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.
Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. (Is 29:17-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120624.cfm
Unfortunately today, the promise regarding Lebanon has been turned upside down. Lebanon, just like Gaza, has become a battlefield. But even now out of gloom and darkness, we have hope that “the eyes of the blind shall see.” Today is the feast of Saint Nicholas (270-343), bishop of the early church and patron saint of children throughout the world.
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah. (Is 26:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120524.cfm
Last night we attended a performance of Händel’s Messiah at the Teatro Metropolitano in Medellín. The performance celebrated the 50th anniversary of Messiah in Medellín and honored the original conductor, Maestro Alberto Correa, who began the tradition. It was my mom’s Christmas tradition to attend Messiah every year. It has become our tradition here in Colombia. Now I’m ready for Christmas!
Then Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Mt 15:29-37)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120424.cfm
The actions of Jesus in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes are the same as in the consecration of the Eucharist: TAKE, BLESS, BREAK, and GIVE. And of course, there’s work for all of us: Jesus gave them to the disciples who in turn gave them to the crowds. We are called to share the Bread of Life with all the hungry. As my spiritual director used to say: the Eucharist can never actually be over as long as there are hungry people in the world.
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (Is 11:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120324.cfm
The Advent Carol, Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming, comes from this passage which focuses on justice, especially justice for the poor and the afflicted. Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a cofounder of the Jesuits with Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). He was a missionary to India, the Far East and Japan.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! (Is 2:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm
Swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, nor shall they train for war again. It is not just a hope . . . it is God’s promise to us, if only we walk in the light of the Lord. Today's photo is of the work, "Let us beat swords into plowshares", bronze sculpture by Evgeniy Vuchetich, 1957. The statue was donated in 1959 by the Soviet Union to the United Nations and is located in front of its headquarters in New York .
