St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the second week of Lent. In the first reading we hear God’s call to Abram. The obedience of Abram to God’s call changes the earlier family migration into a response to a divine summons with a divine purpose. God then promised not only to Abram but also to his entire household that they would become prosperous, great and numerous. Abram’s example of obedient faith speaks to all the generations of the earth. Does Abram stand as an inspiration and model to us in practicing an obedient faith in God?

The second reading encourages Timothy to share his hardship for the gospel. Not only does hardship unite Timothy to Paul, who had been imprisoned for his sharing of the gospel message, but it also united Timothy with Christ. Thus the understanding of suffering expands beyond Christ’s physical suffering to include His ministry and service. Therefore, they strongly preached that the death of Christ destroyed death and illumined the life and immortality for all people. What is the meaning and significance of the cross in our life?

The Gospel presents the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. Mathew calls it a vision and its features suggest that it is apocalyptic in nature where the Apostles had a vision of who Jesus is and will be. The presence of Moses and Elijah was important for the Jewish Christian community, which connected Jesus with key figures of the Law and the Prophets. The divine words “This is my beloved Son” reveals the fullness of God’s Kingdom and the unfolding of salvation history. What kind of transformation are we aiming at in our life during this Lenten season?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony