Easter Sunday

Reflection

REJOICE! ALLELUIA! CHRIST HAS RISEN! CELEBRATION! These are all words we use to remember Easter each year. We know the story well because we have heard it over and over again. As children we might not have understood the significance but we did have celebrations. 

Maybe an early Easter Sunrise service as well as Mass, a basket of candy or an Egg Hunt or a big meal with family and maybe even new clothes. So clearly the word Celebration was evident. 

And today as adults? Do we understand Easter, the scripture readings and what it was like for Mary Magdalene and Peter and the disciples as they lived through these events? 

We know the on-going story, not just what is shared with us in today’s scripture readings but how each person who was gifted with seeing Jesus through the next day and weeks began to understand and believe all that Jesus had been telling them. They began to realize they had been chosen to teach what Jesus had taught them and that they each had gifts to share with the community. They had been given the ability to keep the message of Jesus alive. And so they did! 

And each of us? Is the message that Easter brings to us really alive in our daily activities? Might these Easter days and weeks give opportunity to see or feel God’s Presence by spending a few moments, each day, asking God to be with us in new ways during this Easter Season? Could it be that we will feel God calling us to new opportunities?

Prayer

Whatever this Easter Season brings to each of us, may we believe that each new day is “a day the Lord has made”.  May “we rejoice and be glad” and share the gifts we have been granted to help to bring Blessings and Peace to all. Happy Easter!

Sr. Lindora Cabral, RSM, Sister of Mercy

Scripture

First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

Reflection

Holy Saturday dawns with the Lord lain in his tomb as the Church meditates on his Passion and Death. Indeed, this is one of the few days where the Church does not celebrate Mass at all, with Communion distributed only to those in danger of death. As the sun sets on this day however, the waters of life begin to flow again as the light of Christ is lit during the Easter Vigil. The full course of readings for this solemn celebration represent nothing less than a recapitulation of the whole of Salvation History with seven readings from the Hebrew scriptures giving testimony to the reality that the Lord never abandoned God’s people to the domain of death, but instead offered covenants and prophets to teach the people to look forward to salvation. The story reaches its crescendo when the Church hears from St. Paul that though we share in Christ’s death by facing the struggles and challenges of this world, we shall also live with and rise with him at the end.

The Resurrection moment arrives with the proclamation of Matthew’s Gospel account. The stone of the tomb is rolled away, as all the stones of death are banished by the light and joy of Christ. The two Marys, representing the Church on earth, run to proclaim this Good News to all, while Christ himself appears to exhort us to not be afraid. This moment of Easter triumph is the core of the Christian experience, this celebration of life is the foundation that underpins all that we do.

Prayer

Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this paschal Sacrament one in mind and heart. Amen.

Fr. Michael R. Carter, S.S.E., ’12

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Third Reading: Exodus 14:15—15:1
(Psalm) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Fifth Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
(Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6
Sixth Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4
Psalm 19:8-11
Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3-4
Eighth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Good Friday

Reflection

The Good Friday readings overwhelm us with images and contradictions.

Isaiah paints the desolation of the suffering servant: spurned, tortured, cast out. A submissive lamb who “opened not his mouth.” Glorified because he bears the guilt of the many. 

The psalmist’s tone too is forlorn: forgotten like the unremembered dead; a dish that is broken. But repeatedly, hope breaks through: you will redeem me O Lord, O faithful God … my trust is in you.

Paul’s image is of Jesus the high priest, but one who knows compassion through his own suffering. 

The final image that grips us is Jesus hanging on the cross. I do not want to look at the cross or dwell on His suffering, but I must ask: what does it mean when we say “Christ died to save us from our sins”? Isaiah’s image of a scapegoat who takes on the sins of others no longer satisfies. The Franciscan view, that the crucifixion is Jesus’ freely chosen manifestation of His love for us, is compelling, but makes the cruelty of the cross no less painful. Why should we contemplate the Cross?  In The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr suggests that “we are invited to gaze upon the image of the crucified Jesus to soften our hearts to all suffering, to help us see how we ourselves have been `bitten’ by hatred and violence, and to know that God’s heart has always been softened toward us.” This enables us to “gain compassion toward ourselves and all others who suffer.” The cross is for the transformation of our hearts. And wherever such transformation breaks through, Jesus assures us of hope: “This day you shall be with me in paradise."

