Thursday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

The Gospel for today has Jesus telling a group of Jews that “...whoever keeps My word will never see death.” The Jews cannot grasp that promise and tell Him that “now we are sure that you are possessed.” They reply that everyone—even Abraham—has died, so “who do you make yourself out to be?” He says, “It is my Father who glorifies me...before Abraham came to be, I am.” Jesus seems to be claiming both pre-existence and to be at one with God. This is an amazing—and heretical—claim for the Jews to hear. Confused and angry “…they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.”  This seems to be a foreshadowing of the mortal danger that Jesus is in as the Jews in the Gospel are angered by His claims of divine identity.

The divine identity of Jesus, of course, is at the heart of the New Testament. His relationship to Abraham and God the Father was an extraordinary claim then, as it is now. Jesus belongs to a higher world that is beyond the borders of death. His assurance that if we keep His word we will never see death is a promise that we Christians take as a cornerstone of our faith.

The mystery of Jesus and the promise of eternal life are beyond the full understanding of mere mortals such as us. Yet God sends us encouragement and glimmers of what is beyond this earth.

Prayer

Flawed and finite human that I am, I find myself on the edge of what I can grasp of the great eternal.  Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might more simply accept the glorious mystery of You and Your promise that if we just keep Your word, we may one day join You in glorious eternal life.

Vince Bolduc, Professor of Sociology

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

Today’s readings include the often-related Old Testament encounter between Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and King Nebuchadnezzar, and John’s Gospel retelling of a tense encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees. 

Nebuchadnezzar was a skeptic.  He could not fathom the words and behaviors of the three lads.  How could these characters say such things?  Their assertions flew in the face of what he believed.  Similarly, the Pharisees were confused and put off by the contentions of Jesus.  Who does this guy think He is?  Why is He in our face?  What He is saying is so outside our sense of what is and who we are. 

Stubborn confidence in their beliefs led Nebuchadnezzar and the Pharisees to refuse to think differently.  They were incredulous at the prospect of a contradictory truth.  They were dismayed by the audacious challenges presented to them.  Nebuchadnezzar belittled and threatened his challengers; the Pharisees similarly confronted Jesus.  Might we have responded in a similar manner?  How often are we presented with things we cannot conceive of as being true?  Difficult things—the unexpected death of a family member, loss of a cherished job, a devastating diagnosis.  Perhaps also things that appear too wonderful to believe—a scholarship to your “stretch school”, a reluctant lover’s willingness to marry, a long dreamt of pregnancy, survival following a terrible accident.

Perhaps it is a bit difficult to judge Nebuchadnezzar and the Pharisees.  Were they responding in predictable human ways to an absence of readily apparent evidence?  In Nebuchadnezzar’s case, discovering the truth came through witnessing an extraordinary miracle; his conversion came easily.  Like the Pharisees, we are admonished to search beyond the usual and customary.  Perhaps untangling some dilemmas exceed the limits of our human capacity.  Perhaps some things are better appreciated and deciphered with help from beyond who we are.  Help that may be found through contemplation, prayer, and supplication.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be open to the unexpected and unimaginable, to not belittle and discredit its bearer.  To be open to what at first appears unbelievable.  Guide us through the briers and mires of our discernment and grace us with confidence to do so.  Then, should our efforts bring us to the truth, embrace us and share our gladness and if our efforts in good faith lead us to err, embrace us because we will need Your tenderness.  Amen.

Church Hindes, ’69, 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 reading, the children of Israel become angry with Moses and God during their journey to the Promised Land. They complain about the presumed futility of their journey when they have to bypass their intended destination of Edom. In punishment for their hardness of heart, God sends seraph or “fiery” serpents who afflict the people with a sting of burning venom; many of the people ultimately die from this affliction. The people quickly acknowledge their sinful behavior and beg Moses to intercede. At the Lord’s direction, Moses mounts a bronze serpent on a pole. When anyone who has been bitten looks up at the serpent, they are healed of their affliction, their hardness of heart, and they live.

Are we ever impatient when an unexpected and unwanted challenge forces a change in our plan for the day? Frustration can spiral into anger and cause us to “take it out” on those who we love and trust the most. Just as a parent needs to grab a child’s attention to correct inappropriate behavior, God helps us divert our focus from ourselves by drawing our attention upward toward Him, and thereby allowing Him to heal our hearts and souls with His love and mercy. This truth is underscored in today’s Gospel, where Christ admonishes the Pharisees, by declaring, “You belong to what is below. I belong to what is above.” He later explains, “When you lift up the Son of Man then you will realize that I AM…” Indeed, Christ on the cross carries the fire of our sins. But it is by our gazing at God’s ultimate sacrifice that we are healed! And it is through faith in the risen Christ that we shall ultimately come to experience eternal life!

Prayer

Oh, most glorious and merciful God, melt the bitterness of our sinful ways with Your love, and lift our hearts and souls upward to You, through Christ our Lord!

