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.
The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song. (1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012226.cfm
In the March on Washington for Civil Rights, August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King talked about the promise “that all men—yes, black men as well as white men—would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” On this day when we pray for the Unborn Children, we must also pray for the protection of the children and families of immigrants. When politics devolves into an alpha male contest like the one between Saul and David, everyone loses. https://youtu.be/7akuOFp-ET8?si=5ui7m-8VPdcy2lTO
Then he said to the Pharisees,"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" (Mk 3:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012126.cfm
When the Pharisees refuse to answer, Jesus gets angry and sad. Many people are also angry when life is destroyed on our streets by so-called goverment agents, and many are sad to see neighbors living in fear. The Lord responds by healing the man with the withered hand, but the powerful plot to kill Jesus. Saint Agnes (291-304) is one of the many young women martyrs of the early church who confronted the evil power of the goverment. The bravery and faith of these young women have never been forgotten. https://youtu.be/E5zbSeINTLU?si=3eiC_4_AXfqGNUgd
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. (1 Sam 16:1-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012026.cfm
Poor Jesse! He presents 7 sons but none of them measures up. God chooses David, the runt of the litter!
No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins. (Mk 2:18-22)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011926.cfm
In the Apostles Creed we profess: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” The work of creation continues. This is what happens in our baptism, God makes us a new creation in Christ, filled with the new wine of God’s grace. https://youtu.be/MNw8furU7Hs?si=VXrlow-1mxLa1Az6
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:1-3)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm
Old letters are wonderful. Grace and peace still come to us through this letter of Saint Paul. But who is Sosthenes, “our brother”? Outside of being the co-author of the first letter to the church at Corinth, we really don’t know. Sosthenes is a mystery. What we do know is that the Apostle Paul did not travel alone, he had many co-workers. https://youtu.be/u5DjH4ncSHU?si=r6QUybrAS8oGZ_M4
