Transfiguration
Jenny Drzewiecki • February 25, 2024
Lent is a blessed season to prepare us for the Paschal Triduum and Easter. It is a unique time in the liturgical year which encourages us to slow down, reflect, and take care to experience and celebrate the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday. Thus, we make an effort to fast, pray, and help others. This makes sense when we grow and make progress in our spiritual life. It makes even more sense when we experience positive change moving away from evil to good. Accordingly, this positive change is necessary to experience the Risen Lord during Easter.
It is providential we reflect on the Transfiguration this Second Sunday of Lent. Transfiguration comes from the Greek word metamórfosi, which means change. In the gospel today Jesus went up to Mount Tabor and was transfigured before his disciples. His body and clothes were totally changed, “became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:3). Today’s reading illustrates what Lent is about. Our effort like climbing a mount or even hill will be rewarded at the peak when we experience the Risen Lord. Additionally, transfiguration reminds us of our ultimate destination in heaven. Our body also will be changed in heaven, and become like the body of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
There are two great prophets who were present during the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah. Both of them spend their entire lives in a desert and were well known as prophets of the desert. They remind us we need a desert, detachment from our busy life, reflection, and prayer during Lent. We need to find a desert, special place and time for God, during our journey of Lent. This kind of personal desert makes our effort to grow spiritually more effective. Perhaps you noticed the theme in our church this Lent is about desert. Also, there is no water in the baptismal font to remind us the necessity of a desert place during Lent.
Lastly, our spiritual effort and close relationship with God are very attractive. When we take it seriously and our effort becomes a habit of daily routine, we want to remain with God forever. At the end of the Transfiguration Peter suggested building tents to prolong his experience of the desert and exaltation forever. He loved that place and moment. “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5). Contrary to his offer Jesus asked his disciples to return to the town to meet the people. It is a good reminder and encouragement for us that our spiritual effort during Lent must be rooted in our daily realities. Whatever we decide to practice and offer during Lent, more prayer in the desert, fasting or alms giving, our effort must be practical and include the needs of our neighbor. Our spiritual growth makes sense if it brings us closer to God and people.
Let us pray for each other to have a transforming experience during this blessed season of Lent.
Fr. Andrzej
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Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi. Established in the thirteenth century to renew and honor the Church’s faith in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, this beautiful feast invites us to strengthen our faith and gratitude for one of the greatest gifts Jesus has given us – the Eucharist, His abiding presence among us. The Eucharist is not merely a symbol or a reminder of Christ. It is truly Jesus Himself – His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – given for our salvation and as nourishment for our spiritual journey. Because we celebrate this mystery so often, we can sometimes lose our sense of wonder. Corpus Christi calls us to pause and remember the extraordinary gift we receive whenever we come to Mass. We are invited to approach the altar with gratitude and to adore Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament with faith, love, and reverence. In today’s Gospel (John 6:51-58), Jesus says: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus speaks these words with clarity and love. Through the Eucharist, He gives Himself completely to us so that we may remain close to Him and find strength for our daily lives. Yet our encounter with Christ does not end when Mass is over. The Lord whom we receive in Holy Communion is also present in our brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor, lonely, suffering, or in need. Jesus reminds us: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The Eucharist not only nourishes us – it sends us forth. We receive the Body of Christ so that we may become His hands, His voice, and His heart in the world. The love we experience at the altar should be reflected in the love we show to others. Our worship of Christ in the Eucharist should lead us to recognize and serve Christ in those around us. As a parish family, we are blessed with many opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. I warmly invite you to join us for Daily Mass at 8:30 a.m., Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays at 6:00 p.m., and First Friday Adoration following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Come and spend time with Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. I also encourage you to participate in the ministries of our parish, where together we can share Christ’s love with those in need. May this beautiful feast renew our love for the Eucharist and deepen our desire to follow Jesus. May we recognize Him at the altar and in one another, and may His presence guide and strengthen us each day. Blessed Feast of Corpus Christi! Fr. Andrzej
This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost – the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles gathered in prayer with Mary in the Upper Room. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the fearful disciples were transformed into courageous witnesses of Christ and went out to preach the Gospel with faith and joy. Today’s readings and liturgy reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not only a gift for the Apostles, but for all of us today. The Holy Spirit guides and strengthens us in our daily lives – in prayer, work, studies, decisions, conversations, and responsibilities. Every good inspiration, wise decision, and act of kindness comes through God’s grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost also reminds us to pray more often to the Holy Spirit. A simple prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit,” can bring peace, wisdom, courage, and strength into our hearts. This Pentecost celebration is especially meaningful for our parish because our Religious Education students who completed their preparation year will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday. What a providential blessing that they will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the very feast of Pentecost! Just as the Apostles were strengthened and sent forth by the Holy Spirit, our young people will also be sealed with the gifts of the Spirit and called to live their Catholic faith with courage and conviction. The celebration will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Please keep our Confirmation students, their families, sponsors, and catechists in your prayers. These are the names of our Confirmation students: Jacob, Sean, Braeden, Carson, Stephen, Ashton, Kimty, Drake, Cecelia, Rockford, and Gabriella. May this sacrament deepen their relationship with Christ and strengthen them to become faithful disciples in today’s world. May this Pentecost renew all of us. Let us open our hearts once again to the Holy Spirit and pray with faith: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.” Happy Pentecost! Fr. Andrzej
