At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." (Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120625.cfm
In his ministry as bishop, Saint Nicholas (270-343) fulfilled the command of the Lord: without cost you have received, without cost you are to give. Saint Nicholas still continues to freely give. https://youtu.be/h0-QMXFJoEE?si=lMPArsG1i-X2Kwpi
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 Nicholas, bishop, December 6
