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.
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!
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. (Mt 5:43-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031222.cfm
The Lord certainly knows our weaknesses, but still he challenges us to be perfect just like our Heavenly Father is perfect. But loving our enemies? We pray for Ukraine.
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/031122.cfm
How important is reconciliation! In order to offer our gift to the Lord, we must first be reconciled with one another. Because otherwise, our gift smells to high heaven! We pray for Ukraine, we pray for peace.
Queen Esther, prayed: “Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.” (Es 4:17n. p-r. aa-bb. gg-hh)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031022.cfm
According to Pope Francis, prayer, along with fasting, is one of God’s weapons. Queen Esther’s prayer is the anguished prayer of the Ukrainian people.