Maureen Munn Condon, Member of the Worshipping Community, in collaboration with Mark Danis, ’84

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

In the first reading from Daniel, Susanna, the beautiful and pious wife of Joakim, is falsely accused of adultery. Her accusers are judges that should be trusted members of the community but Susanna’s rejection of their advances results in their false accusations. Susanna turns to God in her moment of need. Her faith in God’s perfect justice is not disappointed. Through the intervention of a young boy, her accusers testify and in their contradicting stories condemn themselves. As a Lenten reflection, this story brings to mind our witness to the false accusations against Jesus. We also witness the faith of Jesus in the justice and the love of God our father. We are also invited to witness the deeper, eternal nature of God’s love and justice.

The Responsorial Psalm, “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for you are at my side” is strength for all the faithful in times of trial. How wonderful that Jesus had this to carry Him through all, to His resurrection. We also can understand our loving father providing for us, not with false promises of escaping all trials, but with the abiding accompaniment of His love through whatever comes.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to recognize Him as the light of the world. Jesus asks us to follow Him to the light of life; that we follow Him to God’s promise of heaven. The Pharisees ask for proof of what Jesus offers and declares. Jesus counters that they are judging by appearances and that He judges no one. His truthfulness is verified because He is not alone but always with the one who has sent Him. Since the Pharisees do not understand the father or who God is, they cannot accept Jesus’ word as true. Jesus is making clear that the Pharisees who are supposed to be leading the people of God home, are not able to because they do not know God in their own hearts. Jesus escapes their wrath to continue on the path of God’s will. All of this Lenten journey is for us to witness as Ezekiel’s insight says, that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather in His conversion, that He may live in the light of life.

Prayer

Thank You, Jesus, and bring us all to the light of life according to the will of God who lives in unity with You and the Holy Spirit forever.

Stephanie Noakes, ’80, M’09, P’05

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

In today’s Gospel passage, we hear the well-known story of the adulterous woman. This story, I believe, reminds us of the spirit of the season of Lent. In this passage, God shows us His attitude towards our sinfulness.

There are two opposite forces in the story. On one hand, the Pharisees and scribes who judge the woman. They believe that the woman needs to be punished for her sin. For them, this woman has broken the law and deserves the punishment prescribed. The Pharisees and the scribes have taken on the judging role of God and failed miserably. On the other hand, Jesus says two things that turned the situation around. First, He asked those free of sin to start the execution they were asking for. Jesus teaches them that only the one without sin can judge. None of us is perfect. We all have shortcomings in our lives. In a very blunt way, Jesus straightens them out. Secondly, Jesus, the only one with the power to condemn the woman, sends her away, forgiving her sins, and asking her not to sin again.

In this season of Lent, as we reflect on our sinfulness, it is good to remember that God is a merciful judge. We have to remember that, no matter how big our sins may be, God’s mercy is always bigger.

Prayer

Good and loving God, in this time of Lent, we ask You to forgive our sins as You forgave the woman from the Gospel. We ask You to send us on our way with the same compassion.

Fr. Lino Oropeza, S.S.E. ’11, International M.O.V.E. Coordinator

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

TRUST…“firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” In today’s first reading from Jeremiah, trust is looked at in two ways. First, trust betrayed Jeremiah as he was misled and did not realize the plotting that was taking place to destroy him. Secondly however, it was that very act of trusting in the Lord that gave Jeremiah strength and peace to realize the reality of his betrayed trust.

Trust (as in trusting your gut) is also clearly a key element in the Gospel reading. The crowds and the guards that heard Jesus speak were divided in their belief that He was Christ, the Prophet.  There was doubt because they believed that He did not fulfill the Scriptural readings even though the words He spoke were like those of no other man. The guards asked the question, “Does our law condemn a man before it hears him and finds out what he is doing?” The Pharisees should have trusted the instincts of the guards.

Trusting in God should not be done blindly. We believe that God is there to support and love but we must have informed trust. What is our part? What do we need to do? What action do we need to take to show that we have earned God’s trust and in turn we can put our trust in the hands of God?

Prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to renew my trust in You by knowing and understanding Your unconditional love.

Barb Gaida, M’01, 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

Reflection

Today’s reading emphasizes God’s protection of those who come to Him. Though they may go through trials, those who follow God are always guarded by Him. This lesson is applicable in many different cases: the persecution of Christians globally, being faced with illness or misfortune, or any of one’s own fears. Yet, to receive this help, we need to come to God in prayer and devotion. Matthew 4:4 reads “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” We cannot always see God’s help when we are not seeking it out. We cannot simply get by through each day on our own. Instead, we need to read the Word, and call out for God’s help. If we do so, then we may rest easy, knowing that “God is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18).

Jesus symbolizes God’s promises to protect His people. He was sent from the Father to walk with humanity. Jesus suffered a lot during His time on earth: He was judged, hated, persecuted, and crucified. Yet, God gave us His son so that we may be protected and redeemed. We can learn a lot from Jesus. Each day, I want to strive to be a little more like Him. When Jesus was afraid or in danger, He turned to God. We can all do that too, and the weight of those fears will be lightened.

Prayer

Lord, help us to turn to You every day in order to seek out Your guidance and protection. Amen!

Maddie Newman, ’20

Scripture

First Reading: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22
Psalm 34:17-21, 23
Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website