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.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.
(Gen 1:20-2:4a)
As God finishes the work of creation, God finds everything not just good, but “very good.” It’s understandable that church folks want to focus on “original sin,” but we should never forget the “original blessing.” And as God “rests” on the seventh day, we too are called to rest and appreciate the creation.
God saw how good it was.
(Gen 1:1-19)
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed.
(Mk 6:53-56)
In the time remaining before Lent, we will hear the beginning chapters of Genesis and today starts the great story of creation. As some theologians point out, the original blessing is at the beginning long before any thing that con be construed as original sin. As the Scripture tells us: “God saw how good it was.” This world and everything in it was created good. The story of people touching Jesus’ cloak to be healed is made famous by the great Sam Cooke in his gospel song.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
(Psalm 147)
Sometimes like Job, we need to sing the Blues: “I’ll never be happy again.” But the Liturgy gently reminds us that God has not abandoned us. We can praise the Lord because God heals the brokenhearted. Even though God calls the stars by name, God still remembers us.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
(Heb 13:15-17,20-21)
Today the conclusion of the Letter to the Hebrews is this beautiful blessing. When I was in language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico, we visited the Cathedral (early 16th century). I was surprised by the ancient murals (today's picture) telling the story of Saint Paul Miki and the First Martyrs of Japan. The first native born Mexican saint, Saint Felipe de Jesús, was one of the companion martyrs.
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Heb 13:1-8)
As we come to the conclusion of the Letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of some basic truths: the importance of love and hospitality, and the unchanging center of our faith, Jesus Christ. Saint Agatha is another of the virgin martyrs of the early church. Saint Agatha is the patron saint for breast cancer.
