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.
XXXIII Sunday, Ordinary Time
Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch,
says the LORD of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. (Mal 3:19-20a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111322.cfm
The Bible does speak of the Day of the Lord, but too often people focus on fire “blazing like an oven” rather than on the message of salvation—the “sun of justice with its healing rays.” Maybe for good reason the Lord cautions us: "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them!”
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Saint Josaphat, bishop & martyr, November 12
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. (3 Jn 5-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111222.cfm
Saint Josaphat (1580-1623) was a bishop of the Ruthenian (now Ukrainian) Catholic Church who was a martyr to Christian Unity. We pray for the church in Ukraine and for the peace and safety of all the Ukrainian people. Today's photo is of the Ukrainian people in prayer.
Saint Martin of Tours, November 11
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 119)
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111122.cfm
Saint Martin (316-397) was a man of war who was converted and became an instrument of peace and reconciliation. He was the first non-martyr to be recognized as a saint. Today is Armistice Day that ended the First World War at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. Today’s photo is of my great uncle Charlie Goetting (1888-1918) who was gassed in the trench warfare of the First World War and died of his injuries.
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Saint Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church, November 10
Beloved: I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. (Phmn 7-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111022.cfm
The church rarely uses the word “great” of any saint, but Saint Leo (400-461) was the first pope to receive this honorific. He was pope from 440-461. In his homily for Christmas Day, Pope Leo said: “Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God's own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God's kingdom. Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, November 9
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 46)
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110922.cfm
Water is life. Water brings eternal life in the Sacrament of Baptism. A visit to the Holy Land is not complete without dipping your toes in the Jordan River.
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Tuesday, Week XXXII, Ordinary Time
For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good. (Ti 2:1-8, 11-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110822.cfm
This faith of ours invites us to live in a manner worthy of our calling, to be just, temperate and devout, because we have been loved infinitely and now live in hope.
Monday, Week XXXII. Ordinary Time
For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless,
married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents. (Ti 1:1-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110722.cfm
Qualifications for presbyters-bishops reflect a much later period than that of Saint Paul. Although deacons are not mentioned in this passage, it is important to note that the early church did not use “religious” terms for its ministers: episkopos (bishop) means “overseer”, presbyteros (presbyter) means “elder”; and diakonos (deacon) means “table waiter”; rather, we used terms from everyday life. In today’s picture there is a bishop, a presbyter, and a deacon.