Prayer

O Lord Jesus, help us to know who we are, so that when we pass through times of darkness and suffering we can draw on the deep faith that we will share in the resurrection. Help us to see, through your suffering, the suffering of all people especially those oppressed or treated unjustly. Transform our hearts so we can live and act with true compassion. Amen.

Zsuzsanna Kadas, P’13, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel: John 18:1—19:42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Holy Thursday

Reflection

John's gospel account of the Last Supper is both puzzling and revealing.  It's puzzling because John doesn't include the words of consecration in Paul or the Synoptic gospels.  In John's narrative, Jesus washes his disciples' feet.  Jesus gives his body and pours out his blood for us through his action and service.  By his action, Jesus says, here I am as your servant, do this in my memory.  So, what are we to do in Jesus' memory?  Serve one another; love one another.

Jesus shows the extent of his love by washing his disciples' feet.  A household's lowliest servant usually performed this act of cleansing, service, and intimacy.  Jesus does not focus on Judas, his betrayer.  Instead, his focus is on loving his friends.

Holy Thursday, sometimes called Maundy Thursday, comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning mandate or commandment.  Jesus' ritual gives us a mandate.  "Love one another as I have loved you." Jesus poured out his life in unselfish, sacrificial love throughout John's gospel.  Now, he calls us to pour out our lives in unselfish, sacrificial love for others.

Prayer

As you, O Lord, gave your Body and Blood by washing the disciples’ feet, lead and guide us in ways that fulfill your mandate to love one another.  Help us to pour out our lives in unselfish, sacrificial love.  Amen.

Fr. Richard M. Myhalyk, S.S.E., ‘66

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of Holy Week

Reflection

As we enter the final days of Lent and begin our journey through the liturgical celebration of the Triduum, we have the opportunity to reflect upon our Lenten pilgrimage which has been leading us to the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. This is the goal of each Christian as we journey through life – coming to that moment when we personally experience Easter glory.

Throughout our journey we are asked to surrender our lives and wills to the care of God that we may live in freedom and grace. However, because of our own experiences in life, our own sins and woundedness we are not always able to let go and surrender. 

It seems that Judas Iscariot found himself in a dilemma. He had journeyed with Jesus, he heard Jesus’ teachings, he saw the healings and the miracles that accompanied Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom. However, he was not able to surrender to the salvific sacrifice upon which Jesus was about undertake. Judas had a better idea about how Jesus could bring about the Kingdom in another way – his way.

Too often Christians steeped in the perspective of a secular worldview put aside the Gospel message for the popular and ever-changing political message of today. We must ask ourselves: Am I willing to stand with Jesus and the community of believers and embrace the eternal truths of our faith or be swept away by the passing trends of the day?

Prayer

This Holy Week may we commit ourselves to stand with Jesus and surrender our lives and our wills to the will of our Father – as Jesus did from His Cross.

Fr. Tom Hoar, S.S.E.

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

Reflecting on the closing sentence of the Gospel reading for today, “…the cock will not crow before you deny me three times”.  At the Last Supper Jesus anticipated Peter’s human frailty.  He knew Peter would betray him; and we can imagine Peter’s silence was as hurtful as the sharp thorns and whipping.  I trust we rarely or ever firmly and blatantly deny our beliefs or the teachings and institutions than sustain them.  Nonetheless, there may be situations where we find it difficult to affirm these things.

We find ourselves in situations where conversation take an awkward turn and drift into matters of faith, religion and the Church.  Maybe while riding in a car with the boss, laughing with friends at a party or catching up with family during a reunion.  Do we stand up for what we believe, or do we clam up?  Do we mumble a few words then change the subject or just walk away?  Or do we take a deep breath and attest to our personal faith journey or how and why we cultivate our personal piety or engage in public worship?

