As we first entered the Lenten season, the focus almost always seemed to be about change. Questions such as, “What am I to give up for Lent?” or even, “What task or new habit can I incorporate in to my daily life?”. As we all know, change, though scary at times, is almost always good. Just as the change that came over Jesus in Luke 9:28-36.

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.”

Peter, John and James witnessed a rare sight, the Transfiguration or change, of Jesus. Just as we experience change during these days of Lent, so did Jesus on top of the mountain. But what I find interesting is that these men still recognized Jesus as, well, Jesus. Though He was clothed in “dazzling white”. He was the same teacher, and friend, that these gentlemen had always known. They recognized Him still, and were humbled by the change that manifested in Him at the time.

Often times we fear change because we wonder, “Will my friends and family still love me?”. Or those around us may even question the changes, fearing this new person we have become, will not be as welcoming to those around us. But Jesus changed, and did Peter, John or James flee in fear? No, actually after Peter witnessed Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah, he wanted to literally roll out the welcome mat. Not entirely understanding what was happening, but trusting Jesus, Peter wanted to build a dwelling for all three. He was so excited to be a witness to this special occasion, he sought some way to preserve the moment. If such an occurrence happened now, I can almost guarantee every one of us would want to do the same. But instead of constructing tents, we would quickly be updating our status on Facebook, or posting like a gazillion pics on Instagram. Or just as likely, our fingers would quickly be flying across our keyboards, sending out Tweets about what an awesome time we had hanging out with Jesus.

So, we know Peter, John and James had this life-changing experience on the mountain. They witnessed Jesus’ Transfiguration, as well as a booming voice in the cloud declaring exactly who Jesus is, and are instructed to listen to Him. When I first became a Christian, and was walking on wobbly stones in my faith, I often asked God, “Give me a sign, show me you are You”. Well as you can imagine, that didn’t happen. And honestly, if it had, I wouldn’t be so sure that I could have even believed my own eyes. Yet, don’t we all strive too witness the true face of God, to see with our own eyes that He really is just who He says He is, and can do what He unequivocally declares to be done? Yet as we read in the Bible, true visitations by our heavenly Father are rare. But, He is still just as real to us today as He was so long ago on top of that mountain.

As we use this time to manifest changes in ourselves, as we strive to develop a deeper relationship with our blessed Father, let us never forget that He is right here with us. He is sitting at the kitchen table as you sip that first cup of coffee. He is standing in the check out line at the store. He is in the car on our daily commute home in the evening. And, He is there when we finally decide to put our daily cares to rest, and before we close our eyes at night, whispering “Thank you God for another day.”.

Transfiguration Prayer:

Lord,

You met with Moses on the top of a mountain,

And when he descended his face was shining

And in your power he brought your laws to a needy people.

You met with Christ on top of a mountain

And he was transformed with brightness

And descended with renewed strength.

Lord, we want to meet with you and be transformed by you

And to bring your transformation to the world around us.

Help us to bring your presence to the lives of those burdened with sickness or pain,

And those weighed down with confusion or grief.

Bring your healing touch to those lives today,

And let us support those we know in need with a constant friendship.

Help us to bring your change to a troubled society,

Where people are unsure of so much and where change comes so fast.

Give us the grace to understand people’s problems and anxieties

And the strength to tackle difficult issues head on.

Help us to work together to transform a needy world,

Whether through giving or educating or leading by example.

Give us the wisdom to see through big and complex issues

And the love that will keep us going when problems are overwhelming.

Help us to always be a beacon for you,

Individually and together.

We don’t stand on any lofty mountain

But we have a God who is changing us every day

And through whom we can reach out to change a broken world.

Be with us today Lord and help us take whatever step is next for us.

We ask this through the power of your love.

