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.
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:54-58)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030225.cfm
What does the death and resurrection of Jesus mean for us? Saint Paul spells it out: God has won the victory for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything has changed. We are indeed “pilgrims of hope” which is the theme of this Holy Year that Pope Francis has proclaimed. We continue to pray for the health of our Holy Father.
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them. (Mk 10:13-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030125.cfm
Jesus and the children . . . an image that captures the imagination. For all of us, the Lord’s arms are open to embrace and bless. The Virgin Mary reveals God’s motherly love for us all. We continue to pray for the health of Pope Francis and for his ministry among us.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. (Sirach 6:5-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022825.cfm
There is an old hymn that sings of our friendship with the Lord, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Our friends in life reveal to us the Love which the Lord has for each one of us. Many people see that friendship in the ministry of Pope Francis. We pray for his health and his ministry among us.
Rely not upon deceitful wealth, for it will be no help on the day of wrath. (Sirach 5:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022725.cfm
God has never been impressed with wealth, but even less when we take food from the poor to give tax breaks to the super wealthy. For good reason billionaires don’t spend much time reading the Scriptures. We pray for Pope Francis, surrounded here with children on the World Day of the Poor.
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us." (Mk 9:38-40)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022625.cfm
Some folks want the church divided into opposing sides, but the Lord offers us another way: “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Perhaps we should be looking on one another not as the “enemy” but rather as working together to proclaim the Good News. We continue to pray for Pope Francis, for his health and his ministry of unity in the church.
