St. Carthagh's and St. Edmund's Catholic Churches

"This is My Chosen One; Listen to Him."
 
    As we gather again as Lenten Christians, we are invited to journey deeper into our Lenten reflection. This is a sacred time to listen to the voice of Christ, God’s Chosen One, and to let His presence transform our hearts and minds. The readings, as usual, will guide us.
     In the first reading, we are reminded of God’s covenant with Abram, promising descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram trusted in the Lord’s promises, even when the future seemed uncertain. This story teaches us that listening to God requires faith—a faith that surpasses our doubts and fears. We are invited this Lent to follow Abram’s example by trusting in God’s plans, even when we cannot see the full picture.
     The Jubilee of Hope encourages us to reflect on God’s boundless generosity and mercy. Just as Abram placed his trust in the Lord, we are called to listen to God’s voice of hope in our lives, knowing that His promises will be fulfilled in ways far beyond our imagination.
     St. Paul reminded the Philippians and us that our true citizenship is in heaven. As we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are called to stand firm in the Lord. Listening to Christ means placing our trust in Him as the anchor of our lives, grounding ourselves in the hope of His eternal kingdom. Paul’s message speaks to our identity in Christ. In a world full of distractions and competing voices, we are reminded that our hearts belong to God. This Lent, let us silence the noise around us and focus on the still, small voice of Jesus, who guides us to walk in His footsteps with courage and humility.
     The Gospel brings us to the mountaintop, where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. The voice of the Father declares, “This is my Chosen One; listen to Him.” In this moment of divine revelation, the disciples witnessed Christ’s glory—a reminder of His divinity and the fulfillment of God’s plan. This extraordinary encounter challenges us to listen to Jesus with open hearts, to truly hear His teachings and embrace His way of love, compassion, and sacrifice. Like the disciples, we may feel unworthy or overwhelmed, but we are invited to stand in awe of God’s presence and to carry the light of the transfiguration into our homes, community, and the world.
     Therefore, as we reflect on these Scriptures in the spirit of the Jubilee of Hope, let us remember Lent is not merely a season of penance but a journey toward renewal and transformation. God calls us to be attentive listeners, to hear His voice in Scripture, in prayer, in the Eucharist, and in the quiet moments of our lives.
     Listening to Jesus requires action—it means forgiving those who have wronged us, caring for the marginalized, and sharing the hope that He brings. Through Christ, the Chosen One, we are given the strength to persevere in faith and to live out our calling as His disciples.
     Friends, just as Abram believed in God’s promises, as Paul encouraged steadfastness in the Lord, and as the disciples were transformed by the glory of the transfiguration, we, too, are called to listen, trust, and follow the Chosen One. Let the light of Christ guide us, and may the hope of His resurrection fill our hearts with joy.

With grateful hearts for God’s grace of one faith, one baptism, one hope and one Lord Jesus Christ, the  Good News of God’s unconditional love for all, we stand united as a community of God’s people in the  Archdiocese of Kingston. Conscious of our equality in God’s eyes and His personal love for us and  imbued with the evangelical zeal of our patrons and Mary, the Mother of the Church, we reflect God’s  goodness in our community and in our dealings with others. Guided by the Spirit and assisted by prayer  and the Sacraments, we strive to deepen our personal relationship with Christ Jesus and to share him  with others.