Monday of the Third Week

Reflection

Today’s reading is a shocker. Luke reports that the community in Nazareth is furious at Jesus’ preaching. And what did Jesus have “the nerve” to say?

Jesus reminded this community of believers that in desperate times, God, while seemingly absent, showed mercy to non-Jews: a general from Syria and a widow in Sidon. This is in the context of resistance to Jesus announcing the “good news” of the kingdom and call for repentance, which includes the conventionally “righteous”.

What has this ancient event have to do with us? One interpretation raises a foundational question. Do we recognize when someone, or some situation, is presenting to us a “prophetic” word that asks us to deepen our relation-ship with God, and in our own unique way become a brighter, purer light in darkening times?

But if this is to capture a key aspect of today’s reading, it has to be a prophetic word that initially we won’t hear because of distractions, or even not want to hear, because of strong passions aroused by violence inflicted on people and the truth.

This prophetic word when it arrives is certainly not one of social quietism. But rather, embodies in action, awareness of the image of God in all, and at the same time, that we too are flawed servants of the coming Kingdom, a Kingdom so very different from the “realist” kingdom of the “strong”.

Prayer

The prayer of St. Francis can illuminate the way. “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love…where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness light…”

Peter Tumulty
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

Scripture

First Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Third Sunday of Lent

Reflection

What did you think when you heard that the Samaritan woman had “five husbands”? Is the gospel about the conversion of a loose woman?

The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman occurred amid significant religious, political, and social tensions. Jews and Samaritans viewed each other as heretics and enemies, and it was unconventional for a man and woman to meet alone.

Our prejudices lead to dangerous assumptions, particularly regarding the Samaritan Woman’s character. The text doesn’t confirm our negative assumptions. There are other possible explanations, such as widowhood or mitigating circumstances.

The gospel is a lesson on how to handle differences and overcome division and tensions. When the woman pitted the Jewish and Samaritan approaches to God against one another, Jesus led her beyond doctrinal and ritual differences. Jesus thirsted for her to know God as he did.

Despite her not actively seeking the Messiah, Jesus initiates a conversation, asks for a drink, and offers her “the gift of God” – “living waters”.

The gospel teaches us to transcend race, gender, and social status in our interactions and outreach, inviting everyone to God. The story shifts worship from a specific place to an internal, spiritual reality, worshipping God “in spirit and truth.”

Jesus offers “living water” that satisfies deep human needs through a relationship with him that brings true joy. The woman’s transformation leads her to share her story, demonstrating powerful, personal evangelism that draws others to Jesus.

Prayer

Ever-loving God, gift us with living waters that will wear down our differences and overcome our divisions and tensions. Satisfy our thirst for a deeper and richer relationship with you and others as we drink from the well of faith, hope, and love. Amen.

Rev. Richard Myhalyk, S.S.E., B.S. Chemistry ’66

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42 

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Second Week

Reflection

The Lord is Kind and Merciful. How many times are we reminded in both the Old and New Testament that God is loving and merciful? In the first reading, Micah references over and over God’s forgiveness and the looking past our transgressions, pardoning of our sin; how He does not hold a grudge but rather is more delighted in being able to show clemency. This theme is repeated in the Responsorial with an emphasis on God’s love for us, not a focus on our sins. Luke’s gospel is a parable that we have heard many times as adults and children that tells us a story that is sometimes hard to understand. The one son is loyal to his father and seemingly chooses to do all the “right” things. The other son was given the same opportunity as far as his equal share of his father’s estate. However, he chose to go out and live a life of self-indulgence. As a parent, I can understand that there was a sense of disappointment that the second son did not use his share to benefit himself and his future. But the son is loved nevertheless and the father waited and hoped for his son to return. And when he did, he was welcomed with open arms. The sons were very much loved not because of what they did or did not do but because they were his sons, his off-spring. The father did not “persist in anger” but rather celebrated in compassion his love for each of them.

God is waiting for us with open arms like the father in the parable. God’s kindness and mercy prevail no matter our choices.

Prayer

“The Lord is kind and merciful.” Please instill and nurture in me kindness and forgiveness. Help me to welcome and embrace humankind with compassion as You, oh Lord, do with each of us.

Barbara Gaida, M.Ed. ’01
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Second Week

Reflection

How many times in Jesus’ parables do we find the opposite of worldly wisdom? We think we’ve grasped bits of how to be successful and live a good life, only to find an unexpected person or event enters our story? I’m surprised almost daily by a new perspective or outcome emerging out of left field. Imagine the disbelief of Joseph’s jealous and murderous brothers when they find him in Egypt, lord and ruler of all the king’s possessions. Their father’s favorite son, whom they had sold into slavery, turns out to be their people’s savior in the midst of famine.

