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.
Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you!
For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ru 1:1,3-6,14b-16,22)
One of the most beautiful lines in all of Scripture, used in songs sung at weddings, but not said by Ruth to Boaz (her husband), but rather spoken by one woman to another. It was Saint Bernard who said that in order to love others, we must first love God, but if we don’t love ourselves, we can never love God.
So she departed with her companions
and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
At the end of the two months she returned to her father,
who did to her as he had vowed. (Judges 11:29-39)
The tragic story of Jepthah and his daughter is probably the most horrific story in the Scriptures. In this passage human sacrifice stands without any correction . . . such as, “DON’T DO THIS! DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!” Personally, I would find it difficult to be the lector who has to proclaim at the end of this particular reading: “The Word of the Lord.” In the South we would simply call this passage “gawd-awful” and make sure it wasn’t included in the Children’s Bible.
Alleluia (Heb 4:12)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God’s word has always been described as sharper than a two-edged sword. The Letter to the Ephesians says that the word of God is the only offensive weapon that we have ("Put On the Whole Armor of God"--Ephesians 6:11-18): “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Unfortunately, too often the word of God has been used to hurt people and to justify all our basest instincts from human slavery to the death penalty. Perhaps instead of being used by us, the word of God can help us to better know our own hearts and lead us to our brothers and sisters in need.
Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life. (Mt 19:23-30)
Sometimes the Lord’s promises are fulfilled in ways we can never imagine. The giving up that a disciple must do at times can be hard. I am grateful for all the blessings I have received through the ministry. It’s worth it all.
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go,
sell what you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad,
for he had many possessions. (Mt 19:16-22)
When the cost of discipleship goes up, will we rise to the occasion? The saints have no problem. When they hear the gospel, they know it is addressed to them. Because that is the invitation that comes to us all, “Come, follow me.”
