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.
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.
Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Lk 6:27-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022325.cfm
Judging, condemning—they’re our favorite pastimes. The Lord knows us oh too well. We’re usually pretty stingy when it comes to mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps that’s why he added: For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 23)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022225.cfm
There used to be two feasts of the Chair of Peter, the chair at Antioch, the other the chair at Rome. They have been combined into one feast celebrating Peter’s apostolic authority. Today would have been my mom’s 98th birthday. One of her joys in life was to visit the tomb of Saint Peter in the Scavi (the excavations) underneath Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. During that visit to Rome, she also met Pope John Paul II twice, once at the general audience and a week later at the Mass on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
