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.
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah. (Is 26:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120524.cfm
Last night we attended a performance of Händel’s Messiah at the Teatro Metropolitano in Medellín. The performance celebrated the 50th anniversary of Messiah in Medellín and honored the original conductor, Maestro Alberto Correa, who began the tradition. It was my mom’s Christmas tradition to attend Messiah every year. It has become our tradition here in Colombia. Now I’m ready for Christmas!
Then Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Mt 15:29-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120424.cfm
The actions of Jesus in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes are the same as in the consecration of the Eucharist: TAKE, BLESS, BREAK, and GIVE. And of course, there’s work for all of us: Jesus gave them to the disciples who in turn gave them to the crowds. We are called to share the Bread of Life with all the hungry. As my spiritual director used to say: the Eucharist can never actually be over as long as there are hungry people in the world.
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (Is 11:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120324.cfm
The Advent Carol, Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming, comes from this passage which focuses on justice, especially justice for the poor and the afflicted. Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a cofounder of the Jesuits with Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). He was a missionary to India, the Far East and Japan.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! (Is 2:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm
Swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, nor shall they train for war again. It is not just a hope . . . it is God’s promise to us, if only we walk in the light of the Lord. Today's photo is of the work, "Let us beat swords into plowshares", bronze sculpture by Evgeniy Vuchetich, 1957. The statue was donated in 1959 by the Soviet Union to the United Nations and is located in front of its headquarters in New York .
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.” (Jer 33:14-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Caring Hearts AIDS Ministry when I was pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Asheville, NC. We lovingly remember all those we have lost. As we begin this season of Advent, we prepare for the coming of the Lord who brings us justice. May this season remind us that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121).
