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 went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles. (Lk 6:12-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102825.cfm
Only Luke’s gospel says that the Twelve were also named apostles, but there are many more apostles, for example Paul and Barnabas are also apostles. The Letter to the Ephesians says that we are members of the household of God built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christian prophets and Christian apostles preached the gospel to the community at Ephesus. And all together we are built into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Today's photo is of the ancient city of Ephesus. https://youtu.be/Cf_Rqaywb5M?si=3Uk3D5d6fpAPGE3r
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" (Rom 8:12-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102725.cfm
Through the spirit of adoption we recognize that God is our Father and that we are all sisters and brothers. Unfortunately, many prefer the spirit of slavery. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Pope Leo talks about the inhuman treatment of immigrants: “Where the world sees threats, the church sees children; where walls are built, the church builds bridges. She knows that her proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community” (Dilexi te, 75). https://youtu.be/q1R4xFrQQNE?si=UQc7zy99lhFfNg6O
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. (Sir 35:12-14, 16-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm
It’s always distressing when so-called good church people ignore the very Bible they love to quote. As the psalm today reminds us, the Lord hears the cry of the poor. God will not be mocked. There may be a very heavy price to pay indeed. Today’s image is Francis requests alms, sitting among the poor by José Benlliure y Gil (1855–1937). https://youtu.be/w_Q0FjuAUZY?si=zOWSdt3SUG1vBI4E
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom 8:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102525.cfm
The power of the Spirit transforms or mortal body into a dwelling place for God. As we remember the Virgin Mary today we rejoice that through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit she became the Mother of our Savior and invites us to join her hymn of praise of God who lifts up the poor and sends the rich away empty. https://youtu.be/i85XG4OwQ8s?si=FkCgbsU0E6wA_oF7
For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 7:18-25a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102425.cfm
In today’s passage from the Letter to the Romans Paul is speaking about our tendency to do the things we don’t want to do. But Paul doesn’t despair, but rather rejoices in the victory that comes from God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s picture is an artist’s conception of our Milky Way galaxy. https://youtu.be/oG2Fl8o15W4?si=knRcMdWkxzVgDjD2
