Wednesday of Holy Week

Reflection

God has given each one of us the gift of free will and called us each by name to respond constantly in our lives, using our own free will.  With the gift of free will comes great responsibility.  Are the choices we make a reflection of the needs and well-being of others? Or are our choices a reflection of our own needs, wants and prejudices?

Today’s Gospel is based on the twelve apostles who gather with Jesus to celebrate Passover.  It focuses on Judas Iscariot.  Judas was called by name and chose to follow Jesus, became a part of Jesus’s inner circle and was given the responsibility to manage the purse for those in need.  During Jesus’s public life, He crossed barriers: tending the sick no matter their origins, gender, or beliefs; forgiving all who sought forgiveness and not judging anyone.  Jesus chose what was right, what was good, rather than what was self-serving or the popular choice.

Aware that Judas was not being fiscally responsible with the money purse and aware of the decision of betrayal, Judas was most likely about to make; Jesus did not exclude him from the Passover meal, nor did he take the money responsibilities away from him.  Judas’ free will was never taken away from him, and Jesus never turned His back on him, or on any of the apostles.

We are each called by name.  We are given the gift of free will.  Do we make choices that are for the good of others, or do we make choices that benefit ourselves, and are popular with our family and friends?  Do we ask God for help to make positive choices, rather than self-serving or popular choices?  Do we remember the power of God’s forgiveness, if we but ask?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, grant us the courage to make choices that benefit others.  Grant to us the compassionate, loving heart and mind of Jesus.  Amen

 Sr. Laura Della Santa, RSM, M’84

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of Holy Week

Reflection

One of the most incredible feelings is listening to the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God, being sung at Saint Michael’s Chapel: the sweet, melodious strums of the guitar accompanied by the angelic voices of the choir bring tears to my eyes every time. I would get so excited for this moment when I was a student attending Sunday Mass. Friends would look at me and smile, often saying “here comes Maddie’s favorite part.” The prayerful repetition of “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us” invites me to recognize Jesus and all He has done for me. He takes away my sins – and all of the sins of this world – and offers abundant mercy and grace. I can take that moment to truly connect with Jesus. While at Mass, I often struggled to stay entirely focused. I loved being there but had a hard time with being present. My mind was always going, going, going. However, during the Agnus Dei, I could always feel God with His church in that moment. I felt His presence and His protection.

In the verse before Today’s Gospel reading, it is written: “Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.” Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, born without sin. He professes boldly to His Apostles His coming death and resurrection. He does not shy away. Instead, He looks at Judas, hands him the dipped morsel, and bids him, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:27). He knows that Judas will betray Him and that Peter will deny Him. However, this awareness does not stop Jesus Christ. It shows His mercy all the more, as He does not try and prevent Judas or distance Himself from Peter. Peter becomes the rock upon which the Church is built; He does amazing things because the Lamb of God was killed. Jesus saw their sins and still chose to die. He sees mine, yours, all of ours, and still gives up His life.

At the end of the Agnus Dei, “grant us peace” is professed. As we acknowledge our sinfulness we must also recognize that healing can only come from God. Jesus Christ, who loves us so deeply, will guide us, protect us, give us strength, and heal our minds, hearts, bodies, and spirits. He will grant us the peace and mercy we ask for because He is always good. Regardless of our fear, doubt, and sin, we are forgiven and saved.

Prayer

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Maddie Newman, ’20

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15, 17
Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of Holy Week

Reflection

At the heart of the imagery of light in the Scriptures comes today’s Psalm: The Lord is my light and salvation.  Today’s readings help us understand this light through our common experience of darkness. 

The Gospel today—of Mary, no doubt feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for her brother’s resurrection, anointing Jesus’ feet with a liter of costly perfume—has Jesus defending Mary’s exorbitant gesture as preparing him for burial. Judas, blindest of who was before Him, complains it could have been sold for 300 days’ wages. The chief priests, in their darkness, plot the death of Jesus.