The Feast of the Ascension always speaks to me in a very personal way. It reminds me not only of Christ returning to His heavenly Father, but also of my own journey of faith and discipleship. Shortly after my ordination, when I was a young priest, my mother once asked me difficult questions about the Ascension of Jesus. She expressed some doubts about this mystery of our faith. I was surprised because she always had strong faith. She taught me how to pray, trust God, and love the Church. At that time, as a young priest, I thought I had many answers and very few doubts myself. Today, after thirty years of priesthood, I remember this conversation whenever I read the Gospel for the Feast of the Ascension. Saint Matthew tells us that when the disciples saw the Risen Lord, “they worshiped, but they doubted” (Matthew 28:17). These words bring me great consolation and encouragement. The disciples lived with Jesus for three years. They witnessed His miracles, listened to His teaching, and even encountered Him after the Resurrection. Yet some still struggled with doubts. And despite their doubts, Jesus still trusted them and sent them to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Over the years I have learned that doubts can sometimes help our faith grow. Honest doubts encourage us to ask questions, to pray more deeply, and to search for God with greater sincerity. Doubts brought to prayer do not destroy faith; very often they strengthen and mature it. The Ascension of the Lord is one of the central mysteries of our Catholic faith. Jesus conquered sin and death and returned to the glory of the Father. At the same time, He did not abandon us. He remains with us through the Holy Spirit, through the Eucharist, through His Word, and through the Church. The Feast of the Ascension reminds us that heaven is our true home. Yet it also reminds us that we will never fully understand the mystery of eternal life while we are here on earth. As Saint Paul beautifully writes: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). This feast fills us with hope. Jesus leads us to the Father, and heaven is our destiny when we continue to follow Him faithfully – even when we struggle, fail, or experience doubts along the way. As I remember my mother’s questions so many years ago, I realize now that faith is not about having every answer. Faith is about trusting Jesus enough to continue walking with Him, even when some mysteries remain beyond our understanding. Happy Feast of the Ascension! Fr. Andrzej
As we continue our journey through the Easter Season, we are gradually approaching the great feasts of the Ascension, Pentecost, and the Holy Trinity. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples with tenderness, knowing that their hearts are troubled at the thought of His departure. His words are meant to console them and to strengthen their faith. Jesus assures them: they will not be left alone. He promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remain with them forever. In this promise, Jesus begins to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity. He speaks of His unity with the Father and of the Spirit who will dwell within them. This is not something distant or abstract. God desires to be close to us – so close that He makes His home in our hearts. At the center of this mystery is love. The Holy Trinity is a communion of perfect love – the Father loving the Son, the Son loving the Father, and the Holy Spirit as the bond of that love. This love is not closed in on itself. It reaches out to us and invites us to share in it. Jesus makes this very clear: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” His commandment is simple, yet demanding – to love one another. When we love with patience, kindness, and a willingness to sacrifice, we begin to reflect God’s own love. Every act of true love – selfless, faithful, and forgiving – makes God present in our lives. In this way, we come to experience that we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us, strengthening us, and walking with us each day. Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, this message becomes very concrete. A mother’s love – gentle, patient, and self-giving – is a beautiful reflection of God’s love. In her daily sacrifices, her care, and her constant presence, we can see a living image of the love that flows within the Holy Trinity. Let us give thanks for all mothers and for all those who have shown us such love. And let us open our hearts more deeply to the gift Jesus offers us – the gift of His abiding presence. We are not alone. We are loved, accompanied, and invited to live in that love every day. Fr. Andrzej
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are both comforting and challenging: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” These words are not simply a statement – they are an invitation. Jesus invites us into a close and living relationship with Him. Our faith is not static; it is dynamic. We are people on the move, on a journey, walking a path that leads us to the Father. When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” we can understand this in two important ways. First, He is the One who leads us to the Heavenly Father. He knows the way because He comes from the Father and returns to Him. If we follow Jesus closely – trusting His word, imitating His love – we will not be lost. Second, these words are an invitation to growth. To walk “the way” means that our lives are always in motion, always developing. To seek “the truth” means we never stop searching for deeper understanding and conversion of heart. To receive “the life” means we continually open ourselves to the grace that transforms us. Our life of faith only makes sense when we keep moving forward, when we do not become spiritually stagnant. Like a journey on a road, it has purpose only if we continue to grow. Today, our parish community celebrates a very special moment. Eight of our children from the religious education program will receive their First Holy Communion. This is a joyful and solemn day for them, for their parents, their teachers, and for all of us as a parish family. In the Eucharist, they will receive Jesus for the first time in such a profound way. The Eucharist is the food for our journey. It is the strength, encouragement, and sign of Christ’s presence as we follow Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Without this spiritual nourishment, it is difficult to persevere on the path that leads to the Father. At every Holy Mass, Jesus gives Himself to us so that we may continue our journey with renewed faith and love. Let us pray in a special way for these children: Gunnar, Leila, Leo, Evan, Nora, Kinsley, Yuvan, Lucille, for their parents, and for their teachers who have prepared them for this beautiful moment. May this First Communion be the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to preparing the children and organizing this celebration. Your dedication and care are a true witness of faith. May we all, nourished by the Eucharist, continue to walk with Jesus – growing in truth, deepening our relationship with Him, and moving ever closer to the Father. Fr. Andrzej