Message from our Pastor
Second Sunday in Lent
February 28, 2021
I am often intrigued by the faith displayed throughout the scriptures. How can anyone imagine what was going through the mind of Abraham as he is taken to the brink of sacrificing his own son for the sake of his faith in God? On the other end, the disciples are taken in by the incredible vision of Christ now glorified at his transfiguration. They are so stuck on this moment they do not want to leave the mountain. They want to squeeze as much out the experience as possible. Abraham’s faith is the arduous work of listening and discerning the divine will of God. He stayed loyal to his relationship to God, no matter the circumstances he faced in life. The disciples will come to realize moments like the transfiguration come very infrequently.
The power of these two events is what comes next. What does Abraham do with this event of displaying extraordinary faith? What do the disciples do once they are down the mountain from the transfiguration of Jesus? These are life changing moments. They will probably never see or experience anything in life like this again. Yet, these moments will profoundly affect how they treat others, how they see the world, how they display empathy toward others, and most important how they live out their faith.
Abraham in the Old Testament and the disciples at the transfiguration of Jesus must go back to the realities of life. They must come back to their day-to-day existence but not without a faith that is called to be lived and shared. I believe Abraham and the disciples needed these experiences. The sacrifice called of Abraham will give him the knowledge that God is not about us asking to take life. Rather, God will bless Abraham abundantly in many ways and for many generations. God is about giving life. The disciples will carry with them Jesus’ glory into life. They will see him differently from this moment, but also live knowing of his glory. They will ultimately go forth bringing Jesus to the world.
How can we find ourselves inspired by these powerful moments from scripture? Abraham displays the power of faith. In those moments of death, we are reminded that the hope of life always wins out. The disciples are so caught up in what they see at the transfiguration it makes their sight shrink. However, we know that the sight Jesus gives to us through his ministry opens us to the varied and vast realities of life. The kind of eyesight that makes us sensitive to the difficulties of others and the troubles of the world. What we have is a faith that helps see through the cross and the empty tomb and that Jesus has done for us what he calls us to do for others – to give life and hope!
We are asking parishioners to fill out a survey to assist with a parish-wide and diocesan-wide initiative. “Called for More” is a process to help each parish and the diocese see the strengths and the areas of ministry that we need to strengthen in the near future. Please help us by participating in a 10-15 minute survey on line or you can pick up a hard copy of the survey in the Gathering Area along with a envelope. Once you have filled out the hard copy survey please place it in the envelope, seal it, and place in the box in the Gathering Area.
The survey can be accessed at this link: https://portal.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/d8dd6dp116. We are trying to get the highest response rate possible. This information will help us as we plan for the future. We will receive the results of the surveys that have been submitted later this year. Thank you for your help in this matter!
Our Easter Food Collection will continue for several more weeks. Please bring your non-perishable food items and drop them in the bins located in the Gathering Area.
Please keep our eighth-graders in your prayers as we celebrate Confirmation this coming Friday in the church. Due to COVID and restrictions we will have two Confirmation Masses on Friday, March 5th at 5PM and 7PM. Please keep all those receiving the sacrament and their families in your prayers.
Remember, there will be Stations of The Cross in the church on the Fridays of Lent. Due to Confirmation this coming Friday night there will be no Stations of the Cross.
As we continue through the season of Lent, I hope that your spiritual life has been strengthened. Please keep up on the Consecration to St. Joseph. We have Zoom meetings lined up on Tuesdays at 11AM, Wednesdays at 7PM, and Thursdays at 7PM throughout the Consecration. I hope to see you at one of the meetings on-line.
Keep pushing forward through the outside noise of COVID and all that comes with it. Feed the soul through prayer and worship. Stay connected to us through the Livestream on Sundays at 8:30AM. Please know you are in my daily prayers. Have a great Lenten week!