Amen

Blessed Alvarez is claimed by both Spain and Portugal. He received the habit in the convent of Saint Paul in Cordova in 1368, and had been preaching there for some time in Castile and Andalusia when Saint Vincent Ferrer began preaching in Catalonia. Having gone to Italy and the Holy Land on a pilgrimage, Alvarez returned to Castile and preached the crusade against the infidels. He was spiritual advisor to the queen-mother of Spain, Catherine daughter of John of Gaunt, and tutor to her son John II. Alvarez had the work of preparing the people spiritually for the desperate effort to banish the Moors from Spain. He also opposed the Avignon pope Peter de Luna.

Blessed Alvarez is probably best remembered as a builder of churches and convents, an activity which was symbolic of the work he did in the souls of those among whom he preached. He founded, in one place, a convent to shelter a famous image of Our Lady, which had been discovered in a miraculous manner. Near Cordova he built the famous convent of Scala Coeli, a haven of regular observance. It had great influence for many years. His building enterprises were often aided by the angels, who, during the night, carried wood and stones to spots convenient for the workmen.

The austerities of Alvarez were all the more remarkable in that they were not performed by a hermit, but by a man of action. He spent the night in prayer, as Saint Dominic had done; he wore a hairshirt and a penitential chain; and he begged alms in the streets of Cordova for the building of his churches, despite the fact that he had great favor at court and could have obtained all the money he needed from the queen. He had a deep devotion to the Passion, and had scenes of the Lord’s sufferings made into small oratories in the garden of Scala Coeli.

On one occasion, when there was no food for the community but one head of lettuce left from the night before, Blessed Alvarez called the community together in the refectory, said the customary prayers, and sent the porter to the gate. There the astonished brother found a stranger, leading a mule; the mule was loaded with bread, fish, wine, and all things needed for a good meal. The porter turned to thank the benefactor and found that he had disappeared.

At another time, Blessed Alvarez was overcome with pity at a dying man who lay untended in the street. Wrapping the man in his mantle, he started home with the sufferer, and one of the brothers asked what he was carrying. “A poor sick man,” replied Alvarez. But when they opened the mantle, there was only a large crucifix in his arms. This crucifix is still preserved at Scala Coeli.

Blessed Alvarez died and was buried at Scala Coeli. An attempt was made later to remove the relics to Cordova, but it could not be done, because violent storms began each time the journey was resumed, and stopped when the body was returned to its original resting place.

Founded Escalaceli (Ladder of Heaven), a Dominican house of strict observance in the mountains around Cordova; it became a well known center of piety and learning. Alvarez spent his days there preaching, teaching, begging alms in the street, and spending his nights in prayer. In the gardens of the house he set up a series of oratories with images of the Holy Lands and Passion, similar to modern Stations of the Cross.

A bell in the chapel of Blessed Alvarez, in the convent of Cordova, rings of itself when anyone in the convent, or of special not in the order, is about to die (Benedictines, Dorcy).

There are many wonderful stories attached to Alvarez, which include:

Born: Born about the middle of the 14th century in Cordova, Spain

Died: 1420

Beatified: Cultus confirmed September 22 by Benedict XIV in 1741

“The Other Wise Man,” a short story by Henry Van Dyke, is an interesting and worthwhile read.

Firstly, the various detailed and colourful descriptions used within its writing made it easy to mentally visualize the surroundings of each scene as the story unfolds.

Secondly, and most importantly, it takes us on the journey of this fourth magi, who desperately sought to pay homage to the newly born King of Kings.

Although this Magi may not have got to pay homage to the Christ Child in the way he had expected when he first set out on his journey, through the many acts of selfless love which he showed to the people in need that he encountered, he clearly met and paid homage to the heavenly King whom he was seeking.  Van Dyke reinforces the belief that the Lord is there in every needy person, and when the “Other Wise Man”  loved them in the love of the lord and helped them, he was giving that love and homage to the heavenly King he sought.

The actions of this Magi are a wonderful example of the way we as Christians should live our lives, by putting our own agenda to one side and following the Lord’s agenda and loving each other, helping those who are in need by showing them the true love of the Lord by our actions.

