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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 Dominic, presbyter, August 8
On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year, that is, of King Jehoiachin's exile, The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—There the hand of the LORD came upon me. (Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080822.cfm
We begin today reading the prophet Ezekiel. Many of the prophets had a very rocky relationship with the priestly clan . . . but Ezekiel is a priest, although in exile and with no temple worship to keep him busy. His visions are unique among the prophets and holds out hope for the future. Saint Dominic founded the Order of Preachers to promote the preaching of the Word. Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare: To Praise, to Bless, to Preach.
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XIX Sunday, Ordinary Time
Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. (Heb 11:1-2, 8-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080722.cfm
What follow in the Letter to the Hebrews are the stories of the “great cloud of witnesses.” And as the Lord tells the disciples: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.”
Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Pt 1:16-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080622.cfm
The morning star rises in your hearts . . . what a powerful image of the Risen Lord used also in the Easter Exultet! Unfortunately, today is also the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, which killed about 150,000 people.
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Our Lady of the Snows, August 5
The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding, Cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear, the many slain, the heaping corpses, the endless bodies to stumble upon! (Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080522.cfm
One of the most haunting, terrible lines in all the prophets. Instead of trusting in weapons of war, the prophet Nahum invites us to listen to “the bearer of good news, announcing peace!” Today is the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Among its treasured relics is the manger of the Christ Child.
Saint John Vianney, presbyter, August 4
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. (Jer 31:31-34)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080422.cfm
Our sins are etched in our memory, no matter how hard we try to forget them. But God is merciful, promises a new covenant, writes the law of love upon our hearts, and remembers our sin no more. Today is the feast of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. He always preached about the Good God: “The good God looks not at long and beautiful prayers, but looks at the prayers that rise from the deepest depths of the human heart.” Today's picture is of my friends, Father Wil Thomas and Father Larry Richardt, priests after the Heart of Christ.
Wednesday, Week XVIII, Ordinary Time
With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt. (Jer 31:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080322.cfm
“Age-old love” . . . a love that never dies, that lasts forever. That is God’s love toward us and the promise of restoration—to be made new.
Tuesday, Week XVIII, Ordinary Time, August 2
The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD: For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book. (Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080222.cfm
The prophetic moment traditionally was one of those things where you had to actually be there to experience. But the oracles of the prophets were eventually written down, in Jeremiah’s case at the command of the Lord. And we are very grateful! Today is the anniversary of the passing of my Colombian madrecita, Ofelia Arroyave (1931-2016), who taught me to bless others with hugs and kisses!
