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.
For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (Rom 3:21-30)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101625.cfm
Faith is the key. Paul doesn’t mean that works don’t matter, but rather through faith God’s salvation is freely available to all, Jews and Gentiles. Paul wants the community to be one in Christ. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) fostered devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is responsible for the feast of the Sacred Heart, the devotion of the First Fridays, the Thursday Holy Hour devotion, and the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like unto yours! https://youtu.be/CsfA219bYFQ?si=zm7Q7W4_wYFjo-hi
For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. (Rom 2:1-11)
Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them. (Lk 11:42-46)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101525.cfm
Jesus and Paul both had problems with those who used the Law as a weapon against others. Both Jesus and Paul would say that the purpose of the Law is not to judge others but rather to lead us to the Lord that never ends. Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) taught the church about how to reach the Love that never ends by means of kindness and prayer. Today’s video is of the famous prayer of Saint Teresa, Nada Te Turbe: https://youtu.be/aA8nSzEqIh4?si=VoYF2fbfU8yY4Ty8
I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. (Rom 1:16-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101425.cfm
Paul’s Letter to the Romans is written to introduce himself to the community. One of the concerns of the letter is the relationship between the Jewish and Gentile members of the fledgling Christian community of Rome. Paul insists on the universality of salvation (salvation is for everyone who believes) and that both Jews and Gentiles are a part of God’s plan. Today's photo is of Pope Leo blessing the Church of Rome with the Book of the Gospels. Today's music is a gospel album in Spanish. https://youtu.be/3lKxQyBGxbA?si=ytD6_UofZmw6FM38
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God, to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 1:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101325.cfm
Old letters are amazing. Carefully treasured, somewhat yellowed, tied with a blue ribbon. The letters of Saint Paul have also been treasured through the centuries. I’m always amazed at the scribes who are carefully writing down Paul’s dictation. The Letter to the Romans is Paul’s longest letter (we will be reading it at daily Mass for a month!). At the very end of the letter, the poor scribe slips in a little note to the readers: “I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). We are grateful to Tertius and all the other scribes!
And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." (Lk 17:11-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101225.cfm
Ten were healed but only one was saved, the foreigner, the one who returned to give thanks. According to the gospel, foreigners have lots to teach us about faith. Unfortunately, we would rather deport them than learn. https://youtu.be/lYormAJoEk8?si=B5ov81ZGbjns97HV
