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Transfiguration
Jenny Drzewiecki • Feb 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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Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This name is determined by the gospel passage about the Good Shepherd, which we always read on this Sunday. Today we read the gospel of John. We learn the Good Shepherd loves his sheep and he knows them by name. The author of the gospel makes an important point, the Good Shepherd has a close relationship with his sheep and, contrary to a hired man, he does not run away but stays with his sheep during danger and time of trial. Additionally, the Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, finds it and brings it back to his fold. The first Christians knew and believed in Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In fact, the painting of the Good Shepherd is the most common of the symbolic representations of Christ found in early Christian art in the Catacombs of Rome, and was probably the most original image of Jesus Christ for the first Christian community (The painting of Christ as the Good Shepherd can be seen in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome). Fr. Leo John Dehon, the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart loved the image of the Good Shepherd as it is presented in the Gospel. When he visited the Catacombs in Rome, Fr. Dehon realized the image of the Good Shepherded represents well the truth of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, Fr. Dehon often spoke and presented the Sacred Heart as the Good Shepherd in his homilies and writings. Thus, Fr. Dehon beautifully described the Sacred Heart as Father, Mother, and Shepherd in his book, The Priestly Heart of Jesus , “The Heart of Jesus is overflowing with compassion for all those who suffer; those beset by troubles, difficulties, and hardships; for the hungry, the toilers, the destitute, and the sick and infirm. His is the heart of a Father, the heart of a Mother, the heart of a Shepherd” ( The Priestly Heart of Jesus, Thirty-Three Meditations , Chicago, 1947, p. 97). Today many SCJs repeat these words of Fr. Dehon at the beginning of Mass, during the penitential rite, when they encourage people to recall the love of God in their lives, because “his is the heart of a Father, his is the heart of a Mother, his is the heart of a Shepherd.” The Good Shepherd with a sheep on his shoulders, stands for Fr. Dehon as an icon of God, who is loving, kind, and merciful. God makes an incredible effort to reach everyone but especially those who are lost, unheard, and least among us. God sent his Son to save his people (Jn 3:16). It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and is ready to leave the ninety-nine to find the lost one (Lk 15:3-7). “Move out of the sacristy and go to the people” became an essential part of Fr. Dehon’s spirituality and ministry. According to his biographers, Fr. Dehon did not only write and speak about God in the image of the Good Shepherd, but in his own life he also followed the idea and example described in the Gospel. Fr. Dehon loved the people with whom he worked and ministered to. He tried to reach everyone in his community, local Church and in the missions. He practiced the availability and kindness of a Good Shepherd during his ministry, and when he was at home with his community. He was able to listen and understand them. Because of his pleasant and warm personality, Fr. Dehon was known as “Le Très Bon Père” [the very good father] (Andre Perroux, Leo Dehon: Passion for Christ: A Passion for the World , Hales corners, WI, p.71). We are encouraged by today’s gospel and the example of Fr. Dehon to see God as the Good Shepherd. God searches for our close relationship and takes care of us during trial and danger. We are encouraged to trust in God because we are safe in his fold. At the same time, we must spread and continue the mission of the Good Shepherd in our community and society. In our most recent Vision and Mission statement as St. Martin of Tours parish, “we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve those in need and to become the Good Shepherds for them.” Let’s remember to become the Good Shepherds to those in need and to each other in our parish and larger community during this Easter season. Fr. Andrzej
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The Second Sunday of Easter ends the Easter Octave. The Second Sunday of Easter was once called “Dominica in albis,” (Sunday in white) because it was on the eighth day the newly baptized at the Easter Vigil finally took off the white robes they were given at the baptismal font. They were considered as fully baptized and proficient in faith. Octave, which comes from the number eight in Greek, has a symbolic meaning in the Bible. It means accomplishment, fullness, and beginning of new reality. When eight is mentioned it means something new or complete. God created the world in seven days and on the eighth day, the new world started to function. New creation, the harmony created out of chaos, began to function. Thus, every important event and feast has an octave to prolong and celebrate it to the fullness. After the octave it is accomplished. Number eight was significant for Jews as well. New babies must be presented in the temple on the eighth day after the birth. Many purifications, circumcisions, and offerings were prescribed on the eighth day in the Hebrew culture and faith. We always read the gospel about Jesus and Thomas the second Sunday of Easter. Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus but his personal encounter with the Lord healed his unbelief. It is meaningful that Jesus met and reconciled with doubting Thomas on the eighth day after his resurrection. It is a beautiful message to all of us who doubt and hesitate to follow Jesus to the fullness. Today ends the Easter Octave. We must believe to the fullness and spread the message of resurrection to the whole world. The Second Sunday of Easter is also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This feast is one of the newest and has been celebrated in the Church for twenty-four years. