Dear Fellow Disciples, Peace,

Today’s Gospel presents one of the most powerful parables of Jesus—the story of the Prodigal Son. It is a story of mercy, repentance, and the boundless love of God the Father.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about repentance using two powerful images: the tragedies that befell certain people and the parable of the barren fig tree. When people inform Jesus about the tragic deaths of some Galileans, He warns them, “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did” (Luke 13:3). He then shares a parable about a fig tree that has not borne fruit for three years. The owner wants to cut it down, but the gardener pleads for one more year to care for it, hoping it will bear fruit.

Dear Fellow Disciples, Peace.

I'm writing this reflection from a kind of mountaintop, the Monastery of the Father of Mercy in Auburn, KY, where I'm spending some days in retreat.

Today’s Gospel takes us to the mountain where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with Him, and the voice of the Father declares, “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”

Athletic Field

The Army Corps of Engineers and TDEC have reviewed our updated wetland delineation and concur with our consultant’s findings that the wetlands on the property are significantly less extensive than initially anticipated. This positive development provides greater flexibility in site planning. As a result, we have directed our consultant to reassess the orientation of the football/soccer and baseball fields to enhance their functionality.

Additionally, Leslee Dodd and Ben Garretson from the Nature Sanctuary Committee assisted in identifying and inventorying key trees on the site. These have been incorporated into the revised Master Plan. We should receive an updated Plan within the next few weeks.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

As we begin our Lenten journey, today’s Gospel presents Jesus facing temptation in the desert. After fasting for forty days, He is tempted by the devil with food, power, and security. Yet, Jesus does not give in. Instead, He responds with the Word of God, showing us that true strength comes not from earthly desires but from trust in God.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses simple but profound images to teach us about discipleship and integrity. He warns against hypocrisy, asking, “Can a blind person guide a blind person?” and urging us to first remove the “beam” from our own eye before judging others. Jesus reminds us that our words and actions flow from our hearts.