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.
The North American Martyrs, October 19
To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. (Eph 3:2-12)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101922.cfm
The grace to preach to the Gentiles . . . that was the mission of the early Jesuit missionaries to North America. Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companion martyrs endured unbelievable hardships in bringing the gospel to the so-called “new world.” And we are the fruit of their labors.
Saint Luke, evangelist, October 18
Luke is the only one with me. (2 Tim 4:9-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101822.cfm
The Letters to Timothy are written in Paul’s name. And they include this interesting detail “Luke is the only one with me.”. It is one of the few mentions of a “Luke” in the Scriptures. As we know, the gospel writers are anonymous. The names associated with the gospels were added later by the church. So what we celebrate today is not so much a person, but rather a gospel. And what is so unusual about the gospel writer “Luke” is that the gospel that bears his name is in two volumes, Luke & the Acts of the Apostles, more commonly referred to as Luke-Acts. And the gospel writer intended that both volumes be considered “gospel.” And as the former translation of the Preface of Apostles used to read, we are called to be the “living gospel for all people to hear!”
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop & martyr, October 17
God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. (Eph 2:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101722.cfm
Saved by grace through faith . . . we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus. The letters of Saint Ignatius of Antioch (died ca. 108) tell the story of the early church and reflect the gracious choice of God: “I will be ground by the teeth of wild beasts to become God’s pure bread.”
XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time
Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:14-4:2)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101622.cfm
I am always grateful for my grandmother and my mom, both of whom taught me the stories of Jesus. I remember always my first Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Strong. She sat in a big chair and we children were all gathered around her on little chairs as she told us the most wonderful Bible stories. Perhaps that’s why I’m a priest today.
Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin & doctor, October 15
Brothers and sisters: Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, I do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. (Eph 1:15-23) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101522.cfm
Saint Teresa of Jesus, better known as Teresa of Ávila, is one of the great teachers of the church in the spiritual life:
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing make you afraid.
All things are passing.
God alone never changes.
Patience gains all things.
If you have God you will want for nothing.
God alone suffices.
Friday, Week XXVIII, Ordinary Time
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 33)
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101422.cfm
Nationalism parading as Biblical faith is contrary to the teaching of the church. There is a reason that in the creed (the profession of faith) we say the “catholic” church. Catholic means universal, for all peoples of all times. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: All are called to belong to the new People of God (CCC 831). Today's photo is of our pilgrimage companions with our Egyptian guide, Ramzy.
Thursday, Week XXVIII, Ordinary Time
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world. (Eph 1:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101322.cfm
The beautiful hymn at the beginning of the Letter to the Ephesians is a reminder of our being chosen in Christ before the world began. We are not accidents of human birth, we are chosen by God, of infinite value, of infinite worth. Today’s photo is of the Library of Celsus in ancient Ephesus.
