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.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. (1 Jn 2:29-3:6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010323.cfm
Because of God’s great love for us in Jesus, we, too, are children of God. Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus dates to the early church. As Saint Paul declares that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:1-11). Today is the titular feast of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). My grandmother thought that the abbreviation I-H-S stood for “I Have Suffered.” Actually, they are the first 3 letters of the name, Jesus, in Greek.
Alleluia (Heb 1:1-2)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In times, past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/memorial-saints-basil-great-and-gregory-nazianzen-bishops-and-doctors-church
As we continue to marvel at the Word Made Flesh, we realize how truly marvelous is this interchange between God and ourselves. Saint Basil (330-379) and Saint Gregory Nazianzen (329-390) were great teachers of the church who put their teachings into practice.
The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Num 6:22-27)
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Lk 2:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010123.cfm
Eight days ago we celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace, but the world still finds itself in the midst of war, rumors of war, preparations for war, with violence on every side. Perhaps, Mary can teach us to treasure the Good News of what we have seen and heard and to turn our minds and hearts to the One whose face shines upon us to bless us with peace.
Children, it is the last hour. (1 Jn 2:18-21)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Jn 1:1-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123122.cfm
On this last day of 2022, we are treated to a bit of liturgical humor: in addition to the “last hour,” we are treated to the “last gospel,” as it was once called, since it was read at the end of Low Mass. As we stand on the threshold of a new year in Christ, we give thanks to God that because of Christ, we too can “become children of God.” Today we remember former pope, Benedict XVI (1927-2022). Requiescat in pace.
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. (Mt 2:13-15, 19-23)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123022.cfm
To ignore the plight of refugees in our world is to turn our backs on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph. O Holy Family of Nazareth, make our families like unto yours!
