Parish Bulletin for Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005

Salt and Light

      Today's gospel follows immediately upon the beatitudes and continues the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples in two of the most familiar and beloved images that are part of the Christian tradition. They are called salt of the earth and light of the world.

      No longer are their lives their own; all that they do and all that they say affect those around them. Salt is a preservative, a purifier, and it also gives flavour. Being salt to the earth, living open to the will of God and answering the call to true discipleship means that we can and must make a difference. When we live our lives in ways that truly reflect the ways of the kingdom, we do what is right, we feed the hungry, we shelter the homeless, and we clothe the naked. Because we live as disciples, we do make a difference in our world; it does become a better place and we do work to make the kingdom of God a reality.

      Yet it is not easy to be the salt of the earth. It is not easy to always live in a decent and moral and loving way. This is not the way of the world in Jesus' time and it is not the value system for our culture today. Implicit in the gospel is a warning. Salt can lose its potential for good, it can become stale and useless. When we cease to be disciples of the Lord, following in his ways, we too can become of little value and our lives lose their meaning. When we do what is right and allow others to witness who we are, then we become, as Jesus calls us, the light of the world. We are not to hide who we are but let it shine forth so that others, seeing us, will find the light of life as well.

      And we cannot accomplish this all on our own. God will be with us; the more we do what is right and good, the more our trust in God will grow. Jesus is very clear. We must let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and give glory to God. As the community of faith we are to be a visible sign and an instrument of Christ's salvation. We are called, just as those listening to the Sermon on the Mount, to be people of faith and of love, people who care about the needy and about those who suffer.

      Jesus offers us the possibilities of life in the Kingdom of God. He brings us new life and a new beginning. Those who respond to Jesus are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As disciples of the Lord, we are to lead lives of goodness and love and justice and mercy. During our celebration of Eucharist today, let us offer thanks and praise to the God who has opened endless possibilities for us and for those whose lives are different and better because of who we are – disciples who recognize we need the continuing gifts God has given to us.

Mass Intentions for the week

TUESDAY, Feb. 8

Weekday

12 Noon - † Joseph LeBlanc

Requested by friends

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 9

Ash Wednesday

8:30 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, Feb. 10

Lenten Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan Tabadia

Requested by Doreen Heron

FRIDAY, Feb. 11

Lenten Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Diniz Raposo

Requested by Wife

SATURDAY, Feb. 12

Lenten Weekday

9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer

(Office of the Blessed Virgin)

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Parish Bulletin for Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005

First Sunday of Lent

Lent – A Season to Sit in Ashes

      Recently, I received the gift of a small booklet written by Rev. Ron Rolheiser and containing reflections for Lent and Easter week. I would like to share with you one of the reflections made in the book that spoke to me about our Lenten journey and hopefully you will enjoy it and take it to heart as I do.

      In the reflection for Ash Wednesday, Father Rolheiser uses the example of the Cinderella story to remind his readers what the period of Lent is all about. Cinderella is an old fairy tale passed on for generations, known by heart to many of us, and captured in film for Disney buffs. It is classified as a wisdom tale and it speaks to us about the value of ashes. Think about the name of our heroine. Literally, it means "the young girl who sits in the cinders." Her name alone evokes strong images for us and literally tells the tale. Before the fairy godmother, the glass slipper, the beautiful ball gown, the prince of her dreams and a dance to end all dances, our heroine spends time in humble servitude – a period of being humbled – a theology of Lent.

      Transformation in the Spirit requires us to put aside the trappings we hold so dear and travel into the deepest parts of our soul, to sit in reflection and to allow the 'ashes' of Ash Wednesday to do their work. We have left 'Ordinary Time' behind and we are immersed in the time of ashes. When we enter into the spirit of Lent, we enter into relationship with ourselves, with each other, and with God. We are waiting and working. The human condition and real growth in our own humanness demand that we make this journey every so often. Every ancient tradition on this earth tells stories about sitting in the ashes before one can be transformed.

      It is no mistake that we as Catholic Christians are marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent. We need this season of sitting in the ashes, reflecting and waiting and working and simply being still so that the ashes can do their work in us.

      We have entered into a period of preparation. We are preparing for the solemn celebration at Easter of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This celebration is at the heart of our faith. God offers us the possibility of new life in the new and eternal covenant. Lent offers us the chance to prepare to renew our baptismal promises, to reflect on those promises and on their implications in our very lives.

