Dear Friends,
Today is the solemnity of the Transfiguration of our Lord. Shortly before His passion, death and resurrection, Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain. While in prayer, Jesus is transfigured ~ His glorious divinity shines through His human body. Moses and Elijah appear conversing with Him. Then from a cloud, the Father’s voice speaks, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Perhaps these three were privileged to witness this remarkable event to help them through the cruel agony of Jesus’ passion. Certainly, they were to recount this amazing manifestation of Jesus’ Divinity while announcing the Good News of redemption and salvation which comes to the world through Jesus Christ! Some two thousand years later, we stand and marvel at this mystery of God so loving the world that He gave His only Son Who gave His very life on the Cross to save us from sin and death. Rejoice this day, give thanks, sing the praises and glory of God in your lives!
Vacation time is an opportunity for me to do a lot of reading. I enjoy biographies and this year I was reading the life of Francis Cardinal George. Perhaps you know of him, he was the Archbishop of Chicago and served a term as President of the Bishops’ Conference. He died April 17, 2015.
A few quick insights, Cardinal George was afflicted with polio and suffered paralysis in 1950 at the age of 13, which accompanied him all his life. His desire to become a priest was thwarted in Chicago as the authorities explained that he would not be ordained for the Archdiocese. He was accepted and entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1957 and served in many assignments for this missionary community.
Cardinal George had a very sharp intellect, a keen wit, a humble heart, a love and compassion for people. After serving as Bishop of Yakima and Archbishop of Portland-in-Oregon, Saint John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of his hometown, Chicago. Having joined a missionary order, he didn’t think he would return home, but God had other plans. I mention this background as I have great respect and admiration for this man of God whose keen insights and reflections offer much insight and guidance to navigate the chaos in our culture and society today.
In one of his pastoral letters, he wrote that all the baptized and not just the ordained are to evangelize, as we say now be missionary disciples. “A disciple of Jesus Christ must share the gifts he or she has received. The Church is formed in sharing the gifts of Christ. Sharing the spiritual gifts is called evangelizing (missionary discipleship). Sharing the material gifts is called stewardship. Both are necessary to the life of the authentic disciple of Jesus Christ. God’s grace in Jesus makes us DISCIPLES who are EVANGELISTS (Missionary Disciples), sharing the Gospel, the sacraments, and apostolic governance; and STEWARDS, sharing time, treasure, and talents” (emphasis his).
This is our primary goal and task as we walk by God’s grace and fulfill our Strategic Vision here in Collegeville. May Jesus Christ be praised!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