As Catholics, we celebrate sacraments, the visible forms and gestures of invisible grace. The disciples—reluctant to see what Jesus had foretold—chose to remain in the dark. But grace comes in our darkness. We can’t be a light for the nations if we can’t face the darkness in our lives and see God there, too, the God willing to suffer and die for our blindness, for our own darkness.

God’s people have always suffered. Our understanding of God as light is best understood through this. As Isaiah states, I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. 

St. John notes that “the smell of oil filled the whole house.” Let us, anointed in baptism, smell that fragrance, breathe deep, look within and around us, and offer all we have to the God who desires to save us from our blindness, our confinement, our darkness. 

Prayer

Jesus, our light and our salvation, teach us to fear not; help us to see through our darkness and gaze upon Your face, that we may become a light for the nations.

TJ Bird Matarazzo, ’98, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
Gospel: John 12:1-11

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 Passion Sunday

Reflection

I was struck by these words in our first reading from the Book of Isaiah:

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.

Weary—that is how I feel:  after a year of separation and isolation from others, unable to gather with my community, friends, family, and coworkers; being unable to serve others in ministry; living in fear of a virus I cannot see, but that I know is all too real; having so many friends and family seriously ill, and others dead; it is easy to become discouraged.

This passage of Isaiah was written after nearly 50 years of the Jewish people’s servitude while exiled in Babylon; they were weary and discouraged, too.  Yet, the writer was inspired to foretell the coming of a Servant to whom God speaks, and who will speak to us words of encouragement; a Servant who will steadfastly do the will of the God, no matter how horribly He is abused, humiliated, or even put to death.  We Christians interpret the Servant Songs of Isaiah as prophecy about the passion of Jesus.

I find comfort in both Jesus’ words and his example of steadfastly doing what needs to be done—what God the Father needs him to do.  I, too, must continue to do what I know is necessary during this pandemic.  Perhaps, by my example, I might “rouse” others who are weary, too.

Prayer

Lord, open my ears to your voice; open my mind to the counsel of our wise medical and civic leaders; and open my heart to the hope that we may come safely through this difficult time, for you are our help.  Amen.

Brother Frank Hagerty, S.S.E. ‘73, Spiritual Director and Prison Minister

Scripture

Procession Gospel: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Mark 14:1—15:47

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

It’s safe to say we as a human collective and as individuals have likely experienced every conceivable emotion and then some in the past year. In the midst of so much fear and uncertainty, what remains constant in our lives? What tools do we have to bring us from darkness back to light? We all have a relationship with God, and it is up to us to continue to cultivate it. Today’s readings remind us that, as a shepherd tends to his flock, God takes care of and protects us. May we find refuge in this.

Another theme found in both our world and in today’s readings is that of perceived divide. What are we allowing to tear us apart? Who or what has caused us to forget God’s unifying power? Similar to the chief priests and Pharisees, who may feel threatened by God’s power and eternal love? I invite you to ask for God’s guidance on how to lead a life that encourages unity—but not necessarily uniformity—rather than divide. How can you be an instrument of God’s love, compassion, and acceptance for those who may feel threatened—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? These invitations may require significant contemplation before any action is taken, and that is okay. We can always practice coming back to love. 

God has blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents. May we be inspired us to celebrate our differences and our freedom to express them while always remembering that we are all made in the image and likeness of God our Father. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, as we prepare for the coming of our Savior, let us turn our attention toward the unifying power of Your love. Like sheep in Your flock, guide us to see the good You have placed in each one of our hearts.

Merrill Poor, ’15

Scripture

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28

Psalm: Jeremiah 31:10-13

Gospel: John 11:45-56

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

In today’s readings, we’re presented with the incredible power of God in aiding those who call out in distress. Sometimes when I reflect on readings like these, in which God is presented as a powerful intervening force, I think of a line from Annie Dillard’s Teaching a Stone to Talk. In the passage, Dillard describes the casual nature of church services and reflects on the strangeness of this calmness in relation to the unbelievable, wild power of God. She says, “Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we blithely invoke? . . . It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews.” I laugh when I think of it, but there’s truth in the sentiment, especially when reflecting on God’s powerful abilities as expressed in the first reading. 

