Dear Parishioners:
As we enter into the next several weeks of Lent, we experience in the Liturgy themes that help us to focus our attention on the Paschal Mystery. This weekend, we hear the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This wonderful moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples Peter, James and John is a hint of the glory of the Resurrection that is given shortly before His suffering and death. It is a profound experience which reveals many things that can be discovered through a prayerful reflection on the texts.
Our human nature is destined for glory. Already, before the Resurrection, an experience of intense prayer allow an “overflow” of this glory that is seen by the three Apostles. Prayer puts us in touch with God and also with the Saints of every age. Jesus is seen with Moses and Elijah, speaking of what is to happen in Jerusalem. The experience of prayer is not able to be communicated fully from one person to another, and yet there is an aspect of sharing that is possible. The wisdom and insight that come from deep prayer are beyond words, but we can share that contemplative insight in a way that adds richness to the Faith of others. Prayer reveals the belovedness of each of us. Jesus is God’s Beloved Son and in Jesus, each an every one of us is also beloved of God.
The members of the RCIA – now properly called the Elect since the Bishop has called them to the Easter Sacraments – will continue to be held before us for prayer throughout the Lenten Season. This weekend, those baptized in other Christian Communions, Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church, experience a Penitential Scrutiny. The next three weekends our attention will be on three Scrutinies for the Catechumens, the unbaptized. These rites call all of us to do an examination of our hearts to open to the grace God offers through Faith.
The Year of Prayer: A Lenten Prayer
Let me hold fast to You, Lord, whom the angels themselves yearn to look upon. Wherever You go, I will follow You. If You pass through fire, I will not flinch; I fear no evil when You are with me. You carry my griefs, because You grieve for my sake. You passed through the narrow doorway from death to life, to make it wide enough for all to follow. Nothing can ever now separate me from Your Love. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy
Timothy is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as a companion of Paul many times, often in passing. While the “real action” being told is what happens to Paul, we can attend to Timothy’s situation and get a glimpse into the formative influence of the Apostle on his young disciple. Acts Chapter 17 had Paul involved in a number of scrapes. He and several companions including Timothy are in Thessalonica, preaching the Gospel. Members of the local Jewish congregation stir up some trouble for Paul, so he is sent out of town with the hope that things will settle. They end up in Beroea, where Paul continues to preach to some effect. When the Thessalonicans who were stirring up trouble hear that Paul is there, they follow to create more controversy. Paul is sent off on his own to Athens, and we are told that Timothy and Silas are left behind.
This scenario suggests several things. First, Timothy is truly a companion in times of trouble. He is with Paul and others in the midst of difficulty. He knows the score because he sees it played out in front of him. He sees Paul’s perseverance and along with the other companions, he hangs in there with him. He apparently has some skills for keeping a level head when others around him are in turmoil. They don’t feel the need to send him away with Paul. Paul asks that Timothy and Silas join him to continue on with the journey. (Acts 17:14-15)
These reflections show us that even in his early days, our Patron was a rather good witness of Christian discipleship and brotherhood.
Reflections on the Liturgy: PENITENTIAL ACT, Form A Confiteor
There will be a few minor changes in the first formula for the Penitential Rite. The Confiteor, the “I confess” prayer has been retranslated and parts left out in the first translation have been added back in.
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The two changes in this text come from Latin expressions that were simply left out in the translation we are currently familiar with. It was an effort to “simplify” in accord with the principle of “noble simplicity” that tends to characterize the Latin Rite. However, it left out the fact that often psychologically we need to hear something or say something more than once for emphasis and to penetrate our distractions.
“I have greatly sinned” was David’s response acknowledging his own sin against the Lord in I Chronicles 21:8 (parallel II Samuel 24:10). The threefold repetition happens often in the Liturgy and in Scripture. Consider the Holy, Holy, Holy of the Sanctus and the threefold question of Jesus to Peter: “Do you love me?” in John 21 corresponding to Peter’s threefold denial at the High Priests’ courtyard. We acknowledge our sin to God and to ourselves and so open to the Mercy offered.
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