Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Traditionally the Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin translation of the words of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her."  Today's readings offer ample reason for rejoicing: definitive deliverance from oppression; reconciliation of all peoples in Christ; and a warm, personal welcome, for every human being who wants it, into the Father's loving embrace.  The passage from Joshua reminds us of our rootedness in Israel, while Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians directs our consciousness outward, accentuating our role as ambassadors of the new covenant.  Our mission is to carry the Gospel of reconciliation into the whole world.  This year, in the Diocese of Burlington, we are celebrating a Year of Evangelization.  Like the man with two sons in the story that is often referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we want to be profligate in spreading the Good News of pardon, reconciliation, and peace: both to those who, like the younger son, may seem to have turned away from God and the Church, but who will respond more readily to a warm welcome home than they would to harsh judgmentalism; and to those who, like the elder brother, may be faithful in a formal way while being a little unclear on the concept of the Father's unconditional love for all.

Prayer

Loving God, we sometimes take Your gifts for granted and turn away from You.  In this Lenten season, please plant within us a confident desire to repair and renew our relationships with You, and a ready will to welcome everybody into Your loving embrace.

Fr. David Cray, S.S.E. ’68,

Superior General of the Society of Saint Edmundd

Scripture

First Reading: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12

Psalm 34:2-7

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Third Week
Reflection

When we were baptized into the Catholic faith, each and every one of us became disciples of God, whereby we strive to understand the Word of God, and profess His Word through our actions and through the love that we express for others. This Saturday’s readings contain essential messages of what God desires in a true disciple or follower.

The first reading tells us that the foundation to becoming a more authentic disciple of God, is cultivating a deep and constant love and devotion for God. In this passage, the people of Ephraim and Judah express their desire to become closer to the Lord, but only for the reason of their promised salvation. The Lord then criticizes them because their love and piety for Him is shallow, superficial, and born out of the wrong reasons. The Lord clearly states that it is love that He desires, instead of the hollow sacrifices and offerings they keep performing in His name.

In addition to true love and devotion for God, the Gospel tells us that humbleness, reverence, and a desire to lead a less sinful life are also required to become true disciples. Jesus explains that those who act self-righteously and those who fail to acknowledge their own sins and shortcomings will be humbled by God come judgement day, but those who are humble and self-aware of the ways in which they stray from God, and those who work hard towards returning to God’s path will be rewarded with eternal life.

Prayer

Keeping in mind the qualities that allow us to become better disciples of God, let us pray:  loving God, please bless us with the strength and vulnerability needed to humble ourselves. I pray that You aid us in reflecting on our daily actions, recognizing the ways in which we can better follow Your will, and acting out of the love that we possess for You. Amen.

Vicky Castillo, ’20

Scripture

First Reading: Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21b
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Third Week

Reflection

Today’s readings ask a lot of us and from us.  Jesus isn’t asking us to love God with a lukewarm faith or only when it is convenient.  Jesus asks us to love God the way He did—with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength.  How different the world would be if we loved like that!  How different I would be if I lived like that.  So what’s holding me back?  Vulnerability.  Trust.  Fear of letting go.  But God doesn’t want only half our hearts, only lukewarm Christians.  When we experience and fully accept how much God loves us, we yearn to respond to God’s love with full hearts, souls, minds, and strength…if only we let go of what is holding us back from receiving God’s incredible gift of love, mercy, and compassion.

And asking us to love our neighbors as ourselves is also much needed in our world and within our own lives.  Again I ask myself, what’s holding me back?  Fear of the other.  Insecurity.  Sacrifice.  However, letting go of these things opens me up to seeing God’s image and likeness within those around me.  The commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves has also been expressed in several religious traditions.  In my office, hanging on my wall above my couch, I have a poster drawn by Mary Southard, CSJ that depicts variations of the need to love others as ourselves. Judaism—“What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor.  That is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary.  Go and learn.” (Rabbi Hillel to Shammai Talmud Shabbat 31A).  Islam—“No one is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself” (Sunnah). Buddhism—“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful” (Udanna-Vargu 5:18).  Jainism—“In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all creatures as you would your own self” (Lord Mahivir 24^th Tirthankara).  There are a few others and in the center of the drawing, it says, “…and who does not want to be treated with love?”

