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

Monday of the Second Week

Reflection

In reflecting on today’s gospel by Luke, I can’t help but think of a similar phrase in Matthew 7:12 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”— the Golden Rule. Only Luke is much more specific. He outlines the STOPS: judging, condemning and the DOs: be merciful, forgive, give gifts. The first reading calls us shame-faced (a word I was unfamiliar with) for having sinned against the Lord but then goes on to point out that God has met us with com-passion and forgiveness. We must follow that example.

The issue that challenges me most in these controversial political times is judging. I think God requires a bit more effort on my part. When tempted to judge another’s view of world events, I need to stop and be curious about why they believe as they do. Perhaps, in the end we will still disagree, but hopefully in a civil manner with-out hurling hurtful comments or dismissing each other as being ignorant. Perhaps trying this approach will give back the “good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing that is poured into our laps.”; Or in simpler terms…go easy on others and they will do the same for you. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to be aware of times when I’m quick to judge help me to remember that you have made each of us and do not measure us by our shamefulness but with love.

Mary Dennison
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Daniel 9:4b-10

Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Second Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Abram and Sara were from a prominent family of Ur, an ancient city with its affluence built on violence, oppression, and exploitation. God called this couple to leave their civilization of privilege and to go out into the unknown. God promised to be with them and show them a better way.

In our own faith journey we are called to step out and take a different direction into the unknown, trusting that what we have is not as good as it gets. We believe God’s promise that there is a better way.

Consider the horizon that is part of our daily lives. We pay extra money for homes with a view of the mountains on the distant horizon. We walk the shores of the ocean with our eyes fixed on the horizon. We do not know what is on the other side, yet it calls us. Faith is walking with God toward that horizon. In His presence we can endure life’s difficulties, accept what we did not expect to happen in our lives. We can leave the old self and take on a new self. We can take steps to move forward toward the horizon and into the unknown.

When the apostles witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus, they did not understand what happened but felt drawn to it. With Jesus we can take a new direction, a better way, the way of adding love to the universe, the way of compassion, kindness, goodness, reconciliation, forgiveness, The Way of Jesus.

Prayer

God, our Father, we place our trust in You. Let Your mercy be on us through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son Who lives with You in Unity with the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Janice Couture
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the First Week

Reflection

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses continues to instruct the people in the statutes and laws of the Lord which are perfect. What is so remarkable in this last book of the Torah is that these laws are given not as a reprimand but as the foundation of God’s covenant with His people. We have a God who calls us into relationship. He will be our God. We will be His people, a people sacred to Him as we keep His commandments.

In today’s gospel reading, Matthew tells us more about this covenant that God has made with His people. Just as Jesus loves us, he calls on us to love one another; to go beyond our bounds, beyond our comfort zone. It is not enough to love family, friends and others who gratify us. We must love our enemies. God is our perfect model of love as he “makes the sun shine on bad and good alike, and the rain to fall on the just and unjust.” The God who made and loves all of us, teaches us that we must love without discrimination.

The covenant God makes with us call us into a deeper relationship with Him and a love of others, even our enemies.

Prayer

God grant me the grace to love my enemies. Oh, how much more comfortable to find fault, to claim higher ground from which to look down on those I call enemy. I pray that you would move my heart this day to respond with love for all.

Jackie Lawson, M’89
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the First Week

Reflection

Today’s readings lead us to the contemplation of justice. In our unsettled world, seeking and making our own peace with God’s sense of justice, and man’s sense of justice can be a challenging task. Ezekiel calls us to live righteously and repent our misguided choices, return to the warmth of God’s love, and strive to live out our days following God’s call. He writes about reconciliation, and this reading provides a guide for restorative justice, something the world is often in need of. The responsorial psalm reminds us that God does not keep score the way humans tend to. Yes, punishment awaits those who persist in their misguided ways, but forgiveness and redemption are the hallmark of God’s scorecard, not retribution. Truly it is never too late to turn to the path of God. Writing for a Jewish Christian audience Matthew has Jesus set a culturally high bar: the scribes and Pharisees were deemed the most holy of people in Jewish society at the time, and Jesus pointedly says that his disciples (representing all of us) must be better than they are. Matthew proceeds to give some practical examples of just how we might start to live this way; it is easier said than done.

Theodore Parker, an American abolitionist, coined the phrase "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. popularized it during his efforts in the civil rights movement. To-day’s readings encourage us to keep up the good work by looking inward and acting for the good of all.

Prayer

Father, these are trying times. Guide me in my faith to follow you, to repent my mis-deeds, and reform my behavior. Help me to find the understanding and humility to aid in bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice each day of my life. Amen.

John Devlin
Professor of Performing Arts, Theatre

Scripture
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the First Week

Reflection

In the first reading we meet an anguished Esther, deeply concerned for the fate of the Jewish people and pleading to the Lord our God for protection. Calling on her commitment to the Lord, in defiance of her human overlords, she asks God to save the Jewish people. May we, as Christians follow in the way of the Lord, avoid false idols, so that He may hear our prayers.

The psalm today reinforces the message in Esther. “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.” His “kindness endures forever.” If we give thanks to the Lord and praise Him with all of our heart, He will answer our prayers.

Matthew tells us “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” We must be open to asking the Lord for help for our own needs. But Matthew also instructs on how we should be open to helping others as God is willing to help us with the golden rule — “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Prayer

Lord, let me be open to your message and grant me the courage to act ac-cording to your will. Help me be open to helping others as you have helped me.

Tom O’Keefe, ’86
Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Psalm: 138:1-3, 7c-8
Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the First Week

Reflection

This passage from Jonah is a story about second chances, uncomfortable obedience, and the surprising power of repentance. God comes to Jonah again — not to scold him, not to shame him, but to send him back out. That “second time” matters. It reminds us that messing up or running away doesn’t end the story. God still calls, still trusts, still asks us to show up.

Jonah goes to Nineveh, a city so big and overwhelming it takes days just to walk through. And Jonah doesn’t exactly give a warm, inspiring speech. His message is blunt and uncomfortable: destruction is coming. No soft landing, no reassurance. And yet, the people listen. They take it seriously. Instead of arguing or ignoring it, they stop, reflect, and change. They fast, they put on sackcloth, and they humble themselves. Even the king steps down from his throne, laying aside power, comfort, and pride. Repentance reaches every level of society, from the greatest to the least, and even symbolically to the animals. Nothing is left untouched.

What’s especially striking is the king’s response. He steps down from his throne and admits he doesn’t have control here. There’s no guarantee things will turn out okay, just a hope that God might be merciful if they truly change. That “who knows?” feels very honest. It’s the kind of faith that doesn’t demand certainty, just trusts enough to try.

Lent invites us into that same space. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about paying attention, being willing to admit when we’re off track, and choosing to turn around — even if we’re unsure how things will end. And in the end, God responds not to dramatic promises, but to real change. This story reminds us that God notices our effort, meets us in humility, and is always ready to offer mercy when we turn back.

Prayer

God, thank you for not giving up on us and for calling us back when we wander. Help us slow down this Lent, be honest about what needs to change, and trust that you meet us with grace when we turn back to you.

Tanya Makhlina-Eckstein, ’10
Member of the Liturgical Choir

Scripture

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website