First Reading • Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm • Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22.
Second Reading • 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Gospel • Matthew 17:1-9
As children, we might have curiously watched the process of the caterpillar turning into a chrysalis and then bursting into a beautiful Monarch butterfly. Fr. Anthony De Mello tells the story of such a transformation in the prayer life of an old man. “I was a revolutionary when I was young, and all my prayer to God was: ‘Lord, give me the grace to change the world.’ As I approached middle age and realized that half of my life was gone without changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: “Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me; just my family and friends and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am old and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is: ‘Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ If I had prayed this right from the start, I should not have wasted my life.”
The common theme of today’s readings is transformation.
Both the first and second readings present salvation history as a response to God’s transforming call, beginning with Abraham and culminating with Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
In answering this call, both Abram and Paul broke with the experiences of their past lives and moved into an unmapped future to become new “people of the Promise,” for a new life.
The first reading presents the transformation of the patriarch Abram from a childless pagan tribesman into a man of Faith in the One God and as promised, the father of God’s chosen people, Israel.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm 33 Response, “Lord, let Your Mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You,” reminds us to trust the Lord “who is our Help and Shield,”
The second reading, St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, explains the type of Lenten life-transformation expected of us.
Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ transfiguration and transformation during a prayer on a mountain. He is identified by the Heavenly Father, as “My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased!”
WHAT IS THE ROAD TO OUR TRANSFORMATION DURING LENT.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OR GOAL OF OUR TRANSFORMATION AND HOW CAN WE DO IT?
Jesus has given us three powerful weapons for our Lenten transformation: Let’s call them the 3 Pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving/service.
Let’s have a deeper look at how they can assist to transform us from caterpillar turning into a chrysalis and then bursting into a beautiful Monarch butterfly, in real terms, transforming us from taken for-granted Christian to disciples of Christ, from lukewarm followers to credible, visible witnesses to Christ in a profoundly secular world.
The Three Pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving Jesus Himself teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew Mt 6:1-18
Prayer is an intentional journey into the heart of Christ. True Lenten prayer is not just about saying more prayers – it’s about listening more deeply to Jesus and allowing Him to transform our heart, our thinking, and our relationships to become more like Him.
We also start reading His gospel to encounter Him in His word and lead us to make an in-depth self-examination of our life leading to the Sacrament of Reconciliation because Lent is the time for repentance, conversion, metanoia transforming us into the victorious Christ.
Fasting: The goal is to detach us from anything that hinders our love for Jesus so that we make more space for Him in our lives. When we fast, we become more aware of our spiritual hunger.
Fasting is not about suffering for suffering’s sake; it is a means to freedom– freedom from sin, from attachments and additions so that we may enrich our union with Jesus becoming more like him, the victorious Christ.
How can we do this? Consider limiting social media, fasting from negativity, gossip, or uncharitable thoughts. Consider simplifying meals, eating just necessary food as an act of love for Jesus and solidarity with those who go hungry and sharing with others who have no food.
This process transforms us into the compassionate Christ, the forgiving Christ, the serving Christ, the Christ who gave Himself up for us and in turn we become like him, the victorious Christ.
Almsgiving/service: While fasting and prayer deepen our relationship with Jesus, almsgiving puts our faith into action. It is not just about giving money – it is about giving of ourselves as Jesus gave Himself for us while we were still sinners.
True almsgiving/service is rooted in a self-sacrificing love and is done with a joyful heart. For example: Supporting someone in dire need, visiting the sick, volunteering in our parishes and developing a sense of joyful gratitude thanking the Lord for what we have and sharing it helps us become that victorious Christ.
We deepen our experience to becoming that Victorious Christ each time we participate in the Holy Mass. At each Mass we offer our bread and wine symbolizing ourselves and these are transformed into the most precious Body and Blood of Jesus, receiving Communion we are empowered and transformed into Christ.
As Jesus’ Transfiguration strengthened the Apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of transfiguration and transformation into the victorious Christ.
THEME OF THE MISSION “COME FOLLOW ME’ MT 4:19
SUNDAY March 1st 6:30pm Talk 1
“How to live our Christian life in a secular environment” Rom 12:2
MONDAY March 2nd Mass at 6pm by Talk 2
“Why and how should I forgive” Psalm 32:1-3
TUESDAY March 3rd Mass 6pm followed by Talk 3 and Healing Service.
“Why read and listen to the Word of God” Mt/ 7:24
O Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much see to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
NOTE from Chris – Fr. Julien is here this week to lead our parish Lenten Retreat and was gracious enough to share his Sunday homily with us for the website. Thank you Fr. Julien.