Jesus knew it would be difficult for Peter and knows it can be difficult for us as well.  As we try to overcome our frailty and drum up our courage we may fear challenge or ridicule or consequences from people who are important to us or who we care about.  Might we find some assurance that even the great Peter who could not acknowledge Jesus did in time find his footing, his courage restored, and became among the deepest taproots of our Church?

Perhaps we should pray that we too find our footing, the right words and time to engage and affirm what we hold to be true and dear with strength and clarity.

Might we find some of that strength through praying today’s excerpts from the 71st Psalm:

Prayer

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. For you are my rock and my fortress. For you are my hope. My mouth shall declare your justice. I proclaim your wondrous deeds. Amen.

Church Hindes, ‘69, Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6ab, 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

Jesus, after having experienced the adulation of the crowds that we read about yesterday needed to be with close friends. He knew well the Isaiah tradition of the Suffering Servant with its four biblical texts, the first of which we read today. He knew that the praise he received coming into Jerusalem would soon turn to rejection and even death. So, today we read that he went to Bethany, to three good personal friends, Lazarus and his two sisters Martha and Mary. We have all felt a need to be with those who love us and comfort us when we are in a dark space. It is not surprising then that Jesus, who is like us in all things but sin, would also have needed this reprieve, this support for what would come.

Mary (not to be confused with Mary Magdalen) takes perfumed oil and pours it over Jesus’ feet in a soothing and intimate act of love. Moreover, she uses her hair to dry his feet. Jesus knows how to interpret such an act, she is preparing him for burial. She does not try to deny or take away the pain that he will endure; rather she lets him know in her actions that she will be with him as he goes through his ordeals. Poor Judas misses the point in his critique, but Jesus understands Mary’s act of love.

Prayer

Jesus, let me be with you as you experience the events of this week. Let me pray with you “the Lord is my light and my salvation.” Amen.

Dr. Aline Paris, RSM M’78

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

In the first Gospel of Palm Sunday, the crowds are wild with joy as Jesus enters Jerusalem.  Presumably, the Apostles are at Jesus’ side, basking in the great affection the people are showering on Jesus.  By the end of the Passion account, the people have turned on Jesus and Peter has denied that he even knows Jesus.

I’m struck by how fickle the people of Jesus day were, and I don’t think they are alone.  I’m reminded how many people have pivoted on their reaction to Pope Francis depending on what he says on any given day.  

As we come to the end of Lent this week, I hope that the fruits of this season will not be set aside as we move into the joyful Easter season. We have prayed, fasted and given alms during this time to grow in grace and move closer to Jesus.  When we have a moment like Peter, will we stay close to Christ or run away?

Prayer

Jesus, strengthen our faith, we pray, so that we will never be fickle in our relationship with you. Amen.

Fr. Patrick Forman, ’85, Board of Trustees

Scripture

Procession Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

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

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Matthew 26:14—27:66

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

In today’s readings the recurring theme that seemed to be ever present was uncertainty.  Many of the Jews that had come to Mary began to believe but they were uncertain, it was new a new message, different. The chief priests and Pharisees saw the impact that Jesus was making on the people, and they were uncertain. Uncertain of their place, uncertain if their power would be usurped. Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation and gather the children of God, but he too was uncertain. Jesus remained with his disciples and when they looked for him, they too were uncertain asking “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” And finally, I would imagine that Jesus was uncertain of his path as he could begin to feel this immense moment of time in his life.

As we continue our Lenten time of reflection and evaluate our lives, ponder our faith journey, acknowledge our gifts and blessings, accept our failings, forgive ourselves and those around us, come to some realizations and begin the process of change, it is all very uncertain. There is no certainty in our lives…. accept for the ever-present love of Jesus.  He is everlasting, merciful, kind, gracious, tender, never ending, unchanging, faithful, and steadfast. When we come to know this Jesus our uncertainty fades and is replaced by our best selves, day in and day out, guided, supported, formed in this love.

Prayer

Good and gracious God, remind us through your steadfast and tender love, that all things are possible.  In the face of uncertainty, be our beacon of everlasting and merciful grace.  With our hearts full, we move towards the light of kindness. Amen.

Jeff Vincent ’93, M’07, P’22, Student Life

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