February 20th, 2005

Second Sunday of Lent

                                         SCRIPTURE READINGS (A) 

Genesis     12:1-4     The call of Abraham to leave his own country

Psalm       32             May your love be upon us, O Lord

2 Timothy     1:8-10  God has proclaimed life through the Good News 

Matthew     17:1-9    The Transfiguration of Christ on the mountain

             

                       A GLIMPSE OF THE RESURRECTION

 

On the sixth of August every year we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration, perhaps not the best known of the Church's feasts and a rather mystifying episode in the life of Christ. It can often seem to us that this is just some incident that happened to Christ which has no great relevance to our lives and we therefore tend not to give it too much attention. But the Church thinks it significant enough to present it to us for our prayerful meditation on the second Sunday of Lent every year. What is it about?

Firstly, it is not perfectly clear from the gospel today why Jesus went up the mountain with some of his disciples. St. Luke, typically, tells us that he went there to pray, but St. Matthew, whose account we read today, and St. Mark offer us no such enlightenment. Whatever the reason for the trip up the mountain, Jesus had an extraordinary experience whose effects were so intense that they became physically visible to those who were with him. We are all familiar with the way in which our inner experiences and feelings express themselves in our outward appearances; if we are happy, then we look happy, if sad or anxious, then our features reflect it accordingly. One of the strongest human emotions is love. Not only actively loving, but also knowing that we are loved by another. Is it possible that at this point in his life Jesus become so aware of how intensely he was loved by God the Father

that it changed his whole aspect, and the only way the apostles had of describing it later was to report on the brilliance of his face and clothes? So this episode is telling us something about the nature of God, something about what he is like; he is the one whose power of loving can totally transform a human being. Christ, the Son of God, was the first recipient of such love, but not the last. The event is alerting us to our own destiny and our dedication to our Christian lives will help us to become increasingly aware of it.

Secondly, Peter wishes to make three tents. Very generous, but very mistaken. He wants to capture the moment and preserve it. But capturing such a moment, even if it were possible, would render him, and us, incapable of receiving the even greater experiences of God's goodness that God has in store for us; we would be making the present an obstruction to the future.

Finally, the words of Jesus himself. "Stand up, do not be afraid." The word translated as "stand up" is the same as the word used for the resurrection, and the "do not be afraid" is the constant message the risen Christ gives to those to whom he appears. These things are being said to us. We are being offered a share in the resurrection of Christ and the more we participate in that gift the more fear is banished from our lives. So the Transfiguration is not just a curious episode in the life of Christ. Rather it is telling us something about what the life, death and resurrection of Christ means for us.

                                          

                                                               Hugh Duffy SJ

                                                              

 

 

REPORT ON SRI LANKA

February 18

We received an e-mail from Fr Chryso Pieris in Colombo on the above date to announce the completed establishment of a full-time Jesuit Tsunami relief office and the resumption of the weekly reports. The first to appear will be published in next week's newsletter. Fr William

The Tsunami Appeal - Results

 

Our Tsunami appeal in aid of relief and reconstruction in devastated areas on the island of Sri Lanka resulted in donations exceeding£20,000. To this sum will be added another £4,000 in tax refunds from Gift Aid. Heartfelt thanks are due to all who contributed to this inspiring Christian response. This help has been sent to the Jesuits working in Sri Lanka and we have received a thank you from Fr Chryso Pieris SJ who is the Socius (Assistant) to the Provincial Superior. It might be timely also to add that, quite separately from donations being made through Jesuit organisations, parishes, schools and other works in the UK , the British Province of the Society of Jesus has allocated £250,000 from its own resources for use in Jesuit-led relief programmes in the entire region affected by the tsunami. The parish appeal will continue as long as funds are needed and we are working in partnership with Jesuit Missions, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Young British Jesuit Alumni (YBJA). Donations are chanelled directly through the Society of Jesus to the locations in Sri Lanka which we have targeted for help.Cheques may be made to Farm Street Church and there are Gift Aid envelopes available. May God continue to bless our efforts.  

 

 AT YOUR WORD LORD

                                                     Week 3: “Respect for All Peoples”

There are three groups meeting weekly at 114 Mount Street for an hour or so of Scripture study and a closer look at our Faith and Christian practice. The programme lasts throughout Lent and the theme is Reconciliation and Christian unity: “Together We Can”. You can join at any time . Speak to Fr William. Prayer booklets are available at the doors (£1 please) and anyone can take one to use for personal prayer. Again, you can begin using them at any time during the period of Lent. Take a pink flyer for details and sign-on form.

TALKS IN LENT

FR ANTHONY MEREDITH SJ

                                                         Sundays at 5pm in the Church Hall

“Prayer in the New Testament and Early Church with Special Reference to the Lord's Prayer”

February 20 th “NewTestament”

February 27 th “ North Africa :   Tertullian and Cyprian”

March 6 th “Intellectual Prayer:   Origen and Evagrius”

March 13 th “Prayer in

     St Augustine ”

You are invited to attend any or all of these talks .

“OPEN MY EYES”

Take a day off for prayer and reflection: Sr Sheila Gosney and her team guide us through a spiritual journey with art, scripture, song, prayer and creativity. Date: Saturday March 5 th from 10am till 4pm , meeting in the Church Hall and other spaces at 114 Mount Street . Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own sandwiches. There is no cost but a donation would be appreciated. Why not consider this “mini-retreat” as a part of your Lent?

SACRED MUSIC

At 7pm in the Church: A concert of sacred music will be performed by The Cardinall's Musick, the renowned choral ensemble. There are no advance tickets; you are welcome to come on the night. Details of the programme will be announced later.

First Communion

The first meeting of children and parents for all who wish to take part in our First Communion programme will take place on Sunday February 27 th after the 9.30am Mass. Please let Neil or Clare McNamara know in advance if you are coming: 0208 249 2935.  

LAST SUNDAY'S COLLECTION: £2,400.20 Many Thanks!!

NOTICES

CAFOD Today, envelopes will be given out to take home and bring back with your donation to the Lenten CAFOD appeal. Family Fast Day is Friday February 25 th .

FIGHT! “Make Poverty History” is the name of a campaign being waged in the fight against global poverty. The Trafalgar Square rally was given full media coverage recently and on Thursday evening, February 24 th , at 7pm in the Church Hall there will be a chance to learn more about this effort and to meet with those involved. Fr Peter Henriot SJ will be presenting a special report with Dermot McNulty, head of Westminster CAFOD, also taking part. Our Young British Jesuit Alumni (YBJA) are also very involved. This is a good opportunity for gospel witness.

STATIONS There will be Stations of the Cross at 12.30pm on the Fridays of Lent. This devotion will take a half an hour and replaces the usual period of Exposition.

CAFOD Next Sunday, envelopes will be given out to take home and bring back with your donation to the Lenten CAFOD appeal. Family Fast Day is Friday February 25 th and on Thursday the 24 th there will be a special evening in the Church Hall at 7pm with Fr Peter Henriot and Dermot McNulty: “Make Poverty History”.

MEDITATION Every Thursday lunch time you are invited to come to 114 Mount Street for a half hour of meditation beginning at 12.30pm (please be punctual – no latecomers!) There is a short introduction, 20 minutes of silent meditation, and an opportunity to share your thoughts if you wish at the end. It's often easier to meditate in a group; come and try.

SPIRITUALITY Personal spiritual direction/accompaniment: would you like to know more about it? Could it be for you? See the flyer from Mount Street Jesuit Centre at the doors.

AMDG

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