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.
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours . . . . But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." (Lk 6:17, 20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021322.cfm
Luke’s version of the Beatitudes is a bit more forceful than that of Matthew, the blessed’s are followed by the woe’s. There’s just not much wiggle-room for us well-heeled, overstuffed Christians.
In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. (Mk 8:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021222.cfm
The Feeding of the 4,000 reveals the Heart of Jesus and reminds us that feeding the hungry is not optional. Pope Francis summed up this passage very well: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”
They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mk 7:31-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021122.cfm
The healings that Jesus performs on behalf of the sick are an important part of his ministry. Our prayers for the sick are an important part of the Communion of Saints. Our Lady of Lourdes reminds us that God is always close to the sick.
When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as the heart of his father David had been. (I Kgs 11:4-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021022.cfm
Conveniently left out of today’s reading, the preceding verse in the Bible tells us that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I guess the lectionary-makers in Rome didn’t want to give people ideas. Today is the feast of the sister of Saint Benedict. Saint Scholastica is considered the founder of Benedictine communities of women.
When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, the palace he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters,
his banquet service, and the burnt offerings he offered in the temple of the LORD, she was breathless. “The report I heard in my country about your deeds and your wisdom is true,” she told the king. “Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes, I have discovered that they were not telling me the half. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard. Blessed be the LORD, your God, whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.” (1 Kgs 10:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020922.cfm
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to little Israel made news. Even the great composer Handel 2,700 years later celebrated her arrival in Jerusalem with heavenly music.
