When I sit down to answer emails or write a Gospel reflection or return a phone call, I sometimes wonder: Does any of this humdrum work matter? Maybe you ask the same thing about your daily labor. Today’s Gospel, the Transfiguration, offers a surprising answer.
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, “his face shone like the sun face and his clothes become white as light” (Matthew 17:2). That detail regarding his clothes is worth considering.
We know Jesus’ body is inseparably united to the divine nature. But his clothing? That’s something made by human hands. It’s an artifact. And yet it shines with the same uncreated light. What does this detail mean? The early Church noted that Adam and Eve’s first act after the Fall was to make clothing. This clothing symbolizes all human labor that supports our dignity. In Jesus’ glorified garments, we see not just the redemption of our body, but of human effort to protect and uplift human dignity.
Parents, your family is your work. Baristas, plumbers, nurses, accountants — your labor, your emails, your phone calls, your spreadsheets — can all become radiant when offered to God in love. The question isn’t just do I believe in Jesus’ glory, but do I believe he can share it with the work of my hands?
Lenten Challenge: Identify the “artifact” you are making to uplift the dignity of others: your job, your home, your relationships. Consciously bring it to the Lord this Sunday at Mass. Offer it to share in His glory. It will begin to shine. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.
(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)
Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…
Please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that these forty days may to the Lord.
B. For our parish community and for the upcoming Alpha gatherings, that the Holy Spirit may stir hearts, deepen faith, and draw many into a life changing encounter with Jesus.
C. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
The religious sisters will be selling religious goods in the Madonna plaza. We thank you for your support.
The St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to limited storage space, we ask that you not leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.
UCLA is sponsoring a free health fair in the Redahan Hall from 9:30am to 1:30pm. The event will include dental and medical consultations, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, and many other services.
Due to our first reconciliations of our religious education students, there will be no confessions on Mondays in March.
We ask our parish family to please keep Alpha in your prayers. Pray for all who attend, for those inviting others, and for our team. May the Holy Spirit move powerfully in our parish community.
The Parish is selling Lenten reflection books that offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day of Lent. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.