Stephen traditionally venerated as the Protomartyr (first martyr) of Christianity and according to the Acts of the Apostles, he was one of the first seven deacons in the early church at Jerusalem and it is stated that he had the face of an angel. Stephen aroused the enmity of members at various synagogues because of his teachings. He was accused of blasphemy and was tried. At his trial, Stephen made a long speech denouncing the Jewish authoritie who were sat in judgement of him and he was sentenced and stoned to death. His martyrdom was witnessed by Saul of Tarus who was a Pharisee who himself would later become a follower of Jesus Christ.

The only primary source of information about St. Stephen is to be found in the New Testament book of Acts of the Apostles and in Acts 6, he is mentioned as one of the Greek=speaking Hellenistic Jews who was chosen to fairly distribute welfare to the Greek=speaking widows.

Stephen is stated to have been full of both faith and the Holy Spirit and to have also performed miracles among the people (Acts 6:58).

Stephen’s name means crown and he was the first of Jesus’s disciples to receive the martyrs crown.

St.Stephen the Martyr has feast day on December 26th.

Let us pray:

O Great St. Stephen, the scriptures tell us that your face was like angel’s as you witnessed to the truth of Christ

Please ask the Most Holy Trinity to  fill my soul and the souls of all my brothers and sisters throughout the world with a deep hunger for the truth that comes from the heart of Jesus, and also with the loving courage to embrace and profess the truth even amid difficulties, confusion and persecution.

May the serenity and peace which were yours at the hour of your stoning be ours as well as we wait in hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

God’s Providence is a course of history, wisely and gently, but powerfully and securely without violating free will. Even though people make their own choices, God still is at work in this world, slowly setting things right; guiding a way to peace. Christmas was not THE beginning, but a NEW beginning for the relationship between God and humanity; so this is why the prophet Micah tells us in today’s First Reading that the Messiah, the Christ, will “be our peace.” I PERSONALLY would say that peace is synonymous with love and joy, which are two other aspects of the Advent season. I use the word aspect very loosely because peace is not just an aspect but also an action and emotion conveyed toward another person. We love somebody, and we spread joy among our neighbors.

Because Christ is “our peace”, we have to strive to spread that peace no matter how hard it may be, especially during this time of terrorist attacks. It is easy to pass judgment and display hate toward people of one religion based upon a small number of radical individuals, but that is not what peace is about. But since we are preparing for Christmas, I want to use another example related to the time before Christmas. The “commercialism” of Christmas can be crazy, and peace is often forgotten at the shopping mall. We often take merchandise off the shelf and replace it with the peace we are supposed to share with others as we await Christmas. The “hot ticket item of the year” gets fought over, and sometimes stolen out of cars after being purchased because there were no more in the store. People get into fights over parking spaces or places in line at checkout. But putting peace on the shelf in place of the item to be purchased is not what Advent is about!

OK, SO WHAT IS PEACE ALL ABOUT? WHAT IS ADVENT ALL ABOUT? HOW ARE WE TO ‘SPREAD PEACE?’ HOW ARE WE TO PREPARE FOR ADVENT? ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS…..

How are you going to finish out this Advent Season as you prepare for Christmas? Are you going to react negatively to the terrorist? Are you going to get upset because what you wanted to buy is gone off the shelf? Or are you going to spread peace by helping others, smiling, or even wish someone an early “Merry Christmas”?

“Empowered by faith.” That is how Paul describes Abraham in today’s first reading. That is the idea that moves all of Paul’s writings.

Faith is also the motivator in today’s Responsorial Psalm from Luke: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free.”

And Faith is what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel parable, that faith in things, the things of this world, is death, while faith in what matters to God is life.