There are moments in these readings where we are reminded that we are loved and valued, even when we feel overwhelmed and misunderstood. We have power over our situations just knowing this fact. Yet, we are also reminded that God is always willing to help us. In today’s psalm, we hear the refrain: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” This line is a useful reminder, especially during the communal mourning we’re all experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been moments over the last year when I’ve been overwhelmed by feelings, exhausted from constant worry about all of the people I love all of the time. In these moments, when my emotions bubble over the threshold of things that I feel I can handle, I’ve found myself with no other choice than to lean on God. And when I’ve gotten over my pride, thought God is God and I am not, and let my losses and feelings crash into Christ, I’ve felt them fall from my shoulders, somewhat laughingly wowed to feel the overwhelmed feelings subside with the initiation of a shared burden. I’ve sometimes thought this isn’t possible, but still it happens. He takes them and shares them with me. And I’m left wondering what else God might do to help, if I put on my crash helmet and ask. 

Prayer

Loving God, may we always remember the power of Your presence. May we grow to be beacons of Your love. Amen. 

Elly Moore, ’19

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
Gospel: John 10:31-42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website 

Thursday of the Fifth Week

Annunciation of the Lord

Reflection

“The Lord said, as He entered the world: Behold I come to do your will, O God” Hebrews 10:5, 7

Recent world and national challenges have likely elicited physical, emotional, and spiritual trials for many. Thus, our faith development and the intent to live God’s will—today’s prominent focus—may not come easily. The pivotal feast of the Annunciation reminds us that the challenge of living God’s will permeates the history of humankind. Unlike the unfaithful King Ahaz who refuted Isaiah’s message that he accept God’s sign about the coming of the Messiah, Mary immediately entrusted herself to the will of God. She would bear a son, Jesus, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Moreover, both Mary and her Son, who is fully human (and fully divine) in obedience to His Father, chose to say “yes” in spite of uncertainty, rejection, isolation and death, relevant still today. Through their extraordinary faith, the New Covenant was fulfilled in Christ and we, through Christ’s once-for-all sacrificial self-offering and resurrection, may now come to know God’s Divine mercy and eternal love.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us nurture our faith through trust by spending more time in “getting to know God” through the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and spiritual reading to include Bible study. Meditate and be present to God in the moment, so that we may hear Him. Recognize the power of God’s presence in our lives and fear not—for God is with us!

Prayer

Glory and praise to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Through Your grace and Divine Providence, help me to live according to your will!

Maureen M. Condon, Member of the Worshipping Community

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

 Wednesday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

The first reading evoked a distant memory from my youth when I saw the names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I think it was a song, probably a spiritual. Of more recent memory is the hymn “Be Not Afraid” by the Saint Louis Jesuits with the line, “If you walk amid the burning flames you shall not be harmed.”

The three men fared better than other Old Testament martyrs (of would be martyrs) as they were saved by divine intervention. Interestingly, King Nebuchadnezzar describes the angel as looking like “a son of God” which could be seen as prophetic. The king himself, although perhaps not completely converted, praises the Hebrew God (as does his successor Darius when Daniel escapes the lion’s den). The Responsorial Psalm, also from Daniel, is a song of praise.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims the familiar phrase “the truth will set you free.” The Jews, though they claimed to believe in Him, declare that as descendants of Abraham they have never been enslaved (a strange assertion considering the Exodus, the Babylonian captivity, etc.). He rebukes them and strongly asserts His own divinity and divine mission.

 Prayer

Lord, give us the faith to place our trust in You completely.  Let Your truth free us from misery and the bonds of sin.

