From the Desk of Father Schaller -February 28, 2021

Today’s Gospel account – the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor – has long been read in the Church’s liturgy at the beginning of Lent because of an early tradition which held that this event happened forty days before the Lord’s death on the cross on Good Friday. It is a remarkable event for several reasons. The vision of Moses (through whom God gave the Israelites the Law) and Elijah (the greatest prophet of the Old Testament) with the Lord indicate that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Law and the Prophets taught. Present are the same three Apostles who later were present at our Lord’s Agony in the Garden (Peter, James, and John). And the glimpse of the Lord’s Glory – His divinity breaking through His humanity – was meant to strengthen the faith of those three Apostles, who in turn were to strengthen the faith of their brothers.

Lent is a “Season of Grace”, a built-in spiritual retreat time. We are fortunate to have so many opportunities for spiritual growth in our parish and around the city. I encourage you to refer to the Lent Schedule (purple sheet) which you received along with my Lenten pastoral letter two weeks ago. Also, refer to our weekly bulletin for Lenten events here at SSPP and around the area. Our Lord spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying: let us endeavor to be more like Him by the fervent embrace of our Lenten disciplines.

May God bless you!
Fr. Schaller 

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