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.
Then Solomon said, “I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever.” (I Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020722.cfm
The Dedication of the Temple by Solomon was a truly big deal. The dedication of “Little Jerusalem” more popularly known as the Ave Maria Grotto on the grounds of Saint Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama, was much humbler. Brother Joseph Zoettl (1878-1961) used left over plumbing supplies and junk to construct replicas of the Temple of Solomon and religious shrines. Not a “princely house” (Solomon would probably have been horrified!), but acceptable to the Lord nonetheless.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” (Is 6:1-2a, 3-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020622.cfm
In today’s readings we have an abundance. All of them are worthy of being proclaimed and preached: The Call of the Prophet Isaiah, Paul’s handing on of the teaching about the Resurrection Appearances, and the Call of the First Disciples. Whether we are eager-beavers like the Prophet Isaiah (“Send me, send me!”), or feeling a bit overwhelmed like Peter (“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”), we can all take hope from Paul who knew that the Call was not merited (“because I persecuted the church of God”) but was simply God’s grace (“by the grace of God I am what I am”). And as Paul concludes: “so we preach and so you believed.”
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 119)
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020522.cfm
Saint Agatha is one of the famous virgin martyrs of the early church. The tortures she suffered were discretely portrayed by church artists as two lumps under a cloth and gave rise to the somewhat mistaken custom of blessing rolls of bread on her feast day.
With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung; He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies, He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year
So that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound. The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel. (Sir 47:2-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020422.cfm
We reach the end of the story of David with this beautiful hymn to David’s accomplishments. After praising David’s skill against his enemies, the writer goes on to acclaim the most important part . . . David promoted sacred music! The video today is of my friend, Donna Germano, who died July 16, 2018. There were seven harpists who played her funeral Mass. The sanctuary was filled with sacred music!
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mk 6:7-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020322.cfm
Healing the sick is a part of the apostolic mission as Jesus sends out the Twelve. Today is the Feast of Saint Blase with the custom of the Blessing of Throats. Two crossed candles are used for the blessing.
