True Conversion

Diane Winkowski • March 8, 2024

Many commentators of the Scripture speak about the Fourth Sunday of Lent gospel as one of the most meaningful and beautiful. Indeed, there are many symbols and profound meanings in today’s gospel. I would like to mention just two valid elements that are helpful for our repentance and conversion during Lent, trusting in God and dying to sin. These two elements are necessary to turn away from evil and renew our relationship with God.

When Jesus explained conversion to Nicodemus, he used an example from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament (John 3:14-21). It was about a nest of poisonous snakes, which was encountered by Jews during their journey through the desert. Many were bitten with a painful bite and many died.

God, however, told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and all who looked upon it were healed and saved. It is interesting how God chose to save his people asking them to look up while the snakes were on the ground.

The first reaction tells me it was illogical and confusing perhaps. But in fact, it is fascinating to know God’s ways to save his people. Like everything in the Bible, the scene with snakes has a symbolic and spiritual meaning. It is supposed to guide us when we struggle with evil in our life. Instead of spending all time and energy to fight against evil, and our wrong doing, we must learn to trust in God.

The gesture of looking upon the snake on a pole is an invitation to share our struggle with God. God does not want us to be alone when we struggle. We must trust in God and pray even more when we are challenged by temptation and sin. Instead of feeling unworthy and running away, God is asking us for total trust to God’s guidance through our challenges and sinfulness. Our fight for God and closeness with God is more effective than just fighting with our struggles and

weaknesses on our own.

Jesus recalls this example from the Book of Numbers and brings to Nicodemus this very request of God in today’s gospel. Nicodemus who came from darkness of night with his struggles and confusion, cannot resolve his problem alone. He must open up and trust in God totally. It is like being born again and becoming a new person.

Second condition of true repentance and conversion is dying to sin. In today’s gospel Jesus foresaw his death on the cross. Like that serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert, Jesus believed his crucifixion and death on the cross will save his people from their sins. We learn from Jesus it was necessary to die for sins. Indeed, we must die for our sins when we are serious about repentance and conversion. We realize our wrongdoings, confess our sins in Sacrament of Reconciliation, repent with a good intention, but we often fail to turn away from our sinfulness. We like our sins and our old ways, and thus, fall into the same sins again. Then, we are discouraged because our repentance and conversion does not work.

The Greek word for conversion is metanoia (μετάνοια). One of the literal translations of metanoia is changing one’s mind.

According to metanoia in such understanding, conversion is not just temporarily turning away from evil but totally changing our thinking. It is like dying for that sin that constantly bothers me and stands between God and me. This kind of disposition against sin, which we usually like and do not want to go, is not easy and even painful. That is why today’s gospel compares it to the crucifixion of Jesus, who fought sin to the point of pain, blood, and death on the cross. We must die to our sins after the example of Jesus. If we succeed to die with Christ, we will raise with him on Easter.

Today’s gospel is helpful to us as we pray and reflect about our spiritual growth during Lent. The two conditions, trusting in God and dying to sin, are necessary to experience true repentance and conversion. There are a few opportunities for Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter at St. Martin of Tours. Please have courage and do not hesitate to meet your sinfulness and then, to experience God in your true conversion during this blessed time of Lent.

Fr. Andrzej

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Seeing Mercy through the Light

By Jenny Drzewiecki • March 19, 2026

This weekend’s Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent describes one of the most powerful moments in the ministry of Jesus: the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1–45). Standing before the tomb of his friend, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.” With these words and with deep compassion, He calls Lazarus out of the darkness of death and restores him to life. This Gospel reveals the heart of Christ – full of mercy, compassion, and deep concern for those who suffer. Jesus does not remain distant from human pain. He enters into it, weeps with those who mourn, and brings new life where there seemed to be only darkness, confusion, and despair. In a beautiful way, the stained-glass windows in our church echo this same message of mercy and hope. Inspired by our patron, St. Martin of Tours, the windows illustrate the works of mercy that shaped his life and ministry. St. Martin followed Christ by seeing those in need and responding with generosity, compassion, and courage. His well-known act of sharing his cloak with a poor man is just one example of a life devoted to caring for others. The Gospel story of Lazarus reminds us that acts of mercy are never small or insignificant. When we feed the hungry, visit the sick and the imprisoned, or help those in need, we participate in Christ’s own mission of bringing life where there is suffering and hope where there is darkness. As sunlight shines through these stained-glass windows, may they remind us that the works of mercy are not only beautiful images in colored glass, but a living calling for each of us. Like St. Martin, may we allow the light of Christ’s compassion to shine through our lives, bringing hope, healing, and new life to the world around us. We are still expecting one more window depicting St. Martin, but we already appreciate the beauty and message these windows bring to our church. I am very grateful to all who made this project possible: the artists, Kim Kostuch and Slawormir Miskow, the team who prepared and supervised the project, those who helped install the windows, the generous donors, and all of you, dear parishioners, for your support and encouragement. Thank you very much. Fr. Andrzej

