March 1, 2026

Dear Parishioners,

Are you a temptation person or transfiguration person? (The temptation was last week, the transfiguration this week in our Lenten readings.)

The “temptation person” could be characterized as one who prefers the desert and prefers the struggle or challenge, or at least finds himself more often than not in the desert and in the struggle. The temptation person could also be seen as one who experiences many interior feelings, both good and bad–an “emotional” person, if you will. The temptation person thus finds it somewhat easy to pray, since they have so much going on within them and are able to relate it to God. It doesn’t mean their life goes smoothly, but that they are able to detect movements from the enemy and bring it to God for discernment. A temptation person doesn’t need a lot of material comfort or attention. They are fine being alone in the desert, fine with God.

The “transfiguration person” is one who prefers the peak over the valley. They want company over isolation. Jesus took Peter, James and John along with him on this journey–he went alone in the desert during the temptation–and he conversed with Moses and Elijah–as opposed to having just conversed with God (and the devil, I suppose) in the desert. The transfiguration person does experience the struggle–Peter, James, and John had to climb the mountain, after all–but the transfiguration person gives himself a little break, celebrates, and enjoys life at the end of the trial, as opposed to going immediately to the next feat as a temptation person might. We see this on display when the three apostles take naps and then Peter suggests building tents to stay on the mountain. The transfiguration person generally has a positive and more cheery outlook on life–”it is good that we are here!” The transfiguration person might not be great at interior, mental prayer, but they are able to connect with God in other ways and feel that they are generally spiritual.

Allow me a few initial comments on this before I go to the deeper point. First comment: there’s no right or wrong. Temptation or transfiguration wouldn’t be seen as better or worse. They are just different, and God works with both. God creates both. So, embrace who you are and accept others for who they are. It’s okay if you prefer to be alone in the desert. It’s okay if you prefer the mountain and struggle with interior prayer.

Second initial comment: if we are a desert person, then it is healthy for us to try, every now and again, the “transfiguration,” and vice versa. That is, if you prefer to be alone and are great at silent, mental prayer, then it can be helpful to pray with other people at times and give yourself a break. Likewise, if you prefer being with people and live somewhat freely with your emotions–you don’t think too hard about what’s going on inside you–it can be good to retreat to the desert periodically and go deep with God in silent prayer.

Third initial comment: there might be a third option (or a fourth or fifth) that is a fusion of both. You might at times be a temptation person. Other times you are a transfiguration person. Times of your day, times of your week, times of your life you alternate. Look at Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. You could say that was both at that moment. He brought Peter, James, and John along with him again, like he did at the Transfiguration, but he also went off by himself and prayed alone. He was tempted by Satan in the garden, but he also experienced the Father and was strengthened by an angel. Gethsemane was both a peak and valley experience, which is why it is so unique. But we’ll save further reflection on Gethsemane for a later time.

I mentioned I had a deeper point, but I’m just about out of space, so I guess I’ll only introduce it. The deeper point, or follow-up question, is what do you think Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were talking about? Tradition has it that they were discussing Christ’s upcoming passion. That sounds fine, but I bet there was more they were saying. Might Moses and Elijah have asked about the three sleeping individuals on the ground? Might Jesus have replied by sharing his love and affection for Peter, James, and John? Might Moses and Elijah have asked Jesus about his blessings in the ministry thus far, as well as his fears and frustrations? Might Moses and Elijah have told Jesus how happy they were to finally see him, the messiah? Might Jesus have told Moses and Elijah about you and me?

Whether you are a temptation or a transfiguration person, perhaps you could allow these sorts of questions to guide your conversation either with God or with the people around you. And if you are neither a temptation or transfiguration person–that is, you don’t really connect with God or have these deeper sorts of conversations with other people–then, well, be ready. Either the Spirit is going to thrust you out into the desert, as it did Jesus. Or Jesus is going to tell you to follow him up the mountain. Don’t be afraid. It will work out well.

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There will be a Family Mass this Sunday, March 1st at 10:30am in the HFC. The next Family Mass will be in two weeks on March 15th.

A reminder we have Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7pm.

As I mentioned in the bulletin the previous week, the Archdiocese is offering every parish the opportunity to fill out the Disciple Maker Index. Please go online to this link to fill out a survey about our parish: https://portal.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/pb833p. Your feedback will help our Evangelization Team discern if there is anything we can add to our programs here at St. Paul of the Cross.

Thank you for your support of our Lenten Almsgiving Project, which is to support Fr. Victor Ingalls’ six parishes in Mobile, Alabama–five of which are African American and one that is Native American. Fr. Victor was out here last month with Fr. Pat. They felt very welcomed and supported. You can use the specially designated envelopes in church to make your offering or you can reach out to us here to make an offering in another way.

Finally, one last time, I want to thank you again for your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. With your help we can reach our assessment of $154,129. This is an important collection for the Archdiocese, as it allows the church to provide the necessary ministries and services to keep parishes and programs operating.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Wallace