Friday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

Fear is a powerful emotion.  But what would happen if our first reaction was faith rather than fear?  What if we were not afraid of failure, what other’s think of us, or the future, but rather know that what truly matters is being the beloved of God, focusing on God’s will, and knowing that although the future may be uncertain, God will be with us through it all?

 

As we enter into these last few days before Holy Week, we find fear and distress prevalent in the readings for today.  “Terror on every side!  Denounce!  Let us denounce him!” (Jeremiah 20:10).  In the Gospel, many of the people who hear Jesus speak do not understand who Jesus truly is or His message, accusing Him of blasphemy and ready to stone Him.  Fear of change, fear of something different, fear of loosening our grip on what we thought to be true and coming to understand the world in a different way can be a scary prospect.  It can be difficult to give up our familiar understandings of the world when the truth calls us to make a change of heart.  We often rush to judgment, make excuses, or come up with simplified answers to make sense of what we don’t want to accept as true.  It is more convenient for us to hold fast to our old ways of understanding or beliefs rather than be open to truth, especially when it comes to us in unexpected places or surprising ways.  Many disregarded Jesus because He was the son of a carpenter rather than the royal King they had envisioned the Messiah to be, yet His message of love, mercy and compassion made clear the truth of the Father. Those in today’s Gospel have missed Jesus’ message of love and truth despite having shown them many “good works” because they are unable to truly believe Jesus is who He says He is.  How often, even now, do we know Him and yet still miss all the “good works” God places in our lives everyday?  How often do we miss the full meaning of who He is because we become blinded by fear or disbelief?  In what way is God calling me out of rigid ways of thinking and to be open to seeing and hearing Him in new, life-giving ways?  Fear might be rampant in our world, but it does not need to be rampant in our hearts.

 

Prayer

God of truth, lead us to see beyond our own fear and brokenness and discover the truth of Your inexhaustible love and forgiveness. Do not let us miss Your message of truth and remind us that nothing is beyond Your mercy.

 

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

 

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

Reflection

Throughout today’s readings is the message “I am here for you.” What we hear about is how God has committed Himself to a covenant of love with His people. He promises us His presence, and unlike our earthly promises which can, in our humanness, fall short, we can trust Him completely. He says, “I will be their God.” The “their” that is referred to is us. He will be our God. He is here. Sometimes we get the feeling that God’s covenant demands that we live our lives in a certain way, and that if we fall off the track, then we are no longer lovingly held and supported by Him, alive in this covenant. This is not the case. God is not an authoritarian; this is a covenant of love. What He asks is that we hear His word and try our best to live, cherishing and giving His love. So what should we do? Trust in it. Love. Live. Give.

 

Prayer

God, thank You for creating this world and for making and following through with Your never-ending promise to be present. Help us to follow through with our promises and help us each and every day to connect with You and Your love.

 

Jennifer Lockfort, ‘13

 

Scripture 

First Reading: Genesis 17:3-9

Psalm 105:4-9

Gospel: John 8:51-59

 

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

“We came. We saw. We conquered.”  It is a phrase most of us are familiar with and is often seen on sports team’s t-shirts or bumper stickers.  In today’s reading, we see, in both King Nebuchadnezzar and initially in the group of Jews Jesus speaks with, this same attitude of superiority, of conquering by their own hand, and of living by their own rules.

 

In the reading from Daniel, we hear how King Nebuchadnezzar looks to enforce the worshiping of a false, golden god statue. In the Gospel, we hear a group of Jews tell Jesus that they “have never been enslaved by anyone” and that they even plan to kill Jesus because His Word threatens their current lifestyles.

 

Yet Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Jesus step in to remind us that this is not God’s way.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse King Nebuchadnezzar, humble themselves before God, put their faith in Him, and are thus protected in the blazing fire.  In a similar way, the reading from John’s Gospel reminds us that we are “not born of fornication, [but] we have one Father, God.”

 

It is the actions and revelations of these protagonists that make us wonder – should we not be wearing different t-shirts?  Instead of “Came, Saw, & Conquered,” might we consider wearing shirts that read – “We were sent. We humble ourselves. We serve.” Would this not remind each of us, and those around us, that we were sent here to Earth by the one true God?  Could it not remind us to humbly approach God, and one another?  And should it not remind us daily that we are here to serve God through service to others?
 

Prayer

Dear God, help me to remember that I came from You and I will return to You. Teach me how to humble myself as Your Son humbled himself on the cross. Assist me as I serve others in service to You.

 

Chad Ahern, ‘99, M‘12, Donor Relations Officer

 

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

Feast of Saint Joseph

Reflection

We celebrate today the solemnity of Saint Joseph, humble carpenter and “righteous man” who was called to be the foster father of the Son of God. With the holiest week of the liturgical year almost upon us, Joseph serves as a wonderful example of faithfulness and persistence through difficult trials.

 

In today’s readings and psalm response, we are reminded of God’s covenant with Abraham and David and their descendants to establish his kingdom to “endure forever” and his throne “for all generations,” eventually fulfilled in the coming of our Lord and Savior. As the Gospel acclamation summarizes, Abraham, David and their successors (including us!) are among those blessed to “dwell in the house of the Lord” and to “never cease to praise” Him.