 Bill Thompson, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
Psalm: Daniel 3:52-56
Gospel: John 8:31-42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 Tuesday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus states that we will die in our sins if we don’t believe in Him. That’s intense, right? Well, it is, but imagine if He didn’t tell us and let us pass away without purpose. Faith in Jesus comes in two forms: The first is the mental acknowledgement of our faith and the second is the entrusting of our whole selves to God. In the first reading, we see that the Israelites fall short in the trust aspect of faith in God. Like many of us today, we acknowledge that God can help us, but often we lack the will to trust God with our whole life. When we face obstacles that life throws at us, we tend to stray from God like the Israelites did and punish ourselves in doing so.

Jesus came to earth to tell us that if we don’t believe in Him and follow Him, we will be punishing ourselves to the death that Jesus speaks about in the Gospel. Today we read that God, through the person of Jesus, is calling us to find comfort in being able to trust COMPLETELY in God and not in earthly things. Let us do this more fully this Lent and beyond. Only then will we know what unbounded grace God has in store for us. 

Prayer

Father God, help us to follow Your lead with no restraints so that we can bask in Your grace in this life on Earth and more fully after it. Thank You for sending Jesus to remind us that our purpose is to lay all of our trust in You alone. Amen.

Abbey Beach, ’22

Scripture

First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21
Gospel: John 8:21-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

Today’s readings offer views into how I may weave more space for mercy into my daily living. One dictionary definition of mercy is “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” In the First Reading, there is mercy given by young Daniel. It might have been easy for young Daniel to go along with the elders, but he bravely chooses to be an upstander. He says, “I will have no part in the death of this woman.” As Daniel stands up here, he offers mercy for himself. In doing so, he also offers mercy to Susanna. I imagine that this mercy also extended into the community that day and perhaps the days following that day.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers mercy for the woman accused of adultery when He says, “let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. When Jesus offers this mercy, He leads the way for others to offer mercy to her and also themselves. This mercy extends to the community.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please allow me to open the space to give myself mercy as I travel through daily living while I also allow myself the space to give mercy to others. Let me be open to be a reflection of Your mercy in my life and in the lives of others.

Jane Hingston Wilkins, ‘01

Scripture

First Reading: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62

Psalm 23:1-6

Gospel: John 8:12-20

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The readings for today are for Sunday of the last week during Lent.  Palm Sunday and Holy Week will follow.  Appropriately, today’s readings resonate with themes of transition and promise—and foreshadowing.   

Jeremiah (31:31-34) proclaims change and transition, “The days are coming…when I will make a new covenant…it will not be like the (old) covenant”; as well as promise, “All…shall know me for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.”  Psalm 51 expresses our acknowledging reply, “Create a clean heart in me, O God…wash me from my guilt…a steadfast spirit renew in me…give me back the joy of your salvation.”  Yes, your change is coming!  We are ready, include us, please.  In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews (5:7-9) shifts our focus as we read of Jesus’ human anguish, “he offered prayers with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him.” And, we read of Christ as our exemplary model for obedience to the will of God.  It is deeply human to weep, to plead and to concede.  Jesus truly experienced those emotions so familiar to each of us.

John’s Gospel (12:20-33) brings us directly to the moment and matter at hand—Jesus is approaching Jerusalem for His final and ultimate Passover there.  Coming from raising Lazarus in Bethany, He has attracted a crowd—including some who know Him well and others who are curious.  John describes Jesus as focused on what was to come, “I am troubled now; yet what shall I say?” So, rather than meeting with the curious, He foreshadows Gethsemane and speaks to His inevitability.  Through parable, He compares Himself to a grain of wheat that must die to grow and produce much desired sustenance.  And, perhaps to reinforce and to validate what He had said, we learn the crowd became aware of a great heavenly voice, “Now is the time…when I am lifted up…I will draw everyone to myself.”  Thus, the stage is set for his entry into Jerusalem, His Passion, and His gift of a new and forgiving and saving Covenant.  

