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.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world . . . From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. (Gal 6:14-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070322.cfm
The stigmata (bearing the wounds of Christ in one’s flesh) is not something to marvel at, as people tend to do. The problem is that people never recognize the wounds of Christ in the poor, in those ravaged by disease, in those marginalized by society. Their wounds are the true stigmata of Christ, and those wounds accuse us all. Perhaps Saint Paul has a point in reminding us that we should only boast in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus says the LORD: On that day I will raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old. (Am 9:11-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070222.cfm
Some folks think that these final verses from the prophecy of Amos are an editorial addition from a later time. It is true that these last verses are quite different from the previous prophetic preaching in that they hold out the promise of restoration. But even so, I don’t think the Davidic kings would refer to their palaces as “the fallen hut of David.” Of course, the Virgin Mary reminds us all that God “casts down the mighty from their thrones . . . and fills the hungry with every good thing.”
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! . . . Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send famine upon the land: Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the LORD. Then shall they wander from sea to sea and rove from the north to the east In search of the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. (Am 8:4-6, 9-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070122.cfm
A famine for hearing the word of the Lord . . . the Prophet Amos means business. How can the prophet say such words to us? Well, that has always been our problem. Just like the people to whom these words were first addressed, we separate “Love God” from “Love Neighbor” when they really go together, as Jesus taught us.
To Amos, Amaziah said: “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now hear the word of the LORD!” (Am 7:10-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/063022.cfm
The prophet Amos had the “smell of the sheep” about him. The priest Amaziah wasn’t very impressed: “Off with you, you’re stinking up the temple!” But Amos stood his ground, told the story of his call, and then proclaimed: “Now hear the word of the Lord!” The first martyrs of the Church of Rome died in the persecution under Nero during the year 64. It is thought that it was during this persecution that Peter and Paul were also martyred.
Peter the Apostle, and Paul the teacher of the Gentiles, these have taught us your law, O Lord. (Entrance Antiphon)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062922-day.cfm
Today is the feast of the two great apostles, Peter and Paul, that the Church of Rome claims as its founders. Through the ancient city of Rome the churches always show the two apostles together. Although they died in different years, in the celebration of their martyrdoms, the two are celebrated together. Would that we could all say together with Saint Paul:
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:6-8)
Sainst Peter and Paul, pray for us!
