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.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him. (Jn 3:13-17)
If God loves the world and everyone in it so much, then perhaps we should too. The Son came not to condemn but to save. In most of Latin America this feast is celebrated on May 3.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you
because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved . . . It is my wish, then,
that in every place you should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. (1 Tim 2:1-8)
Prayer and thanksgiving is the essence of worship, lifting up our hands praising God. Saint John Chrysostom was archbishop of Constantinople. The emperor and his wife were in his parish. The empress and her friends wanted to gussy up the church with silk vestments and golden chalices to which John Chrysostom replied, “Give God the honor prescribed in God’s law by giving your riches to the poor. For God does not want golden vessels but golden hearts.” She got him exiled. Today’s picture is of Hagia Sophia, the cathedral in Istanbul where Saint John Chrysostom preached and prayed.
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me. (Mk 8:27-35)
The challenge of being a disciple. There’s an old hymn that says: I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, no turning back.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost. (1 Tim 1:15-17)
To think of oneself as the world’s greatest sinner is a bit presumptuous. Scripture gives that honor to Saint Paul . . . so the rest of us are off the hook—and that’s really good news! Today we remember those who died so tragically on this day 20 years ago.
Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. (Lk 6:39-42)
The Lord knows us too well! We love to correct other’s faults without ever batting an eye at our own.
