2nd Sunday of Lent - March 17, 2019

THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION

 Joy at the Transfiguration

 Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Luke 9:33

 Peter was excited, perhaps beyond any excitement he had experienced before.  In fact, to say he was excited is most certainly an understatement.  It may be more appropriate to say that he was overwhelmed!  Why was this the case? Because he had just been given a very small glimpse of the glory and splendor of God!

 This is the Transfiguration.  Jesus took Peter, James and John and they went up a high mountain together.  These three Apostles had no idea what was coming.  Most likely while on the way they were complaining interiorly, wondering why they had to go up the mountain.  But the mountain is a symbol of our upward journey to Heaven.  It takes focus and drive, commitment and resolve to go there, and it’s an elevated place, a place away from the ordinary occurrences of life. 

 So they were on this difficult climb up the mountain and suddenly they stopped in shock and awe.  They saw before their eyes Jesus changed in a glorious way,  His clothing being whiter than any white they had ever seen.  And Moses and Elijah, the great Law-giver and the great Prophet, were there before them conversing with Jesus. 

 And what was going on in Peter’s head?  What was he experiencing?  He was experiencing a small glimpse of the glory and splendor of God.  Jesus, who up until this moment had kept His divinity veiled, lifted the veil ever so slightly.  And with the lifting of that veil, His divinity shone through brighter than anything this world could ever contain.  And Peter, James and John did not know what to think.  But Peter cried out that he wanted to build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah!  For within that momentary experience, he experienced the desire to remain there forever. 

 So why did Jesus give these Apostles this very brief experience of His glory?  Because they would need that taste of His goodness for the road ahead.  They would need to forever remember what their final destiny was.  They would need to hold this experience close as they endured the many crosses and sufferings ahead.  And they would use this experience to remind themselves that whatever they had to endure on the journey up the mountain of life is worth it.  Because on the summit is a glory so great that no hardship they would have to endure would ever prove to be too big.

 God wants to give that message to us through them.  He wants us to ponder this experience they had and He wants us to try to enter into it so that we too can willingly press on during the journey.

 Reflect, today, at the beginning of Lent, on the glory of God that makes the crosses we endure all worth it.  Take advantage of this experience of Peter, James and John and try to make their experience your own.  Be consoled by God’s glory and never forget that this is the ultimate promise He gives to all who press on.

 MyCathloicLife.com

LENT

We invite you to break bread and join us for our Soup and Scripture Lenten Program Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm with presentations from Special Guest Speakers beginning at 7:00 pm:

Mar. 20           Theresa Wilson Favors

Mar. 27           Fr. Frederick Nnebue

Apr. 3             Fr. Joe Muth

Apr.10            Dr. Kirk Gaddy, PhD.

Our journey will focus on theme, “Welcoming The Stranger”. All are welcome to take this Lenten Journey with us.

 Devotional Materials. A Lenten prayer book “The Word Among Us” offers scripture readings, prayer and action for each day of Lent. We invite you to take a copy for you and your family.

 Fast and Abstinence. As a communal witness to our Lenten penance we are asked to abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent and to eat only one full meal on Good Friday.

ANNUAL APPEAL FOR CATHOLIC MINISTRIES

Today is our Commitment Sunday for The Annual Appeal For Catholic Ministries campaign for 2019. The Appeal asks all parishioners to make a financial commitment to support ministries across the Archdiocese of Baltimore that support the spiritual and corporal works of mercy to which we are called to serve.  The Appeal funds current programs of the Archdiocese and many services that are of great help to our parish and parishes throughout the archdiocese. The parish receives a percentage of all contributions received up to our given goal of $10,295. We have received very generous financial support from our partner parishes such as Sacred Heart Glyndon and our Lady of the Angels through the help of this campaign. Pledge materials are available in the pews and we encourage everyone to make a pledge, large or small, and Thank You for your continued support.

CORE TEAM MEETING

The first meeting for the Pastorate Core Team will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019 at The Province Center for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur 305 Cable Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, 10 am – 2 pm. Breakfast will be provided beginning at 9:30 am.

MINISTERS' RETREAT

Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers (Ministers of Hospitality) are cordially invited to the "Annual Ministers Retreat" for our Pastorate hosted by St. Francis Xavier Church, 1501 E. Oliver Street, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (preceded with a continental breakfast and fellowship) on Saturday, April 6, 2019.  The cost is $12 and includes breakfast, lunch and materials.  All payments are due by Sunday, March 24. Please use the sign-up sheet provided on the table in the back of the church.

COMMUNITY FUN DAY

The Latino Racial Justice Circle invites us to the 2nd Annual Community Fun Day, Saturday April 6, 1 pm – 3 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 600 Conkling Street, Baltimore, 21224. There will be FREE food, games, children's books, music, raffle prizes, silent auction & more! Toiletries will be collected for Assis House.

OUTREACH

Members of our Outreach Committee will conduct our monthly Food Pantry next Tuesday, March 26, to help assist those in the neighborhood who are in most need.

PRAYER WALK

Bishop Madden invites you to join him for his next prayer walk next Thursday, March 28, 2019 at Historic, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (1501 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21213).  

The evening will begin with a light meal at 5:30 p.m. and end before 7:30 p.m.

 PRAYER REQUESTS

Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Msgr. Lloyd Aiken (Sacred Heart Glyndon), Florence Barber, James Butts, Elaine Cousin, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Tom Lutz, Josephine McCoy, Penny Palmer, Kevin Scott, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Rita Watkins and Carlie Waters and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.

 MARCH 2019      

Sun., Mar.17     2nd Sunday of Lent

                            11 am Mass

    Sunday School 9:30 am

                            2nd Floor Youth Room

Wed., Mar.20     Soup and Scripture

                            Special Guest Speaker

                            Theresa Wilson Favors

                            6:30 pm, Anchorage

Thurs., Mar.21 Evening Mass 7pm

    Anchorage Chapel

Sat., Mar.23       Core Team Meeting

 The Province Center for the

 Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

 305 Cable Street, Baltimore, MD

 21210, 10 am – 2 pm.

Sun., Mar.24      3rd Sunday of Lent  11 am Mass

 READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

1st Reading                                 Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15           

2nd Reading                    1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

Gospel                                                     Luke 13:1-9