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.
As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." (Jn 6:60-69)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
The Bread of Life Discourse proved too much for many disciples, and they quit following Jesus. So when the Lord asks if we want to leave also, Peter answers for all of us, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth." But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." (Jn 1:45-51)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082424.cfm
Nathanael’s put down of Nazareth (and of Jesus) doesn’t provoke an angry response from Philip. Rather Philip simply invites, “Come and see.” The Apostle Bartholomew invites us to come and see for ourselves who this Jesus, son of Joseph, is. Today’s photo is of the statue of Saint Bartholomew in the Duomo of Milan, Italy.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. (Ez 37:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082324.cfm
Our final reading from the Prophet Ezekiel is this rather macabre prophecy of the Dry Bones. And even though white folks have made fun of the old spiritual, Dem Bones, the message of the prophet as well as the spiritual is dead serious. Our God can breathe new life into our dry bones so that we may live.
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ez 36:23-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082224.cfm
A new heart, a new spirit. As we come to the conclusion of the prophecy of Ezekiel, the prophet offers hope and a renewal of the covenant: “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” Today is the octave day of the feast of the Assumption of Mary. We celebrate Mary as queen because she is the Mother of the King of Heaven, her son Jesus Christ. One of the most popular Christmas carols in Colombia is Salve, Reina y Madre (Hail, Queen and Mother).
For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. (Ez 34:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082124.cfm
The prophecy of Ezekiel against the leaders (shepherds) of the people ends with the promise God makes: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” It’s not often that the church chooses a pope who has actually had experience as pastor of a parish. Based on his practical experience Pius X made some interesting changes in the liturgy of the church. Pius X encouraged the active participation of the faithful. He ordered a renewal of church music. The other significant change was encouraging frequent communion (at that time people received communion very rarely) and allowing children who had not been confirmed to be admitted to the Table of the Lord. Pius X is known as the Pope of the Holy Eucharist.
