My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
From the Scripture of the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 8, the prophet Isaiah speaks to us as Jesus also speaks to us, “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16). In due time, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, we will begin the season of Lent and these words from Isaiah and Jesus are heralds for each one of us as heart, spirit and strength to carry the Cross with Jesus. They are the enlightened wisdom for which St. Paul expresses as he tells the Corinthians that he had no words of wisdom expect that he is inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit.
There is always a richness in any time of preparation. We discover the things we missed, the things we didn’t know, and we learn in our preparation what really matters the most. When the Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem to present Jesus to God, Mary and Joseph had much to prepare, for Jesus was just a babe and the travel to Jerusalem was about six miles on foot. Think of how much we prepare to go to school, or to work, or to Mass or to go on vacation. While some of this preparation may be rote because we do it every day, the Presentation was especially important to the Holy Family and for Mary and Joseph, it was picking up the Cross with their Son, Jesus, and carrying Him to God. At the Presentation, Jesus was recognized for His redemptive role in salvation history. Our Blessed Mother was also affirmed in her own participation in assuring our salvation through Jesus.
The Holy Family is also a beautiful expression of God’s love. Mary and Joseph together bring Jesus to Jerusalem for His Presentation. Their love for one another is the expression of the Sacrament of Marriage, their Covenant, steeped within generation after generation, was truly the gift of unity as the two become one; to know and love each other and God. In the Catholic Church, we believe that God makes the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and His Church. I invite you to join me in the celebration of the Mass for Marriage at St. James Cathedral Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. During the Mass for Marriage, we pray with one another for the gift of the Sacrament of Marriage and ask God to bless the married couples present with His wisdom and strength.
After the Holy Family returned home, “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Lk 2:40). This is the crux of our Lenten journey, to grow and become strong, filled with wisdom that the favor of God be upon each one of us. The prophet Isaiah and Jesus give us the prescription to achieve the favor of God…to glorify God by our thought, word and deed no matter the hour. Isaiah tells us to remove malice, to be generous, and to be merciful.
In about 10 days, our churches will be filled with you, God’s holy pilgrims, who are coming to present yourselves to God and receive ashes, marking the beginning of your Lenten pilgrimage to carry the Cross with Jesus. Yes, for one day, you will have a visible sign of ashes to show all the people how you are bringing God’s light to the darkest corners of your daily routine. Don’t let the visibility of the ashes be a light for just one day. Let each moment mark you that people around you notice God’s light. Do not be afraid! As Simeon referred to our Blessed Mother, participate through, with and in God assuring each one’s salvation through Jesus.
May God’s light rise for us in the darkness.