Monday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

In Isaiah 65: 17-21, the Lord says He will create new heavens and a new earth.  He promises a world of joy where there will be no crying and only joy. 

Our Christian tradition teaches us that God gave us His only Son Jesus to save us—to create a better world.  My first reaction is where is this better world?  I see poverty, injustice, unfair distribution of wealth, wars, abuse of power, destruction of our planet, etc.  Then I am reminded of Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel,” his encyclical on climate change, and his call for all of us—Christians and non-Christians alike—to be agents of peace, justice, inclusion, love, and care of God’s creation.

In the Gospel, John 4:43-54, Jesus leaves Samaria for Galilee, noting that “a prophet has no honor in his native place,” an expression that we still use frequently today.  He returned to Cana, where He had performed His first miracle, changing water into wine.  Here, Jesus performs His second miracle, curing the young son of a government official who had faith in Him.

Prayer

I believe it is appropriate to borrow the Prayer of Saint Francis:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is sadness, joy.”

To that I would add, “Please let me set a good example in caring for Your creation and sharing our resources.”

Fran Thompson, M’98, Member of the 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

The parable in Luke’s Gospel of the Prodigal Son is a story of great hope for us as loved sinners. Just as the son in this story had ventured down a path that turned away from God, we too, have experienced times where we have been tempted by sin. Yet, this parable reminds us that we can always return back to God and that He will be welcoming us with open arms.

 

On this fourth Sunday of Lent, we can be comforted by the fact that Jesus loves us despite our sins. Despite this constant love, it is still important for us to recognize and confess our sins so that we can be reborn. Just as the son in the story was “dead, and has come to life again…was lost and has been found,” our lives can be saved if we reject sin and turn back to Christ. In Luke 15:18, it says “I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Only when we recognize our weaknesses can we be saved. In doing so, we have nothing to worry about. In Luke’s Gospel story, there seems to be a parallel with the father in the story with our Heavenly Father. The father in the story appears to mimic God’s great love for us. Rather than focusing on the sins that the son has committed, there is more of a focus on the love and forgiveness the father has for his son. Through this Gospel message, we are reminded that God’s love and forgiveness are infinite and that He will endlessly welcome us back again and again to be in His presence of peace.

Prayer

God, please help us to recognize our faults and weaknesses and to turn away from this path of sin. Help us to be comforted by the fact that we can return to You, our Heavenly Father, who will love us and forgive us always. Amen.

 Caitlin Shea, ’16

 

Scripture

First Reading: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
Psalm 34:2-7
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Saturday of the Third Week

Reflection
The Pharisee saw himself as perfect, especially in comparison to the tax collector. Some people mistakenly believe that religion is only for perfect people. However, perfection is something that only God achieves; no person is perfect. God is always there, waiting with open arms to provide the mercy that all of us need. Mercy is a gift which can warm our hearts so that through the power of God’s love, which is offered to all of us, we can be a light to others. God’s love can transform and change us so that we can give love and show mercy to others. In addition, it helps us realize how special we are to God our Father and how much He loves us despite our failings.

Recall that the Pharisee failed to ask God for mercy, probably because he didn’t think he needed it. The tax collector, who was reviled by the people, knew that even if others might never forgive him, God could, and he knew he needed God’s forgiveness. This parable teaches us that we need to pray well, which means to pray humbly with a deep recognition of our need for God’s mercy. We need to ask for it and seek to live by it. On December 8, 2015, Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Mercy. Just like today’s readings, he calls us to know “the goodness and tenderness of God” and to understand that if we wish for God to deal with us with mercy, then we must be merciful and show compassionate love. As today’s psalm states, this is what God wants.

Prayer

Merciful Father, may we follow the way of the good and keep to the paths of the just by being merciful to those who have erred and to those who are less fortunate than us.

 

Lucia Thomas, ’16

 

Scripture
First Reading: Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21b
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Friday of the Third Week

Reflection

Today’s readings are about sounding and resounding.  Today’s readings are about turning and returning.  We are asked to turn toward the voice of God.  We return home to hear God’s cries.

Throughout each day, I lose my way in series and sorts of frenetic busyness.  I fret and frazzle over details and deadlines and somehow lose the sight and sense of Him.   These readings beckon and welcome me. The readings remind me that God’s love is vibrant, ever present, tangible, and alive.

There is great comfort in today’s readings.  There is also great charge.    

There is a song in today’s readings—that I will know that God is ever present so long as I have the ears to hear His loving cries. 

