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.
Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow. (Is 1:10, 16-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031825.cfm
Our understanding of sin rarely coincides with what God asks of us. Rarely we confess our sins against justice. Defending widows and orphans won’t win you many friends in our world controlled by billionaires, but it is precisely what God requires of us.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031725.cfm
Devotion to Divine Mercy is wonderful and has lots of devotees, but Divine Mercy has consequences. The Lord is always quick to remind us that we are to be merciful to others, which is always the fly in the ointment. Today is the feast of Saint Patrick the Apostle to Ireland. And we wish the top of the morning to Pope Francis! Today’s photo is of Pope Francis celebrating Mass in Ireland in 2018.
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Lk 9:28b-36)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031625.cfm
The Transfiguration invites us to LISTEN. In a noisy world like ours, listening to the Lord can be a real challenge. Perhaps it helps to know that the Lord LISTENS to us. We continue our prayers for Pope Francis.
Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:43-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031525.cfm
Just when we think we’ve got this “Love God, Love Neighbor” thing down, the Lord throws us a curve. I imagine the disciples were also scratching their heads like the rest of us. We don’t give up praying for Pope Francis.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt 5:20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031425.cfm
I remember a priest friend who told the story of celebrating Mass and having to read this gospel. He said he asked the people to pray while he went to the parish office and called his brother with whom he hadn’t spoken for several years. Afterwards, he returned to the church and continued the liturgy. Maybe that’s precisely what the Lord had in mind for all of us. We joyfully pray for Pope Francis.
