In both the second reading and the Gospel, we hear about turning from darkness to light. The second reading tells us to “Live as children of light.” Light and darkness were often used as symbols for good and evil. In both the second reading and the Gospel, the key idea is turning from darkness to light. Darkness will not overcome the light, but the light will make the darkness go away.

Try this little exercise: at night when it is dark outside, if you have a bedroom with a door that you can close, off of another room or a hallway, in that other room or hallway, turn on every light that is in there. Now go into the bedroom, turn off the lights in there, make sure the window blinds or shades are closed and close the door. It should be really dark in that room. Now open the door where all the lights are turned on. Does the darkness go into the area with the lights, or does the light come into the room that is dark and give it some light? When we sin, we are putting ourselves into that dark room, but by going to confession, we open the door to the Light of Christ.

In this week’s Pastor’s Corner, we are hopeful of the prospect of how the remedy of Christ’s healing ministry can also bring us to a higher place in allowing us to remove any spiritual blinders that cause our spirit to be dismayed or in conflict, blind and unable to be open to God’s voice. It is with that inspiration that I am grateful for the commentaries of those who often share how they benefit from these weekly reflections. So many of you have shared how in the darkness of our moments, the words shared resonate and heal your spirit. There will always be negative energy when humans are concerned, as sad as that is, because not everyone is capable of seeing like the blind man saw, because we are broken and flawed, like those in Jesus’ day that did not have the ears to hear. The silver lining in the clouds is that some actually do hear and receive and see the goodness of the Lord in all things and live out their lives illuminated by God’s Divine Love, which makes all the difference.

For the next few weeks, depending on what Mass you attend, you might hear a different Gospel than your fellow parishioners. Why? Because we are entering a time before Easter where you will hear the word Scrutinies.

What are Scrutinies? The Scrutinies are rites celebrated on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, by those people who are preparing to be baptized at Easter, known as "The Elect". They are important and special rites of the Church. Whenever they are celebrated the Scripture readings of Year A of the liturgical cycle are used. The Scrutinies are described by the Church as “rites for self-searching and repentance, which are meant to uncover, then heal, all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good. The Scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all.”

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is seeped with meaning.

We have here an encounter that would not be otherwise, because the sects of Jews in those days did not mingle, and Samaritans were outsiders, as well the fact that Jesus sits a while with this woman, whose heart is broken, and whose soul is wounded, after all she’s had multiple relationships with men, and is spiritually empty, she even more so draws from the source itself, Jesus, sitting a spell with Him, and taking in His every word.

This Sunday we learn about God’s relationship with Abram, whom God later renames “Abraham”. Their relationship is one of prayer and God enters a covenant with Abram. Through this covenant, God and Abram make promises about how they would act towards each other. They have a relationship with spiritual and moral dimensions. When we were baptized, we entered into a covenant with God, even if we were infants, so that we can enjoy His life eternally in Heaven. God gives us the strength through prayer and the sacraments to live up to our end of the deal.

Dear Parish Family,

Here we are the Second Sunday of Lent and are drawn to consider the themes of ascending and transcending. We find ourselves with Jesus, Peter, James, and John atop a mountain, Mount Tabor to be exact to witness the transformation of Jesus, as He appears in dazzling white.

This is an amazing prospect really because we bear witness to the transfiguration, and that the disciples with Jesus now see Jesus in a new way, and a new light. The vision shows Jesus associated with the likes of Elijah and Moses, and so His identity and mission become more clear to those three disciples, who when they descend the mountain bring that knowledge and mission of Christ to life.

Dear Parish Family,

A Blessed Lenten Season to all. I pray we all come out on the other side changed for the good, more joyful in the Lord, more loving, charitable, and forgiven. The Season of Lent has formally arrived. Pick your game plan and follow it. Confession should be first on everyone's list. Make it happen.

It never ceases to amaze me, that out of all of the holy days during the year, Ash Wednesday continues to attract the crowds it does, and it's not even a holy day of obligation. What is it, about Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent? Why do people fill our churches to the brim, and are excited to gather just so they can get dirt on their head? It's an amazing phenomenon that every year, some churches run out of ashes! This is something to contemplate because it holds the key as to how we will choose to mark this season as a special time set aside to move deeper into the converted life.

This First Sunday of Lent sets the tone for the whole season of Lent. We should be reflecting on the themes of salvation, temptation, and trust. As we do this, we can grow closer to God and prepare our hearts for Easter. Each of these themes helps us to see God's work in our lives and to live with greater faith.

This week we are invited to trust in God and resist temptation. We should open our hearts and deepen our faith. Salvation is not just for a few but is offered to all who call on the Lord. God's love is there for everyone, no matter who they are. Scripture states that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. We need to share this message and welcome others to experience God's love.

When we were little, we heard people say that Jesus has saved the world, but we are also not dumb. We have two eyes; we can look around us and see, “Well…things are still pretty messed up.” Go check the news: there is always something going wrong. But here’s the thing: Jesus saves the world by changing, by transforming the human heart. What changes the world and history is what changes the human heart, and that is Christ. When your heart is changed, when your heart is transformed, the world begins to transform.

The “saving” Jesus does, the victory Jesus wins, isn’t a social change, no, it is a victory within the human heart. And this is what we truly need. Allow Jesus to transform your heart this Lent, and that will change the world. Spend time in prayer, in adoration, in silence, and listen and beg the Lord to transform your heart, to transform your life.

Dear Parish Family,

Here we go again, Sacred Scripture, and a Gospel message deeply seeped in some practicalities for living like a Christian. This isn’t intended just to get on everyone’s case. It’s not meant to be a badgering session, but simply a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment. Take in the aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee—even if coffee isn’t for you, one has to admit the aroma is delightful! How may we consider changing our minds unless we are awakened? Can you imagine that the Word of God is meant to challenge us? It’s meant to inspire us for sure, yet at times it is also meant to correct us.