During this Lenten season, may we be willing to surrender our soul, heart, mind, and strength towards loving God and to offer that love to all those around us because of the dignity and likeness of God that each one of us possesses.

Prayer

Loving God, help me to let go of whatever is holding me back from loving You with my whole self and help me to love others as freely as You love us.  Amen.

Anna Lester, ’98, Assistant Director of Edmundite Campus Ministry

Scripture

First Reading: Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 81:6c-11b, 14, 17
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Third Week

Reflection

Among the possible themes in today’s readings, I’m drawn to reflecting on the price we pay when we take our faith for granted. Jeremiah identifies the price as undermining faithfulness. God laments that His people have turned their backs to Him instead of their faces. What price do we pay, what price does a church or a nation pay, when turned to something other than God’s love?

In the Gospel verse, the Prophet Joel gives voice to God pursuing us tirelessly, calling for our return to Him; a God who is “gracious and merciful”. God does not punish us. He knows we punish ourselves when our hearts grow unfaithful and cold.

Love made us for Itself and for one another.

Luke dramatically illustrates the blind, cold heart that afflicts the unfaithful. Christ performs a miracle, and some people react with only amazement while others actually see something demonic at work. Are we ever simply amazed when we should be in awe and moved to gratitude? Could it ever happen that we fail to recognize, or even misconstrue, someone’s faithful acts of love because we ourselves have forgotten the intimate connection between love and day-to-day faithfulness?

Prayer

Lord, please help us with Your grace to remain faithful each day to our baptismal vows and never lose our sense of wonder at Your love for us. When we fail, please in Your gracious mercy help us recognize and admit to You that failure, trusting in Your love revealed to us in Your Son, our Lord.

Eleanor and Peter Tumulty, Professor of Philosophy

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Third Week

Reflection

The Scripture readings of the third Wednesday of Lent look back to Moses' ten commandments and the law of God as a whole. In the reading, Moses tells the people of Israel, who symbolize all Christians, that they if they follow the laws God gave them through Himself, they would always be remembered as a great and holy nation. In the Gospel, Jesus is saying that He has come to fulfill the laws that were set by the prophet, Moses.

God is asking us to follow Him and His laws. In doing so, we will gain eternal life with Him in Heaven. Jesus' whole life was dedicated to educating people and giving examples of how to follow His Father's laws, as well as setting a good example for others. 

These Scripture readings remind us to be good examples like Christ was to us. He is encouraging us to act in obedience to God like Moses did and spread the Word to as many people as possible. As Christians, we should dedicate our lives to God. This is the call I experienced when becoming part of Saint Michael's College as a student and joining the wonderful campus ministry programs offered at this strong Catholic college.

Prayer

Lord God, help me to radiate love and strength like Your Son did during His time on Earth. In fulfilling Your laws, I pray that I achieve Eternal Salvation with You in Heaven.   Amen!

Abbey Beach, ’21

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9

Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of the Third Week

Reflection

How many times has someone hurt you?  How many times have you had to forgive someone?  How many times has it been the same person?

Forgiveness isn’t always something that comes easy to us.  Especially when someone has seriously wronged you. Some days it may be very difficult for us to forgive someone, other days it may come easy to us.  We tend to hold onto the pain and hurt much longer than we should. It affects us and our relationship with the person who has wronged us. In the Gospel of Matthew, Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive.  Jesus’ response is, “not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

When we see the parable of the unmerciful servant, we see a servant who asked for forgiveness from his master and was given it.  However, when a fellow servant wronged him in the same exact way, the first servant threw him in prison.  This parable can be paralleled to our own lives in many ways.  Through the sacrament of reconciliation, we ask God (the master) for forgiveness for our sins.  However, when someone asks us for forgiveness, do we readily and wholeheartedly give it?

