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.
I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment; I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. (Philemon 9-10, 12-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm
Onesimus is a runaway slave. The punishment is crucifixion so that slaves wouldn’t get infected by the idea of freedom. Nevertheless, Paul sends Onesimus back to his owner asking that he be received not as a slave but as a beloved brother. We don’t know how the case of Onesimus was resolved. But I think that Saint Paul won over the heart of Philemon. Today’s photo is of the broken shackles and chains beneath the feet of the Statue of Liberty. https://youtu.be/tnfcofde5vw?si=LJYx5XqRGDhMrfQB
Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Lk 6:1-5)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090625.cfm
The Lord doesn’t need us to pass judgment on anyone. The Lord is the boss, not us. Today’s photo is a cartoon by the NakedPastor (don’t let the name throw you).(The difference between me and you is you use scripture to determine what love means, and I use love to determine what scripture means.) It sums up very nicely what Jesus means when he says, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” As the Mother of Jesus says to the servants at the wedding feast of Cana, she also says to us: “Do whatever he tells you.” https://youtu.be/tuaxni79iFw?si=a-Ezj6tiGb-gqpZr
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. (Col 1:15-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090525.cfm
This ancient hymn of praise speaks of the primacy of Christ who is the “firstborn of all creation” and of the sacramentality of Christ who is “the image of the invisible God.” The beautiful hymn concludes with the reconciliation and peace Christ has gained for us. Mother Teresa (1910-1997) taught us that we find Christ in the poor. https://youtu.be/fNIB-Gh2DUg?si=ZFqX3fCqdevIFBTr
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. (Lk 5:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090425.cfm
The Lucan gospel gives us the “expanded edition” of the call of the first disciples. We shouldn’t be surprised that the Lord walks right into the middle of our everyday lives and messes up everything. The Lord calls whom the Lord wills. All we can do is simply follow him. https://youtu.be/Hvnp8fjUv0E?si=ofpUCqP9GmPGuZX1
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. (Lk 4:38-44)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090325.cfm
Jesus’ ministry on behalf of the sick is an essential element in the gospel story. There is no triage, no questions about insurance coverage or preexisting conditions or method of payment. Jesus didn’t ask for citizenship papers or identity documents. Jesus simply laid hands on the sick and cured them. Maybe we should learn from Jesus. When asked what he wanted to do as pope, Saint Gregory the Great said that he wanted to be the “servant of the servants of God.” https://youtu.be/2hlXlnTfGGc?si=OPSaKVYwgOqYHMTm
