Monday of the First Week

Reflection

Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. (Lv 19:2)

As we begin our Lenten journey, today’s readings set the tone.  What is God asking of us? How do we seek the Kingdom of God? What voices do we listen to? I find each day in my own life presents so many opportunities to be distracted, ways to be led astray to places where God’s voice is harder to hear. It is hard to choose holy, to serve the “least of these brothers and sisters” in Christ, when I am absorbed in my own worldliness.  I struggle to make quiet to pray, to seek peace within that I might see those around me as Jesus sees us.  How can I seek the Kingdom when I am so busy…being busy?

As I reflected on the clear message of holiness in today’s readings, my thoughts became occupied with the people in my life that exemplify what it is to be holy.  How blessed I have been with so many strong witnesses of God’s love in my life! 

My heart is full of gratitude as I am flooded with memories of our dear Fr. Mike Cronogue, S.S.E. Fr. Mike taught me what it is to be holy in the little ways, amidst the daily muck of life.  He’d call upon me to write letters for Amnesty International to help free those imprisoned unjustly, to show up at a talk on campus that would challenge me to see the world with a broader view, invite me to prayer opportunities when I otherwise would have chosen to use my time in a much more selfish way.  He constantly prayed for God to raise up the peacemakers. I witnessed him live in ways that were counter-cultural, rejecting worldliness for holiness. 

Many years ago, when one of my daughters was only about three or four  years old, there was some bickering around the dinner table. She chimed in and said, “Remember, Fr. Mike told us we can all be like angels!”  She was recalling his homily from the day or two before where he was speaking of living, essentially, in the light of holiness. We are all called to be like angels. Jesus calls us saying, “Come…inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Prayer

Jesus, help me to reject the distractions of this world that I might seek Your Kingdom and live in the light of holiness. Amen.  

 Meeghan Bird Matarazzo,’97, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture
First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Psalm 19:8-10, 15
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

First Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Each year as we begin the holy season of Lent, the Gospel proclamation for the first Sunday is always the narrative of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. Whether it is Matthew, Mark, or Luke, we hear the dramatic story of Jesus facing various temptations of fame and power. In all three Gospel accounts, the Spirit plays a prominent role.

This scene is strategically placed immediately before the start of Jesus’ public ministry. It is as if Jesus is being prompted by the Holy Spirit to make a retreat in the desert to face His own demons to prepare Himself for the ministry that lies ahead. During this time away in seclusion and solitude, Jesus fasted for 40 days and although it does not say it explicitly, I think we can presume that Jesus also prayed. This desert experience seems to give Jesus fortitude and strength to begin His ministry to God’s people.

It is fairly obvious why this Gospel narrative is proclaimed each year as we begin Lent: we are invited to imitate Jesus in fasting and prayer for 40 days and to face the various temptations in our own lives. Perhaps one of the hardest elements of the spiritual life is to know then admit one’s sin. In today’s creation account, Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened and they realized their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit. They understood their sin in the consequence that resulted. Perhaps during these 40 days, we can discover our own sins so we can approach God seeking forgiveness. Through this, we will experience again the mercy of God expressed in the ministry of Jesus.

Prayer

Almighty God, help us live through these 40 days of fasting and prayer with discipline and fervor so that we can know our own sins and be reconciled with You. Amen.

Fr. Brian Cummings, S.S.E. ‘86, Director of Edmundite Campus Ministry

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17

Second Reading:  Romans 5:12-19

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

How often are we on our knees pouring our hearts out to our Lord and Savior, listing our confusions and requesting our life circumstances be guided, changed, or somehow saved by His Holy Adoring Light? I don’t know about you, but this is a common occurrence in my life. I just want to get this business of living right, for Him, to show my love and gratitude through learning to cherish myself like the Beloved Child of God that I am. It’s not always an easy task.

In my plight, I often forget to reflect on the sacred instructions, followed by promises, that are always available for us in our Bibles, like these written in Isaiah in today’s reading. We are reminded to refrain from lies, gossip, and anything that would oppress our brothers and sisters and to feed those around us. Feeding, as in nourishing starving souls with the beautifully cultivated fruits of our Catholic souls. I ask myself, how well am I cultivating my blessed garden this Lenten season? Is the nourishing of others high up on my radar?  

In the Gospel of Luke, also from today’s reading, we hear Jesus’ words to Levi, “Follow me.” It’s a reminder to mindfully follow His way so we may shed light, or share our fruits, in otherwise dark and barren places. This is why it is important for me to read my Bible regularly, for the comfort of knowing that before my knees even hit the floor, our Savior has already paved a way for me with His eternal sacred promises.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please know that I am fully Yours. If there is anything standing between my troubled human heart and Yours today, please remove this miscreation. Help me cultivate this spark of light You have given me to share with Your lambs. Please show me how to be my very best today. Amen.

Lynn Monty, ‘07

Society of Saint Edmund, Communications Manager

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14

Psalm 86:1-6

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

In today’s readings, people were confronting Jesus asking, “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? Afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” There is misunderstanding and impatience among these people, thinking that by following the ritual of fasting and checking off all the right boxes, they would be guaranteed a place in eternity with God, and they are frustrated that Jesus is not immediately rewarding them for their acts of devotion. Their intense desire for life everlasting has prevented them from fully understanding the true purpose of fasting and how this act of humility and faith is supposed to be carried out.

