February 28, 2016: Third Sunday of Lent

God comes to us in our lives, calling us to be something beyond ourselves, just as He called Moses while he was shepherding.  Indeed, He appears in many and various ways, such that any place can be holy ground, because His Holy Presence transcends all space and time.  (It makes me think back to the Sunday three years ago when I last heard these readings proclaimed, when I was on a service trip at St. Augustine in Winnebago, NE, where God worked marvelously in our group during our week there.  And God even did something marvelous as I attended Mass in an unusual way this weekend, at 8 PM at historic Old St. Pat's in Chicago, which was also a wonderful chance to reconnect with my dear friend David Philippart.)

And as God works to transform us, we must always take care and be on our guard against sin, lest we fall away from the presence of God.  He indeed desires to show us mercy, but that doesn't mean we'll escape the consequences of sin.  So let us be mindful of our relationship with God, by which we are freed from sin that we may bear the fruits of being in relationship with Him, by which we extend God's life-giving mercies to others.

February 21, 2016: Second Sunday of Lent

Recently, I attended my Mom's graduation for her MSN.  It was a special experience for me to see her in the midst of this celebration, knowing I'll be there in not too much longer, after I finish the work ahead of me.  I can't help but connect this experience with the Gospel reading that's always proclaimed on the 2nd Sunday of Lent.

The story of the Transfiguration reminds us of what lies ahead as we continue on our Lenten journey toward the annual celebration at the Paschal Triduum of the death and Resurrection of Christ.  Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of Christ is His glory, after Peter had just acclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, and He in turn had predicted His passion of suffering and death.  They, and we, see that after suffering follows the glory of Resurrection.

So now we have hope that because Jesus is glorified, we who are His will share in His glory, too.  We no longer have to confine ourselves to what is on Earth, but can look above to what is in Heaven, as St. Paul writes of so eloquently in the 2nd reading.  It is this vision that transforms us even now to live like Christ in this life.

And our promise of Heaven is sure because God makes a covenant with us, just as He did with Abram to assure Him of the certainty of His promises.

Truly with the Psalmist we can declare the Lord is our Light and Salvation.

February 14, 2016: First Sunday of Lent

At the start of our Lenten journey, we hear again the Gospel story about Jesus's time in the desert, during which He is tempted by Satan.  Unlike the Hebrews of long before who put God to the test and were unfaithful, Jesus stood strong in the Word of God and refused to give into temptation and use His powers for His own benefit.

We, too, are called to ground ourselves in who we are, that we are children of God and have a relationship with Him because He first came and loved us, saving us from sin that we might live.  And so we declare Him as our personal Savior and Lord.  But we don't just proclaim words--we trust in Him day by day as we turn from our desires to His.  And it is at the end of Lent, when Easter comes, that we renew ourselves in the faith that, in baptism, brought us into relationship with Him.

February 10, 2016: Ash Wednesday

As we began this season of Lent 2016, I was reminded in an important way of a key phrase associated with this day, and certainly its name: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

This saying makes us face the reality of our mortality, that our time in this life is limited and we will one day die.  It sobers us up so that we realize the importance of making the most of the time we have to live lives that are righteous and pleasing to God.

So on this day, we are called to repentance and belief, turning away from sin to be faithful to the Gospel.  We live our belief in God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  And in these practices of faith, we experience the day of God's salvation now.

February 7, 2016: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Throughout the Bible, when God calls people to serve Him, especially prophets, He comes to them in such a way that makes the called feel totally unworthy.

We see it in Isaiah, who lived in uncleanness.  We see it in St. Paul, who persecuted the Church, and then became a zealous proclaimer of the Gospel.  And we see it in St. Peter, who instantly recognized his unworthiness, after he and the disciples had an unsuccessful fishing run.

Yet it's not so much about who they are, what they've done, or what they have to offer, but about how God works powerfully in them, even in their weaknesses, to accomplish His purposes.  And when they see the power of God who raises them up, they are made ready to serve.

So God calls us to proclaim His message, raising us up, freeing us even from sin, so that we might boldly proclaim the message He gives us to proclaim at this time.

January 31, 2016: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Throughout the ages, God has called people to be prophets, who proclaim His message of Truth and salvation.

A prophet often faces hardship because of that message, as happened to Jesus when His hometown folk couldn't bear to face the reality of who He was.

But God has specially acknowledged us before birth, and has chosen us for this role.  So in spite of whatever obstacles we encounter, He is there to strengthen us for the task He gives us.

We are indeed strengthened to proclaim this message in the spirit of Love that God exhibits perfectly, a love that is above all, and is everlasting, because God is love, and shows us love in coming to save us.  It is this Love that fortifies and strengthens us against all opposition to proclaim His prophetic message.