      Easter is the time of new life – sacraments of initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil and continue through the Easter Season. Baptism is entrance into the saving community of faith. It is initial contact, so to speak, with the saving power of Jesus' death and resurrection. Renewal of baptismal promises bring us into the Pascal mystery and are not mere words to be repeated at random. We follow the example of Jesus when we spend 40 days reflecting. He spent 40 days in the desert, praying and fasting, prior to his public ministry. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness before entering the promised land. Preparation. Praying. Being still in the Lord.

      And yes, Jesus was tempted. Temptations come to Jesus to see how faithful he is to God. Will God's faithful servant withstand even the climatic third temptation – dominion over the entire world in return for one bended knee to the tempter?

      Jesus is very clear and very decisive: God alone is to be worshipped and served. Is there anything else to say? Jesus is the Son of God who came to do God's will and end the reign of sin and death. This first Sunday of Lent tells us that right from the start he is faithful to the mission. By the cross and resurrection, his mission will be sealed and he will win for us forgiveness and reconciliation.

      As we start this Lenten journey, let us reflect on our own Baptism. We have been offered a share in the life of the Master. Are we prepared to accept all that life in Jesus demands of us? That is the question!

— Rev. Thomas G. Moore

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Mass Intentions for the week

TUESDAY, Feb. 15

Lenten Weekday

12 Noon - † Joseph LeBlanc

Requested by family

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 16

Lenten Weekday

8:30 a.m. – Intention: – 50th Wedding anniversary of Jim and Mary Johnston

Requested by Occipinti family

THURSDAY, Feb. 17

Lenten Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Jack Williams

Requested by wife Joan

FRIDAY, Feb. 18

Lenten Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † S. Johns

Requested by Vivien

SATURDAY, Feb. 19

Lenten Weekday

9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer

(Office of the Blessed Virgin)

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Parish Bulletin for Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005

Second Sunday of Lent

      Today's first reading comes from Chapter 12 of Genesis. The writer of this chapter records a new and exciting step in relationship with our God. The story of the call of Abraham is one that is always shared with those who seek to be new members of our faith. It is a story of challenge, a call requiring deep faith and an abiding trust, and is filled with adventure, danger, and a God who walks with us into the new land promised to Abraham and Sarah.

      Abraham is considered to be the first of the patriarchs and the one who will father the Jewish people. Both the Christian and the Jewish tradition hold Abraham in the highest esteem and refer to him as our father in faith. And yet we find that in their beginnings, Abram and Sarah are simple folk who are well settled in their years and in their lives.

      God's call leads them from the comfort of the known to a life on the road, travelling to a new land and leaving all that is familiar behind. God's promise is to make of them the seeds of a mighty nation who will figure greatly in the salvation history of their people. He assures them that they will not travel alone; God himself will walk with them. Even so, this call requires faith and trust. This beginning in faith does lead to new beginnings and is carried forward with Moses and with all the prophets and other great figures who follow after. Of course, the climax of the story will be reached in the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Him, God's great plan of salvation history is fulfilled and again, a new and eternal covenant is forged.

      In today's gospel, the gospel that has been called the Transfiguration, we find Jesus in an encounter with God. His features are alight, his clothes are bright, and he is in conversation with Moses and Elijah. He is still very much himself, but all the earthly limitations he shares with us have fallen away. Our whole salvation history, the history of Israel, lies before us in the story. The law and the prophets have brought us to the brink; God's saving work is in a new and dynamic stage. Jesus is 'the beloved Son to whom they are to listen.' Moses and Elijah offer witness to Jesus and his mission. God himself proclaims his approval.

      In Jesus, God's intent for humankind is revealed clearly and without question. Having come from God, we will one day be brought home to God. When that happens, we will be one in glory with Christ. For the disciples, the transfiguration was meant to be a defining moment: if you had any question of who I am, it is now very clear.

      For us, the whole paschal mystery is our defining moment – over and over and over again. Every time we open ourselves to encounter with our God, we experience the saving power of our God. Every time we meet Jesus in the Eucharist, in each other, and within ourselves, we have an opportunity to grow in our understanding. It is a life-long journey, this journey of faith. It is praying over, working towards, freeing ourselves from the things that bind us, that lead us to deeper and deeper relationship.

      Let us pray this day for the faith and the trust that led Abraham and Sarah into unexplored territory, that allowed Moses to approach the burning bush, and that Jesus lived his entire life on earth. Jesus was faithful to the end, even to death on a cross.

— Rev. Thomas G. Moore