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.
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!
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. (1 Jn 2:3-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122922.cfm
To walk as he walked . . . a key to understanding discipleship. It is Jesus himself who calls us: Come, follow me. Saint Thomas Becket (1119-1170) joyfully gave his life following the Lord.
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. (Mt 2:13-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122822.cfm
The Christmas Season is filled with sentiments of love and joy, of family and togetherness. But the Scriptures tell another story, one of fear and terror, of danger and flight. Too many in this world live that scriptural reality daily. At times we seem too eager to move on, to say “there’s nothing to see here.”
