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.
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)
Alleluia (Mt 11:25)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030122.cfm
In my home town of Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) was the best holiday ever. It was like Christmas, New Year’s, Birthday and the Fourth of July all rolled up in one. There were parades all day long and into the night, with throws, doubloons, beads, moon pies, salt water taffy, cotton candy, candied apples, roasted peanuts, confetti and serpentine. All of course leading up to the serious business of the big day tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. And today we say “adios” to the Alleluia until Easter! Today's photo is the Mobile skyline in Mardi Gras colors. We continue to pray for Ukraine.
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mk 10:17-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022822.cfm
The challenge of discipleship—to leave behind whatever holds us back so that we can follow Him. We continue to pray for peace and for the Ukrainian people. Today we have music from St George Ukrainian Catholic Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Today's photo is of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv, completed in 2011.
