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.
A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5:34-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041726.cfm
Political attacks on the church are nothing new. If we preach the gospel of peace and justice, the powers that be will not be pleased. It was Stalin who derisively asked, “The pope, how many divisions does he have?” https://youtu.be/VCWSz0mL888?si=A6ZTZ9ckOjw8UHSP
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:27-33)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041626.cfm
The relentless attacks on Pope Leo by members of the government of the United States remind us that we follow in the footsteps of the apostles. As we profess in the Creed, we are the church of the apostles: one, holy, catholic and apostolic https://youtube.com/shorts/_7zxiwxBrc8?si=RVHpJuOi5fwmq5E7. As Peter and the apostles said, “We obey God rather than men.” https://youtu.be/uOfcuuudlDg?si=PIFV3P6kjG09U55f
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. (Jn 3:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041526.cfm
Immediately after attacking Pope Leo on social media, the president of the United States posted a blasphemous image of himself. We pray for our pope, we pray for all who work for peace, we pray for all people of good will. We pray for the president of the United States, who in his strange obsession with Pope Leo, seems to be seriously unwell. https://youtu.be/ylMMQV0iTNI?si=igqEeZJGMah2P9jQ
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. (Acts 4:32-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041426.cfm
To be of one heart and one mind calls us to a whole new way of living. What would it be like to live in a world where no one is left out and no one left behind. https://youtu.be/PFUowm_Ygp4?si=TctBfairZ4Mgvts_
And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:23-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041326.cfm
Threats aren’t new. The church has always received them whenever it proclaims the truth of Christ and stands for peace and protects the poor and the vulnerable. We pray for Pope Leo, who has been viciously attacked by President Donald Trump. May Pope Leo continue to speak God’s word “with all boldness.” https://youtu.be/8yEYOY9nUZI?si=OjlMKfwc0lP92ecC
