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.
Monday, Week II, Lent
Jesus said to his disciples: "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/022624.cfm
English is a bit defective in one sense: we can no longer distinguish between “you” singular and “you” plural. Greek, the original language of the New Testament as well as Spanish and most modern languages don’t have that problem. As a consequence we English speakers usually misinterpret passages, thinking that Jesus is speaking to individuals in isolation. Actually, about 95% of the “you’s” in the New Testament are PLURAL. In order to fix the problem, in the South we use the idiom, "y'all." Jesus and Saint Paul speak Southern.
Sunday, Week II, Lent
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." (Mk 9:2-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm
The Transfiguration proclaims that the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment in the beloved Son. The problem has always been one of failing to listen to him.
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Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lent, February 24
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/022424.cfm
The Lord certainly knows how to get under our skin. Perhaps what we thought was going to be an easy romp to Easter has turned into the most challenging journey of our lives. And of course the Virgin Mary of Lent reminds us: “Do whatever He tells you!”
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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/022324.cfm
This little verse from the Sermon on the Mount trips up all of us. Surely, the Lord doesn’t mean this, does He? But of course the Lord means exactly this—mercy before worship. This verse is also the origin of the Sign of Peace in the Eucharist.
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Chair of Saint Peter, February 22
And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Pt 5:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022224.cfm
The wonderful part of being Catholic is we get to celebrate birthdays . . . not just of people and saints, but we also celebrate birthdays of churches and chairs! Today, of course, would have been my mom’s 97th birthday. Being a nurse, my mom taught me to care for others. It is because of her that I became a priest. I share with you one of my favorite pictures of my mom, NORMA TORP BOYD (1927-1996), taken before I was born, when she was a young nurse at City Hospital, Mobile, Alabama.
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Wednesday, Week I, Lent
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 51)
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022124.cfm
Psalm 51 is one of the seven penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). The penitential psalms proclaim that God is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in kindness. As Psalm 51 joyfully proclaims, “a humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.”
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Tuesday, Week I, Lent
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt 6:7-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022024.cfm
Forgiveness is the hardest lesson to learn—it will take us the rest of Lent to learn the depth of the forgiveness we’ve already received.
