Jesus' Transfiguration in today's Gospel drives home the purpose of our Christian journey to be totally transfigured into the image and likeness of Christ. St. Paul reminds his brother bishop, St. Timothy, to bear his share of hardship for the sake of the Gospel. Transfiguration can be a kind of fruitful hardship since it means letting go of our own ways of understanding and living and letting God direct our minds and hearts after the mind and heart of Christ.

We began our Lenten journey this past Wednesday by having ashes traced on our foreheads in the sign of the cross. This ritual gesture came with the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel," or "Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." Putting all of these symbols together, we can see that we are journeying with Jesus and sharing in His Cross knowing that, while we are unworthy to follow Him, He nevertheless continues to call us to Himself.

Lent is right around the corner with Ash Wednesday this February 18. Our Mass times are 7:30 am, 9:30 am (with the School), 12:00 pm, and 7:00 pm at St. Mary's, and 7:00 pm at St. Patrick's. Remember that you must have a Mass Pass to attend the 9:30 am Mass with the School, so stop by the parish or school office this week to get your pass to avoid delays. I look forward to beginning this sacred time with you!

Jesus tells His disciples in today's Gospel that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In the midst of this dark and cold winter, I imagine we want to experience less salt and more sunlight in the weeks ahead! Turning to Jesus' message for us, think about the effects of salt and light and how He asks His disciples to become the salt and light of the world.