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.
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved . . . It is my wish, then,
that in every place you should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. (1 Tim 2:1-8)
Prayer and thanksgiving is the essence of worship, lifting up our hands praising God. Saint John Chrysostom was archbishop of Constantinople. The emperor and his wife were in his parish. The empress and her friends wanted to gussy up the church with silk vestments and golden chalices to which John Chrysostom replied, “Give God the honor prescribed in God’s law by giving your riches to the poor. For God does not want golden vessels but golden hearts.” She got him exiled. Today’s picture is of Hagia Sophia, the cathedral in Istanbul where Saint John Chrysostom preached and prayed.
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me. (Mk 8:27-35)
The challenge of being a disciple. There’s an old hymn that says: I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, no turning back.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost. (1 Tim 1:15-17)
To think of oneself as the world’s greatest sinner is a bit presumptuous. Scripture gives that honor to Saint Paul . . . so the rest of us are off the hook—and that’s really good news! Today we remember those who died so tragically on this day 20 years ago.
Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. (Lk 6:39-42)
The Lord knows us too well! We love to correct other’s faults without ever batting an eye at our own.
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. (Col 3:12-17)
It was Saint Peter Claver’s compassion that led him to devote his life to the slaves who were brought to Cartagena, Colombia. He treated them with dignity and respect and in his ministry he baptized 300,000. As a result of Saint Peter Claver’s ministry, today is the Day of Human Rights in Colombia.
