Saturday: Second Week of Lent

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my chosen Son; listen to him.

Luke 9:35

The entire season of Lent is meant to provide a focus of attention and energy in some specific direction of becoming a more Christ-like, loving, gospel-oriented individual.

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky

February 27, 2005

For reflection:

God’s declaration that “This is my chosen Son” in the presence of Moses and Elijah must have communicated to Peter, James and John that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law and prophecies.  They would have known that the command to “listen to Him” came directly from God. 

Do we "listen to Him" with the awe and respect that the disciples would have felt? 

What do we do to try to hear and understand what Jesus has to say to us? 

Are we using this Lent to discern how we are being called to become more Christ-like, loving, and Gospel-oriented individuals?

Friday: Second Week of Lent

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.  While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus and what he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Luke 9: 28B-31

The Lord Jesus came to the earth to die and rise that all might have new life in Him.  Before he fulfilled his mission, however, he taught by word and example what it means to live as one created in the image of God and as a child of God.

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky

May 15, 2005

For reflection:
About a week before the event described here, Jesus had told His disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and rise again.  While that must have been a confusing message for them, Jesus' dramatic transfiguration and the appearance of Moses and Elijah must have sparked in Peter, James and John a growing realization that He was indeed the Messiah. 

Has God ever revealed himself to you at a time when you were confused or troubled?  

Thursday: Second Week of Lent

For many . . . conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction.  Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their 'shame.' But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3: 18

“In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is present to every individual, not only as Lord, but also as friend and companion on the journey, with its joys and with its difficulties….Through Eucharist, the community of believers becomes the Body of Christ, the real presence of God’s saving love….the Risen Jesus in this world. The Eucharist is a source of strength, nourishment, healing, and growth.”

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky

May 22, 2005

For reflection:

Think about a time when...

• Feeling weak, you have been strengthened by the Eucharist.
• Experiencing spiritual hunger, the Eucharist has nurtured you. 
• In pain or distress, the Eucharist has helped heal you
• At a time your faith had hit a plateau, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist helped you grow to a new level of faith

Wednesday: Second Week of Lent

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

Philippians 3:17

Rather than seeing Lent as a Penitential season in a negative way . . . if the Christian who truly desires to be the most perfect incarnation of God’s love that he or she can uniquely be, then the Season of Lent becomes a most welcomed annual celebration.  Not a matter of focusing on guilt for one’s sins, or what those sins did to Jesus; not a matter of self-punishment, or even rigorous self-discipline: rather Lent is a time to focus on specific little things that can help the person become more of what she or he . . . believes God wants them to be.  Happy Lent!

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky
Date unknown

For reflection:

What specific little things might help you become the person God wants you to be? 

We are unique individuals made up of mind, body, and emotions, infused by the Holy Spirit.  Are those three elements in the right balance? 

Do you find yourself overthinking a problem? Or do your emotions lead you to quickly judge another?

Do you honor the needs of your body to stay in good health? 

Tuesday: Second Week of Lent

          Whom should I fear?

Psalm 27:1            

Christians throughout the world celebrate the great event of Salvation, the Paschal Mystery of Jesus the Christ passing through death to resurrection to bring forgiveness of sins, salvation and joy to humanity.  

Why did Jesus do it?  Why did God the Father send Jesus? The answer is as simple as it is profound: we are loved with a height, depth and breadth that is incomprehensible.

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky

April 9, 2006

For reflection:

Whom or what do you fear?  To help people deal with fears, Fr. Lenny sometimes counseled them to consider how likely it is that that fear would come true and – if it did -- how they would handle it.  Thinking those things through can be empowering. 

It can also be reassuring to remember that God will help us through whatever we face.  Will you let His love be your light and your salvation?

Monday: Second Week of Lent

The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

Psalm 27: 1

In most human lives, there are times of personal darkness and sometime to the extreme that one senses there is no light at all.  The darkness comes from grief and loss, disappointment, discouragement, hurt and personal failure.  When it is very dark, it becomes crucial . . . to look to the light.  When the darkness is so pervasive that no light can be found, the only salvation comes from clinging to the memory of light.  In the dreariest dark winter day, one who has been on the journey for a while remembers that spring will come and with it light and rebirth.

There are times when things are or seem to be so dark that even memories of light cannot be brought forth.  It is at those times that the light of God's love is held in the hands and hearts of those who deeply care about the one who has sunken into darkness. When even the light of human love is not able to sustain the one in the depths of darkness and hopelessness, then the light of God's eternal love is the only source of peace for the loved ones of that person who has been swallowed in darkness.

In the love of Jesus,

Fr. Lenny Zamborsky

April 30, 2006

For reflection:

When in a "dark night of the soul" has a "memory of light" brought you consolation? 

When has a caring person shown you the light of God's love?

Sunday: Second Week of Lent

The Lord God took Abram outside and said, 'Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.  Just so,' he added, 'shall your descendants be.'  Abram put his faith in the Lord . . .

Genesis 15:5-6

[People often say that] their great gift is their children.  Anyone blessed with the awareness that the ones they love are their greatest blessing would be wise indeed to always treat those who are beloved with the dignity, respect and courtesy that convey the message that these gifts are indeed beloved and precious.

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

January 29, 2006

For reflection:

What are the blessings in your life?  What would happen if you woke up one morning to find that one of those blessings was gone?  

If we are parents, do we thank God daily for the gift of our children?  Are we grateful for spouses, siblings, and others who are gifts in our lives?  Do we treat them with the dignity, respect and courtesy that convey they are beloved?