Monday of the First Week

Reflection

As we begin the first full week of Lent, today’s liturgical readings highlight opportunities that we encounter along our Christian journey.

In Leviticus, we are reminded of the laws of the Lord, building on the commandments given to Moses and focusing on our equitable interactions with others, including the marginalized and disadvantaged. We are called to treat with care and respect all those in our lives. The reading ends with the beautiful motto “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” By embracing the words of the Lord, we will find “Spirit and life” as the responsorial psalm reiterates.

Matthew’s gospel reading on the end time, analogous to a shepherd separating sheep from goats, offers apt guidance on following these laws. By fulfilling the corporal works of mercy and sharing food, drink, clothing, welcome, and encouragement with those in need, we can actively love those around us, especially at a time when such compassion is so vital.

In 2021, Pope Francis designated today as an optional memorial for Saint Gregory of Narek, a tenth century Armenian abbot who was declared a church doctor in 2015. Renowned for his book of prayers written toward the end of his life, Gregory begins each prayer with the desire to speak to God from the depths of the heart and expresses an abiding love of God by a soul humbly aware of human weakness and God’s mercy. May we develop our own deep awareness of God’s benevolence and the many graces in our lives.

Prayer

O Merciful Lord, help us to follow your laws and deepen our love for others, especially those in need. Hear us as we pray today’s Evening Prayer antiphon: “O blessed doctor, Saint Gregory, light of holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us!” Amen.

George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics

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

As we begin Lent, we are first asked to consider the experience of Jesus as he was tempted in the desert, tempted as we all are but also not like us in how Jesus confronted his temptations. And so, we are led to see that Jesus was indeed like us, tempted in the same way we are. There was nothing different about Jesus in that. But where we go wrong—how we deal with the temptations that come our way—is what makes the difference. He made the right choices when faced with difficult situations, choices that kept him on the right track with God and with his fellow Jews. That’s the key, perhaps, keeping one foot in front of the other along the path to God. We tend to stray and wander, attracted by the sights along the way and, at time, making choices that will not get us where we want to go, where Jesus went. We say to ourselves, “After all, I’m only human.” But so was Jesus—human like us in the tempting but then unlike us in our weakness. Jesus saw the same sights and experienced the same temptations. However, he just kept to the way that leads to God. Maybe that is what he meant when he said, “I am the way,” letting us know that, like him, we need to keep on putting one foot in front of the other along the way to God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, keep us to the way. Help us to walk your path, hard as it may be. Like you, may we face our trials successfully, and like you endure to the end whatever comes our way, never giving up or giving in. This we pray through Jesus our Lord, who showed us the way.  Amen.

Fr. David Theroux, S.S.E. ’70, Professor of Religious Studies

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

Our Gospel today brings us to a familiar scene with Jesus calling a tax collector named Levi to follow him just before sitting down and eating with a large group of tax collectors. The social context underlying this scene is important as those Jews who served as tax collectors were considered outcasts in Jewish society. They were tasked to collect taxes for the Roman Empire and were often shunned for their role and seen as traitors for working with the occupying forces. Jesus certainly would have known this. By calling Levi to follow him and eating with other tax collectors, Jesus causes great scandal breaking religious and social norms. When confronted, Jesus reminds the Pharisees, and us, that he is there to bring forgiveness to sinners. Jesus’ ministry is to heal not only the physical wounds of the sick but also to heal those who have been socially wounded by restoring their membership in the community of faith.

Who among us today might be seen as socially marginalized like the tax collector? Are there those around us on campus and everywhere we go to whom we could be more like Jesus?  How are we called to follow Jesus and use our place in the world to lift up those around us? Our faith calls us to take care of those whom society might see as sinners. These people are deemed outcasts because they do not believe what we believe, do not love how we think love should be, or even look like us. Can we call ourselves righteous if we continue to shun those who might look different than us, love differently from us, or believe differently? How do we reconcile the potential disconnect between what this passage and our faith call us to live out and the way we treat those around us who are considered outcasts?

