Egypt (d. 287) and his companion martyrs.
As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Mt 9:9-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092123.cfm
The Table Ministry again! And how important is that Table Ministry. It is not a one-off event, rather it is the defining feature of the entire ministry of Jesus, especially the eating and drinking with sinners. Saint Matthew reminds us that ALL are welcome at the TABLE.
