Dear Parishioners,

I invite you to allow the words of the Psalmist for this second Sunday of Lent become your own words coming from your heart to God.

"The Lord is my light and salvation; whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
Have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
Your presence, O Lord, I seek. Hide not your face from me;
Do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord."

My friends, when all else seems to be failing you, never lose sight of the goodness and presence of the Lord. In the midst of their own turmoil, St. Paul reminded the Philippians to never be overly occupied "with earthly things." He told them that our "citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Further, in hearing the Word of God through St. Luke, we are given a glimpse of what awaits believers who put their trust in the Lord. As Jesus is transfigured and changed on the mountain, so too will the followers of the Lord be so transfigured and changed. The way to our own "transfiguration" is to do what God asks. From the "cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him."

What is Jesus asking of you and me during this season of Lent?

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tarantino
Pastor