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.
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.
XXXII Sunday, Ordinary Time
It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. (2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110622.cfm
One of the great passages from the Books of the Maccabees. And also one that is almost never preached in Colombia . . . where the bigger the chicharrón (fried pork skin with meat attached) the better rating the restaurant! Of course the passage is preached in Colombia but without much mention of the reason for the martyrdom of the 7 sons and their mother. Matriarchs and strong women of faith are a blessing in Colombia—along with the chicharrones! And even though it is not included in today’s reading, the writer brings the whole passage to a merciful end: “Enough has been said about the sacrificial meals and the excessive cruelties” (2 Mc 7:42).
Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, November 5
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:10-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110522.cfm
Captain Kangaroo taught children of my generation the magic words: please and thank you. Saint Paul learned the lesson too. In one sense, his letter to the Philippians is one big “thank you.” The Virgin Mary also invites us to join her hymn of thanksgiving to God: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
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Saint Charles Borromeo, November 4
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, stand firm in the Lord, beloved. (Phil 3:17-4:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110422.cfm
“Our citizenship is in heaven” . . . a wonderful reminder that so-called Christian Nationalism is a lie. Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) was a church reformer who proved his worth following the Council of Trent (1562-1563). Saint Charles was responsible for the creation of seminaries to train priests and for the founding of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to teach the faith to children and the laity. Today's picture is of the Cathedral of Milan where Saint Charles was archbishop.
Saint Martin de Porres, November 3
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Lk 15:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110322.cfm
The Lord always welcomed those everyone else rejected. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman. Martin was of mixed race: his mother was a freed African slave of Native descent. They were abandoned by the father and under Peruvian law, being mulatto, Martin had no rights. He was finally accepted by the Dominicans who gave him menial tasks to perform. He worked in the infirmary and was known as a healer. I remember when he was canonized in 1962. My mom was working at Blessed Martin de Porres Hospital (a Black maternity hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy). After the canonization the hospital was renamed, Saint Martin de Porres. The shiny new “saint” letters stood out on the hospital sign!