 

Joseph does not appear much in Scripture, yet in today’s Gospel reading we are reminded of his trust in the angel of the Lord and guardianship of the Holy Family, and in fact all families, all those in need, and the entire Universal Church. Although not aware of the details of God’s master plan, Joseph took Mary into his home and helped raise and serve as a model for Jesus. We too face times when it is challenging to perceive our role in God’s plan, and through Saint Joseph’s intercession, may we better discern our calling and grow in faithfulness and patience. These are just two of Saint Joseph’s virtues which are worth striving for every day and which are highlighted in his Litany, providing one beautiful way to seek his intercession.

 

Prayer — Taken from the Litany of Saint Joseph (approved by St. Pius X):

Saint Joseph, Noble son of the House of David, Light of Patriarchs, Husband of the Mother of God, Guardian of the Virgin, Foster father of the Son of God, Faithful guardian of Christ, Head of the Holy Family, Joseph most just, Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most strong, Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience, Lover of poverty, Model of workers, Glory of home life, Guardian of virgins, Pillar of families, Comfort of the troubled, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying, Terror of evil spirits, Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us!

 

George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics

 

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

 

 

Monday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

The first reading, from Daniel, is a story of innocence and guilt.  But with whom do we identify in the story?  The innocent and falsely accused Susanna?  The brave and clever judge Daniel?  Or the lustful and lying old men?   As with stories of generosity, where it is so much easier to identify with the beneficent almsgiver rather than the destitute, here it is most comfortable and even gratifying  to see ourselves as Susanna or Daniel, and very hard indeed to face the contemptible old man within.  There is rightfully great comfort in knowing that God has promised justice in the world.  But how we limit our growth toward God if we only seek that which makes us feel self-righteous and comfortable, and avoid facing our failings honestly.  Fortunately, the incredibly powerful responsorial psalm offers strength and solace not only to the innocent, but also to the guilty.   The dark valley is commonly perceived as outside us, and the enemies as separate from ourselves, so we see ourselves as innocent and besieged, with God as our defender, leading us out of harm.   But the darkness, and battles fought, can as often be within, and the enemy our own dishonesty and selfishness. Here in the psalm though, God promises us also an inner peace, and moreover to give us the courage to make it through our daily struggles.

 

Prayer

The Lord is my shepherd, and even when the darkness is within, I will not fear to face it, for You are not only at my side, but within and without me, and with Your staff and rod, You give me courage.  I will trust in Your love and Your promise that I will live in Your house forever.

 

Joanna Ellis-Monahan, Professor of Mathematics

 

Scripture

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

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

My father often used to tell me that when I pointed a finger at someone else in an accusing way, the other fingers on my hand pointed back at me.  When we think about the woman caught in adultery, it is the accusers of the women who are taught a lesson by Jesus.  Their finger pointing leads to a realization on their part that none of them can claim to be innocent or free from sin.  Who are they to accuse this woman?

 

It is very easy to be judgmental.  I would even say that there is great comfort in being judgmental.  When others are at fault, I need not look to myself or accuse myself of fault or sin.  Everyone else is the problem—not me!

 

Jesus has a knack for making us look at ourselves and come to a realization that we are not “all that.”  In the presence of Jesus, we cannot help but be humbled and made truthful about ourselves.  Indeed, Jesus told us that He was the truth.  In Jesus, there is no escaping the truth, especially about ourselves.

 

Yet, there is something more involved in discovering the truth about ourselves in Jesus.  Rather than Jesus accusing us in His perfection, He has mercy on us in our lack of perfection.  Similar to the woman caught in adultery, we too are told by Jesus, “Has no one condemned you?  Neither do I condemn you.  You may go, but from now on, avoid sinning.”

 

Prayer

Mighty and merciful God, You know us through and through.  Yet, You love us and seek to have us be one with You.  Help us this Lenten season to be merciful to others despite their imperfections, realizing truthfully that we too are imperfect.  Teach how to embrace the truth both of ourselves and others, knowing that we can love and be loved in our imperfections.  This we pray in the name of Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

 

Fr. David Theroux, S.S.E. ‘70, Adjunct Professor for First Year Seminar and Religious Studies

 

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126:1-6

Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

 

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Has there ever been a time in your life when you weren’t sure if you believed in Jesus?  We may ask ourselves, was He really the Messiah, the Chosen One, or just someone who claimed to be a Savior?  Do we believe He is who He says He is?  Those in the crowd in today’s Gospel reading were unsure of exactly what to think of Jesus and like the guards in the Gospel, we are sometimes accused by others of being deceived.  When we are, we are often like a “trusting lamb led to be slaughtered” (Jeremiah 11:19).  And yet, we can find hope and courage in the guard’s statement that “Never before has anyone spoken like this man” (John 7:46).  He stood firm in his belief.

 

We can feel this struggle of belief in our daily lives.  When we take refuge in God, we ask Him to help us through these struggles and to continue to believe in Him.  God’s shield is always before us when we need help, but we may not always pick it up.  We have to remember to keep God close to our hearts, especially at these times.  During this Lenten season, we can do this by remembering the response from today, “O Lord, my God, in You I take refuge.” With this constant reminder of placing our trust in God, we can accomplish anything.  We may continually have this torn feeling between believing and not believing, but we must always remember we can take refuge in God’s love. 

 

As this Lenten season continues, take time to feel God’s shield around you.  Remember it is constantly with you, you just have to pick it up.

 

Prayer

O Lord, my God, in You I take refuge.  Help me to not be a trusting lamb led to be slaughtered, but be my shield to protect me from evil.  Amen.

Maura Grogan, ‘14

 

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