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 Francis de Sales, bishop & doctor, January 24
All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the children of Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. (2 Sam 5:1-7, 10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012422.cfm
God raises up holy men and women in every age to shepherd the people: like David, the shepherd who became king, like Saint Francis de Sales who brought a pastoral touch to a delicate situation. This past Saturday, the church beatified four martyrs in El Salvador: Fr Rutilio Grande, Fr Cosme Spessotto, together with two laymen, Manuel Solórzano & Nelson Rutilio Lemus, all of whom gave their lives working for the poor.
III ORDINARY SUNDAY, Sunday of the Word of God, 2022
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. (Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012322.cfm
This Sunday is devoted to the Word of God. With the discovery of the Book of the Law (most likely the Book of Deuteronomy), Ezra reads it to the people all day. In the beginning of the Lucan gospel, the only gospel in TWO volumes (Luke & Acts), both with a prologue. The writer speaks of ministers of the word, and eyewitnesses and most interesting of other narratives. As Saint Paul reminds the church, “Faith comes through hearing!” (Rom 10:17)
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Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, January 22
“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen! Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold. How can the warriors have fallen–in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights! I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! most dear have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women. How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!” (2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012222.cfm
David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan expresses the grief the entire human race has experienced from the ravages of war. The Ave Maria today is by British singer, Jonathan Antoine (born 1995) when he was only 15 years old.
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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.
