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.
Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me." (Jn 21:1-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm
The reference to the martyrdom of Saint Peter signals the fate of approximately the first 30 bishops of the city of Rome. Laying down one’s life for the flock is what the office of pope means, following in the footsteps of Saint Peter and his love for the Lord. As we prepare to choose a successor to Peter, we ask the help of the Holy Spirit. This week all eyes will be on the chimney!
Christ Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. (Philippians 2:6-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm
Latin America keeps the feast of the Holy Cross today. As rejoice in our salvation, we continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide the church in the selection of the new pope.
One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." (Jn 6:1-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050225.cfm
How important is that bag lunch that the boy hands over to Jesus. And Jesus works another of his signs. In the Eucharist the Lord takes our bread and wine and gives us the sacrament of his Body and Blood, the sign of his presence among us. Saint Athanasius (296-373) defended the teachings of the Council of Nicea at great cost to himself. We pray that the Spirit will enlighten our minds and our hearts as we choose a new pope.
The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. (Jn 3:31-36)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050125.cfm
Jesus is from above and speaks the words of God, but he is proud to be known as the son of the carpenter. My favorite image of Saint Joseph the Worker is the “cartoon” of the stain glass window that my family donated to Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Winston-Salem, NC, in memory of the departed members of my family. The “cartoon” and the window are by the artist, Patrick Pollen (1928-2010). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Pollen
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (Jn 3:16-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/043025.cfm
To love the world and every one in it as God does is the work of salvation to which Christ calls us. We accomplish it one act of kindness at a time. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we choose a new pope. https://youtu.be/_14CpHBRd3k?si=tnKZ-vGccDJQe7PH
