ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Dear Men, dear Brothers in Christ,

I am delighted to be with you for this Eucharistic celebration, which concludes the Men’s Spirituality Conference. I am moved to echo the words of Saint Peter spoken in the gospel passage just proclaimed: "It is good that we are here!" (Mk 9:5). I am greatly edified that so many of you men heeded the invitation to step away from the busyness of life—or, possibly, even to sacrifice a rare day of leisure—in order to deepen your relationship with God and with the Church. I am grateful to our honored presenters, to those who coordinated this conference, to my brother priests for their assistance throughout the day, and to the Administration and staff of Cardinal O’Hara High School for hosting this event. I extend a special word of thanks to Bishop Maginnis for his leadership and zeal in promoting this conference.

Each year, on the Second Sunday of Lent, the Liturgy of the Word transports us to Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured before His Apostles Peter, James and John. The Synoptic Gospels testify that Jesus became radiant and his clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Jesus. In the midst of all of this, the voice of the Father is heard: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him" (Mk 9:7). Peter, in awe of the spectacle, declared: It is good for us to be here!

The gospel narrative explains that, shortly before the Transfiguration occurred, Jesus foretold His impending Passion, Death and Resurrection. The shock and revulsion to this news weighed heavily upon Our Lord’s Apostles. Peter even tried to rebuke Jesus for speaking in this manner. They could not comprehend that Jesus, whom they loved so much and in whom they placed all of their hopes, would die such a violent death. Soon, after this interchange, Jesus ascends the mountain to pray, taking Peter, James and John along with Him. It is then that the Transfiguration takes place.

Pope Saint Leo the Great outlines several reasons for the Transfiguration. The great reason, according to Saint Leo, "was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of his disciples, and to prevent the humiliation of his voluntary suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed" (Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings, Second Sunday of Lent).

Throughout this sacred season of Lent, the shadow of the Cross touches everything we do. In our Lenten practices and devotions, particularly the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we unite ourselves to Jesus in His Passion and Death. The value of our acts of penance and self-denial, our sacrifices and works of charity are all derived from the tremendous sacrifice of Christ Himself upon the Cross. Through our acts of mortification, we demonstrate our sorrow for the part which we and our sins have played in the Death of Jesus. Nevertheless, our remorse and our contrition lead us to the gladness of Easter and the glory of the Resurrection. As we contemplate the splendor of the Risen Christ, we come to recognize the glory for which we long and hope. Saint Leo reminds us that Jesus, in his Transfiguration, "was also providing a firm foundation for the hope of holy Church….The members of that body were to look forward to a share in that glory which first blazed out in Christ their head" (ibid.).

Saint Leo also says: "The marvel of the Transfiguration contains another lesson for the apostles, to strengthen them and lead them into the fullness of knowledge" (ibid.). We must marvel at the love and mercy of Jesus, who, before His Passion, could think only of enlightening and strengthening His Apostles and, by extension, all of us who would become His disciples as well. Jesus invites us, He enlightens us and He strengthens us to be His witnesses.

The example of Abraham is presented to us this afternoon as well. God revealed Himself to Abraham and made the solemn promise that Abraham would be the father of countless descendants. Abraham placed all of his trust in God, even when tested by God. The account of the sacrifice of Isaac shows to what lengths Abraham would go to obey the will of God. For his tremendous act of faith and obedience, Abraham is praised as "our father in faith." This account also reminds us that God is with us to sustain us, to strengthen and to bless us, especially when the situations in life seem most difficult and demanding.

Perhaps, at this moment, there are some who are experiencing hardship at work, possibly even the loss of employment. Perhaps some have trials within the family. Some may be caring for a spouse, child or parent who is seriously ill. There may be some here who personally are faced with illness. Initially, we may question why such burdens and anxieties are placed upon us. Yet, the faith which strengthens us responds: "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not give us everything else along with him" (Rom 8: 31-32). Abraham, in his readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac, is an image of God our Father, who sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, for the redemption of the world. We can never fathom the depths of the love and mercy of God! Nor should we ever underestimate His nearness to us, His compassion and concern for us, in the midst of our daily struggles.

During this conference, dear men, you have reflected on the transforming power of faith. In sharing your faith with each other, you have grown closer to Our Lord. Truly, it is good to be here, to be strengthened by God and, yes, to strengthen one another! However, the lessons which we learn today urge us to go and meet our responsibilities, and to do so empowered by the love of God. If we continue to read chapter 9 of the Gospel according to Saint Mark, we will see that as soon as Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain, they immediately encountered a frantic scene in which the other disciples attempted to exorcise a boy possessed by a demon. The fleeting vision of the glory of Christ, the tranquility of the Transfiguration experience, had to be tucked away in memory as the needs of a burdened individual require attention. The suffering of the present moment must be met; however, the majestic glory of Christ always will sustain—especially in moments of turbulence and turmoil— those who have seen and heard it.

Like the Apostles on the holy mountain, today, at this conference and in this Liturgy, you are given a glimpse of the glorious face of Jesus and you have heard the Good News of the love of God. You desire to remain secure, enjoying what you have seen and heard. But, an anxious world awaits you. The needs of family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, fellow parishioners do not go away. They require your attention, they need your witness. Strengthened by the vision of our glorious Savior, you go forth to lead others to the knowledge of God. You go forth to strengthen one another.

In this month of March, it is important also to remember the example of that man who stands out in his love for Jesus. Of course, I speak of Saint Joseph, whose feast is March 19. In these days, when family life is under attack, when virtue is ignored and chastity is mocked, Saint Joseph stands as a tower of strength for those who invoke him. Every man here will find in Saint Joseph a role model, an intercessor, a patron and a friend. In his devotion to Jesus and Mary, Saint Joseph endured much, sacrificed much and suffered much, in order to protect and to provide for them.

Saint Joseph understood the glory which was concealed in the face of the Christ Child. He was ever mindful of his mission as the Guardian of his foster Son Jesus, who is also the Son of the Eternal Father, born of the Virgin Mary. In every joy and in every sorrow, Saint Joseph knew that God had chosen him, that God was with him, and that God would strengthen him to be faithful and steadfast as the chaste Spouse of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and as the foster father and guardian of the Redeemer. Saint Joseph reminds all of us that we are chosen by God to grow in our love for Christ and His Church. Saint Joseph reminds us to be steadfast in our personal vocation—especially, you, dear brothers, who are called to be husbands and fathers—and to seek always the Will of God in the daily tasks, joys, struggles and anxieties of our lives.

Dear men, dear brothers in Christ and in His Church: the Lord Jesus needs you, with your generous hearts and determined spirit, to accomplish His work in the world. Through you He leads the world to His Father. Through you He leads your families in the way of holiness and salvation. Through you He builds up His kingdom of justice, peace and love. Through you He reaches out in service to those in need and shows Himself kind and merciful to all. You are, dear men, important members of Christ’s team, which is the Church here and now in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Finally, I entrust you all, dear friends, to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and to Saint Joseph, her husband, the foster father of her Son and the Protector of the universal Church, in which you find the grace and power to be faithful to your own vocation and to strengthen one another. Amen.