In Matthew’s Gospel parable about the greedy vineyard tenants, the landowner assumes that his son will be respected as the heir and all will be well. Not so. The unfaithful laborers will kill him and lose every-thing. The vineyard (God’s Kingdom) will go to people who will produce good fruit.

Likewise, in referring to himself, Jesus notes that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done and it is wonderful in our eyes.”

The psalm calls us to “remember the marvels the Lord has done”, in times gone by and in our own lives. Our Lord provides for and loves us beyond measure, so we pray...

Prayer

Loving Father of us all, help us recognize and give thanks for the cornerstones you provide in our lives. Amen.

Jan Hancock, M’12, P’99, P’09
Chapel Choir

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Psalm 105:16-21
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Second Week

Reflection

Today’s readings have a common theme of God-centered generosity of heart in contrast to rejection of God, turning instead to a false god of earthly prosperity.

Psalm 1 was written as a preface to the Psalter most likely during King David’s reign around 1,000 BC or later. Jeremiah, a priest and prophet (c.570 BC – 650 BC), would have known Psalm 1 and borrowed its imagery for today’s first reading. Both readings describe relationship with God as a tree planted near a stream, its roots stretching to the water’s life-giving nourishment for fruitful blessings. The heart turned away from God is “as chaff that the wind blows away” (Psalm 1) or as a shrub planted in the barren salt lands (Jeremiah). Loving relationship with God brings us nourishment of faith, hope and charity, and a pathway to everlasting life. The Gospel translates the Old Testament imagery into the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. In this passage and throughout Jesus’ ministry, we hear that God favors the poor and brings heavenly re-lief to the suffering. Our actions of generosity, recognizing Christ among us, are key to salvation.

Prayer

We ask the intersession of our patron saints to inspire generosity of heart and to embolden our actions to respond to the needs of the poor. We pray that our Lenten prayers and actions will bring us and others closer to you, God, our Love.

Ann Cousins
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture
First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Second Week

Reflection

An environmental activist friend of mine wrote a piece recently, “The Problem with Limits”. Reading and meditating on today’s liturgical readings, his piece struck me as an applicable analogy. As people concerned about the health of our earth, its lands we try to protect for the people, for our children, the experience of creation, a direction pointed to God, we look at “limits” to put on others - corporations, etc. that push the environment to its very ‘limits’ (in our estimation — external limits) and clearly headed beyond. The end point of the piece is what we need to be doing is “self-limitation”, to the point of changing ourselves - to give up to give others.

I believe this is Jesus’ point in his discussion with his apostles along the road to Jerusalem. James and John have their mother approach Jesus with their request of being “enthroned” sitting to the right and left of Jesus in his kingdom to come. Instead, he explains to them that the point is changing oneself from expecting to be served by others, to serving others. In terms of sacrifice (self-limitation) Jesus stresses that we make the preemptive move into “drinking of the cup” ourselves instead of always asking others to drink it.

The prophet Jeremiah, in our first reading, has exposed truth about the corruption of “the men of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem” and now they are plotting to take his life. It seems even today that truth is under attack. The bottom line: trust in God.

Prayer

God, help me to understand where and how I can ‘self-limit’ for the benefit of others - all people, our non-human sisters and brothers, and our earth, home to all. 

Maura Kelley
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16
Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of the Second Week

Reflection

Isaiah’s reading is a call to justice, repentance and turning from evil to do good. Isaiah wants us to listen to God, to learn to do good and make justice our aim.

“Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD!” We need to things straight in all our actions. We “set things straight” by talking to the Lord and asking for the Lord’s forgiveness. We need to reflect on our thoughts and actions that day. We need to take time each evening to review our day and seek the Lord’s forgiveness for any sins we may have committed.

God tells us that we are all created equal. Setting things straight means loving all people in our world and recognizing all people are created equal.

Let us hear the words of the LORD and learn to be good.

Matthew reminds us “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled: but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” We must not do good deeds just because our friends and neighbors will be impressed with us. We must remain humble.

Prayer

Let us pray for all people in this world – Lord, please help me to love and embrace all people as my equals. Help me to bring peace to our world in all my words and actions. Let me recognize equity, diversity and inclusion. Help me to be humble.

Chris Pingert
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website