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.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Mt 5:38-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061322.cfm
An “eye for an eye” was an improvement on blood vengeance, but the Lord asks more of us. Saint Anthony was devoted to the Word of God and struggled with the Scriptures just like the rest of us.
Alleluia (Rev 1:8)
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061222.cfm
The feast of the Holy Trinity reminds us who we are: children of the Father, sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:21b-28; 13:1-3)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061122.cfm
Barnabas seeking out Saul becomes one of the most important moments in the life of the early church. Saul, of course, becomes Paul, the preacher to the Gentiles. And “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” . . . or as the Cotton Patch version of the New Testament says: And it was here in Mobile that the disciples were first labeled “Christians.” And today’s picture is of my hometown Mobile, Alabama, at sunset.
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. (1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061022.cfm
Not in the wind nor the earthquake but in the tiny whispering sound Elijah knew the presence of the Lord. Perhaps there is a lesson for us all. God is not found in the special effects but rather in the quiet, non-flashy ordinary things of everyday life.
"Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (MT 5:20-26)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060922.cfm
Sometimes we prefer to get the cart before the horse, but the Lord won’t let us get away with it. If you want to get religious, says the Lord, you have to start by mending fences.
