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 this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless,
married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents. (Ti 1:1-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110722.cfm
Qualifications for presbyters-bishops reflect a much later period than that of Saint Paul. Although deacons are not mentioned in this passage, it is important to note that the early church did not use “religious” terms for its ministers: episkopos (bishop) means “overseer”, presbyteros (presbyter) means “elder”; and diakonos (deacon) means “table waiter”; rather, we used terms from everyday life. In today’s picture there is a bishop, a presbyter, and a deacon.
It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. (2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110622.cfm
One of the great passages from the Books of the Maccabees. And also one that is almost never preached in Colombia . . . where the bigger the chicharrón (fried pork skin with meat attached) the better rating the restaurant! Of course the passage is preached in Colombia but without much mention of the reason for the martyrdom of the 7 sons and their mother. Matriarchs and strong women of faith are a blessing in Colombia—along with the chicharrones! And even though it is not included in today’s reading, the writer brings the whole passage to a merciful end: “Enough has been said about the sacrificial meals and the excessive cruelties” (2 Mc 7:42).
I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:10-19)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110522.cfm
Captain Kangaroo taught children of my generation the magic words: please and thank you. Saint Paul learned the lesson too. In one sense, his letter to the Philippians is one big “thank you.” The Virgin Mary also invites us to join her hymn of thanksgiving to God: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, stand firm in the Lord, beloved. (Phil 3:17-4:1)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110422.cfm
“Our citizenship is in heaven” . . . a wonderful reminder that so-called Christian Nationalism is a lie. Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) was a church reformer who proved his worth following the Council of Trent (1562-1563). Saint Charles was responsible for the creation of seminaries to train priests and for the founding of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to teach the faith to children and the laity. Today's picture is of the Cathedral of Milan where Saint Charles was archbishop.
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Lk 15:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110322.cfm
The Lord always welcomed those everyone else rejected. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman. Martin was of mixed race: his mother was a freed African slave of Native descent. They were abandoned by the father and under Peruvian law, being mulatto, Martin had no rights. He was finally accepted by the Dominicans who gave him menial tasks to perform. He worked in the infirmary and was known as a healer. I remember when he was canonized in 1962. My mom was working at Blessed Martin de Porres Hospital (a Black maternity hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy). After the canonization the hospital was renamed, Saint Martin de Porres. The shiny new “saint” letters stood out on the hospital sign!
