This Sunday, we journey with Jesus into the desert of the temptations and challenges of our daily lives.  We can meet them with the courage and confidence of knowing that God is with us and will give us what we need.

This Second Sunday of Lent brings us to Mount Tabor and the Transfiguration of Jesus.  With Peter, James and John we behold the sustaining light of God in our lives that guides us through our darkest moments.

Just as Moses stopped before the burning bush to pay attention to what was happening and hear the voice of God, on this Sunday we, too, are called to “pay attention” to the voice of God.  In that spirit, we “rest” from our digital devices and in the quiet be attentive to how God is calling us to respond to the cries of the world.

On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we hear the parable of the “prodigal son.”  This story uncovers disruptions, misunderstandings and rivalries in family life – both then and now – and draws us into the need of steps for reconciliation.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus touches the heart of the adulterous woman and exposes the hypocrisy of the crowd who wants to condemn her. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the hallmarks of our Christian life.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem to great acclamation but within a few days, the crowd will turn against him. In remembering the events of this Holy Week, we purposefully act for the coming of God’s Kingdom and pray for the courage to live out our Gospel call in the midst of our troubled world.

The Holy Thursday “washing of feet” is a call and commandment from Jesus that we “love and serve one another” in the giving of our time and talents wherever we are and to whomever we meet both when convenient and inconvenient.

Through the crucifixion of Jesus, Good Friday’s “Ecce homo” – “behold humankind” –  draws us into the suffering of all the crucified ones in our world.  In the darkness we behold our God suffering with us.

In silence, we wait…in stillness we rest in God’s presence…

On this Easter Sunday, with Saint Augustine we proclaim: “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.” The tomb is empty and Jesus is risen!