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska and dedicated the World to God’s Mercy. The same day, the Pope declared the Second Sunday of Easter as "Divine Mercy Sunday.” In his Bull, Misericordiae Multus, introducing the Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015), Pope Francis calls Jesus Christ “the face of the Father’s mercy.” According to Pope Francis, Mercy does not mean forgiveness of sins and mistakes. It is rather about practicing the ‘works of mercy.’ Mercy means love in action. When we practice the ‘works of mercy,’ love in action, we continue the mission of Jesus and are called “the face of the Father’s mercy” as well. The Pope challenges us to go to the people to practice charity. As Christians we are not just called to pray and enjoy our relationship with God, we are called to be for others and practice mercy. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). Divine Mercy Sunday reminds and encourages us to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus not just with words but to practice it with works of mercy. It is more authentic and meaningful when we practice what we believe. Divine Mercy message encourages us to be “the face of the Father’s mercy” for those who are in need. Let’s make an effort and find those who are in need of God’s mercy at St. Martin of Tours. “All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery … One thing alone is necessary; the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” ( The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska , 1507) Fr. Andrzej
This week we begin Holy Week. It is the most important and meaningful week in the liturgical year. Not just the Lenten season but the entire Liturgical Year prepares us for the celebrations of the Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus made his final entrance into Jerusalem, and culminates with Easter Sunday. As it has been a tradition at St. Martin of Tours, we will commemorate the solemn entrance of Jesus with a procession with palm branches before every Mass. Another tradition of our parish community on Palm Sunday is the brunch. Hopefully you will join us for a delicious breakfast with your entire family and friends. It will be a wonderful opportunity to begin this holy time with fellowship and community support. Every day of Holy Week is holy. It is up to each of us to make it special in our personal, family, and community life. Make an effort to be closer to God and each other during these blessed days. As Holy Week progresses to its final days the solemnity heightens. Sundown on Holy Thursday to sundown on Easter Sunday is considered the most solemn part, the pick of Holy Week. This three-day period is referred to as the Easter Triduum, also known as the Sacred Triduum, or Paschal Triduum. The name ‘Sacred Triduum’ comes from Latin words, and literally means ‘three holy days’ or rather, ‘three holy events,’ which totally changed the salvation history. We will once again celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ during these three holy events. The evening Mass on Holy Thursday begins the first event, which is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as the institution of priesthood. The Last Supper Mass is scheduled at 7pm at St. Martin of Tours. The beautiful ceremony of "washing of the feet," which is a meaningful part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, reminds us about Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28). It is an invitation to all of us to serve others. The second sacred event of the Sacred Triduum is Good Friday. The Church commemorates and celebrates the day of the Passion and death of Jesus. There are many traditions and devotional celebrations on Good Friday. In our parish we have the Stations of the Cross at 3pm. This year we will have two different Stations of the Cross. One outside around the cemetery led by our religious education youth and children, and the other inside the church led by Human Concerns. Feel free to join either group. Then, as it is in our tradition we will serve soup at 5pm prepared by different groups and individual people. This simple bowl of soup reminds us about fasting and abstinence on Good Friday. The main Good Friday liturgy is scheduled at 7pm. We will read the Passion of Christ and Venerate the Cross. Hopefully each of us will have a moment to encounter the cross of Jesus during the liturgy or afterwards at the tomb of Christ in the narthex. Holy Saturday used to be called Black Saturday. ‘Black’ refers to the fact Jesus descended into hell (Apostles Creed). Jesus enters the underworld to visit the dead, who were awaiting salvation. Upon his entering, Jesus frees them from the chains of death ( Liturgy of the Hours , Office of Readings, Holy Saturday). Holy Saturday is a day of silence, emptiness without singing, and decoration in the churches. Another beautiful tradition on Holy Saturday is the blessing of Easter baskets at 3pm. Please bring any kind of food you will have at the Easter table for the blessing on Holy Saturday. The third sacred event of the Sacred Triduum is the celebration of resurrection. Easter Vigil will begin at 8pm with a meaningful celebration of darkness and light, fire and water, the World of God and Eucharist. We will sing solemn Alleluia and renew our baptismal promises during our celebration of Easter Vigil. It will be a wonderful celebration of new life, which Easter announces to the World. Easter Sunday ends Sacred Triduum and begins Easter season. Masses are scheduled as usual on Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30am in English, and 12:30pm in Vietnamese. I am grateful and encouraged by the fact, both communities of our parish, English and Vietnamese, will celebrate the Sacred Triduum liturgies together, as one Christian family. Please join us for these most solemn celebrations of our Catholic faith. Fr. Andrzej