In the readings for last weekend, we heard the Old Testament story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's request, juxtaposed with the Gospel account of the Transfiguration. In Fr. Newton's homily, he emphasized the parallels between the story of Abraham and Isaac and the story of God the Father and Jesus: both fathers willing to sacrifice their only sons; both sons bearing the wood of the sacrifice on their shoulders up the mountain. God ultimately spares Isaac, but does not spare His own son, in order to offer a perfect sacrifice for the reparation of sin.
Fr. Mark shared a bit about the parish mission trip to Mexico last week, working in the barrio, at an orphanage and at a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction. He spoke of the poverty and brokenness the mission team encountered, and of his own weakness in keeping up his Lenten sacrifices while down there. He reminded us that all of these weaknesses, big and small, are products of the fallen world and encouraged us to continue to walk, step by step, up the mountain with Jesus—so that one day we can see Him in His glory at the apostles did at the Transfiguration.
Listen to last weekend's English and Spanish homilies below.
- Readings in English (USCCB)
- Homily: Fr. Arockiya Newton (Audio)
- Homily: Fr. Mark Innocenti (Audio)
- Lecturas en Español (USCCB)
- Homilia: Padre Oswaldo Roche (Audio)