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.
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. (Lk 10:25-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100724.cfm
The Parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to put aside the maps we use to define friends and enemies and invites us to live in freedom, to live with the values of the Kingdom of God, to live as instruments of mercy and compassion. We are grateful for all the relief workers and all those who have volunteered to help others in the crisis of Hurricane Helene. We ask the prayers of the Mother of God that we all might be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. (Mk 10:2-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100624.cfm
Jesus and the Children is an image of the care we should have for one another and for all creation. We are grateful for all those who love as Jesus loves, who care as Jesus cares, who shepherd as Jesus shepherds, who reach out and touch the world as Jesus does. Today’s photo is of Bishop Michael Martin caring for the people of Western North Carolina who were affected by the hurricane.
Job answered the LORD and said: I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. Then Job died, old and full of years. (Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100524.cfm
Today we come to the end of the Book of Job with none of our questions answered. But Job is blessed. Perhaps as we reflect on the mystery of human suffering, especially in light of the destruction of Hurricane Helene, we can join in singing Mary’s hymn of praise, the Magnificat for all the survivors and for all those who have died.
Then Job answered the LORD and said: Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more. (Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100424.cfm
Job doesn’t really get an answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people. God says to Job where were you when I created the world? And Job basically apologizes for breathing, and says I won’t question you anymore. Tomorrow we get the conclusion to the book with our questions still hanging in the air. Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) came to a profound trust in God’s providential care and invites us to join in praising the God of all creation.
I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him, And from my flesh I shall see God. (Jb 19:21-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100324.cfm
Despite all that he has suffered, Job keeps faith and declares his trust in God whom he will see with his own eyes and not with another’s. In all our anxiety and worry for our family and friends in Asheville and the small towns of Western North Carolina, we find new hope and keep faith because of the many acts of kindness that God inspires in the hearts of those who reach out to others in need and so build up the human community.
