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.
Saint Agnes, virgin & martyr, January 21
Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. (1 Sam 24:3-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012122.cfm
A very dramatic scene in the saga of David—Saul is within his grasp, yet David refuses to harm the Lord’s anointed. Today is the feast of Saint Agnes (291-304), one of many young women who were martyred during the persecutions of the early church. Their bravery in the face of torture and death is still remembered and celebrated.
Thursday, Week II, Ordinary Time
When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. (1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012022.cfm
Problems for David . . . Jonathan intervenes and saves David from the wrath of the king. There was a fascinating yet short-lived television series, entitled Kings. It was based on the biblical story of David and was filled with lots palace intrigue, just like the story of David. Today's photo is of a work by Swedish painter, Ernst Josephson (1851-1906), entitled David & Saul (1878).
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Wednesday, Week II, Ordinary Time
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Mk 3:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011922.cfm
You would think that good church people would have been pleased about Jesus healing the man with the withered hand. Instead, they plotted to put him to death. Today's picture is a painting entitled Pharisees (1912) by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976).
Tuesday, Week II, Ordinary Time
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There–anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers;and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. (1 Sam 16:1-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011822.cfm
After presenting 7 sons to Samuel, poor Jesse must have been surprised and a bit exasperated when the old prophet asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” But God chose the youngest son, David . . . and the rest is salvation history.
Saint Anthony, abbot, January 17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day--USA)
Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins. (Mk 2:18-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011722.cfm
New wine, new wineskins. Sometimes God has to do something completely new in order to change the church. That happened in the time AFTER the persecutions when the church had grown fat. Anthony of Egypt (251-356) heard the gospel “Go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come follow me,” (Mk 10:21) and he knew that those words were addressed to him. He did what the Lord asked and went into the desert. It is said that nearly 10,000 men and women followed Anthony into the desert, and soon the beginnings of monasticism took root, and the church was renewed. Martin Luther King, Jr., challenged the racism and segregation of a nation and troubled many religious consciences. Today's video is from his last speech the night before his assassination.
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II Sunday of Ordinary Time
When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011622.cfm
We continue the theme of Epiphany, the Manifestation of the Lord. Today we interrupt the continuous reading of the public ministry of Jesus from Luke’s gospel to hear about the manifestation of Christ’s glory at the wedding feast of Cana. Mary’s words to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you,” is what she says to all the disciples of her Son, “Do whatever my Son tells you.” Today's video features our own Christopher Smith, SJ, (Basilica of St Lawrence, Asheville, NC) and his One-Minute Homily about the Wedding Feast of Cana!
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Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, January 15
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mk 2:13-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011522.cfm
The eating and drinking with sinners is the church’s oldest memory of the Eucharist. As Pope Francis has pointed out, the church is not a club for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners. The Eucharist, the pope says, is not the reward for good behavior, rather it is medicine for the weak.
