Easter Sunday

Reflection

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: We are so glib in professing our belief in it as we recite in the Creed, "On the third day he rose again from the dead." It is all very matter of fact.

However, in both options for the Gospel this morning-from Matthew 28:1-10 and John 20:1-9, we see that this belief did not come readily for Jesus' friends who had known him during his life on earth. John's account tells us of John and Peter, "They did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead."

John tells us that it was Mary Magdalene who had come to the tomb alone in pre-dawn darkness. Why take that risk in those dangerous days? Because she loved Jesus and just could not let him go.

She would stay at the tomb alone again when the others left. Then, when Jesus had appeared to her and spoken with her, it was her report about their encounter that confirmed the good news for the other disciples, "I have seen the Lord." The Gospel according to Mary Magdalene? And so, we call her "the Apostle to the Apostles," the very first evangelist. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to know you better by becoming closer to you, and then to be able to make your living presence known to the world. Amen.

David Cray, S.S.E. '68
Superior General, Society of Saint Edmund

Scripture

First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Gospel: John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-20 or Luke 24:13-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

Reflection

I think of Easter Vigil as an annual review of faith and a sacramental celebration of God’s loving and everlasting covenant with His children. From creation to the glorious resurrection of Jesus, we are blessed in this service with reminders of God’s loving care. We are called to choose and live the life God made for us.

On Ash Wednesday we were reminded of our limits on our own from dust to dust. We have walked the weeks of Lent alongside our servant Savior, finally facing his death on a cross for the sake of all of us. He died to sin once and for all. Christ raised from the dead dies no more. And Saint Paul tells us that we too have died to sin in our faith in Christ and now live for God in our faith in the risen Christ Jesus. It is our earthly choice day after day in this life we have been given.

So, on this morning of the first day of the week, let us hurry to the tomb to with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to anoint and mourn our Jesus. May we feel the trembling ground and our fear as we turn toward the light and an angel tells us, “Do not be afraid…He has been raised just as he said…Go quickly to Galilee, there you will see him.” May we run as Mary Magdalene and Mary did, to tell the others. May we be greeted by Him and do Him homage all along our way to Galilee.

Prayer

Dearest Lord and Savior, in gratitude and praise we ask for your loving help in doing God’s Loving will. Help us love one another as You have shown us.

Stephanie Noakes, ’80, M’09, P’05
Admission Receptionist

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Third Reading: Exodus 14:15—15:1
(Psalm) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Fifth Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
(Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6
Sixth Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4
Psalm 19:8-11
Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3-4
Eighth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Good Friday

Reflection

Jesus accepted the Cross. He could have dodged it. Avoided the confrontations with the authorities who monopolized the Temple; his interrogation before Caesar’s brutal, cynical agent; the agony of crucifixion. Standing there were “his mother and the disciple whom he loved.” Only John’s gospel tells us this, and not just for information. John puts us in the scene, too. Every Good Friday is a time for us, hearing the Passion proclaimed, to stand with Jesus in the faith that his Cross is not the defeat of Truth but its victory. This is a challenging scene we must not sentimentalize. 

The Son fulfills his last filial duty by committing Mary his mother to the care of a beloved disciple who is never named in the text itself. That anonymity challenges the readers not to supply the missing name but ourselves to accept the commission: both to be and to foster Jesus’ legacy, Jesus’ community.

Prayer

Verses from the hymn Stabat Mater (“At the cross her station keeping”)-- “O my Mother, fount of love/ touch my spirit from above…Make me feel as you have felt…with the love of Christ my Lord.”

Fr. Richard Berube, S.S.E. ’66
Emeritus Professor Religious Studies, Saint Michael’s College Trustee Emeritus

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel: John 18:1—19:42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Holy Thursday

Reflection

WOW, what an evening meal with friends and betrayer! -- The institution of the Eucharist – the example/message of serving others – and a new covenant! The image created of Jesus’ last supper is most often depicted with all gathered at a long table and Jesus in the middle. – Is that a true picture of the life of Jesus we know? Does the image of Jesus seated at a round table with friends and foes depict a more accurate picture? Where there are no places of honor, where all can see and feel Jesus’ messages and instructions, and he can look at and speak to all equally.

1 Corinthians
“This is my body that is for you.” Jesus’ humiliating and peaceful suffering and dying was for you—for us – for all! “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” God’s new Covenant and promise of everlasting life was made through Jesus’ life, teachings and living amongst us, daily, and dying so we may have everlasting life.