There is a compass in today’s readings—that I can point right back to God so long as I have the eyes to see and sense His ever loving presence.  

I’m reminded today that the manifestations of God’s love are without measure and are immeasurable.  By loving God and my neighbor, I will always find my way back to God.    

 

Prayer
Dear God, may I deepen my discipline in paying attention. When I stray, may I swiftly come home.  May I turn and return to loving You and my neighbor made possible by Your fathomless love.  May I sing the sounds and resounding joy of Your ever present love.  Amen.

Antonia Messuri, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs

Scripture
First Reading: Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 81:6c-11b, 14, 17
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Third Week

Reflection
What God asks of us seems simple enough. He wants us to be His people and to listen and follow His words. Yet at every turn, we seem to stray and harden our hearts. He asks for commitment, but we just cannot seem to make it. As Jesus is ridding people of demons in the Gospel, He says, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

What the Lord is asking is for commitment, a major component of Lent. He does not want us to have selective hearing when we hear God’s word, pick and choosing carefully the parts we want to follow. Rather, He wants us to commit with our whole hearts, to take up our cross and follow Him. Lent reminds us of the role of commitment and sacrifice in our journey in Jesus’ footsteps, and we are comforted in the knowledge that Jesus will walk alongside us.

Lent repeats God’s call for us to open our hearts and listen. We must truly hear God’s words and act on them. It is okay if we start with baby steps, with smaller commitments, as long as we are taking those steps closer to God instead of away from Him.
 

Prayer 
Lord, help us to hear Your voice and to be filled with the faith and the strength to commit ourselves to You.

Rebecca Rouleau, ’18

 

 

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-28

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

  

 

Wednesday of the Third Week

Reflection

In today’s first reading, Moses shares with the Israelites what God has revealed to him about the statutes and decrees they are to live by as they move to the Promised Land. He admonishes them to observe them carefully, as that will demonstrate to others how to live their lives properly. By their observance of these laws, they will enjoy a close relationship with the Lord, their God, who made them the chosen people. No other people had the benefit of having their God so close to them during this time. As a result, they recognize that they are special in the eyes of God! The challenge for them, then, is to live by these statutes and decrees and pass on to future generations what they have been given.

The Gospel reading of Matthew today reaffirms the directive from God handed down to Moses regarding the commandments and passed down by the prophets until Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” As a result, those of us that are followers of Jesus share an even closer relationship with God than that experienced by the Israelites at the time of Moses. He came to demonstrate how we are to live our lives by following these statutes and decrees, and further promises to be with us in a special way each time we receive Him in the sacraments. If we observe His commandants, we are promised that we can continue to be with Him forever in the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

Jesus, You came to help us live in a way that will assure our joining You in Your Kingdom. Help us to live by Your laws and example while You were with us on Earth, so we may enjoy being with You forever. Amen.

Jerry Flanagan, ’71 and P’94, P’98, P’01, P’11, Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

 

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

 

 

Tuesday of the Third Week

Reflection
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches Peter a lesson about forgiveness, telling him to forgive seven times seventy-seven times.  Forgiveness is something with which we all struggle.  Letting go of hurt can be painful and difficult, and oftentimes we choose to hold onto those negative feelings. Forgiving ourselves can be even more difficult than forgiving others.  We expect the most out of ourselves, and when we fall short of the mark, we can become our own harshest critics.  But God tells us there is no limit to the number of times He will forgive us, and in following Christ, we should freely forgive others, and ourselves as well.  This task is challenging, but also encouraging.  God is revealing His love to us in this passage and showing us how much He cares for us.  Forgiveness is the gift that we often deprive ourselves of, but in holding onto those negative feelings, the only person we hurt is ourself.  This Lenten season, let us make a conscious effort to be kinder to ourselves.  Forgiving ourselves for a mistake made at work, a disappointing exam grade, or a moment of anger can release us from the guilt that we often place on ourselves, and bring us closer to God. 

 

Forgiveness

is for giving,

so give yourself the gift from time to time

and let all of your mistakes

become all of your greatest gifts

in disguise.

—Luke Lesson

Prayer
Lord, help me to extend forgiveness to myself and others this Lenten season.  Help me to see the love You have for Your people, and to manifest that love in the form of forgiveness.

Amanda Carpenter, ’16

Scripture
First Reading: Deuteronomy 3:25, 34-43
Psalm: 25:4-5ab, 6-9
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website