Second Sunday of Lent
The Gospel reading for this Sunday of Lent is Saint Lukes’ account of the Transfiguration. It took the Apostles a long time to understand Jesus and the full purpose of his ministry. Along the way there were significant moments when their friendship was deepened by discovering more about him. Their discipleship was deepened when he was transfigured on the mountain and they saw His divinity revealed. They would get to know and love Him even more when after this as they journeyed to Jerusalem and it became more clear that he would be persecuted and would suffer and die in Jerusalem, even though they did not understand what this would mean at the time. They would treasure the moments of Jesus’ life even more during the Last Supper, His Agony in Gethsemane, his Passion, Death and Resurrection. The entire time the Apostles were with Jesus they were getting to know him more deeply and realising what following him as disciples meant. It is the same for us. As Peter, James and John saw Jesus’ divinity revealed their attitudes were transformed so we are encouraged to accept that Lent is for us an opportunity to allow the Lord to transform us and our attitudes so that we can love him more deeply.
Last Friday was Family Fast day with their theme for this year challenging us all to take part in their campaign to combat hunger and starvation. The campaign is entitled ‘Small acts of love make big things happen’. The practical way in which we are being encouraged to participate is by setting ourselves a challenge to walk a certain distance each day during Lent to raise money to support either their challenge (walk.cafod.org.uk) or even if we choose to do it personally to raise money in support for the growing refugee crisis in Ukraine.
This week we celebrate the Feast of St Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, on Thursday. For many it is now simply a day to celebrate Irish culture but for others it is also a day to come to mass and give thanks for the faith and Christian witness that has been central to the Irish way of life with its origins in the missionary activity of St Patrick. We also celebrate the Feast of St Joseph next Saturday, guardian of Mary and the child Jesus and guardian of the church.
Hope University hold their re-scheduled Winter Graduation Ceremonies at the Cathedral this Thursday which means that the 12.15pm mass that day will be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the 5pm evening mass will take place in the Crypt Chapel.
Cafod Lenten Prayer
Generous God,
We thank you and we praise you,
for we are surrounded
by your abundant gifts.
The table you have laid is piled high,
and yet too many people
are turned away from the feast.
Work through us so that,
as the tiny acorn
becomes the mighty oak,
our small acts of love may grow,
bringing hope of a world transformed,
where all may eat their fill.
Amen.
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
