FM's Message | Sunday, February 18th

There is the potential for glory too, as we begin to recognize that we are having success in our attempts to grow in holiness and recognizable discipleship or that we are really enjoying prayer. 
If we are honest, we might discover that we will always have some things to work on in our lives as we continue a path to holiness. It could be something quite simple, like being aggravated at stop lights or it could be outright road rage. Most of us will always have something to work on and that is what Lent is for. We must not look at it as a negative reality, but rather an opportunity to humbly allow God to work on us and possibly change us forever. The result is that we could and can grow in holiness. That is always the purpose. In the first week of Lent, I encouraged everyone to change their mind about God. We are challenged to remember that God is on our side, trying to help us. We are challenged, but even if the challenges seem tough, they are a recognition that God sees in us so much more than we sometimes see in ourselves.
This week’s gospel highlighting the transfiguration of Jesus is another way to look at ourselves. If we allow the bright light of Jesus to shine everywhere in us, we will see that, like Peter and the others, we can sometimes be misdirected about the glory of God. We too have been given a little fraction of the glory of God in our hearts and souls and it is this that calls us to remember and be awed, but we are called to bring that to others in some way in our human form. Of course, we never go alone and that is the promise of Jesus. We hear that promise at the end of the Gospel of Matthew. (“…. behold, I am with you until the end of time”) 28:31. Jesus and the apostles continued down the mountain to do the work of proclaiming the good news and that is our work also. We don’t walk down the mountain, but rather a few steps to continue to do the holy work of sharing the Gospel in Salem. We are transfigured a little in every reception of the Eucharist and so start out the door with the enthusiasm of the three apostles, still questioning, but certain that the message is offered to all.
Thanks to the Sisters of Life for their presentation this week. It was a great moment and a wonderful way to start the Lenten journey reflecting on all that we are and our purpose and how we cooperate with God’s plan. Thanks to Peter Gordon for his work on this project.
Don’t forget that the Hallow app is available to all  the first 500 people who sign up for it from our parish. Due to the generosity of a parishioner, we all can use it for our personal and group use from now until the feast of Pentecost. Hallow has opportunities to study scripture, daily prayers, rosary, meditations, etc. It also has reflections on different topics and gentle music. It is a great opportunity to enter the spirit of Lent and see some of the variety of our spiritual traditions.


Peace,
Father Murray

Building news: The Abbot Construction company, which is the masonry company that has the contract for the front, chimney, and rear repointing jobs has contacted us and told us that they will be starting in April. The companies to do the apartments are also planning to start this spring with a projected finish date of December 2025.