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.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. (Eph 1:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101724.cfm
The opening hymn of the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of the dignity of our adoption in Christ. We are not accidents, for we have been chosen. God has blessed us with “every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” As the Letter will go on to say, "For we are God's work of art, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:10). Of course, we know this from some of the first questions of the children’s catechism: Who made me? God made me. Why did God make me? To know, love and serve God in this life, and to be happy with God forever in the next. Saint Ignatius of Antioch (martyred 108) gave his life for this truth!
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. (Gal 5:18-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101624.cfm
Living in the Spirit and being attentive to the Spirit calls us to listen and discern. The Synod currently meeting in Rome with Pope Francis seeks to help the Church listen to and follow the Spirit today in the 21st century. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) listened and followed the promptings of the Spirit and led the Church in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like unto Yours.
For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101524.cfm
Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is a testament to the freedom of the Children of God. It is this confident faith working through love that Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) lived first in her community and then taught the Church.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. (Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101424.cfm
Freedom has never been seen as a theological virtue, such as Faith, Hope and Love. Nevertheless, Freedom or the desire for Freedom is essential for faith, hope and love to be realized. If we are not free, then we remain enslaved to fear of punishment. But the One who is “greater than Jonah” is the One who by His Cross and Resurrection has truly set us free, free to be the children of God.
Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." (Mk 10: 17-30) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101324.cfm
Growing up as an only child, I never had much family. As I look back over 46 years of ministry, I can truly say that the Lord’s promise of a hundred times more “brothers and sisters and mothers” has been fulfilled in all the people in all the parishes where I have been privileged to work. I am grateful for all the brothers and sisters and mothers who have filled my life and surround me with so much love. I’m especially grateful to my Colombian madrecita, Doña Ofelia Arroyave, who unofficially adopted me into her family. Here in Colombia, I have 10 brothers and sisters, 19 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, and one more great niece on the way! His banner over me is love!
