Transfiguration

This weekend the Sunday Gospel tells of the Transfiguration of Jesus: When he took Peter, James, and John to the top of Mount Tabor and allowed them to see the glory of his divinity. This Gospel also provided Pope Francis the inspiration for his Lenten

message this year.

Our Holy Father speaks of how Lent calls all of us to climb upward. “We need to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration.” Whatever our Lenten penance may be, it is something we do in union with the Lord and his disciples; we are not alone. And the beautiful sight of the Lord’s glory, at the summit, is more than worth the journey.

As we continue our Lenten climb, let’s not become discouraged or complacent. This is really the journey of a lifetime: a lifetime with Jesus, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead to save us. With our eyes fixed on him, all things become possible. He never calls us to do something without giving us the grace to do it.

Let’s cooperate with the graces of this season, so that Easter will truly be a celebration of new life in the Lord.

Gratefully yours,

Fr. Philip

Lent

Do you like the season of Lent? The way I see it, the answer to this question can go two ways. Do I like the idea of a season to grow closer to the Lord? Of course I do. Do I like the idea of doing penance? Well, if I liked it, it wouldn’t be penance. The idea of penance is that I don’t like it, but I do it anyway because it’s the right thing to do.

The three classic practices for Lent, based on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18) are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Extra prayer can take many forms: weekday Mass, spending time in the Eucharistic Chapel, coming to Stations of the Cross, gathering with a prayer group, or quiet time at home. Fasting includes the mandated practices of limiting our eating on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstaining from meat on the Fridays of Lent, but may also include giving up some favorite food or dessert, giving up (or limiting) our time on the phone or computer, or doing without something else that we don’t really need. Almsgiving may include contributing to some cause that provides for the poor, donating clothes and food, or giving our time to a charitable work.

In carrying out these Lenten practices, we must remember their purpose: to return to the Lord with our whole heart (see Joel 2:12). It’s about the Lord, not about us. May we truly draw closer to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, during this special season of grace.

Gratefully yours,

Joyful Gratitude

The last time I was in the office of Tom Leeman, our business manager, I saw a big stack of PSA pledge envelopes on his desk. That made me happy, not because I want money—it doesn’t come to me personally—but because I am eager for all of us to participate in the diocesan Pastoral Services Appeal. Three weekends ago you saw the diocesan video for the PSA during announcement time at Mass. Two weekends ago you saw my video and heard my appeal at all the weekend Masses. Last weekend we did not add an appeal because I know you have already received the message. But if you have not yet pledged or contributed to the Pastoral Services Appeal, I urge you to do so.

I have titled this message “Joyful Gratitude.” I am more grateful to you than words can describe, and I am grateful to God for you. Together we have made our new Pastoral Center a reality, and we are putting it to good use. God has blessed us so abundantly that I believe this year’s PSA is a call to joyful, grateful giving. I’ve done my best to remind you of all the important ministries that the diocese provides to people who really count on that assistance. As we reach out to them in this appeal, I hope we do so in a spirit of gratitude, joy, and generosity. “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Mt. 10:8)

You can contribute and pledge at www.rcbo.org/psa-give-now . Please be sure to select St. Edward the Confessor as your parish, so that we can give joyful witness to the generosity of our parish community. I know that God will continue to bless us!

Gratefully yours,