Prayer

Gracious God, open our eyes to the outcasts in our society. Help us to share the gift of Christ to those who need it most. Above all, be with those whose lives are threatened just for being who they are.

Rada Ruggles ’23

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

This initial Friday of Lent we hear from Isaiah and Matthew both emphasizing the necessity of fasting.  Isaiah addresses the correct manner of fasting as it relates to one’s relationship with God and others. An authentic fast includes sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, and clothing the naked. Refraining from food is not the only thing you must do, especially during Lent.  

Throughout this Lenten season we are called to act with good will toward our neighbors.  If we do not engage with those around us in efforts to lift up those in despair, then we have not done our duty to both God and neighbor. Throughout Lent God calls us to partake in prayer, fasting, AND almsgiving. 

Partaking in fasting should not be part of some checklist where simply a box is checked. Fasting is more than a physical discipline regarding diet as it should have a social component which benefits others. If you fast without intent then your fast means nothing. Isaiah asks: “Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?”  We must ask ourselves the same question. Is our fast acceptable to the Lord? Our fast is more than just not eating meat on these Fridays but must include our loving actions towards others as well.

Prayer

Lord, I ask you to give me strength in my hunger, strength in my heart and strength in my actions as I fast for you today.  Allow my earnest efforts to be seen by you on this day and throughout the Lenten season. Amen.

Hank Kelly ’23

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

The readings today give light to the idea that God wants us to freely have a relationship with Him. Moses says to the people: “Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you.” In pursuing a meaningful relationship with the Lord, we enhance our lives in ways that could not be achieved any other way. In choosing to follow His call in our daily lives, we surrender to God’s desires for us. 

It is important to note that this choice is not meant to be an easy one. As we see in the Gospel passage, Jesus asks us to deny ourselves and follow Him so that we might save our lives. If we focus only on our worldly desires and goals, we will never find true peace and life in Him. Our own desires are often compelling, but in taking up our daily cross and following Jesus, we bring ourselves closer to God’s ultimate desire for us. We were not designed for this life alone, thus by heeding His call we move closer to eternal life with Him.

Prayer

Lord, grant us the strength to pick up our crosses and follow You daily. Help us to hear Your voice, and to trust in Your desires for us. Thank You for giving us the guidance to live meaningful lives in which we can better ourselves for Your glory. Amen.

Theresa Hoar ‘25

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

The Lenten season always begins with Ash Wednesday which leaves the faithful marked by a symbolic cross of ash on their forehead. This symbol serves as a recognition that we, as Catholics, are entering into a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent prepares us for the Easter season which follows by placing us in a similar plight to Jesus’ suffering in the desert and even further, on the cross.

Most Catholics will never have the opportunity to experience the sacrifice that Jesus makes for our sins at the crucifixion, but all who believe and truly practice the faith are given the opportunity to receive His eternal blessing. We are called to bring ourselves to His suffering through three main principles established in today’s Gospel reading: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. 

Almsgiving can more simply be stated as giving to the poor or sacrificing one’s own resources to help those in need. Fasting is the sacrifice of food as we abstain from having meat on Fridays and from eating normal size meals, particularly today and on Good Friday. Prayer though, is the toughest principle of Lent. We are called to sacrifice both our time and energy to bring ourselves humbly before God personified in our suffering Savior, acknowledging that no sacrifice we make can compare to that which Jesus made on the cross for our sins. This comes with much struggle and a deep need of reflection as we try to use this Lenten season for growth. 

Growing in our faith is the overarching theme of Lent and realistically, our entire lives. May we, during this Lenten season take this opportunity to grow in our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving taking advantage of every opportunity that we have to liken our Lenten experience to Christ’s.

Prayer

Lord, as we begin this Lenten journey through our own personal deserts, may we acknowledge your deep sacrifice and grow infinitely closer to you through our own. Amen.

Nick Wracker, ’26

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.