Dear Friends in christ
The Gospel on the Second Sunday of Lent each year, calls to our minds the rare moment when Jesus is revealed to the Apostles as God in all His glory: the Transfiguration. Until that moment they had only seen His human nature, but now, before the Passion and Calvary, Jesus wishes to show them something of who He really is so that their faith in Him would not be shattered, The Preface of the Mass this Sunday expresses it liturgically: He revealed His glory to the disciples to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross. His glory shone from a body like our own, to show that the Church, which is the body of Christ, would one day share His glory.
It is this sight of Jesus in glory that helped them through what was to come. It is also an encouragement for us that, after the Cross and suffering, there is the glory of Heaven. When in our dark moments we experience desolation we are encouraged by this thought too.
On Tuesday we launched our Parish programme for Evangelisation and Discipleship. There was a very encouraging turn-out for the first session and we have now initiated a process of Parish formation which will aim at making us more confident and effective Disciples of Jesus Christ, better able to proclaim and communicate the Truths of our Catholic Faith. If you couldn’t make the Meeting you can still join-in the process which continues over the coming weeks; please see the further details in this Newsletter.
Last Sunday in Brentwood Cathedral, Candidates from all over the Diocese gathered for the Rite of Election. During this liturgy those preparing for the Sacraments in our Parishes over the coming months were presented to the Bishop and prayer offered for their new life in Christ. Please keep those from our our own Parish Family especially in mind as we all continue to use this Lenten season for a deepening of our faith and devotion in Christ and His Church. May God bless us all in this Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org