Word from the Pastor

Second Sunday of Lent

“This is my beloved Son, listen to Him”
Gn.12:1-4a; 2Tm1:8b-10; Mt. 17:1-9

Dear parish family,
The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation (a change from within). The readings invites us to work with the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent so that they radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured Lord to all around us by our Spirit-filled lives. ​

In the Transfiguration account in today’s Gospel, Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure, superior to Moses and Elijah. The primary purpose of Jesus’ Transfiguration was to allow Him to consult His Heavenly Father in order to ascertain His plan for His Son’s suffering, death and Resurrection. The secondary purpose was to make his chosen disciples aware of his divine glory (giving them a foretaste of his resurrection), so that they might discard their worldly ambitions and dreams of a conquering political Messiah and might be strengthened in their time of trial. On the mountain, Jesus is identified by the Heavenly Voice as the Son of God. Thus, the Transfiguration experience is a Christophany, that is, a manifestation or revelation of Who Jesus really is. Describing Jesus’ Transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the Heavenly glory awaiting those who do God’s will by putting their trusting Faith in Him. ​

The transfiguration in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength. In each Holy Mass, the bread and wine we offer on the altar become transfigured or transformed in the living Body and Blood of the crucified, risen, and glorified Jesus. Just as Jesus’ Transfiguration was meant to strengthen the apostles in their time of trial, each holy Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against temptations, and for our Lenten renewal. ​

We also need mountain-top experiences in our lives: we share the mountain-experience of Peter, James and John when we spend extra time in prayer during Lent. Fasting for one day can help the body to store up spiritual energy. This spiritual energy can help us have thoughts that are far higher and nobler than our usual mundane thinking. May our Lenten journey with Christ lead us through prayer, fasting and almsgiving to a deeper of intimacy with Jesus to the point that we may say like Peter: “Lord, it is good that we are here” ​

Have a blessed week! ​

Fr. Jean Jadotte
Pastor