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.
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 .
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.” (Jer 33:14-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of Caring Hearts AIDS Ministry when I was pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Asheville, NC. We lovingly remember all those we have lost. As we begin this season of Advent, we prepare for the coming of the Lord who brings us justice. May this season remind us that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121).
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! (Rom 10:9-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113024.cfm
Beautiful feet! That’s what we aim for in bringing the good news. For we are missionary disciples proclaiming the unconditional love of the Lord without distinction as Saint Andrew did together with his brother, Saint Peter.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 29:1-4, 11-21:2)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112924.cfm
A new heaven, a new earth, a new city, a new us! We come to the conclusion of our reading of the Book of Revelation with the vision of all things being renewed in Christ. We also come to the conclusion of the liturgical year preparing ourselves for the Coming of the Lord.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:11-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112824-thanksgiving.cfm
All ten lepers were cleansed, but only one was saved—the one who returned to give thanks. How important it is to give thanks for all the gifts we have received. Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and also in my little corner of Colombia with members of my Colombian family. The menu today: turkey and dressing with cranberry sauce, my grandmother’s purple cabbage recipe, sweet potatoes, green salad almondine, and a Colombian dessert—buñuelos y natilla! I give thanks to God for the gift of family and friends—the gift of all of you!
