Visibility, The Transfiguration, St. Patrick's Day (2014-03-16, Lent)

 Sunday March 16, 2014 /   Lent, 2^nd Sunday of Lent & West Orange  St. Patrick's Day Parade Mass –

[__01__]   On behalf of Deacon Ernest Abad, Father Edson Costa and Our Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, we welcome the St. Patrick’s Parade Day Chairman Joe Ryan and his committee and our honorees, Grand Marshal Jere E. Cole,  and Deputy Grand Marshals  -- Kelly Reilly, --- Gail McGeady, -- Francis Schott, Jr.

We are also delighted to welcome our Mayor  Robert Parisi. And, we thank our township officials who make this day and St. Patrick’s Day Parade possible…. In particular our

Township Council:

• Victor Cirillo 
• Jerry Guarino     
• Joe Krakoviak     
• Susan McCartney 
• Patty Spango         

2014 marks 100 years of community and worship for Our Lady of Lourdes, we pray and march today also in memory of our late, beloved pastor, Monsignor Joseph Petrillo under whose leadership our centennial celebrations started.

Monsignor Petrillo loved and supported the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities.

 [__02__]    In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus and Peter, James, John are at the top of a mountain. We read that … Jesus led his disciples up a high mountain “by themselves. And and was transfigured before them; His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light … Moses and Elijah were conversing with [Jesus].”  (Matthew 17:1-3)

Peter, James, John, - observing this – fall to the ground and turn their eyes to the ground, in fear.   The 3 apostles were seeing – in person – the divine identity of Jesus.

Earlier, Jesus had told them of the Passion and had predicted the events of the crucifixion, of which we read on Palm Sunday and Holy Week, that the Son of Man must suffer and rise from the dead. (cf. Matthew 16:21-23)

 [__03__]   Today, from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 17, we read that the three apostles – Peter, James, and John – have climbed a mountain. They have a certain physical and optical visibility. They are at a higher altitude.  However, they do not yet have this same altitude and visibility in a spiritual sense.

Yes, they were able to climb the mountain, stand on the mountain, even propose a construction project at the summit… But, in a spiritual sense, their vision is still developing.

[__04__]   There is correlation – a connection – between altitude and visibility.   The higher our location, the further we can see.

Halfway up Fairmount Terrace or Moore Terrace in our neighborhood, we can see the NY Skyline… but from Eagle Rock Reservation we can see the George Washington Bridge as well.

Power forwards and midfielders, jump higher to grab more rebounds and score more goals.   High altitude is good news for those with the balance and vision.

Jesus says this, in his encouragement to his disciples and to you and me … “Rise and do not be afraid” (Matthew 17:7)

Altitude brings visibility not only to one climbing a mountain but to any of us.  Are we ready to raise, to accept the altitude, the greater visibility?

[__05__]   For example, in the examination of our lives, the examination of our consciences, we are called to identify specific moments and times of sin and sinfulness.

At the same time, in the sacrament of penance/reconciliation – we also ask the Lord for new vision …to see not only the effects but also the causes of sin in our lives. At a higher altitude of God’s grace, we see more clearly.

[__06_]  Furthermore, in the examination of our lives, we may be tempted to compare ourselves with others  … physically … materially … rather than recall that spiritually, we are all equal before God.

I compare my strengths or my statistical achievements (whether is achievement is in finances or in winning percentage).

I may compare my successes and failures with others.

However, as St. Therese of Lisieux writes, prayer is a simple look turned toward heaven (upward). Examining our lives, honestly, we are not comparing ourselves to others, but simply striving to do God’s will.

Full Quote:  “For me prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” (Catholic Catechism 2558, St. Therese of Lisieux, Manuscrits autobiographiques C 25r.)

We are trying to see a new horizon and time horizon which is not the fiscal year, the academic year or the Spring semester …but rather eternal life.

Going up, turning our eyes and hearts up - altitude  - is good news.

[__07_]   Was this not the direction of our fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, our great grandparents, our aunts, uncles who came to this country from Ireland

They came to Ellis Island, to New York City, to Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, and beyond… and certainly also to West Orange, as the tired, the poor, the huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.

They were immigrants with a vision of a hope of upward mobility a hope to climb the nearest mountain for a better life for us, their children and grandchildren.

We are also called to the same service and love to recognize the new height – the new altitude to which we are called.

Altitude and visibility are good news.

[__fin__]