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 will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ez 36:23-28)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081822.cfm
God’s mercy and compassion are inexhaustible. God makes all things new . . . including us: a new spirit, a new heart, a new people!
Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. (Ez 34:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081722.cfm
When Pope Francis says that shepherds should have the smell of the sheep, he’s talking about the problem of clericalism. The Prophet Ezekiel is also talking about shepherds who pasture themselves rather than the sheep. “Shepherds, hear the word of the LORD” and what follows are some of the most terrible words in all the Scriptures. What God wants is that the weak be strengthened, the sick healed, the injured cared for, the strayed to be returned, the lost to be found. As God says: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” And as the Psalmist joyfully proclaims: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you are haughty of heart, you say, “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!”— And yet you are a man, and not a god, however you may think yourself like a god. No, you are man, not a god, handed over to those who will slay you. (Ez 28:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081622.cfm
The prophet Ezekiel pronounces the doom of the Prince of Tyre who is the biblical definition of hubris. It’s what happens when we throw our weight around and act like we own the world. There will be a reckoning. As Ezekiel reminds us: you are human, you are not a god.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life. (1 Cor 15:20-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081522.cfm
The old translation for the Preface for the Ascension of the Lord says: “Where he has gone, we hope to follow.” Today’s feast of the Assumption of Mary reminds us that one day, we too will follow him, for he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. And as Mary sings in her hymn of praise: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord . . . for he has lifted up the lowly. Holy is his name.”
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. (Heb 12:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081422.cfm
The great cloud of witnesses—how important is the story of those who have gone before us in Christ. We tell their stories knowing that one day we, too, will take our place in that great cloud. Who then will tell our stories?
