The Season of Lent is now upon us, and I have to admit it’s one of my favorite times of the year! It’s a time to truly settle ourselves down, and walk with Christ towards Easter Sunday. There is so much noise in the world today, and more so than I ever can remember. It seems like it’s never going to end, and it’s times like these that we must calm our hearts and minds, and allow God to guide our thoughts. How often do we actually stop, pause, and listen for the Words of our Lord to penetrate our hearts? For me, sadly, these days I have a tough time on just settling myself. My pride gets in my way, and my need to have control over everything makes me stumble along my journey. It’s in those moments where I have to truly force my-self to stop and breathe, and “let go and let God.” I recently was on a virtual work retreat where a group came in to teach everyone mediation exercises. They came so close to truly helping people enter into a contemplative state, but fell short because they did not bring God into the conversation. They were afraid, in this secular society, to allow God to enter the room. How are we truly supposed to feel comfort, peace, and love if we do not allow God into our thoughts and lives? How are we to feel His mercy if we don’t allow Him the chance to move with us and in us? These are important Lenten exercises for us to go through, so that we can truly live a God-filled life!

This weekend’s Gospel reading brings us to the mountain where Jesus Transfigures before Peter, John, and James. He allows these three men to experience heaven on earth, and they, of, are blown away by this experience. They truly witnessed the power of God in that moment, even if they did not quite understand what was happening. This moment gave them an opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus, and God the Father. Sadly, many people are not entering into any kind of relationship with God, barely acknowledging His existence. Even Peter, Jesus’ right hand man, could not grasp the moment. He instead tried to control the moment by suggesting that they set tents up for Moses and Elijah. It was in this moment that God silences the men with Jesus, by saying “This is my Beloved Son. Listen to Him.” Once again proving that by silencing our hearts from the noise of our thoughts, allows God to do the speaking. My brothers and sisters this is our time to allow God to penetrate our hearts with His loving words. He wants to so badly be the loving Father that guides His children to His Love and Mercy. We must do all we can to live a life-giving all the glory to God, because through this we find every-thing we are meant to be looking for. I hope this Lent brings us God’s peace and may we truly listen to His Beloved Son.