Jesus tells the people their biggest mistake, “Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits.” Fasting goes beyond denying oneself of sustenance and is not done to “show off” or compete with others’ faith and loyalty, but instead, it is an overall humbling of oneself so that there is more to give to the hungry, the homeless, and the unclothed.

What those people were misunderstanding, and what we often forget as well, is that there is no way to earn God’s love or a place in heaven for our salvation is a gift that Jesus has already given to all believers. But while we are on Earth, having faith means acting with and through love. Fasting is just one way to achieve a “contrite and humble heart”, with which we can love as Jesus loved and best embody His teachings.

Prayer

Loving God, please help us never lose sight of why we do what we do, and please guide us back whenever we stray from Your path. I pray that You can help us be in tune with the true meaning of our actions and the impacts they have on others, and I pray that we always strive to act with, through, and in love. Amen.

Vicky Castillo, ’20

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a
Psalm 51:3-6a, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

As we embark on our Lenten journey this week, with Ash Wednesday still fresh on our minds, today’s readings offer a stark contrast between the choices we face during this season and throughout the year.

Our first reading emphasizes that when we keep our hearts centered on God and follow the Lord’s commandments, we will be blessed with life and prosperity, perhaps not in material ways but rather in everlasting treasure. If we “adore and serve other gods”, then we will be faced with doom and poverty of spirit. Through our regular prayer, fasting, and almsgiving this Lent, may we discern and pursue passageways of life!

Our responsorial Psalm offers the compelling message about the blessings awaiting those who hope in the Lord. During this occasionally harsh wintertime, I am buoyed by reflecting upon the encouraging image of the “tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, whose leaves never fade.” Our daily patience and persistence can make a huge difference.

In Luke’s Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that as His followers we will face choices each day through which we can enhance our life in Him or pursue other worldly attractions/distractions. Let’s strive to take up our cross daily in our responsibilities and relationships with each other as we choose compassion over indifference, acceptance over intolerance, thoughtfulness over arrogance, selflessness over selfishness, generosity over avarice, and humility over pride. May we take small steps throughout Lent to progress along the road to Easter glory!

Prayer

Good and gracious Lord, help us to persevere in following Your Way and make the daily decisions that will lead us on the path to Life. Amen.

George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Ash Wednesday

Reflection

I am not perfect. With the busyness of everyday life, it is far too easy for me to get stuck in a routine of waking up, going to classes, going to work, doing homework, and going to bed. Suddenly, it will be 11 P.M. and I will be almost asleep, only to realize that I hadn’t prayed that day. I will utter something quick and repetitive, as if prayer is something I need to check off my to-do list.

With the start of Lent, I hope to take the time to reflect on ways in which I can grow closer to God. This is really emphasized in the first reading with “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart.” By doing so, I won’t be so preoccupied with the things of this world and by routine. I will instead shift my attention to God. Doing so whole-heartedly will involve really committing myself to it. This may look like waking up earlier so that I can read my Bible or devotional, or praying silently as I walk to class. These small changes will certainly make a big difference. 

By wearing ashes today, we acknowledge our sinfulness. We must admit my own shortcomings and wrongdoings. Yet, we also may recognize that the Resurrection is coming. Our sins will be forgiven; hope is here. We have an opportunity to start over again each day and reflect on how fortunate we are that Jesus died for us. I don’t want to allow my being busy to be an excuse for not sharing in my relationship with Christ. It instead should be a reason as to why I need to focus on Him all the more.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for this day to recognize not only our sinfulness, but also Your forgiveness. We pray that we may return to You with our whole hearts. Amen!

Maddie Newman, ’20

Scripture

First Reading: Joel 2:12-18

Psalm 51:3-6b, 12-14, 17

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Join us on a Lenten Journey…

Lent is an incredible gift to us. Some of us receive it with eagerness as a time of healing and growth; others receive it with trepidation of the challenges and sacrifices that Lent can pose; still others receive it with indifference.  And yet regardless of where we are in our spiritual journeys, we are all given an opportunity during these 40 days to turn our hearts back towards God and deepen our relationship with God and others in a special way.  It offers a chance to take time to reflect on our lives and renew our commitment to open our hearts to God through prayer.

With this in mind, the students, faculty, staff, and members of the Saint Michael’s College worshipping community have come together to offer their reflections on the daily Scripture readings and what they are saying to us in our lives today...how they challenge and encourage us to feel God’s presence, love, and forgiveness each day during this sacred time. Each day of Lent, there will be a new reflection on this blog, based on the Scripture readings of the day, from Ash Wednesday through Easter. We encourage you to join us on a Lenten journey of reflecting and praying with us through this site.

We hope that these reflections are ones that inspire and help you grow deeper in your prayer life during the journey of Lent as we prepare for the Resurrection of Christ Jesus!  May we be inspired to open our eyes and see God’s deep, unconditional love present in our lives.

Please note that these reflections are not intended to represent theological views or statements by Edmundite Campus Ministry or Saint Michael’s College, but rather are a compilation of reflections as written by members of the campus and wider community of worshippers.