Pastor's Corner

16^th March, 2025

In today's First Reading, God chooses Abraham and establishes with him and his descendants a covenant relationship that the patriarch seals with the accustomed sacrifice of an animal. The most significant element of the sacrifice is the blood that is shed and offered as a sign of gratitude to the Creator. In the New Covenant, Jesus becomes the sacrificial offering whose blood is shed for the salvation of all and through which he rescues all of humanity from sin and death. Today we see a parallel between Abram, who discerns in the stars of the sky the people chosen by God and Jesus, who takes Peter, James and John to a mountaintop to reveal the glory promised to all who are willing to carry the cross, as he will soon do.

For this reason, Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Philippians, exhorts them to remain faithful to their calling, and never to deviate from it. Liturgical planners could use the refrain of today's Psalm to enhance other parts of the celebration and highlight how the Lord is our light and our salvation, particularly when in so many places the shadows of evil and hatred surround our faithful. The Psalm and the Gospel can also be used as sources of reflection for prayer groups during the following week.

Rev. Juan J. Sosa
Pastor