Today is the memorial of the North American Martyrs, St. René Goupil (1642), St. Isaac Jogues (1646), St. Jean de Lalande (1646), St. Antoine Daniel (1648), St. Jean de Brébeuf (1649), St. Noël Chabanel (1649), St. Charles Garnier (1649), and St. Gabriel Lalemant (1649) who were Jesuit missionaries working among the Wendats on the northern shore of Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

One question I always think about on martyr’s memorial days is what kind of faith did they have that allowed them willingly to sacrifice themselves in the face of death and dismemberment? St. John de Brébeuf wrote, “On receiving the blow of death, I shall accept it from your hands with the fullest delight and joy of spirit. For this reason, my beloved Jesus, and because of the surging joy which moves me, here and now I offer my blood and body and life.” Surely St. John knew very well the vicious and prolonged tortures inflicted by the northern indigenous peoples on their captives. And yet, he is willing to undergo these tortures for the sake of his Lord.

And St. Isaac Jogues, who was brutally tortured and then ransomed, willingly returned from France to Canada to work among his people…and to undergo torture again and then death.

And Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He saw his voyage to Rome in chains as a triumphant journey.

Where do they get that kind of faith? Do I have it? How can I get it? These questions have gone through all of our minds at one time or another. But as we hear from our prior and our brothers and sisters in the Order, we must not compare.

But how can we not compare in the face of such faith and bravery?

Let me, struggling with this as I am, go back to today’s Gospel.

“Take care to guard against all greed,

for though one may be rich,

one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Now I acknowledge that I can willingly forgo greed, am not rich, and do not desire a cornucopia of worldly possessions. But am I storing up the riches that matter to God?

That is what Jesus is talking about…what matters to God. And isn’t he saying that what matters to God is faith and love? And don’t all of today’s readings indicate that faith is what really matters and motivates us when we accept it?

So if we have that kind of faith, and love of God, then why would we need to cling to our “stuff” and our lives? Essentially, today’s messages are, in my opinion, closest to what the Buddha spoke of when he preached “detachment.” A willingness to give up our need for earthly things and comforts, and the faith to acknowledge that this life we lead is a way-station and not the final destination.

Zechariah is praying this at the Visitation: “he has set us…free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.”

When we have faith like this we are free…not from pain, nor troubles, nor joys, nor wealth…but free from our attachment to that which does not point us to God, that which distracts us from God. It is a comforting, still place in our souls when we experience it. And we all have, if only fleetingly, so we know it exists. We know in our hearts that it is home. And we who seek this faith, and who profess this faith, also know that it is a seed which, watered by contemplation and prayer, continues to grow within us and around us.

Lord, help us to remember that nothing is going to happen to us today that you and we, together, cannot handle. Amen.

John Francis Carreri was born in Mantua, in the late fourteenth century. He grew up a silent and prayerful child, a good student and a great reader. These qualities seemed to recommend him to the Preaching Friars, and at an early age, he presented himself at the convent in his home city and received the habit.

Matthews’s career as a preacher began soon after his ordination, when was sent to Lombardy to preach against the heretics. He succeeded admirably in his preaching and converted many to a spiritual way of life. Traveling from convent to convent he preached a revival of fervor and a deeper understanding of the spirit of St. Dominic, and many of the religious of Lombardy-both Dominicans and members of other Orders- were led by him to become more fervent.

At on time, when he was preaching in Vigevano, a troupe of jugglers came into town and set up their act. They were a particularly scandalous set of people, poking ridicule at the religious and the pope. Matthew sent them word to move on, which they ignored. So went after the with his walking-stick, and this proved more effective. They scattered and ran but soon came back , fortified with the presence of the Duke of Milan, who scolded Matthew for being so narrow-minded and humorless. Matthew patiently pointed out to him the bad spots in their humor, and, in spite of the duke’s natural aversion to friars, convinced him that he should keep the jugglers out of town.

At Lucina, there was a lady of noble birth and great talents who was wasting her time in frivolities. Never one to avoid an issue, Matthew aimed a powerful sermon in her direction, and she came to him afterwards in a torrent of tears and begged him to help her. He gave her the habit of the Third Order and outlined a stiff rule of life, which she afterwards faithfully followed. He also met and directed Blessed Stephanie Quinzan who proved to be an apt pupil.

