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.
Most Holy Name of Jesus, January 3
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 Jn 2:29-3:6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010324.cfm
As the ancient Fathers and Mothers of the Church used to say, “the Son of God became the Son of Man so that women and men could become the dear children of God.” The celebration of the Most Holy Name of Jesus reminds us what his name means: God saves.
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Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops & doctors, January 2
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 98)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010224.cfm
Like Easter, Christmas has produced its share of music praising the “saving power of God.” In Latin America we have an abundance of Christmas carols (villancicos). As the Psalm tells us: “Break into song; sing praise!” Today we remember two of the Cappadocian Fathers, Saint Basil (330-379) and his friend, Saint Gregory (329-390). The Liturgy of Saint Basil is still celebrated in the Eastern Rites of the Church and is echoed in the Fourth Eucharistic Prayer.
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Mary, Mother of God, Octave Day of Christmas, January 1, 2024, New Year’s Day
The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: “This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Num 6:22-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010124.cfm
What a wonderful way to begin a New Year with God’s blessing! Happy New Year 2024 and may it be filled with many blessings for you and all your loved ones!
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Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, December 31, New Year's Eve
When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Lk 2:22-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm
Simeon´s Hymn of Praise, the Nunc Dimittis, is the gospel canticle for Night Prayer (Compline) and a fitting way to conclude the year 2023. Yesterday my Colombian family gathered to celebrate the First Communion of my godson, Jerónimo Tamayo Carvajal.
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Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas, December 30
Do not love the world or the things of the world, for the world and its enticement are passing away. (1 Jn 2:12-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123023.cfm
It’s amazing how perceptive the liturgy is during this Christmas Season. As we come to the end of the civil year, the liturgy gives us these “friendly” reminders that come gift-wrapped with a bow!
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Saint Thomas Becket, bishop & martyr, Octave of Christmas, December 29
Simeon blessed God, saying: "Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." (Lk 2:22-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122923.cfm
“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” That was the question that Henry II of England put to his courtiers and precipitated the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sometimes it's difficult to follow the Prince of Peace.
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Holy Innocents, martyrs, Octave of Christmas, December 28
When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. (Mt 2:13-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122823.cfm
The slaughter of the Innocents is a bit off-putting amidst all the Christmas celebrations, but it is the sad story of the human race who worships its weapons of violence rather than saying YES to the Prince of Peace.
