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.

Wednesday, 16 March 2022 00:00

Wednesday, Week II, Lent

Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mt 20:17-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031622.cfm
Jesus is not talking about drinking from a golden “chalice” sitting on an altar adorned with a lovely linen cloth . . . Jesus is talking about the cup of his suffering. And as Saint John Chrysostom observed God does not want golden chalices, rather golden hearts.

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Tuesday, 15 March 2022 00:00

Tuesday, Week II, Lent

Wash yourselves clean! Cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. (Is 1:10, 16-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031522.cfm
Normally, when we confess our sins, we rarely include failing to do the works of justice. But it precisely the works of justice . . . that are the way of salvation.

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Monday, 14 March 2022 00:00

Monday, Week II, Lent

Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Lk 6:36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031422.cfm
It’s always good to remember that Jesus and Saint Paul spoke “Southern.” About 90% of the “you’s” in the New Testament are plural (“y’all” in Southern idiom). That doesn’t change the message of this passage . . . but it greatly expands it. Jesus is not speaking to individuals in isolation, the Lord is speaking to all of us together, the church. We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. Today's video is of the chanting of the Creed in the Ukrainian Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.

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Sunday, 13 March 2022 00:00

II Sunday of Lent

Brothers and sisters: Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 3:20-4:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031322.cfm
There’s an old commercial that says, “Membership has its privileges!" Anti-immigrant politics have always been a problem in every country from the beginning of time—which is why we need this friendly reminder from Saint Paul. Our citizenship doesn’t depend on national boundaries, or ethnic origins or political power, our citizenship is in heaven. Perhaps we need to read our Bibles!

Saturday, 12 March 2022 00:00

Lenten Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. (Mt 5:43-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031222.cfm
The Lord certainly knows our weaknesses, but still he challenges us to be perfect just like our Heavenly Father is perfect. But loving our enemies? We pray for Ukraine.

Friday, 11 March 2022 00:00

Friday, Week I, Lent

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Mt 5:20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031122.cfm
How important is reconciliation! In order to offer our gift to the Lord, we must first be reconciled with one another. Because otherwise, our gift smells to high heaven! We pray for Ukraine, we pray for peace.

Thursday, 10 March 2022 00:00

Thursday, Week I, Lent

Queen Esther, prayed: “Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.” (Es 4:17n. p-r. aa-bb. gg-hh)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031022.cfm
According to Pope Francis, prayer, along with fasting, is one of God’s weapons. Queen Esther’s prayer is the anguished prayer of the Ukrainian people.

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