St. Ignatius Martyr Parish

One of the Lenten disciplines is prayer. We are encouraged to spend more time in prayer in order to draw closer to God, and thus develop a deeper personal relationship with God. In prayer we talk to God about our hopes and dreams, our joys and sorrows, the decisions we make and the challenges we face, especially the challenge to live and love as Jesus did.

But prayer is not only talking to God. It is also listening to God, that is, taking to heart what God says. For Jesus prayer was a vital part of his communication with God and his purpose. He prayed at night and in the early morning. At those times of prayer Jesus was renewed and recharged to continue his ministry. He checked in with God to find out what God wanted him to do.

Ascending the mountain today was a way for Jesus to put himself in contact with God. A few days earlier he had predicted his passion, death and resurrection by telling his disciples he would suffer, die and be raised from the dead. Now he goes to the mountain to pray for strength. At that time, Moses and Elijah appear. Moses was the lawgiver. He had suffered and was rejected for presenting God's law just as Jesus would suffer in giving the law of love. Elijah was a prophet and endured suffering and rejection in speaking for God. Jesus is the last prophet and he, too, would suffer for speaking God's message of love, peace, forgiveness and justice. They encourage Jesus to continue his journey to Jerusalem where he will die. The transfiguration was not only to show the glory that he would receive for being faithful to God's will, but also as a sign to his disciples of the glory they would receive if they persevered. The transfiguration experience was to encourage them to follow Jesus and not hold back.

In his commentary, Desmond Knowles sees the transfiguration as a "good example of the strength and assurance we can derive from prayer while facing the difficulties of life. The purpose of Christ's ascent was to seek divine guidance in quiet prayer. If we are to get away from living the half-life, under cover of darkness, and discover what God's plan is for us, we need periods of peace and tranquility so that God's voice is not crowded out. It always happens that the more we come to know God the better we come to know ourselves. Prayer is about being in the presence of God, listening to him and experiencing his strength in our ... life. It gives us courage and confidence and helps us confirm that, as we journey on our pilgrimage from youth to age there is a purpose and an end in view, that God is calling us home. He may not call us to unknown places as Abraham was called but he does summon each of us to trust him as we meet the challenges of daily living."

Daily we are beset with problems, disappointments and trials. With prayer we are able to face these problems and continue to live a quiet life. May we set aside time this Lent for prayer and see the difference giving time to God has in our lives. The change will amaze us.

OTHER ITEMS: 1) We will have the anointing of the sick at the 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Masses on March 2nd. 2) More angels are needed for the Gabriel Project. Our angels are swamped with young pregnant girls and need help in working with them. Please call Irene Rivers at 416-0592 or Julie Mostowski at 892-1495. 3) I would like to remind you about the importance of fulfilling the pledge you freely made to the Capital Campaign, Our Faith ~ Our Legacy. 4) Please bow your heads at the words in the Creed, "And the Word was made flesh..." and also before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. Thank you