The Glory of God as Man
Lent's second Sunday
Announcements for February 27, 2021:
With a lowered threat of infection, we are increasing allowed capacity in the church to 50%. Please continue to observe physical-distancing and mask-wearing etiquette.
Take a look at our Lenten activities. Check out www.olmc.church/lent today.
There are no changes to our Mass and Confession schedule this week.
All of our announcements are now online. Keep tabs on that page for all up-to-date information.
Please be in touch with me if you need anything at all, or if you'd like to share any questions or concerns.
Dear Saints,
Sunday's Gospel reading recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus. Having led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves, Jesus is transformed before them. His clothes become "dazzling white." The Apostles are overcome with awe.
Jesus' Transfiguration is more than mere spectacle. The scene serves as the turning point of Mark's Gospel. The path Jesus now walks, confirmed by the witness of the Law and the Prophets, will lead to his enthronement as King of the Jews.
If you can embrace the irony of what I just said, you might enjoy an interpretation (from the early Church, I'm told) of these events: The Transfiguration reveals the glory of man, while the Crucifixion reveals the glory of God.
That's a real challenge to understand, but I think it's good fodder for fruitful meditation. The main points I like to consider are:
Jesus' radiating, through his every pore, God's glorious light shows just what we're able to achieve as human beings. We were made, in many ways we can only now glimpse, to embody and radiate God's light, life, and love!
The Crucifixion demonstrates just how self-effacing Love really is. God is gift all the way through and all the way to the end. Jesus' crucifixion is God's crowning moment!
Towards the end of the Transfiguration scene, Peter suggests (somewhat comically) that they remain on top of the world. He's missed the point: Jesus must leave the mountain to blaze a valley trail.
Jesus shows forth the glory of God as man by embodying the power, and achieving the victory, of self-giving love. His victory is ours to implement as, trusting and following Jesus, we give ourselves away in God's service, radiating his love to a waiting world.
We take on this charge together, my friends. Check out www.olmc.church/lent to join us on the Lenten, light-to-the-world, way.
I look forward to seeing you very soon!
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS We're in our second week of Welcome Home to Healing. Churches in the Diocese of Paterson are open for confessions every Monday night from 7:00-8:30pm. The last Monday for the initiative is March 22nd.
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
Second Sunday of Lent
The Transfiguration of Christ (detail)
Saint Catherine's Monastery, 12th century