Monday of the First Week

Reflection

In my opinion, one of the most important and encompassing teachings of Jesus is contained in the central message of these readings. These readings lay out in plain language how humankind should treat one another: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus goes on in the Gospel to say how those who treated Him with kindness, mercy, and love will inherit the kingdom of God, yet those people never realized that when they helped a stranger in need, they were in fact returning all that love to Jesus Himself, for “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

That simple line carries so much within it and delivers the deeper message that Jesus is intrinsically and perpetually present in each and every single person through the Holy Spirit. If we take anything away from these readings, it is that we should love ourselves as Jesus does, and extend that care to everyone else around us. Stranger or not, we are all united and interconnected by Him and His unending love.

It is apparent that when we understand this and put it into practice, our communities become stronger and deepen in connection and support for one another. Mother Teresa understood this and adopted it full heartedly in her mission and service work, “Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you. Love begins by taking care of the closest ones—the ones at home.”  Building the kind of world that takes care of each other starts with you and a small act of kindness toward the person right next to you.

Prayer

Loving God, may we remember often to care for others the way You care for us. May You grant us the awareness and strength to stand up for each other, justice, and overall peace in our communities. Amen.

Vicky Castillo, ’20, Assistant Director of MOVE

Scripture

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Psalm 19:8-10, 15

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

  First Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Life is at times a wilderness experience, a desert experience. Try as we may to always be ordered, always in control, things get away from us; stress and anxiety can build within us, and we can feel as if we are lost, wandering, alone. This is a root of the Lenten experience as it is of Judeo-Christian religious tradition: as the people of Israel wandered the desert after the Exodus, Jesus takes to the desert as His ministry begins. God however, remains present to us even in our moments of wandering: Moses tells how the Lord brought people through 40 years of desert, distress, and temptation to a Promised Land, proverbially flowing with milk and honey.

Christ in His wilderness experience faces the same hardship, deprivation and temptation during His 40 desert days. Jesus goes without food: He is able to do so because He trusts in the fullness of the Spirit, His human nature aware of His humility before the all-powerful God who generously gives and sustains life.  Imbued by the Spirit, Jesus in His human nature is not led into temptation, but is sustained with true food: trust in the sovereign and gracious God who sustains us all. Entering into our own period of wilderness reflection during the Lenten season, we may use this time to reflect on the things of this world that tempt us and cause anxiety, and how, in the words of Paul, all who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.

Prayer

Grant almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Through Christ our Lord.

Fr. Michael R. Carter, S.S.E. ’12, Lecturer of Religious Studies

Scripture

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15

Second Reading:  Romans 10:8-13

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

If I don’t recognize a need for God, God can’t do much for me or with me. Perhaps that’s why desperate people—poor people—turn to God. Their needs are significant; only God can satisfy them.  When I have everything, God ends up playing second fiddle in my life.

Levi is neither desperately poor nor exceedingly rich. He’s neither “religious” in the eyes of those versed in religion nor “spiritual” in terms of having an intimate relationship with God. But, unlike the Pharisees and the teachers, who firmly believe they’re spiritual masters, Levi is open to what Jesus might offer.

What fills me this Lent?  Am I so full of social media and secular culture that I don’t even feel a need for change—a desire for more?  Am I prepared to invite God into my life—make the Lord the guest of honor—even if that means being criticized by others?

Isaiah puts it differently.  Am I prepared to put my interests second and be attentive to the Lord, the needy, the oppressed, and others?  I might not need anything personally, but others have needs.

What can I offer?  Levi was only a tax collector. If God could use Levi, God can use me.

Prayer

Empty me, O Lord, of the many preoccupations that fill my daily routine. Fill me with an awareness of the needs of others. Lead and guide me, O Lord, so that I become more like You in what I say and do. Amen.

Fr. Richard Myhalyk, S.S.E. ’66

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

The Scripture readings for the Friday after Ash Wednesday are ones that reflect the necessity of fasting with a purpose and helping those in need. The Scripture provides an important lesson. It is one thing to fast, but it is another to fast while understanding the reasoning behind one’s choices. Fasting with a purpose brings one closer with God.  It is also relevant during this time to fast while keeping those who are suffering in mind. Fasting should be carried out in a certain manner in which those who are suffering suffer no more. As the Scripture says, it is crucial not to turn “your back on your own.” Those who have good fortune should be ready and able to help those who may not be able to help themselves. Individuals are coming together to form a connected community full of love and support.   On this day, it is important to understand the choices one makes in regards to their own fasting. Similarly, it is also important to think about others’ needs and ways we can support those who are suffering. If we fast with a true purpose and help those we meet along the path, then God will appear before us and we will be connected with Him once more. Having “a heart contrite and humbled” is important on this day and every day.

Prayer

Let us pray for those who are suffering and for those who are plentiful. May we all walk with God everyday.

Lauren Best, ’24

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

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Reflection

Every day we are faced with decisions to make, something as small as what you want for breakfast, to big life events. In the first reading, Moses reminds us to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow him. Lent allows us to reflect on ourselves and consider if we are making decisions that allow us to do our best to follow the commands to love God and to love one another. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter and to challenge ourselves to follow these commandments.

In the Gospel, we hear Jesus tell us, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. The big question here is, will you take up your cross? As I was reflecting on this, I find myself feeling the challenge to take up my cross daily and following Jesus. This has been especially difficult when unexpected changes and challenges come up, but it is important to remember that the Gospel calls upon us to take up our cross every day. Not only when things are going well, or when it is convenient, but every single day.

As we begin this Lenten season, let us work to live out the Gospel in our daily lives, by taking up our cross to be compassionate, caring, and loving of one another each and every day.

Prayer

Loving God, You have commanded us to show mercy and compassion to one another. Guide me in taking up my cross daily to make decisions with love and compassion.   Amen.

Lexie Lembo, ’21

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’s Gospel projects a simple message that sets the pace for the Lenten season: humility. Jesus tells His disciples to “not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”  As disciples of Christ, we must be keenly aware of this. Lent is a season of humility; it is a time

of reflection and penance, as well as a time to take up our crosses. And as Jesus reminds us, when we bear these crosses, we do it not for show, but instead in anticipation of the coming of our Lord. We must be, as Paul writes to the Corinthians, “ambassadors of Christ.”

Make no mistake, this will not be easy. Elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel we are reminded that “whoever wants to save his life will lose it.” We must deny ourselves and step out of our comfort zone during Lent. Maybe this takes the form of giving something up, or devoting more

of your time to a cause, or simply making more room for Jesus in your life. Regardless of what we choose to bear this Lent, a sudden change in our day to day lives is difficult. But it is equally an admission of our own humility before our God.

When we do these things, when we do penance, all in silence, we fully anticipate the coming of our Lord. As we humbly serve God this Lent, we prepare to wash away the stain of sin with the glorious Resurrection at Easter. Therefore, let us put our own interests aside during these forty days to serve others and contemplate our relationship to the Lord. And as we hear His voice in the coming weeks, let us harden not our hearts.

Prayer

Loving and Merciful God, as we embark on our Lenten journey together, allow us to deny ourselves, so that when the day comes we may gain the Kingdom of Eternal Life.

James A. Downs, ’22

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.