Matthew was given the job of reforming the convents of the friars in Soncino, and in nearby towns, and he worked for many years in Milan. Going up and down the peninsula, he varied his approach but never his message: penance and love of God. So many were the conversions effected that a whole group of follow-up preachers had to be appointed to carry on, as he moved rapidly from place to place. Preaching his way, went through Tuscany, and took ship at Genoa.

The ship was soon captured by a Turkish corsair. The Mohammed captain called on the three Dominicans for an explanation of why they were there. Matthew spoke up so fearlessly and eloquently that the captain released all three of them. Just as they were being hustled off to a rescue boat, the wail of one of the woman passengers stopped them. The lady and her young daughter were not anxious to be taken to Algiers, and Matthew began pleading for them. The captain told him he had better let the affair alone and be satisfied that he has saved his own skin. Matthew thereupon volunteered to go to Algiers, in chains, if the captain would release the two women. Amazed at his courage as well as at his brashness, the captain released all of them and told them to get out of his ship quickly before he changed his mind.

Many miracles are credited to Matthew Carreri. One day, a young father who came to hear Matthew preach, had left his little son at home with the nurse. the baby fell into the fire and was badly burned. The distracted father brought the little one to Matthew, who cured him. the baby was well in a few days, and grew up to be a Franciscan friar. Matthew cured another man of hemorrhage, and worked many cures on the sick and possessed.

One day, , while meditating on the Passion, Matthew asked our Lord tp partake of His sufferings. He received the stigmata, in the form of an arrow that pierced his heart. For the remainder of his life, he suffered great pain from his wound.

Matthew Carreri died, in 1470, in a house composed entirely of religious he had rescued from a life a laxity. His cult was confirmed twelve years after his death, testifying to the great reputation for sanctity he enjoyed among the people of northern Italy.

Born: 1420 at Mantua, Italy

Died: October 5, 1470 of natural causes

Beatified: 1483 (cultus confirmed); December 2, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII (beatification)

St. Francis, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone,  was nicknamed Francesco and was an Italian friar and also preacher who was the founder of the Men’s Order of Friars Minor as well as the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of St. Francis which was an Order for both men and women who were unable to live the lives of either preachers, followed by the early members of the friars minor, nor indeed the monastic lifestyle of the Poor Clares.

St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures throughout history.

Francis’ father who was a prosperous silk merchant by trade, was named Pietro di Bernardone and Francis lived the high=spirited life that is often typical for that of a wealthy young man and he even fought as a soldier for Assisi. On his way to war in 1204, Francis had a vision which directed him to return to Assisi, where he then lost his liking for his former wealthy lifestyle.

Whilst he was on a pilgrimage in Rome, Francis joined with the poor people who were begging at St. Peter’s Basilica and this experience moved him to live a life of poverty.

When he returned home, he began street preaching and due to this, he soon gathered followers.

1. Francis’s Order was authorised by Pope Innocent III in the year 1210. He then founded the Order of Poor Clares, which became an enclosed Order for religious women, as well as the Order of Brothers and sisters of Penance which is commonly called the Third Order.

In 1219, Francis travelled to Egypt to convert the sultan to put an end to the Crusades.  By this time, his Order had grown immensely and its primitive organisational structure was no longer sufficient so he returned home to sort the Order out.

Once his Order had been authorised, Francis withdrew increasingly from external affairs.

In 1223, Francis arranged for the first Christmas Nativity scene.

In 1224, he received the Stigmata, making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ’s Passion.

Francis died during the evening of October 3rd 1226, whilst he was listening to a requested reading of Psalm 142.

On July 16th 1228, Francis was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory IX.  He is known as the Patron saint of animals whom he loved and also of the environment, and he is also one of the two patron saints of Italy alongside Catherine of Sienna.

In Catholic and Anglican Churches,  it is customary to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his Feast day of Oct 4th.

He is also known for his love of the Holy Eucharist,  his sortow during the Stations of the Cross, and the creation of the Christmas Nativity scene.