Second Sunday of Lent

Here are the readings for the Second Sunday in Lent, February 24, 2013:
Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27: 1, 7-9, 13-14
Philemon 3: 17- 4: 1
Luke 9: 28b-36

The Genesis reading and the Gospel share what might be called 'close encounters of the divine kind'. In both, human beings 'wake up' to discover a brilliant presence.

In Genesis, God symbolically shared a meal with Abram by passing between the offered animals, and in that way establishing a relational covenant. In Luke, Jesus, the Son of God, shares conversation with Moses and Elijah who represent the strong tradition of the Law and the Prophets. The apostles awakened to this recognition of Jesus as the fulfillment of both.

Both scriptures speak of the transformative nature of prayer... how conversing with and listening to God lead us to deeper faith, enlighten us with a clearer perspective, and give us the courage to set out on new pathways. The transfigured Jesus, shining with light and in brilliantly white clothes, is effectively an image for us through our baptism.

Let this week be a time of prayer and reflection on your 'close encounters' with God.

The Penitential Rite for Lisa and Kevin, our Candidates for Full Communion, will be at the 11:30am Mass.

First Sunday of Lent

Here are the readings for the First Sunday in Lent, February 17, 2013:
Deuteronomy 26: 4-10
Psalm 91: 1-2, 10-15
Romans 10: 8-13
Luke 4: 1-13

What's your story? Moses reminded the people how God was always with them by recounting their history, all the way back to Abraham.

What does your story say about you? Paul reminds the Romans of the power of God's word-- our story of faith seen in the light of the Mystery of God-- to make us who were are, to redeem us and help us live in right relationship with this God who doesn't keep secrets. Our stories are part of the story of Scripture, and the Word of God shapes, received in faith, shapes who we are and how we live.

How do you make sense of your story? Jesus and the devil have very different perspectives on what it means to be the Messiah, the Son of God. By what standards do you interpret your life story; how are you guided in making choices and plans?

We begin this season of Lent, intentionally connecting God's workings and stirrings in our own lives with the deep and timeless truth of Scripture. May our prayer this week echo the prayer of Psalm 91: “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

The combined Rite of Sending will be at the 5:30pm Mass this Saturday, and we will be going to the Rite of Election at 4pm at St Thomas More in Chapel Hill. Those who wish to carpool, please leave from St. Andrew's by 2:45pm.  There is no catechetical session this Sunday.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 10, 2013:
Isaiah 6: 1-2a, 3-8
Psalm 138: 1-5, 7-8
1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
Luke 5: 1-11

I'm not making this up! That might be a glib summary of Paul's words to the Corinthians. He is emphasizing that the message that he gave them about Jesus didn't come from his own imagination or creative thinking, but was revealed to him by Christ, and is the same message that a solid reading of Scripture, or a good talk with the original apostles and disciples would provide. That's a long way around of defining 'Tradition'. We hand on what we have received... from God's mouth to our hearts, from generation to generation.  The message remains true, protected from the vagaries that come from that children's game of 'telephone' (where the original message becomes something entirely different by the end of the line!) by the guiding presence of God's Holy Spirit in our Church.

Isaiah in the first reading and Simon Peter in the Gospel are both doubtful of their worthiness. In comparison to the grandeur of The Lord, in the face of the power over nature displayed by Jesus, who could measure up? Well, we can't. But the Good News is- it's not a competition! God wins; and when God wins, everybody wins! God calls us into partnership in the mission of loving service and sacrifice. God invites us into the very life of the Trinity... empowered by the Spirit to praise God by and through our lives.

• Who first taught you about God?
• What do you think is the difference between "Tradition" and "traditions"?
• How do you think God is calling you into mission?

The Mystagogia group meets this Sunday at 10:45am in Room 212.
The topic for the Catechumenate is Tradition and traditions.