Gospel: John 13: 1-15 -- Washing of the feet
“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done, you should also do.” Now is the model the washing of the feet, or is it all the examples and parables Jesus gave us throughout his life? For example: speaking to women, walking amongst and acknowledging all peoples of faith and cultures, eating with tax col-lectors and those thought to be sinners, allowing himself to be touched, and to touch the lives and hearts of all people. For seeing and accepting! Are these not the modeling Jesus left us? Is that what we should do?

Psalm Response (1 Corinthians 10:16)
“Our Blessing – cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.” The blood of Christ is our blessing!

Prayer

May we be nourished by the blessings of Jesus’ body and blood, to walk in Jesus’ ways all the days of our lives. Seeing, loving and peacefully accepting all God’s people, and reaching out to help wherever and whenever needed. Amen.

Sister Laura Della Santa, RSM M’84

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: John 13:1-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website 

Wednesday of Holy Week

Reflection

“What will you give me?” Judas asked. How often do we approach the Lord with that same attitude? It is easy at times to fall into the trap of making our prayers Transactional – that is “God if you do this for me – I’ll go back to Church, or I’ll do that for you”.

Jesus has given us the structure of all prayer – 1st we acknowledge God as Father and Creator – 2nd then we are called to surrender or life and our will to the care of God; trusting that God’s Will for us is far better than anything we can desire for ourselves – 3rd we ask for our daily needs, again trusting that God will provide for our needs, not necessarily for our “wants”. Far too often we mistakenly “feel” that when God’s Will does not align with our will that God is not listening to us. When do not get what we “want” we sometime are not able to recognize the gifts that are given. God provides for are many needs – let us acknowledge with grateful hearts God’s Gifts which sometimes come to us in quiet and small ways.

As we enter into this Holy Week we remember God’s greatest gift – Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died on the Cross that we might live with Him in Glory.

Prayer

We adore you O Christ and we Bless you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World!

Thomas F. X. Hoar, S.S.E., Ph.D.
President and CEO of St. Edmunds Retreat

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of Holy Week

Reflection

As we move further into Holy Week with the Lenten season nearing an end, we encounter through sacred scripture the tremendous drama and redemption found in the passion, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament reading from Isaiah 49, we learn about the Servant of the Lord who has been called from the womb like a polished arrow in his quiver to bring light to the nations and salvation to the world. This Servant will restore and renew Israel and ultimately reaches fulfillment in Jesus. Our responsorial psalm amplifies this message, and each of us has received our own unique calling to share the Good News in our daily journeys, relation-ships, and responsibilities.

In the Gospel passage from John, we ponder the betrayals and disappointments of some of those closest to Jesus, including Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. In true humility, Jesus provides the ultimate model of perseverance and trust in facing extraordinary obstacles and challenges while remaining focused on the will of God. And Peter later offers the wonderful example of humbly seeking reconciliation after the inevitable falls that we all confront.

Despite the darkness felt in many places across the globe today, each of us has the chance to bring God’s light and grace into our own personal situations. Although we too may stumble sometimes in our steps, through our Lenten practices, may we be heartened to discern the will of God and persevere in our own vocations..

Prayer

Dear Lord, through your sacrifice and obedience to God’s will, you lived your vocation to the fullest. May we learn from your example and be transformed by your atonement in our Holy Week journey with you. Saint Peter, pray for us!

George Ashline
Professor of Mathematics

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6ab, 15, 17
Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of Holy Week

Reflection

In our Gospel reading, Jesus is once again in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. Mary, who had “chosen the better part” when she sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10: 38-42), now kneels at his feet and anoints them with oil; and then Mary proceeds to dry Jesus’ feet with her hair. The oil is made from nard extracted from the root of a plant that grows high in the Himalayas, a long way from Judea, and is very expensive. Judas objects to such valuable oil being used on Jesus’ feet. To Judas, and maybe to others present, it seems extravagant.

Extravagant. That’s what caught my attention when I meditated on this passage. God sent his Son to be one of us, teach us, open our eyes, be our light, and lead us out of darkness; to challenge leaders who led people astray; and, ultimately, to be ridiculed, suffer horribly and be killed—all for us. It is the extravagance of what the Father and the Son did for us—and continue to do for us—that make me realize how much I am loved by God—no matter what, and more than I can imagine. I must accept this
extravagant love, love God back, love myself and others and help them to realize how much God loves them, too.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, in a few days we will commemorate and celebrate your passion, death, and resurrection. Help us to understand the depth of your unconditional love and draw us closer to you. You, Lord, are truly our light and our salvation. Amen.

Brother Frank Hagerty, S.S.E.
Spiritual Director & Prison Minister

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
Gospel: John 12:1-11

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website