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.
Alleluia (Jn 15:16)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012522.cfm
Perhaps because of his later importance in the life of the early church, the Acts of the Apostles gives two detailed accounts of the Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-22; 22:3-16). Paul himself is more discrete. All that Paul ever says about the experience is “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" (1 Cor 9:1). Paul’s words echo the words of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:18). That experience changed Paul . . . and changed the church forever.
All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the children of Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. (2 Sam 5:1-7, 10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012422.cfm
God raises up holy men and women in every age to shepherd the people: like David, the shepherd who became king, like Saint Francis de Sales who brought a pastoral touch to a delicate situation. This past Saturday, the church beatified four martyrs in El Salvador: Fr Rutilio Grande, Fr Cosme Spessotto, together with two laymen, Manuel Solórzano & Nelson Rutilio Lemus, all of whom gave their lives working for the poor.
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. (Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012322.cfm
This Sunday is devoted to the Word of God. With the discovery of the Book of the Law (most likely the Book of Deuteronomy), Ezra reads it to the people all day. In the beginning of the Lucan gospel, the only gospel in TWO volumes (Luke & Acts), both with a prologue. The writer speaks of ministers of the word, and eyewitnesses and most interesting of other narratives. As Saint Paul reminds the church, “Faith comes through hearing!” (Rom 10:17)
“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen! Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold. How can the warriors have fallen–in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights! I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! most dear have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women. How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!” (2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012222.cfm
David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan expresses the grief the entire human race has experienced from the ravages of war. The Ave Maria today is by British singer, Jonathan Antoine (born 1995) when he was only 15 years old.
Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. (1 Sam 24:3-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012122.cfm
A very dramatic scene in the saga of David—Saul is within his grasp, yet David refuses to harm the Lord’s anointed. Today is the feast of Saint Agnes (291-304), one of many young women who were martyred during the persecutions of the early church. Their bravery in the face of torture and death is still remembered and celebrated.
