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 of Assisi, October 4
Jesus asked: “Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Lk 10:25-37)
The parable of the Good Samaritan fits so beautifully with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis treats everyone with compassion . . . even animals and creation itself.
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XXVII ORDINARY SUNDAY
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these. Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. (Mk 10:2-16)
“No restless kids near Jesus, no crying babies!” Disciples in every age are the same: Children are to be seen but NOT heard. But Jesus has no problems with crying babies nor with restless kids. In fact, Jesus makes it very clear to the disciples by taking the kids into his arms and blessing them!
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Holy Guardian Angels, October 2
Alleluia (Psalm 103)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels reminds us that through the ministry of the angels God watches over us always. Today's photo is a work by American painter Abbott Handerson Thayer entitled "Boy and Angel" (1918).
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Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, October 1
Jesus said to his disciples: Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me. (Lk 10:13-16)
It’s important to listen to those whom the Lord sends to us. When the Church recognizes them, they receive the title “doctor of the church.” The Little Flower, as Saint Thérèse is known, came with a surprisingly simple message. She talked about her “Little Way”—her little way to holiness: to do all things, even the least actions, with love. Many have found her “Little Way” to be their way too.
Saint Jerome, Presbyter and Doctor of the Church, September 30
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people);
and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. And the Levites quieted all the people, saying,
“Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.” Then all the people went to eat and drink,
to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them. (Neh 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12)
How important it is to hear the Word of God and understand it. Saint Jerome was given the task of translating the Scriptures into a language that people understood. It was Saint Jerome who said that ignorance of the Scriptures was ignorance of Christ.
Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels, September 29
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 138)
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
In the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom we learn that in the celebration of the Eucharist we are like the angels in that we represent the Cherubim and we sing the song of the Seraphim, who sing Holy, Holy, Holy:
Let us, who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside every worldly care. So that we may receive the King of all . . . Who is invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
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Saint Lawrence Ruiz & Companions, Martyrs, September 28
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
In those days ten men of every nationality,
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,
“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zec 8:20-23)
Imagine the surprise . . . a complete stranger, a foreigner at that, comes up to you on the street, grabs you and says, “Hey, I hear God is with you. Can I join?” Today is the feast of Lawrence Ruiz (the first canonized Phillipine saint) and his companions, missionary martyrs to Japan.
