Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Tuesday of the Fifth Week

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reflection

Saint Joseph’s Day always falls in Lent, and has since first celebrated in the Middle Ages. The choice of the date of March 19 was likely related to the traditional dating of the Solemnity of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary on March 25. In any case, though, the Lenten context makes a point about this man’s selfless sanctity. Joseph was “just,” “righteous,” as the Gospel of Matthew describes him, with the meaning that Joseph devoutly observed the Law of Moses. But concerning Joseph’s betrothal to Mary, that Law caused Joseph a terrible dilemma. “Joseph was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame...” (Matthew 1:19). Joseph’s betrothed wife was pregnant, and not by him. The Law was clear: Joseph “the righteous” should repudiate her. But, no: that would expose her to public shame and harsh punishment. So, Joseph, led by mercy and the revelation which that mercy rewarded, chose beyond the requirements of the Law.

There is something almost subversive about this feast, about a justice defined by mercy. Isn’t that the way, though, that God fulfills God’s promises, always in surprising ways exceeding human expectation and boundaries? Who could have guessed the Messiah would be conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary? That he would be brought into the line of David not by Joseph’s begetting but by Joseph’s faith? Today we are celebrating a feast which honors and invokes a carpenter from a backwater village in an insignificant corner of the Roman Empire, who turns out to be the foster father and guardian of God’s Son, and, as Patron of the Universal Church, our guardian, too. How surprising (and subversive) is that!

Prayer

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Richard Berube, SSE, ’66
emeritus professor, Religious Studies


Scripture

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Second Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday of the Fifth Week

Reflection
When Jesus admonishes the elders to have “he who is without sin” cast the first stone at the poor woman, he cuts to the heart of our lived experience: we are often quick to judge and castigate the behavior of others, while finding it difficult to be self-reflective regarding our own behavior. This admonishment of Jesus is a call to humility. Before we condemn the situations of others, are our own houses in order? And what if instead of lashing out at others from some misplaced perspective of moral supremacy, we made effort to understand their situations and circumstances and offer them a helping hand on their journey?
 
If Lent can be an opportune time for this inner growth and reflection, we may seek to expand the horizons of our journeys. Growth in understanding of self is a valuable thing, greater still may be using that newfound knowledge to place ourselves in the position of others to become a help to them, a support, an ally, a listening ear. It is easy enough to judge other people; why not change that impulse into one of care and understanding, seeking to learn, to accompany and to support, rather than only to attack or tear down? Healing of the self may yet become healing of the many.

Prayer

O God, by whose wondrous grace we are so enriched with every blessing, grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life, that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Michael Carter, SSE, ’12
Lecturer of Religious Studies


Scripture
First Reading: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62
Psalm 23:1-6
Gospel: John 8:1-11


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reflection
We don’t often think that Jesus needed to become perfect, but this is what Hebrews suggests.  And the way to perfection for Jesus was through his obedience and suffering “Son though he was he learned obedience through what he suffered.”  As we near Holy Week we become more and more aware of Jesus’ suffering, Passion and death.  The Gospel contains John’s version of the Agony in the Garden, “Father I am troubled…save me from this hour.” Jesus knows that his death is imminent, and he gives a simple image for interpreting the meaning of his death, “the grain must fall into the ground and die.”  If the seed does not die there will be no fruit, no growth, no life. Suffering, for Jesus produces eternal life.

How often do we think of suffering as unfair, as something that we should not have to experience?  But growth can occur in us through our suffering.  We can learn obedience which literally means the ability to listen, not only to ourselves but to others.  We can hear others’ pain or longings and we too can become the grain that dies and brings forth life in another.

Prayer

Jeremiah promised that God would give us a new covenant, written in the heart. It is a relationship with a God who is with us in our joys and in our suffering.  Let us trust in that God of love as Jesus did. Amen. 

Aline Paris, RSM, D.Min.

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33



Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Saturday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Both Jeremiah and John’s passages offer a clear desire to banish the messenger. Jeremiah had people plotting his demise, trying to silence his message for the people to repent and return to God. Jeremiah knew his God, a searcher of minds and hearts, and through his faith was able to continue preaching His message. The people had returned to idolatry while still going to the temple to worship. They disliked Jeremiah’s message to stop sinning; the people then plotted to kill him because of his message. This is a foreshadowing of the ministry of the One who was to follow.  