Fourth Sunday of Lent – Opening Our Eyes

By Jenny Drzewiecki • March 13, 2026

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Third Sunday of Lent – Meeting Jesus at the Well

By Jenny Drzewiecki • March 3, 2026

On this Third Sunday of Lent, we hear the story from the Gospel of John (4:5-42) about Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In Jewish culture, a well was more than just a place to draw water. It was often a meeting place between a man and a woman – even a place where love stories began. In the Bible, important couples met at wells. Isaac first met Rebekah at a well (Genesis 24). Moses met Zipporah at a well (Exodus 2). A well was a place of encounter, promise, and new beginnings. With this in mind, today’s Gospel becomes even more beautiful. Jesus meets a woman who comes alone, carrying not only a water jar, but also a wounded heart. At first, she hesitates. She keeps her distance. She is careful and guarded. But Jesus speaks gently. He does not judge her. He touches the painful parts of her life with truth and love. Slowly, she opens her heart. She allows herself to be seen and known. And in that moment, she begins to experience healing. This is not just a casual conversation. It is a meeting of love – God seeking His beloved. Jesus, the Bridegroom, meets a wounded soul and offers her living water. Then something changes. She leaves her jar behind. Leaving the jar is a powerful sign of transformation. It symbolizes leaving behind her old life, her daily burdens, and even her sin. The jar that brought her to the well is no longer important. She runs back to the village and says, “Come and see!” The woman who once avoided others now becomes a witness. Her encounter with Jesus changes her life completely. Lent is our time to come to the well. We may come with hesitation, with shame, or with wounds. But Jesus is waiting for us. He speaks gently to our hearts. If we allow Him, He will heal us. And when we truly meet Him, we too will leave something behind – our fear, sin, hopelessness – and we will find the courage to share the Good News with others. Fr. Andrzej

Transfiguration as an Image of Lent

By Jenny Drzewiecki • February 24, 2026

On the Second Sunday of Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up Mount Tabor. There, before their eyes, He is changed. His face shines, and His clothes become dazzling white (Mark 9:3). For a moment, the disciples see His divine glory. This Gospel helps us understand what Lent is about. Lent is like climbing a mountain. It takes effort. We pray more. We fast. We try to change bad habits. Sometimes it feels difficult. But just as the disciples saw the glory of Jesus at the top of the mountain, we know that our Lenten journey leads to the joy of Easter. Beyond sacrifice, there is light. Beyond effort, there is peace – a peace that the world cannot give. The Transfiguration also reminds us of our final goal. One day, we hope to share in Christ’s glory in heaven. Lent is not only about giving something up. Lent is about allowing God to change us. Little by little, He wants to transform our hearts so that we reflect His love and His peace. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the mountain. Both met God in the desert. The desert in the Bible is a place of silence, prayer, and trust. During Lent, we are invited to enter our own “desert.” This may simply mean turning off the television, putting aside the phone, spending a few quiet minutes in prayer, or coming to church for extra time with the Lord. We need quiet space to hear God’s voice and to receive the peace that only He can give. You may notice that our church decorations reflect this desert theme. Even the empty baptistery reminds us that Lent is a time of waiting and longing. The desert teaches us that real peace does not come from comfort, money, or success. It comes from being close to God. When Peter sees Jesus transfigured, he says, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here.” He wants to stay. He wants to build tents and remain in that beautiful moment. We understand him. When we feel close to God, when we experience peace in prayer, we want it to last forever. But Jesus leads the disciples back down the mountain. They must return to daily life. This is important for us. Our prayer and Lenten sacrifices are not meant to separate us from the world, but to help us love the world better. If our prayer brings us true peace, we will become more patient, more forgiving, more generous. We will bring Christ’s peace into our families, workplaces, and parish. As we continue our Lenten journey, let us ask the Lord to transform us. May this season help us experience the peace that the world cannot give – the peace that comes from knowing we are loved by God. Let us pray for one another during this holy season. Fr. Andrzej

