Dear parishioners and visitors,

About two weeks ago, we embarked on our annual Lenten journey. As we are still at the beginning of this season, I would like to take a moment to explain the nature of Lent. The six weeks of this sacred season are divided into three parts. The first three weeks focus on penance and conversion, which is why we begin the season on Ash Wednesday with a call to repentance: "Repent and believe in the Gospel." The fourth week emphasizes hope in the mercy of God. For this reason, the faithful are called to rejoice in anticipation of God's mercy.

Specifically, the fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday-a joyful pause in the middle of Lent, reminding Christians of the hope and joy that the coming Easter celebration brings. Finally, the last two weeks focus on the passion and death of our Savior. Currently, we are still observing the first three weeks of this season, and our focus should be on repentance and meditating on the gospel of Christ.

This Sunday's gospel reading from St. Matthew recounts the event of the Transfiguration. He begins by telling us that Jesus went up to the mountain to pray. It is important to note that whenever Jesus was about to do something extraordinary, He would retreat to the mountain to pray. For instance, before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer on the mountain (Luke 6:12-13). When He proclaimed the Beatitudes, He was on the mountain (Matthew 5:1-12). The multiplication of loaves also took place on the mountain (John 6:1-14), and now, the Transfiguration occurs on the mountain as well. Why does He do this? A mountain represents an elevated place; it is an isolated place, well above the noise and distractions of the city. By choosing this setting, Jesus teaches us that we should seek to rise above worldly distractions, isolate ourselves from inconvenience, clear our minds of undesirable thoughts, and focus our attention solely on God when we pray.

Even amidst communal worship during the Eucharistic Sacrifice of Mass, it is possible to ascend the mountain of prayer in solitude. We simply need to concentrate exclusively on God while reverently engaging with every detail taking place at the altar. A friend of mine once shared that during Mass, he hardly notices the person seated next to him-his attention is always fixed on God. He didn't mean to showcase his devotion; he simply wanted to expres his experience of ascending the mountain of prayer in solitude.

The evangelist Matthew concludes this beautiful episode by telling us that as Jesus prayed on the mountain, His face was transformed and shone with a glory and splendor beyond description. Witnessing this glory, Peter suggested that they build three shelters and make that beautiful moment last forever. Why? It was out of his desire to prolong the joy he experienced during that intimate time of prayer with his Master. Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to glimpse the heavenly glory He would soon enter after His passion. He wanted them to remember that when they saw His face disfigured on the cross, they should recall the glory of the Transfiguration that would follow. They needed to understand that such tremendous glory comes only after enduring the cross, and that after the ascension, no worldly challenge should cause them to lose sight of the glory to come. Similarly, we must not allow any cosmic challenges, trials, or afflictions to make us forget the eternal splendor that lies ahead.

"Let us build three shelters here!" In other words, "Let us remain in this moment!" Peter did not want to return to his former life, one marked by darkness and misery.

This serves as a reminder to us; after God has called us away from our sinful lives, after He has washed away our sins through the sacrament of reconciliation, after we have abandoned our bad habits, and after our bodies and souls are transformed and transfigured in the example of Christ, we should not be tempted to return to our previous lives of sin. Let us strive to remain in a state of grace. Let us build our shelters in that state of grace.

In God's service and yours,

Fr. Thomas Kagumisa

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