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.
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." (Lk 21:5-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112525.cfm
A little deja vu with the lectionary, we just heard this passage a couple of Sundays ago. But it’s always good to hear it again, because the message is very important in these days when folks keep thinking it’s the end of the world. https://youtu.be/CprYUY9RQ_0?si=qj6b8BwZpfNUKNII
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." (Lk 21:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112425.cfm
The Lord judges the world by the values of the Kingdom and invites us to do the same. Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc (1795-1839) and his companion martyrs are the first martyrs of Vietnam. Today’s video is of the ordination of presbyters and the hymn is called God Himself Chose You. https://youtu.be/z-zpeX0D-Gw?si=RSTa5liz013jt5KG
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Lk 23:35-43)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm
The Cross is a good corrective to so-called Christian Nationalism and attempts to justify using our faith as a weapon against others. The One we follow gives himself away for love of us.
That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called 'Lord' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." (Lk 20:27-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112225.cfm
I always remember Saint Cecilia’s Day as the day that President John Kennedy was assassinated. I was in 8th grade math class when the principal made the announcement. I remember the reaction of my classmates. They all stood up and cheered. I remained in my desk and prayed. The power of racism and hate is strong in my home state of Alabama, but it is no match for God’s power and love that embraces everyone. https://youtu.be/-pzUSq97ooM?si=Bb-m0MjCVCH7pPQX
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Mt 12:46-50)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/1121-memorial-presentation-virgin-mary.cfm
As we prepare to enter into the season of Advent, we recall the great events of our salvation. Today we remember the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we celebrate that we belong to the family of Jesus. His mother is our mother too. Today my bishop, Michael Martin, has proclaimed a day of prayer, fasting and outreach to the immigrant community in our diocese and country. https://catholicnewsherald.com/90-news/local/12166-bishop-martin-calls-for-day-of-prayer-and-fasting-in-wake-of-immigration-actions-in-charlotte
