Saturday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Both Jeremiah and John’s passages offer a clear desire to banish the messenger. Jeremiah had people plotting his demise, trying to silence his message for the people to repent and return to God. Jeremiah knew his God, a searcher of minds and hearts, and through his faith was able to continue preaching His message. The people had returned to idolatry while still going to the temple to worship. They disliked Jeremiah’s message to stop sinning; the people then plotted to kill him because of his message. This is a foreshadowing of the ministry of the One who was to follow.  

Nicodemus was also a voice in the desert. The Pharisees and priests discount the message of Jesus based on the place of his birth. Nicodemus, who had spoken with Jesus and witnessed his teachings implored them to follow the law and give Jesus a fair hearing. They denied him that opportunity because they wanted to insure that “no prophet arises from Galilee.”

The Pharisees failed to grasp the authority of the teachings of Jesus. Many people saw and heard Jesus and believed, Nicodemus among them. The rush to judgement without a fair hearing was an easy path for the Pharisees. Do we do the same? Do we hastily judge others before we know the entire story/truth?

Prayer

Lord God help us to walk with eyes that don’t turn away from you but enable us to walk in the light and not in the darkness. Help us to seek repentance and return to you God so that you can direct and correct us daily. Amen.

Mike and Carol Tomkowicz
Worshipping Community.

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

Friday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Today’s Gospel from John is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death but also a clear statement that Jesus was sent from the Father of all. Many people knew that the authorities were seeking to arrest him, but were reluctant to do so, because, we are told, “his hour had not yet come.” 

The first reading (Wisdom) strikes some similar themes, that “God is his Father” and explains the tension between good people and why those who are evil wish to harm him. The wicked call him “obnoxious,” “reproachful,” and many other insults.  “Let us see,” they say, “whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him…With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death.”

This reading ends with the explanation that the wicked who wished to harm him did not understand how much “their wickedness blinded them,” and how much those who are holy will be eternally rewarded. They do not know the hidden things of God. 

The cruelty of those who killed Jesus is still with us, and too often we see that the innocent and those who speak with integrity and love are ridiculed and persecuted—not just in the U.S., but all over the world.

Prayer

God, give us the strength to stand, like Jesus, for what is good and holy, and not be afraid of what others may say or do. We know that you will never abandon us. Amen.

Vince Bolduc
Retired Professor of Sociology

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

Thursday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

In a time that seems like we are turning inward, let us remember the importance of looking to each other for perspective. In the first reading, we see Moses remind the Lord of His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Through this connection with the Lord, Moses is able to shift the Lord’s perspective and spare the people of Egypt. It is the power of this check in that helped to change an outcome that would’ve been very different if the Lord had listened only to his own thoughts. 

 

However, this is not the only perspective shift that we see in the readings. In the Gospel for today, we read about how our faith does not always have to be blind. The Lord details evidence of his testimony, sharing the many examples that speak for him. If we cannot rely on blind faith alone, let us see and remember the evidence of God’s love for us all. Let’s allow our perspective to be shaped by our experiences of God’s presence in our lives.

Prayer

Loving God, help us to continue looking to others for perspective. Lead us to show compassion and grace to those who cross our paths. May we always be reminded of Your great love. Amen.

Ryan Hay '19
MOVE and Residential Life

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 106:19-23
Gospel: John 5:31-47

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

The first reading and psalm for today give us insight into the Lord’s character. He is portrayed as “gracious and merciful”; He “comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted,” and is “near to all who call upon him.” It is evident that the Lord supports and loves us, yet we must also open ourselves to Him and be receptive to that love and support. Even if we fail, though, the Lord says, “I will never forget you.” He promises to remain with us. In reflecting on the ways in which the Lord shows up for us in our daily lives, we must also acknowledge that Jesus is the gift from God that brings us light. 

