From the Pastor's Desk | March 1

Parish Registrations
If you have found a home here at St. Martha Parish, please register with the parish so that we have your contact information.  I might be biased, but St. Martha Parish and School rocks! The Holy Spirit is alive and moving and we are just getting started!  

If you are not receiving our weekly email, please email the parish office (office@st-martha.org) so that we can add to the mailing list.  

Disciple Maker Index
Recall that a couple of weeks ago we announced that we are asking everyone to participate in a survey about the parish in order to aid Bishop Boyea and his staff compile a report for his future successor.  Not only that, but it will help the staff and I to mission and vision for the future of the parish.  That survey is now open and a link or QR code can be found in the bulletin.  If you, for whatever reason, would prefer a paper copy, those can be at the exits of the church.  Please bring them back and place them in the basket near the exits. 

Please complete the survey.  Please be honest.  It will be very helpful to me.     

Gospel Reflections
When we fall victim to broken promises or half truths, we rightly become more skeptical.  As a former auditor it was my job to maintain a level of what we call professional skepticism whenever anyone made representations to me regarding financial statements, internal controls, business processes, etc.  We’ve heard phrases or perhaps we even live by such mottos as “trust no one,” or “trust but verify.”  And, in dealing with fallen human nature and sinful pride, these are not necessarily bad mottos to hold close.  I would argue, however, that the former might be a bit extreme.  

In our readings today, we receive both a promise and a glimpse into the promise’s fulfillment.  In our first reading, God asks Abram to leave his native land - his comfort, relatives, familiarity, land - and go to an unknown place that God will eventually show him.  This marks the beginning of God’s covenantal and salvific plan that will ultimately lead to Christ.  After humanity’s repeated failures God begins again, not with an entire nation but rather with one man inviting him to trust and to remain faithful.  

“Abram went as the Lord directed him.”  Abram is the model of trust and obedience.  In his compliance and acquiescence to God’s command, Abram models great faith which is why we rightly call him our father in faith.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance” (CCC 145).  Abram shows us that faith is not merely belief but also obedient trust.  

In our first reading we receive the promise that through Abram “all communities of the earth shall find blessing.”  But, Abram is not the fulfillment of the promise.

In our Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain.  This act of going up the mountain is important because it harkens back to Siani, Horeb, and Zion - places and moments of encounter with God and his divine revelation.  By taking the three up the mountain, Jesus intends to reveal himself all the more.  We see this clearly in the imagery of his transfiguration, “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”  Recall the Exodus account.  Moses’s face shined with radiant light after spending forty days with the Lord on Mount Sinai.  Each time Moses spent time with the Lord at the tent of meeting he left as his face was shining.  

“And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.”  Moses and Elijah each represent the Law and the Prophets and Christ the fulfillment of both - the fulfillment of promise made first to Abram.  In the Transfiguration Jesus gives Peter, James, and John a glimpse of his future glory that would come about when he again would be taken up - taken up on a cross.  Jesus’ future glory is our future glory - thanks be to God!    

Of particular note is the voice of the Father, “Listen to him.”  We continue our sojourn through Lent focusing on prayer and encounter with the Lord.  Are our hearts quieted enough to hear the Lord’s voice?  Are our hearts quieted enough to notice the movements of our hearts so that we can relate those movements to the Lord?  Are our hearts quieted enough to hear the Lord speak into them?  Are our hearts quieted enough to notice what God is revealing to us - what God is promising us?  Are our hearts quieted enough to become more like Jesus? 

Know of my prayers for you all! 

Fr. Ryan