Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • March 6, 2020 5 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com 1260 Ocean Springs Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Ph: 228-818-0650 For more information, contact Jody Ellis Stoddard, Executive Director or email her at gardensED@BlueHarborSL.com Web Address: www.gardensseniorliving.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheGardensSeniorLivingOceanSprings In thanksgiving to St. Jude, St. Joseph, and St. Dymphna, for prayers answered. HCW Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 12 Days $5,999 May through September Once in a lifetime experience, sign up now. Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with airfare included in this price from anywhere in the USA Many trip destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France; Portugal; Spain; Poland; Medjugorje; Lourdes; Fatima; Ireland; Scotland; England; Austria; Germany; Switzerland; Turkey; Greece; Budapest; Prague; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Domestic Destinations; etc… We also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons (Hablamos Español) 855-842-8001 508-340-9370 www.proximotravel.com anthony@proximotravel.com call us 24/7 “After we jump into the darkness of the unknown, faith let us believe that we will either land on solid ground, or we will be taught how to fall.” – Ann Lamott -- Traveling Mercies While safety first is a good practice for drivers, investors and comfort seekers it could be an impediment to responding to God’s call to a deeper faith and stronger trust. Today’s first reading is God’s call of Abraham accompanied by an astounding promise. “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:1-3). But this promise comes with a catch. Abraham had to leave the land of his relatives and his comfortable life not knowing where he would settle, to go where God will lead. He took a leap into the unknown trusting in the God to whom nothing is unknown. Most of us instinctively would avoid the unknown if we could help it. But when embraced with the intent to grow deeper in faith and trust in God it can produce great spiritual benefits. We can easily get complacent about our faith life. Making prayer, Mass attendance, and involvement in church ‘things’ a ritual rather than a means of radical faith transformation. Perhaps this Lent we could be more deeply challenged to trust the Lord and his church to lead us to spiritual places never before experienced. Read Genesis chapters 12 to 24 before Lent is over to discover what an exciting journey of trusting God looks like. Matthew, Mark and Luke each record three instances of Jesus predicting his impending passion, death and resurrection to his disciples. The first of these appears in Matthew 16:21-23 prior to today’s Gospel. This unexpected news horrified them. They gave up everything to follow Jesus yet his life on earth will soon end. In their travels with Jesus these disciples were mostly bystanders looking on in awe when he preached, taught and performed miracles. They relied on his leading every day and understood that without him they could do nothing. What did his announcement mean and what was to become of them? Would his death nullify their call to spread the good news? Even if they wanted to, could they even hope to function in Jesus’ stead if he was not in their presence guiding, leading and chiding? Jesus responded to these questions and more by taking Peter, James and John to the mountain of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9). Mountain top experiences are special in the Scriptures. On the mountain, Moses received the Ten Commandments, Elijah defeated 400 (false) prophets of Baal, Jesus often went to the mountain to pray to the Father. Peter, James and John, representing the Apostles and thereby the Church, were awestruck at seeing Jesus in all his glory and supported by the Father’s voice. They knew for certain it was God who had initiated their call as apostles. It was so good that Peter wanted to stay there forever. But Jesus, the God to whom nothing is unknown, assured his presence with them (and us) forever even when we come down from the mountain and experience life’s challenges. On earth Jesus’ disciples could be assured of God’s constant presence and omnipotent power. And if they persisted in faith to the end, they would share in Jesus’ resurrected glory. We have these same assurances. Jesus’ transfiguration and resurrection, attested to by the apostles and many other eyewitnesses, encourages us in times when trusting God is most difficult. The death of a loved one, losing a job, limited personal mobility or prolonged illness, divorce, financial strain, emotional imbalance or addiction; any of these could change our lives dramatically and cause us to wonder if God had abandoned or forgotten us. Not trusting that the Lord is with us and not persisting in faith could cause us to give in to despair, become cynical or see all as hopeless. When stress and turmoil want to rule, clinging to our unchanging God will provide needed hope, comfort and peace. While we should always trust in the Lord, Lent offers a time sensitive window of opportunity to focus on deeper spiritual growth by developing good habits and practices we might normally avoid or put off. During Lent, parish missions are more plentiful, adoration and Stations of the Cross are readily available, Bible studies, retreats, Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet prayers as well as daily Mass attendance are all there to better shape our faith. Participate in as many of these as possible over the next few weeks. All spiritual growth should lead to a life of service through a committed use of our gifts and talents. Along with our concern of what to give up for Lent should be the action of what to give. Take a risk this Lent, a leap into the unknown, and allow God to show you his glory. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com . 1st Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm: 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10 Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Second Sunday of Lent Safety first Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries