First Sunday of Lent

Reflection

My earliest images of the desert while growing up came through movies. Classic westerns often had characters traveling through the deserts of the western states while other movies had scenes in faraway regions such as the Sahara in Africa. In all these memories, I remember the desert being presented as a dangerous place where life was virtually nonexistent and those who traveled there were at risk. Intense heat and lack of water often took the lives of those who lost their way.

Yet into the desert Jesus goes before He begins His public ministry. In the three Gospel accounts of this scene, Mathew, Mark and Luke, all place it immediately after Jesus’ baptism. Jesus is declared the “beloved” and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him as He is baptized. It is this same Spirit that leads Jesus
into the dangerous desert to face temptations and confront demons. It is as if Jesus was led into the desert to make a retreat to prepare himself for the public ministry that He was about to begin.

Jesus entered a risky space where there was no life to fight temptations to sin. This contrasts with the opening verses of Genesis where God breathes “the breath of life” into the formed clay to create life. Jesus’ journey in the desert is necessary for Him to become the giver of eternal life. This mirrors our Lenten journey to Easter.

We enter the desert of our own lives and discover our sins as Adam and Eve did. We face temptations and acknowledge those times when we have given in to sin knowing that on the other side of the desert experience awaits a merciful savior eager to forgive us and give us “back the joy of salvation.” This is the Lenten journey we begin as we prepare to celebrate life eternal at Easter time. Into the desert we go too!

Prayer

Almighty God, give us the courage to enter the desert so that we may know our sins and seek your forgiveness as we journey through Lent toward Easter. Amen.

Fr. Brian Cummings, S.S.E. ’86
Spiritual Director at St. Anne’s Shrine

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

Isaiah provides us with a series of “If’s”: watch your speech especially if it is oppressive or malicious, feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted.  And if we do these “if’s” we are promised that we shall be in the light rather than in the darkness, and we will have the water we need for life.  Similarly to New Year’s when we might make a list of resolutions, Isaiah provides us with a map for our Lenten practices.

Isaiah also suggests a good title for ourselves that we might want to adopt this Lent, “Repairer of the breach” or “Restorer of ruined homesteads.”  What are the breaches in my life that I can repair or restore this Lent? Where do I need God’s grace to heal any breaches?  

In the Gospel, Jesus is the ‘Repairer of the breach’, he sits down at table with the unclean, the sinners.  The Pharisees, the pure ones, remain on the outside to criticize the actions of Jesus.  So, where do I want to sit? Do I want to be at the table with the undesirables, or do I want to stay outside the banquet room secure in my sense of righteousness?  May this Lent provide direction for where I should be.

Prayer

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Aline Paris, RSM, D.Min.

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14

Psalm 86:1-6

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

Today’s first reading from Isaiah (58-1-9a) contains some concrete advice about how we might “fast.” This is especially important for this first Friday of Lent. How should we keep this day of penance, Isaiah asks. Not by hypocrisy or “…bowing our heads like a reed and laying in sackcloth and ashes…”, but by good works instead. His list of suggestions is familiar to every Christian, and a good reminder for everyone: “…releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” 

In modern tradition, the Catholic Bishops ask us to abstain from eating meat during each of the Fridays during Lent, except on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday when we are asked also to limit our food intake to the equivalent of just one full meal for each of those special days. 

According to Jessica Coblentz in U.S. Catholic “Fasting rituals are not legalistic obligations but rather collective rituals of self-denial aimed at imitating Christ.” Perhaps the most profound statement of the practice is expressed by Fr. Daniel Merz of the Conference of Catholic Bishops: “For the Christian, fasting is ultimately about fasting from sin.”

Cutting out meat and skipping a meal is pretty easy by comparison, but a good reminder of the life we are called to.  

Prayer

Lord, help me to live with many forms of fasting in my daily life and for those sacrifices to help me become a better Christian in all its magnificent manifestations.

Vince Bolduc
Professor Emeritus of Sociology

Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a
Psalm 51:3-6b, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

As we enter the Lenten season, today’s readings remind us that life in Jesus is about making choices. Luke first recounts Jesus foretelling His disciples what is going to happen to Him. Jesus tells us that to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. This is not just about extreme suffering but also denying ourselves. This is most difficult today because we live in a culture that continually bombards us to indulge ourselves, but we must focus on letting go of anything that competes with God
for priority in our lives including self- centeredness, profit driven ambition and more. Honestly ask yourself if you are truly taking up your cross daily to truly follow Christ in love and faith.

