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Saint Anne's Catholic Community

Saint Anne's Catholic Community

A Roman Catholic Church In Barrington, Illinois

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From the Friendly Confines

March 15, 2019

Dear People of Saint Anne,

In today’s Gospel, Luke tells us that Jesus goes up on a mountain to pray. Jesus usually spent much time in prayer. As he began his ministry, after his Baptism in the Jordan and his time spent in the desert, Jesus did not fully know how his life would ultimately be, he did not know what destiny was waiting for him; he gradually discovered it through the enlightenment that he received through times of prayer.

It is in one of those intense spiritual moments (a mountain top moment) where Jesus becomes aware that he is called to save people, not through triumph but through defeat. Halfway through his Gospel, Luke starts to reveal thefirst signs of failure: the crowd, at first, enthusiastic, abandons Jesus. Some take him as a celebrity or as a subversive; his enemies begin to plot to kill him. It is understandable that Jesus now asks himself the way that the Father wants him to tread. For this, he goes up to the mountain to pray.

During prayer, we are told that his face changes. Luke doesn’t speak of Transfiguration, but a change of the face of Jesus. His face reveals the glory of someone who is united with God.

Every authentic encounter with God in prayer leaves some visible traces on the face of a person. We find ourselves more joyful and serene, relaxed and peaceful, tolerant, understanding and generous.

The three disciples who have witnessed the glory of Jesus, led by Peter, want to stay put in order to further enjoy this experience with their Master. They want to build tents and remain on the mountain. To understand better, we can refer to our own experiences with God in prayer. The concrete challenges, dramas, problems and anxieties of life that we have to confront can cause us fear and discouragement. We, too, would rather remain on that mountain top than come down and face reality.

Yet, Jesus offers the disciples and us an example; we have to come down from that mountain of glory, contentment, those days of retreat and quiet – and, empowered by glimpses of God-given glory and affirmation, we are asked by the Lord to serve our brothers and sisters, to help those who suffer, to be generous in extending our love to those in need. After discovering, in worship and prayer, the way we are called to go, we put ourselves on the way with Jesus who goes up to Jerusalem to offer life.

Each Sunday, the Day of the Lord, we gather to share in the Eucharist. We listen to God’s Word and are nourished in the breaking of the Bread. Another way of describing that experience is that we come together as disciples of the Lord, and we go up to the mountain top to hear and listen to a word that empowers and directs our lives. Then, as we come down from that mountain top, nourished again as servant disciples, we are strengthened to follow the Good News of the Gospel in the upcoming week.

May we then, as the disciples did on that mountain top, hear those words of God from heaven that challenge us to listen to the Lord as we love and serve in his name.

This weekend at Mass, we welcome Father Rafal Januszewski, a Catholic priest from Poland who is ministering in Cuba, along with the members of the Catholic Extension team, to share with us more about our 2019 Lenten alms cause.

Catholic Extension Society has made a commitment to open 100 churches and chapels over the next three years. This year, our Lenten alms will have a share in that dream and mission. Let us offer Father Rafal and the Catholic Extension team a warm Saint Anne welcome this weekend.

Over the last few weeks, you may have received emails from me asking a favor to send or contribute money to me for someone in need. These emails come from a fake account that is not my own. They are usually Gmail or Yahoo accounts. I do not have a Gmail or a Yahoo account. Do not reply to these emails. Simply delete and take no further action. I would never reach out to an individual parishioner seeking contributions or generosity through such a communication. These emails are created by hackers outside of our parish organization. Saint Anne does not use personal email accounts for our staff members.

Friends, as we continue our Lenten journey, may the Lord deepen our commitment to prayer, fasting and almsgiving as we continue to prepare for the Easter feast.

Sincerely,

Father Bernie Pietrzak

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