Nicodemus was also a voice in the desert. The Pharisees and priests discount the message of Jesus based on the place of his birth. Nicodemus, who had spoken with Jesus and witnessed his teachings implored them to follow the law and give Jesus a fair hearing. They denied him that opportunity because they wanted to insure that “no prophet arises from Galilee.”

The Pharisees failed to grasp the authority of the teachings of Jesus. Many people saw and heard Jesus and believed, Nicodemus among them. The rush to judgement without a fair hearing was an easy path for the Pharisees. Do we do the same? Do we hastily judge others before we know the entire story/truth?

Prayer

Lord God help us to walk with eyes that don’t turn away from you but enable us to walk in the light and not in the darkness. Help us to seek repentance and return to you God so that you can direct and correct us daily. Amen.

Mike and Carol Tomkowicz
Worshipping Community.


Scripture
First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 7:2-3; 9bc-12
Gospel: John 7:40-53

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday, March 15, 2024

Friday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Today’s Gospel from John is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death but also a clear statement that Jesus was sent from the Father of all. Many people knew that the authorities were seeking to arrest him, but were reluctant to do so, because, we are told, “his hour had not yet come.” 

The first reading (Wisdom) strikes some similar themes, that “God is his Father” and explains the tension between good people and why those who are evil wish to harm him. The wicked call him “obnoxious,” “reproachful,” and many other insults.  “Let us see,” they say, “whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him…With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death.”

This reading ends with the explanation that the wicked who wished to harm him did not understand how much “their wickedness blinded them,” and how much those who are holy will be eternally rewarded. They do not know the hidden things of God. 

The cruelty of those who killed Jesus is still with us, and too often we see that the innocent and those who speak with integrity and love are ridiculed and persecuted—not just in the U.S., but all over the world.

Prayer

God, give us the strength to stand, like Jesus, for what is good and holy, and not be afraid of what others may say or do. We know that you will never abandon us. Amen.

Vince Bolduc
Retired Professor of Sociology


Scripture

First Reading: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22
Psalm 34:17-21, 23
Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Thursday of the Fourth Week

Reflection
In a time that seems like we are turning inward, let us remember the importance of looking to each other for perspective. In the first reading, we see Moses remind the Lord of His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Through this connection with the Lord, Moses is able to shift the Lord’s perspective and spare the people of Egypt. It is the power of this check in that helped to change an outcome that would’ve been very different if the Lord had listened only to his own thoughts. 
 
However, this is not the only perspective shift that we see in the readings. In the Gospel for today, we read about how our faith does not always have to be blind. The Lord details evidence of his testimony, sharing the many examples that speak for him. If we cannot rely on blind faith alone, let us see and remember the evidence of God’s love for us all. Let’s allow our perspective to be shaped by our experiences of God’s presence in our lives.

Prayer

Loving God, help us to continue looking to others for perspective. Lead us to show compassion and grace to those who cross our paths. May we always be reminded of Your great love. Amen.

Ryan Hay '19
MOVE and Residential Life


Scripture
First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 106:19-23
Gospel: John 5:31-47


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Wednesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

The first reading and psalm for today give us insight into the Lord’s character. He is portrayed as “gracious and merciful”; He “comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted,” and is “near to all who call upon him.” It is evident that the Lord supports and loves us, yet we must also open ourselves to Him and be receptive to that love and support. Even if we fail, though, the Lord says, “I will never forget you.” He promises to remain with us. In reflecting on the ways in which the Lord shows up for us in our daily lives, we must also acknowledge that Jesus is the gift from God that brings us light. 

In relation to the portrayal of Jesus’ character found in the readings, today’s gospel emphasizes the simultaneous humanity and divinity of our Lord. The gospel says that Jesus “called God his own father, making himself equal to God,” exemplifying His divine nature. He also says, “I cannot do anything on my own… I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me,” accepting God’s omnipotence, which, in conjunction with the readings, reminds us of his humanity. We know that Jesus is divine—as we say, consubstantial with the Father—yet sometimes we overlook his humanity. It is important to remember the great sacrifice He made for us; He suffered just as we do and paid the ultimate price to save us. In this time of Lent, it is beneficial to take time reflecting on the gift of Jesus in our lives, and how by God’s grace, we have been saved.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for giving us the gift of your son, who you sent to save us from our sins. As we move through this Lenten season, we ask for your continued guidance and support as we seek your will. Amen.

Victoria Reed '26


Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

Gospel: John 5:17-30


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website