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.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. (Jn 3:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041526.cfm
Immediately after attacking Pope Leo on social media, the president of the United States posted a blasphemous image of himself. We pray for our pope, we pray for all who work for peace, we pray for all people of good will. We pray for the president of the United States, who in his strange obsession with Pope Leo, seems to be seriously unwell. https://youtu.be/ylMMQV0iTNI?si=igqEeZJGMah2P9jQ
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. (Acts 4:32-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041426.cfm
To be of one heart and one mind calls us to a whole new way of living. What would it be like to live in a world where no one is left out and no one left behind. https://youtu.be/PFUowm_Ygp4?si=TctBfairZ4Mgvts_
And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:23-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041326.cfm
Threats aren’t new. The church has always received them whenever it proclaims the truth of Christ and stands for peace and protects the poor and the vulnerable. We pray for Pope Leo, who has been viciously attacked by President Donald Trump. May Pope Leo continue to speak God’s word “with all boldness.” https://youtu.be/8yEYOY9nUZI?si=OjlMKfwc0lP92ecC
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 118)
Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm
As the Psalm says, the Lord’s mercy endures forever. But Divine Mercy means nothing if we are not merciful to others. In his homily last night in the Vigil for Peace, Pope Leo said: “Death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (cf. Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!” https://youtu.be/sKWah9-1LDg?si=bj3qIlWiNjbwvOk3
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:9-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041126.cfm
The Longer Ending to Mark’s gospel (16:9-15) is definitely NOT a part of the original gospel. It is a résumé of appearance stories from other gospels (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_16). The interesting part is that the Risen Lord rebukes the Eleven for their unbelief and hardness of heart. Maybe there’s a message for all of us.
