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.
Sunday II, Lent
Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. (2 Tim 1:8b-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030523.cfm
The Transfiguration of the Lord, which is the gospel for this Second Sunday of Lent, is part of that “strength that comes from God” not just for Peter, James, and John, but for all of us on this Lenten journey to the Easter that never ends.
Media
Saturday, Week I, Lent, Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lent
Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. (Mt 5:43-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030423.cfm
The Lord seems to ask the impossible of us, until we remember he forgive us all on the Cross.
Media
Friday, Week I, Lent
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mt 5:20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030323.cfm
I will never the forget the Maronite priest I met on retreat who told the story of celebrating the Sunday liturgy and having read this particular gospel, left his congregation praying in the church and went to the rectory to call his brother, made peace, and then returned to the church to finish the liturgy.
Thursday, Week I, Lent
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD, and said: "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness." (Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25)
Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Mt 7:7-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030223.cfm
Queen Esther is a great model of faith and prayer in action. As the Lord reminds us, we have only to ask in order to receive the courage and grace to confront the evils of our time.
Wednesday, Week I, Lent
When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. (Jon 3:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030123.cfm
The story of the prophet Jonah is very funny. The pagan city of Nineveh believes the word of the Jewish prophet, repents, and is saved by God—all to the chagrin of the prophet!
Tuesday, Week I, Lent
Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022823.cfm
God’s Word can water even the desert of our hearts and souls and make us fruitful in good works for our neighbor.
Monday, Week I, Lent
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Lv 19:1-2, 11-18)
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' (Mt 25:31-46)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022723.cfm
The readings from these first few days of Lent give us the true purpose of this whole season—to lead us to love of neighbor.
