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.
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. (Jer 17:5-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031722.cfm
The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves . . . and still loves us unconditionally. Saint Patrick was enslaved by Irish pirates, escaped, and then returned to Ireland as a missionary. He is the Apostle to Ireland. “Christ, be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me” (from The Breastplate of Saint Patrick).
Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mt 20:17-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031622.cfm
Jesus is not talking about drinking from a golden “chalice” sitting on an altar adorned with a lovely linen cloth . . . Jesus is talking about the cup of his suffering. And as Saint John Chrysostom observed God does not want golden chalices, rather golden hearts.
Wash yourselves clean! 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; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. (Is 1:10, 16-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031522.cfm
Normally, when we confess our sins, we rarely include failing to do the works of justice. But it precisely the works of justice . . . that are the way of salvation.
Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Lk 6:36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031422.cfm
It’s always good to remember that Jesus and Saint Paul spoke “Southern.” About 90% of the “you’s” in the New Testament are plural (“y’all” in Southern idiom). That doesn’t change the message of this passage . . . but it greatly expands it. Jesus is not speaking to individuals in isolation, the Lord is speaking to all of us together, the church. We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. Today's video is of the chanting of the Creed in the Ukrainian Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.
Brothers and sisters: Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 3:20-4:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031322.cfm
There’s an old commercial that says, “Membership has its privileges!" Anti-immigrant politics have always been a problem in every country from the beginning of time—which is why we need this friendly reminder from Saint Paul. Our citizenship doesn’t depend on national boundaries, or ethnic origins or political power, our citizenship is in heaven. Perhaps we need to read our Bibles!
