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 the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written, You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” (Lk 4:1-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030622.cfm
The question that faced Jesus when he was offered the quick road to success is the same question that we face every day of our lives: Whom do we serve? I'm reminded of the old board game, RISK, the game of world conquest. Just imagine, conquering the whole world right in the comfort of your own living room!
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Lk 5:27-32)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030522.cfm
When Pope Francis speaks about the Eucharist and says that Communion is not the reward for good behavior but rather is medicine for the sick, it is this passage that he’s referring to. As the Great Physician reminds us, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.” Today we have a beautiful Ukrainian Lenten hymn to the Virgin Mary, the Sorrowful Mother.
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. (Is 58:1-9a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030422.cfm
According to Pope Francis, God’s weapons are prayer and fasting—but fasting is always about doing justice. We pray for peace and justice for Ukraine.
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." (Lk 9:22-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030322.cfm
The Lord invites us to daily discipleship as Lent prepares us to celebrate the Great Mystery: to die and rise with Christ. We pray for Ukraine, we pray for peace.
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. (Joel 2:12-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030222.cfm
“My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine . . . And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.” (Pope Francis, General Audience, Wednesday, 23 February 2022)
