The Second Sunday of Lent is the last day of February, the 28th. As we close the month honoring Black History, let us remember the "Black History" that we celebrate is American History. Africans came or were brought to America long before there was a United States of America. Let us pray that our schools will teach true American History. I urge you to look at our parish calendar again today to see some of the accomplishments mentioned there.
In our first reading for today, we see Abraham being obedient to God. He takes his son Isaac, the son of the promise and the only son of his wife, up on a mountain to sacrifice him to God and he almost does this, except that God intervened and stopped him. Abraham had proven his love for God. He was willing to sacrifice his son, if that was what God wanted. In his time some of the tribes in his area offered their children in sacrifice to their gods for many reasons. By Abraham doing what he did, he showed that child sacrifice was not what God wanted. God promises Abraham "in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing - all this because you obeyed my command." Judaism, Islam and Christianity all trace their roots back to Abraham.
In our second reading we have a very familiar phrase: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" We have a great intercessor on our side: "Christ Jesus it is who died or, rather, was raised - who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us."
Today's Gospel gives us the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. He gives Peter, James and John a glimpse of his real glory. He changes before them and Elijah, representing all the Prophets, and Moses, representing the Law, appear with him. The three disciples are overwhelmed and then the Father's voice says to them and to us: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." They did and so should we. It is said that the Transfiguration occurred to prepare the disciples for Good Friday and the horror of the cross. It assures them and us that Resurrection will follow.
We continue our Sunday Masses at 8:15 and 10:30 AM, masked and socially distanced. Cheryl and Francine continue to record the 10:30, which can then be found later in the day on our webpage. Go to the very bottom to click the connection. The Soup Kitchen continues to serve the needy MWF from 11 AM - 12:30 PM. Our Vincent de Paul group continues to bring help to shut-ins. Our Faith in St. Joe County meets by zoom on Fridays at 4 PM. Deacon Mel's Bible Study is zoomed on Tuesday evenings at 6:30. The Black Catholic Advisory Board of the diocese zooms programs about Black heroes being considered for sainthood on Thursdays at 7 PM. Sarah Kulwicki is sending emails to our Good Shepherd families and Cheryl is sending out emails for our Children's Church families. There are still a lot of things happening through St. Augustine.
As I mentioned before, I have received my second Moderna vaccination with no side effects on the 12th. Please, get your vaccination when you can. Let us continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.