Welcome

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.

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Cor 11:23-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032824-Supper.cfm
The oldest account of the Lord’s Supper is not from the gospels, but rather from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. And as the Lord asks, we still take bread and wine and celebrate the meal he left us. We still remember how he loved us to the end. And we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes again.

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Wednesday, 27 March 2024 00:00

Holy Wednesday, 2024 (Spy Wednesday)

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. (Mt 26:14-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032724.cfm
Traditionally called Spy Wednesday, today’s gospel points out that it was one of the Twelve that betrayed the Lord. Of course, we all recognize that we too are capable of an equal betrayal, and yet we still are loved infinitely.

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Tuesday, 26 March 2024 00:00

Holy Tuesday, 2024

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, "Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus' chest and said to him, "Master, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it." So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. (Jn 13:21-33, 36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032624.cfm
One of you will betray me”—very difficult words that none of us want to hear. But the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, and still invites us to the table to share the meal. May you know how much you are loved by the Lord.

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Monday, 25 March 2024 00:00

Holy Monday, 2024

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. (Jn 12:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032524.cfm
It’s always surprising to discover the plot against Lazarus, the one whom Jesus loved. May the Lord’s love for you be revealed in new and exciting ways in this Holy Week.

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Sunday, 24 March 2024 00:00

Palm Sunday, 2024

Christ Jesus humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:6-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm
And so the Great Week begins. As we prepare to celebrate the Sacred Triduum (the Three Days), you will all be in my prayers and Masses. May this special time of grace renew us in the image and likeness of the Risen Lord.

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Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” (Jn 11:45-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032324.cfm
Will he or won’t he go to Jerusalem for the feast? Of course Jesus will go to Jerusalem to accomplish his great work, the work of our salvation. The Mother of Jesus and all the beloved disciples, we will be there, too.

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Friday, 22 March 2024 08:15

Friday, Week V, Lent (Passiontide)

Verse Before the Gospel
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. (Jn 6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032224.cfm
Opposition to the Gospel simply reminds us of where we receive our strength, from the One whose words are Spirit and life, from the One who has the words of everlasting life.

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