In relation to the portrayal of Jesus’ character found in the readings, today’s gospel emphasizes the simultaneous humanity and divinity of our Lord. The gospel says that Jesus “called God his own father, making himself equal to God,” exemplifying His divine nature. He also says, “I cannot do anything on my own… I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me,” accepting God’s omnipotence, which, in conjunction with the readings, reminds us of his humanity. We know that Jesus is divine—as we say, consubstantial with the Father—yet sometimes we overlook his humanity. It is important to remember the great sacrifice He made for us; He suffered just as we do and paid the ultimate price to save us. In this time of Lent, it is beneficial to take time reflecting on the gift of Jesus in our lives, and how by God’s grace, we have been saved.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for giving us the gift of your son, who you sent to save us from our sins. As we move through this Lenten season, we ask for your continued guidance and support as we seek your will. Amen.

Victoria Reed '26

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

In January 2019, my sister and I stood with other pilgrims from her parish next to the excavated and restored pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, imagining Jesus talking with the man who had been ill for 38 years. We were startled by a rock landing nearby, thrown by a boy well above us on the overlooking cliff. Priests and tour guides shouted in angry Arabic at the boy who had threatened our safety. Was he a young Palestinian who was striking out in the only way he could? In a land of complex and competing needs and perspectives, we wonder if there will ever be justice and peace, true healing.

Jesus asks the man who is ill, “Do you want to be well?” He answers that he is not able to get to the pool in time to be healed by the stirred waters. He’s focused on the one solution he recognizes, the pool. Even after he is healed and walking away, he doesn’t see Jesus in the crowd. How often do I do the same? The answer, solution, or healing happens, but not in the way I expect. Do I remember to say ‘thank you, Jesus’ in gratitude for something I don’t understand? Do I fail to see the Holy Spirit acting, indeed ‘healing on the Sabbath’ because it does not conform to my notions of what and how healing is supposed to happen?

Prayer

God is our refuge and our strength; therefore we fear not. Come! behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. (Ps. 46)

Jan Hancock M’12, P ’99 and ’09
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Gospel: John 5:1-16

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

“You may go, your son will live,” he said to me. I heard about what he did in Cana, turning water into wine, and when he spoke those words to me, I was filled with a sense of relief and joy. I trusted him completely.

Now, as we make our way home, I’m having doubts. We’ve been traveling so long and still were only half-way there. It’s such a great distance. How could he possibly cure my son from so far away? I should have tried harder to convince him to come. Maybe I should have offered him money. I’m so worried for my son!

Who I this I see approaching? Servants from my household? Oh no! The news must be bad. Why would they come for me if not to tell me that my son has died?

What? He recovered yesterday? Certainly, this Jesus is the Messiah, the one who has come to create a new earth where no longer shall the sound of weeping be heard! I praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me!   You’ve changed my mourning into dancing! Forever I will give you thanks!

Prayer

Loving Jesus, Messiah, heal us. May all who suffer from illness, injury, addiction, broken hearts, or loneliness, be showered with Your grace today. Open our hearts and awaken our senses to the ways that we might help bring healing to our world. Amen.

Rick Cote
Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-21
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b
Gospel: John 4:43-54

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Darkness and Light seem to be a theme in today’s Old Testament reading. Darkness with mocking messengers and the destruction of buildings and land, including Jerusalem, and bringing captives to Babylon. Light when one person hears God’s message after “ the land lies waste and rests for 70 years” and all are welcome back in Jerusalem to heal and rebuild. Yet we know the struggles and darkness continue over and over again as each generation struggles to find the Light, the Goodness of God in the world and in their lives. However, we continue to read, hear and witness God’s willingness to express love and kindness.

Light, with the birth of Jesus gives each of us and our world opportunity to put darkness aside and live in the spirit of God’s good works and generosity. This is God’s gift to us, not anything we have to earn but rather given opportunity to build a spirit of love and generosity all around us. We are saved by God’s grace and invited to share goodness and light with all people, with all Creation and Earth itself. As we give God thanks for all this opportunity to live by the example of Jesus the Christ, may we truly do just that. Might this be the moment, this season of Lent, that the Spirit of Jesus truly transforms our thoughts and actions for the good of all. Wonder what I am willing to change and will change!

Prayer

Generous God, may my belief in you and acceptance of all you share with me each day, guide me to respond to each moment in the way Jesus lived life. May I have the wisdom to remember that God is kind and merciful and God’s love is always present. Amen.

Sr. Lindora Cabral, RSM

Scripture

First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

Psalm 137:1-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

Gospel: John 3:14-21

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website