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.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his execution. (Acts 7:51-8:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042126.cfm
Saul, of course, eventually has his encounter with the Risen Lord and becomes Paul, and his story occupies the rest of the Acts of the Apostles. It is Paul who through his preaching and ministry opens the door to the Gentiles, and the church takes off. Today is also the first anniversary of the death of the first pope from America, our beloved Pachito, Pope Francis. https://youtu.be/8fcMxI_6xsk?si=9wyEKhjrLQJt0Bp7
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 119)
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Though princes meet and talk against me, your servant meditates on your statutes.
Yes, your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042026.cfm
Pope Leo continues to preach the gospel: “Jesus told us: Blessed are the peacemakers! But woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!” (MEETING FOR PEACE WITH THE COMMUNITY OF BAMENDA, 16 April 2026). https://youtu.be/CAZ0-_8ax6s?si=ydD5yHNMAMzCz8iJ
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. (Lk 24:13-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041926.cfm
The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is our story too. Most people respond to the question, Why are you a Catholic?, by talking about the Eucharist. It is in the breaking of the bread that our eyes are opened and we recognize the Presence of the Risen Lord, who speaks to our hearts as he walks with us on the journey of faith. https://youtu.be/v3bZKOHQ-8I?si=HSQzDOZPn3wCUrj4
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041826.cfm
Even the earliest community had problems of communication between those who spoke Greek and those who spoke Hebrew. It was solved by creating ministers who could speak the language of those to be served. In seminary I visited the neighboring town in southern Indiana. The billboard advertising the German-American National Bank read, in German, not English, Wir sprechen Ihre Sprache (We speak your language). Speaking people’s language is not only good for business it’s also good for church. https://youtu.be/ulIfFaDsRTw?si=K0sSkO5HbfqlLewk
A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5:34-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041726.cfm
Political attacks on the church are nothing new. If we preach the gospel of peace and justice, the powers that be will not be pleased. It was Stalin who derisively asked, “The pope, how many divisions does he have?” https://youtu.be/VCWSz0mL888?si=A6ZTZ9ckOjw8UHSP
