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.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032525.cfm
As my spiritual director, Fr Joe McCloskey, S.J. (1932-2016), used to say: All creation holds its breath awaiting Mary’s response to the Angel of the Lord. What will be our response to the Lord’s invitation? We will say Yes as Mary did?
When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. (Lk 4:24-30)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032425.cfm
When Jesus goes to his hometown synagogue and begins preaching about God intervening on behalf of foreigners, his local townsfolk want to kill him. Sounds a lot like what’s happening today. Hatred of foreigners, hatred of immigrants, never get the Jesus seal of approval.
When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Here I am.” God said, “Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your fathers, “ he continued, “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm
The Burning Bush, Holy Ground, Let My People Go. The story of salvation is powerful revelation. God continues to call us to the mission of setting people free.
Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm
The younger son doesn’t understand anything. He thinks he can simply earn his own keep. But the father will hear none of that and has to gently remind him, “You are and always will be my son.” As Pope Francis reminds us, "God loves us with a father’s love" https://youtu.be/gOcBNnNbMyo?si=qgVD4MvBb5yKNX2c.
Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?" (Mt 21:33-43, 45-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032125.cfm
This quote from Psalm 118 is key to understanding the Scandal of the Cross and the Resurrection. The One the world rejects is the One chosen by God. We continue to pray for Pope Francis and for all who are in need of healing.