Lent – Season and Time of Returning Home

By Jenny Drzewiecki • February 19, 2026

Last Wednesday, we began the holy season of Lent. During the Ash Wednesday liturgy, we blessed and distributed ashes to all who came forward. This ancient ritual, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” carries a deep and beautiful meaning for us. For some Catholics, Lent and ashes can feel heavy. They may associate them only with repentance, sacrifice, and conversion, and therefore see this season in a negative light. Yet in truth, the ashes and the words spoken over us contain a message that is not only serious – but also hopeful, tender, and deeply encouraging. These words come from the Book of Genesis (3:19). After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, God spoke to them in a moment marked by human weakness and failure. But even then, God’s words were not a rejection. They were a reminder. God had created them in His image and likeness. Their dignity did not disappear because of sin. They were formed from the soil of Paradise, and Paradise was created for them. The Garden of Eden – our true and eternal home – remains humanity’s destiny. When God says, “You are dust,” He reminds them where we come from. And when He says, “To dust you shall return,” He points them toward where they belong: back to Him. Even outside of Eden, God never abandoned His children. He continues to wait, to call, and to lead us home. This promise was not only for the first humans. It is for each of us. It is no coincidence that the Church places these words at the very beginning of Lent. When we truly understand them, we begin to see Lent not as a season of gloom, but as a journey back home. The words spoken on Ash Wednesday may be among the most honest and loving words God speaks to humanity. They remind us of our fragility – but even more, they remind us of our dignity and our destiny. With this hope in our hearts, we can enter Lent with renewed enthusiasm. Our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not burdens, but rather are steps on the path that leads us back to our heavenly home. Each small sacrifice, each act of charity, each quiet prayer becomes a way of cooperating with God’s loving work within us. May this Lent be a meaningful and grace-filled journey for each of us, and for our entire parish community of St. Martin of Tours Parish. Fr. Andrzej

From Rules to Relationship

By Jenny Drzewiecki • February 15, 2026

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are both encouraging and challenging: “I have come not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.” With these words, He reminds us that God’s commandments are not meant to trap us in a list of rules, but to guide us toward true life. For many people, the Law can sound like a series of do’s and don’ts, something to be followed mainly out of fear of punishment. Jesus invites us to something much deeper. He teaches that it is not enough to obey God only on the outside. What truly matters is the heart. Avoiding wrongdoing is important, but Jesus calls us further – to heal anger, to forgive, and to be faithful not only in our actions but also in our thoughts and intentions. The Law God has given is good and holy, but it bears fruit only when it is welcomed into our hearts. When we live God’s commandments out of love, they no longer feel like a burden. Instead, they become a path that shapes our choices, strengthens our relationships, and guides the way we treat one another. Love – not fear – is the true reason for living God’s law. We can see this in everyday life. The deepest reason to remain faithful in marriage is love for one’s spouse, not fear of breaking a commandment. The true reason to worship God and come to church on Sunday is love of God, not fear of failing in our obligation. When love, rather than fear of punishment, becomes our motivation, faithfulness to God’s Law becomes more natural, joyful, and meaningful. This same message is found in today’s first reading from Sirach. God places before us life and death and lovingly invites us to choose life. In Psalm 119, the psalmist rejoices in God’s law – not as a threat, but as a source of wisdom and joy. God’s commandments are called wisdom because they teach us how to live well and how to love rightly. Jesus fulfills the Law by revealing its true purpose: to lead us into a loving relationship with God and with one another. This is the path Jesus invites us to walk – not a path of fear, but a path of love. Do I follow God’s commandments out of fear, or out of love? This week, may we choose one small way to live God’s law with love – through forgiveness, patience, or a quiet act of kindness – and allow God’s wisdom to shape our hearts. Fr. Andrzej