Prayer

Bring us with You, O Lord.  Embrace us despite our questioning and hesitation.  Bring us with You into Your New Covenant and Your greatest gift of gifts, our salvation.  Amen.

Church Hindes, ’69, Member of the Worshipping Community

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 of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Jeremiah does not want to be a prophet.  He is quiet, meek, and peace-loving.  He is a “man of great heart, with a gift of speaking what is in his soul.”  He is a prototype par excellence of our Suffering Savior.  Jeremiah’s life is dedicated to saving his people.  He preached repentance to those who were ruthless, unfair, and indifferent; he rebuked royalty for their complacency and wickedness.  He became hated by everyone; even his own relatives and townsmen tried to assassinate him.  He is beaten, mocked, scorned, and put into prison.  Jeremiah is put to death for begging his people to repent and return to God.  He, who loved his people, became their enemy.  600 years later Jesus’ personal tragedy amazingly resembles that of Jeremiah.  Both are tragedies of loved people who refuse to change their hearts and amend their ways.

Insight into the heart of Jeremiah shows his suffering, we understand the pain of rejection from his own people.  Similarly, as we look into the heart of Jesus we understand the agony He felt when he was rejected by His own.  He, Who loved His people, became their enemy.  ‘Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, Had not realized they were hatching plots against me…Let us cut him off from the land of the living, So that his name will be spoken no more.’ Jer 11:19

Despite his sufferings, the opposition, the threats, and contempt Jeremiah is experiencing he knows that God is with him.  Jesus with the same experiences also prays to the Father: “O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge. save me, rescue me”.  Ps 7

In today’s Gospel, we experience the confusion surrounding Jesus.  He IS the Message and the Messenger; He is Prophet, yet He is one of us.  The political/religious leaders are uncertain, astounded by the Person, confused by the Message.  They reject Him and His Message.  He, Who loved his people, became their enemy.

Prayer

Lord God, in Your Presence I ask for clarity.  Help me to understand Who You are in my life.  Help me to know Your Message, to accept Your love, and to live Your Way.  Open my heart to Your Spirit and Your Truth.  I pray this in the Name of the Father, through His Son, in Unity with their Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Janice Couture, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20

Psalm 7:2-3, 9b-12

Gospel: John 7:40-53

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Fourth Week

Feast of Saint Joseph

Reflection

When I was a part-time assistant priest at Saint Joseph Parish in Burlington several years ago, I served as spiritual director for the parish’s “Confraternity of Saint Joseph.”  Thus, I had plenty of opportunities to talk and write about this admirable man whom we the Church honor and celebrate today.

Sometime in the past, there was a popular film about an American in Ireland, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, entitled The Quiet Man; I only mention this here because we could rightly, I think, entitle the story of Saint Joseph, “The Quiet Man,” since we do not have in the Bible’s New Testament a single word spoken by Joseph. He is, however, depicted as a gentle, modest, humble man and, yet, a courageous man of action, surely a model for all of us, men in particular, as devoted husband and father, righteous or just – briefly a very good man, who manifested deep respect for his wife Mary and foster-son Jesus.

Joseph exemplified the “faithful servant,” whom “the Lord put in charge of his household.”  With fidelity and humility, as well as with courage and self-sacrifice, Joseph served Mary and Jesus, at times in very difficult and mysterious circumstances.  A reminder, perhaps, that we, too, are called by God to fulfill our responsibilities, whatever they might be, with fidelity and humility and generosity even, and perhaps especially, when it is difficult to do so.  I am especially grateful to my parents who when as an infant I received the sacrament of Baptism, for my middle name they chose, Joseph.

Prayer

That we may cultivate a deep devotion to Saint Joseph and pray to imitate his righteousness and justice, as well as his humility and courage, and his trust in God in challenging circumstances.  Amen.

Fr. Ray Doherty, S.S.E. ’51

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 or Luke 2:41-51a

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website