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.
Saint John, apostle & evangelist, December 27, Octave of Christmas
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved. (Jn 20:1a, 2-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122722.cfm
The question of the Beloved Disciple is a bit complicated. Early church fathers erroneously insisted that the Beloved Disciple was John, and so John’s name gets stuck onto the Fourth Gospel. Today’s feast is really about the gospel, rather than about the person who wrote it. But as the writer of Chapter 21, a later addition to the gospel, states about the Beloved Disciple: “It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.” In the 11th chapter, the Fourth Gospel actually tells us three times who the Beloved Disciple is. It is certainly not John. So whether we celebrate John, the apostle, or the gospel of the Beloved Disciple, it’s Christmas, so let us proclaim what we have seen and heard, and let us love one another as Christ has loved us all.
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Saint Stephen, Proto-martyr, December 26
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122622.cfm
Among all the martyrs, Saint Stephen has pride of place. Martyrdom was considered a saint’s “birthday” into heaven. And so, the feast day of Saint Stephen, the first martyr, follows the birthday of the Savior.
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CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. (John 1:1-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-day.cfm
As Saint Leo the Great said to the newly baptized on Christmas Day, “Christian, remember your dignity.” Merry Christmas!
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CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24
Alleluia (Lk 2:10-11)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-vigil.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-night.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-dawn.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-day.cfm
Christmas is blessed with FOUR distinct Mass formulas with their proper readings. The lectionary presumes that the community would be present for all (or most) of the liturgies, which is why, even in the old days, it was possible to receive communion twice on Christmas. So Merry Christmas to all! We invite you to join in today’s Christmas carol, Noche de Paz (Silent Night).
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Friday, Week IV, Advent—O EMMANUEL, December 23
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. (Lk 1:57-66)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122322.cfm
With the Birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah’s tongue is loosed and he praises God in the canticle known as the Benedictus, which is sung every day at Morning Prayer. And now all is ready, and we we wait. We wait for the Lord. We wait with Mary for the birth of Emmanuel.
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Thursday, Week IV, Advent—O KING OF ALL NATIONS, December 22
Responsorial Psalm (1 Sm 2)
And Hannah prayed: “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God.
Gospel (Lk 1:46-56)
Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122222.cfm
The Song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and Mary’s Hymn of Praise mirror each other and sing the praises of the King of all nations who comes to rescue the poor.
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CHRISTMAS LETTER, 2022
Dear Family and Friends,
Here it is—the annual Christmas letter for 2022. It has certainly been an exciting year for the whole world. Even though we are not yet out of the Covid Pandemic, and for the most part people have abandoned mitigation efforts, I still wear a double mask whenever I go out and especially when celebrating Mass in the local parish.
The recent death of my good friend, Father Wilbur Thomas (1947-2022) has caused me to reflect on the wonderful ministry we shared together in Western North Carolina, and especially the 14 years we worked together at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville. Wil was at my ordination to the priesthood and joined in the Laying on of Hands. Our frequent telephone calls usually lasted an hour. Our last call, less than two weeks before he died, we talked for two hours solid. Wil had the voice of an angel, and in that last call we talked about the night when as a young priest he was invited on stage to sing with the musical group, The Platters (https://youtu.be/3FygIKsnkCw). Although I don’t have a recording of Wil singing in that event, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the choirs of angels will be jealous forever!
This year has been filled with visits with friends. Scripture says that “a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter, whoever finds one, finds a treasure” (Sirach 6:14). In early March we went to Cartagena and the Caribbean Coast of Colombia. We had a marvelous Holy Week and Easter celebration in my local parish where I help out. Afterwards, we visited Asheville for the First Communion of my godson, Emanuel Martínez, at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence. There were visits with lots of friends. From Asheville we made a quick trip to my hometown Mobile, Alabama, and visited with family there and with friends along the way. Then we headed to Detroit, Michigan, to visit with our friend, Susan Blanchard, and together with her we visited Niagara Falls and the Bavarian village of Frankenmuth, Michigan. We returned to Asheville for more visits with friends and then finally headed back to Colombia.
The longest adventure was our monthlong trip to the Middle East: Turkey, Egypt and the Holy Land. Standing in front of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx was awesome. And visiting the temples at Abu Simbel brought back memories of primary school when we raised funds to save those temples from being flooded due to the construction of the Aswan Dam. The Holy Land was a moving experience, especially the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, bathing in the Jordan River, and sailing on the Sea of Galilee. After a month traveling together, our fellow pilgrims became new friends.
As some of you might know, my doctors have discovered that I have an Atrioventricular Block (or AV Block) which causes a slow heart rate. The solution is a pacemaker. The pacemaker will be implanted here in Colombia on Thursday, December 29th. Thank you for your prayers!
I will be covering Saint Eugene Parish in Asheville from January 14-February 2. So, I hope to see many of you at Mass, weather permitting! May your Christmas and New Year be filled with the presence of the Prince of Peace. And may the Virgin Mary, good Saint Joseph, and the Christ Child bless you and all your loved ones!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2023!
Morris & Óscar
Christmas, 2022