Prayer

Lord, I ask You to help me find peace in the sins others have done against me.  Give me strength to wholeheartedly give forgiveness. Lord, help me to forgive others like You forgive me.

Maura Grogan, ’14

Scripture
First Reading: Deuteronomy 3:25, 34-43
Psalm: 25:4-5ab, 6-9
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Third Week

Annunciation of the Lord

 Reflection

The Annunciation of the Birth of the Messiah to the blessed virgin Mary...it’s mid-Lent and already it seems we’re preparing for Christmas.  On this feast day, the major cycles of our liturgical calendar overlap.  In Lent-Easter-Pentecost, our focus is the Suffering Servant who came to give his life in ransom for the many, and for whose obedience even to death on the cross, has been raised up,  and whose Spirit we have received.  In Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, it is the mystery of the Word of God who became flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and who dwelt among us, and dwells among us, and from whose fullness we have all received.

The whole of the Christian Mystery is indeed celebrated in every daily Eucharist.  But it is so overwhelming that we need to celebrate it also piece by piece.  Today’s piece is the astounding story of a country girl, from an insignificant place on the map, among a people who played a very tiny role in global politics—a maiden, though, whom God prepared for an astounding role, and so her name is forever blessed… because of God’s grace, and because of her own “be it done unto me.”

Today, let’s make that our own Lenten prayer: 

Prayer

“Lord, thy will be done, in me, by me.”

Fr. Richard Berube, S.S.E. ’66, Emeritus Professor, Religious Studies

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

Psalm 40:7-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:4-10

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Third Sunday of Lent

Reflection

“Don’t worry—I got this.” Famous last words of those who believed they had everything under control. Have you ever heard someone say something like this? Have you ever said something similar yourself? “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters. . .” says the Apostle to the Corinthians. And again at the end of the passage, “Whoever thinks he is standing secure, should take care not to fall.” It seems as though it is human nature to think we have it all together—just before everything falls apart. So Jesus seems to be speaking to the Galileans, who think that their ancestry makes them special, when He says, “But I tell you if you do not repent, you will perish as they did!” Repent or perish—now there’s an unpopular message.

In a larger sense, Jesus is speaking to all of us who think we’ve basically got our s**t together. Unlike those people over there—the people who can’t seem to get their act together—we know the truth. We know how to act. We know the right way to vote or the right way to think. If you catch yourself thinking something along these lines (and I know I have), then Jesus’ message is for you. You might be one of those trees that isn’t bearing any fruit—too complacent in your rightness to even notice your barren branches. And yet Jesus reminds us that God is a God of second chances. If you’re ready to listen, ready to let the gardener work up the soil and haul in some fresh manure, then there’s still time...even if the smell of fresh “fertilizer” takes some getting used to.

Prayer

God of second chances, help me recognize my own weakness, especially in the places I thought I was strongest. Teach me to learn the wonder of dependence on You and on the grace of those who love and care for me.

Robert Brenneman, Associate Professor of Sociology

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

Psalm 103:1-4, 6-8, 11

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website 

Saturday of the Second Week

Reflection

As we conclude the second week of our Lenten journey, today’s readings can buoy our spirits.  In our encouraging first reading, the prophet Micah offers the hopeful message of God removing guilt and pardoning sin for those seeking forgiveness. What a wonderful depiction of God’s mercy to “cast into the depths of the sea all of our sins” so that we can stay afloat and unleash our heavy burdens. An uplifting image!

Today’s Responsorial Psalm 103 reiterates the Lord’s compassion in the final verse: “As far as the east is from the west, so far as he put our transgressions from us.” One expectation for this mercy is to examine our consciences and acknowledge our offenses, as beautifully illustrated in today’s Gospel reading.

Luke’s Gospel often features the Lord’s compassion for outcasts, including tax collectors and sinners. Of the eighteen parables unique to Luke, today’s Chapter 15 “Prodigal Son” story is quite familiar (Chapter 15 begins with the short Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin).

