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Readings: Second Sunday of Lent | USCCB This Second Sunday of Lent we hear two powerful invitations: “Go forth” and “Listen to him.”  In the Book of Genesis, Abram is called to leave behind security, familiarity, and control. God does not give him a map, only a promise. “Go…to a land that I will show you.” Abram’s holiness begins with trust. He does not yet see the fulfillment of the promise; he simply goes. Lent often asks the same of us. We are invited to step away from old habits, comforts, and certainties, trusting that God is leading us somewhere deeper, even if we cannot yet see where.  In the Gospel of Matthew, the disciples are taken up a mountain and shown Christ in glory. The Transfiguration reveals who Jesus truly is, but it also prepares them for what is coming. Peter wants to stay in that moment, yet the voice of God does not say, “Stay here.” He says, “Listen to him.”  Listening is hard and requires surrender. It means following Christ not only in moments of light but also down the mountain and toward the cross. Abram goes. The disciples listen. Both movements require trust. Lent calls me to ask: Where is God asking me to go? […]

Readings: First Sunday of Lent | USCCB “Lead us not into temptation,” a line from the Our Father, has always disturbed me.  Why would God want to lead us into temptation?  The reality is that God cannot be led into temptation, nor lead us into temptation (CCC #2846). Some scholars hold that the prayer asked God that we not fall into temptation. In Genesis 3:5-6, the snake tempted Eve, and the scriptures were vague if Adam was present or not but do say the fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was tempting.  Literally, from the beginning of creation to the present, humans have been tempted to sin, to disobey God.  This first temptation wasn’t just about food, but control, as Satan said, “You will be like gods.” This is the point of today’s readings for the First Sunday of Lent, which are always taken from either Matthew, Mark, or Luke.  Today Matthew lists the three temptations symbolic of our human struggles.  From stones to bread represents our struggle with reliance on God versus self-sufficiency.  Jesus being tempted to throw himself off the parapet of the Temple represents the struggle of satisfying our physical desires with […]

Ash Wednesday Today’s Readings   “Even now” turn your hearts to God with prayer, fasting, and alms giving. See this video reflection from Fr. Chris Collins, Vice President for Mission, and join us for Ash Wednesday services:   12:00 PM Chapel of St. Thomas More 12:10 PM Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas 5:05 PM Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas   Stations of the Cross will be offered at 3:00 PM Fridays during Lent in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas: 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20

Today’s Readings The Epiphany of the Lord Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, traditionally on January 6th, but liturgically observed this Sunday. We know the story of the magi—wise men who traveled far to encounter the Holy Family and adore the newborn Jesus. Imagine Mary treasuring this moment in her heart, and Joseph in awe as he embraced the mystery of the child entrusted to him. The epiphany was the manifestation of God’s love to the world. For Mary and Joseph, this visit confirmed the greatness of their Son. For all of us, it revealed that this child, vulnerable as he was, is the Son of God, that we all, no matter our vulnerability, are children of God. Salvation’s doors were opened to all and every nation. God’s love and might was revealed not in power, but in the poverty of a stable and yet welcoming these kings from afar. Traditionally, this feast has been a day of prayer for immigrant families. Following the visit of the Magi, Joseph and Mary learned of Herod’s persecution and fled to a foreign land, where they spent the first three years of Jesus’ life. They knew firsthand the hardships of being […]