News - February 2023 RSS Feed

As we start our journey through Lent, we read how Jesus was tempted by the devil. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tells us about the temptation. Mark’s gospel account is very short; however, the accounts of the temptation in Matthew and Luke’s Gospel gives us more details. In St. Matthew’s version, the one we read today, the devil presents three temptations to Jesus. The devil tempts Jesus to use His power to appease His hunger. The devil tempts Jesus to put God’s promise of protection to the test; and the devil offers Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him. In each case, Jesus resists the temptation, rebuking the devil with the words from Scripture. As we face temptations during the season of Lent, may we adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God’s word alone will suffice. God’s promise of protection can be trusted—God alone is God.

We begin the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd . The annual observance of Lent is a special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Though its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the Sacraments of Initiation by means of the rite of election, the scrutinies, and catechesis. This year we have one young man who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Tavin Jackson, a seventhgrade student at St. Peter School will be fully initiated in the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

As we enter the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, we are invited to hear from Jesus the Teacher, as He speaks to us from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus the Teacher has gone up the mountain and sat down, and His disciples have gathered around Him. We too are the disciples of Jesus the Teacher, and we have gathered here to be with Him. As we listen to the Gospel today, let us take this opportunity to be enlightened by the teachings of Jesus. Remember He said, “He has come not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them.”

We continue t hear Jesus speak to the crowds and us today from the Sermon on the Mount. Today He tells the crowd and us that “ You are the Light of the world.” Jesus wants us to shine that light for everyone to see. Jesus Himself is the light who shone through the darkness from the very moment He was born. Now He challenges His disciples to be that light—the light of Christ—for others. We are given that same challenge. May we be conscious of receiving the Lord today in the Word and the Eucharist, so that we may go forth to shine the Light of Christ, transforming the darkness around us.