We could aptly entitle our Gospel as the “Merciful Father” who shows astonishing compassion throughout the parable. While still alive, the father unconditionally gives to his younger son his estate portion. After that son experiences shameful humiliation (even longing to eat the swine’s food) through his separation from the father, he realizes his sin and seeks reconciliation. This leads to the father welcoming him back and even meeting him “halfway” with open arms. At the story’s end, when faced with the older brother’s resentment, the father gently assures his older son of his love and inheritance while celebrating the return of his sibling. Boundless compassion and forgiveness!

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to step toward You every day and seek forgiveness from You and our neighbor whenever necessary. May we be filled with Your grace to treat others with compassion as You have so humbly modeled for us.

George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics

Scripture

First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Second Week

Reflection

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

In today’s readings, we see actions dictated by emotions. Joseph’s brothers want to kill him, but instead sell him into slavery.  In the Gospel, Jesus tells the chief priests the parable of a landowner who rents his vineyard to tenants, who at harvest time, kill his servants and son sent to collect the produce. Jesus also reminds them of the Scripture about how the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

Reflecting on these readings, both Joseph and Jesus are rejected only to become cornerstones. Joseph becomes second only to Pharaoh allowing him to be positioned to save his family and future Hebrew people from severe famine. Joseph’s future is so astonishing that his brothers could not possibly conceive of it at the time they plotted to kill him.  The chief priests, in their pride, do not accept Jesus’ message or that He is the Messiah. Instead, they had their own idea of what the Messiah should be rather than accept God’s plan as revealed through Jesus. Their pride blinded them from seeing Jesus as the Messiah in their midst.

During Lent, let us reflect in prayer on if we are allowing God to lead us and be the cornerstone of our lives. Let us dispense any insecurities and fully trust God with our future.

Prayer

Today we pray to the Holy Spirit to enlighten and illuminate us with graces when, in our pride, we rely more on ourselves instead of God.

David Lalime & Patricia Danehey-Lalime, M’92,

Members of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Psalm 105:16-21
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Second Week

Reflection

“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord!” Today’s readings tell us the story of Lazarus and the importance of God for a good and meaningful life. We are reminded in Psalms, Jeremiah, and Luke that only God’s love can be everlasting and truly fulfilling. Throughout these readings, we hear a comparison to true faith being like a tree planted beside waters. It is sustaining and strong, whereas other paths can be unfulfilling. We also see the importance of faith through the example of Lazarus. The rich man could not value Lazarus in life because he was not in a true relationship with God, and so he could not share God’s mercy with those right in front of him.

These readings reminded me of reading Kierkegaard’s Either/Or, my first year in Professor Tumulty’s philosophy class. Many alums can relate to that one class, lesson, or professor who impacted them deeply. When I first read Kierkegaard, I was taken aback of his argument for a meaningful life. It all made sense! He argued three ways of being—the aesthetic that is self-serving and temporary, the ethical that is principled but impersonal, and the religious that is the medium in which we can serve ourselves AND others by serving God.  After reading Either/Or, I had taken notice of the religious and came to greatly admire those who have displayed that deep relationship with God. Those who truly live to serve God also seem to live with an inimitable lightness, kindness, and strength. Maybe if the rich man found God sooner and led the life of the religious, some of Lazarus’ pain could have been spared and he too could have been more fulfilled.

If being with God is like being a tree beside water, I believe this echoes the same point Kierkegaard was trying to convey. God is unmatched. Maybe if we all trusted in God more, then we can better serve others and find true meaning in our lives. Every day we can do something. We can look at ourselves and ask for God’s mercy. We can live more authentically the call of Jesus—to love God and likewise, to love our neighbor.

Prayer

Gracious God, help us to know You are with us, so that we can grow our faith in You, and with Your presence we can serve others in Your name.

Britt Gardella, ’17

Scripture
First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website