In Moses last sermon before he died, he, too, talks about choices with stark contrasts on what we can expect if we choose to follow GOD’s commandments OR turn our hearts away, not listen and go astray. “Choose life” by loving God, walking in obedience to Him and the commandments. This again, is not easy in the world we live in as we are human and thus, sinners. Although it can be challenging to choose life, we must continually try by calling on the Holy Spirit for guidance, so we continue to carry our cross daily and walk with Jesus to our salvation.

Let us deeply reflect on our choices this Lenten season to choose life by carrying our cross daily. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for the strength, honesty, and courage to choose life leading to eternal life with you for “Blessed are they that hope in the Lord”. We pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen

Eileen Casey, ‘81

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

  Ash Wednesday

Reflection

Today, our foreheads are traced with the dust and ashes of the earth, with the judgement that “you are dust.” This of course is both factual and metaphorical or symbolic. Dust is all the same, one fleck no different than another, it blows where it wills. In scripture God tells us we are dust, but scripture also asserts that the Word became flesh (dust) and dwelt among us. This flesh, this dust embodied in Christ is also the flesh of our salvation. Dust moves from nothingness and death to life and eternity. At the same time, we experience our own weakness, the difficulties of living a virtuous life, the disappointments we experience in ourselves, our families, the church. And so, there is a dying and lying in dust we may feel on any given day. But this dying is not the last word. “You are dust” is not our future because God is involved with us and promises the depth of eternity, and thus there is hope.

This signing today with dust will have meaning in as much as each of us takes on those small “deaths” whereby we show patience with the boring and tedious in our lives; request forgiveness; live up to our convictions in face of opposition. If we die in the daily round of living and do so willingly in union with the passion of Christ, our everyday, ordinary lives will reflect the splendor and glory of Christ’s resurrection.

Prayer

Gracious God, you speak to us and reveal our origins as dust of the earth, but you have not finished speaking. You are with us each day and remain our hope against all hope. Abide with us on our Lenten journey and bring us to know the glory of the resurrection.

Edward J. Mahoney
Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies

Scripture

First Reading: Joel 2:12-18

Psalm 51:3-6b, 12-14, 17

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

  Join us on a Lenten Journey…

Lent is an incredible gift to us. Some of us receive it with eagerness as a time of healing and growth; others receive it with trepidation of the challenges and sacrifices that Lent can pose; still others receive it with indifference. And yet regardless of where we are in our spiritual journeys, we are all given an opportunity during these 40 days to turn our hearts back towards God and deepen our relationship with God and others in a special way. It offers a chance to take time to reflect on our lives and renew our commitment to open our hearts to God through prayer.

With this in mind, the students, faculty, staff, and members of the Saint Michael’s College worshipping community have come together to offer their reflections on the daily Scripture readings and what they are saying to us in our lives today...how they challenge and encourage us to feel God’s presence, love, and forgiveness each day during this sacred time. Each day of Lent, there will be a new reflection on this blog, based on the Scripture readings of the day, from Ash Wednesday through Easter. We encourage you to join us on a Lenten journey of reflecting and praying with us through this site.

We hope that these reflections are ones that inspire and help you grow deeper in your prayer life during the journey of Lent as we prepare for the Resurrection of Christ Jesus! May we be inspired to open our eyes and see God’s deep, unconditional love present in our lives.

Please note that these reflections are not intended to represent theological views or statements by Edmundite Campus Ministry or Saint Michael’s College, but rather are a compilation of reflections as written by members of the campus and wider community of worshippers.

Easter Sunday

Reflection

In the Easter Gospel, Mary of Magdala discovers the empty tomb, setting a scene of initial darkness that reflects uncertainty and sorrow. Her urgency to inform Peter and the beloved disciple triggers a race, illustrating diverse responses to faith's mysteries.

As they approach the tomb, the disciples' distinct reactions – one hesitating, the other boldly entering and believing – mirror the varied ways we at times grapple with divine truths. The passage ends with the acknowledgment that, at that moment, the disciples did not fully comprehend Jesus' resurrection. This mirrors the ongoing human struggle to grasp divine mysteries, celebrating Easter as a transformative light dispelling doubt.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter boldly proclaims Jesus' anointing, ministry, and resurrection. This proclamation bridges the uncertainty of the empty tomb to the conviction of a risen Christ. Peter emphasizes their role as witnesses, having shared meals with the risen Christ, underscoring the reality of the resurrection.

The complete picture of Easter – from the darkness of Christ's death, the confusion at the empty tomb, to the radiant proclamation of His resurrection – emerge from these two readings.

Prayer

As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection today and every Sunday, we embrace the transformative power of faith in the risen Christ and fills us with hope, charity, and love. Amen.

Richard Plumb, PhD
President, Saint Michael’s College

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

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website