Lenten Reflections

Easter Sunday

Today is the best day of the year! We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Mary finds an empty tomb and the disciples are in such disbelief they take off running. This image of running to the Lord is a great one to keep with us this Easter. Jesus wants to be with us, he sent his Holy Spirit to be with us and guide and sustain us. May we continue to run to him every day!

Holy Saturday At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Tonight’s liturgy happens in three parts. Part one begins in a dark church, with the Easter fire outside and the blessing of the Easter candle. Light then spreads from candle to candle, just as Jesus was the light of the world. Next, stories from scripture highlighting the story of salvation history from the creation of the world to the prophets vision of the messiah. This leads into the gospel story of the Resurrection and the women finding Jesus in the tomb. New members are received into the Church through baptism and/or confirmation and Eucharist during the second part. And the third part the community celebrates the Eucharist, proclaiming Alleluia for the first time in over 40 days! This is a beautiful liturgy where the redemption and eternal life that comes from Christ is evident and celebrated. While it is a long liturgy, (and has to start when it is dark, so it’s a late night), it is the most powerful of the year. I encourage you all to check it out this year! 

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Today’s liturgy gives us the opportunity to hear the story of Jesus’ suffering and death which he took on for us. We also get the opportunity to venerate the cross, and recognize that God took this tool of death and destruction and made it a means of salvation. The Eucharist we receive was consecrated at the liturgy yesterday, and after this liturgy begins the time of solemn prayer until Easter. Spend some time today prayerfully reading the passion story and spend time thanking Jesus for all he’s done for us. 
 

Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Today begins the Easter Triduum, the most holy days of the year. Today is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which also celebrates the institution of the Priesthood. Today’s liturgy features the blessing of the oils the Church uses for sacraments during the year, and closes with a period of adoration extended during the night. The gospel reading focuses on Jesus washing the disciple’s feet, an extraordinary act of service. The Eucharist sustains us for the service we are called to do in order to spread the word of God. It is fitting that Holy Week begins with a focus and celebration of the Eucharist.

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-15

From today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah: “The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;” 

What are some ways I let God speak through me?
 

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

From today’s gospel: “Simon Peter said to him, "Master, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later." Peter said to him, "Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times." 

Are there times we have not lived as a follow of Jesus in our words or actions? 

Gospel: John 12:1-11

From today’s Gospel: “So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’" 

How do we recognize the poor in our midst?

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40; Luke 22:14-56

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the most holy week of the year. Jesus enters Jerusalem with cheers and applause and waving palms (common for royalty in his time), only to be condemned and crucified just a few days later. This liturgy starts with a special reading highlighting this entrance to Jersalum, and then we hear the story of the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, ending with his death. This gives us an opportunity to more deeply think about the great lengths Jesus went to in order to bring us closer to God. 

As we prepare for the greatest of weeks, what are we doing to spend extra time with God as we get closer to Easter? 
 

Gospel: John 11:45-56

From today’s first reading: “I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 

How do you let God dwell within you? 

Gospel: John 10:31-42

From today’s gospel: [Jesus answered them] “If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." 

Do you need to see miracles and healings to believe in Jesus?

Gospel: John 8:51-59

From today’s gospel: “Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." 

What are some ways you follow the words of Jesus?

Gospel: John 8:31-42

From today’s gospel: "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

Do you spend time reading and praying with the Word of God? 

Gospel: John 8:21-30

From today’s gospel: So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him. 

What sort of things can you do that are pleasing to God? 

Gospel: John 8:12-20

From today’s gospel: Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

How are you following Jesus this Lent? 

Gospel: John 8:1-11

Today’s gospel focuses on Mercy, the mercy that God has for each of us that is demonstrated by Jesus every time he heals someone, teaches the crowd and eats or spends time with those society deems unworthy to be a member. 

When we had our all-school reconciliation service last week, we read this gospel passage to open our prayer, as a way to remember the mercy that God gives us each and every day. This woman committed one of the worst crimes in Jesus’ time, and could have been put to death, yet Jesus may be the only person in her life who has ever shown her Mercy, what an impact that must have had. We see there is nothing we can do that can keep us from the love of God. He gives it to us freely. 

This Lent, it is up to us to not only seek out that mercy from God (through confession) but to also extend that mercy to others. 
 

Gospel: John 7:40-53

From today’s gospel: “Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, ‘This is truly the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’ But others said, 'The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?' So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.” 

In today’s gospel, it is difficult for people to believe Jesus is the son of God because they don’t believe he comes from the right place. 

Do we reject people because of where they come from? 

Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

From today’s gospel: "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." 

How can I know God more personally, as Jesus does? 

Gospel: John 5:31-47

From Today’s gospel: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” 

Do I resist hearing and believing the Word of God? 
 

Gospel: John 5:17-30

From today’s gospel: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” 

Am I open to hearing the word of God and applying to my life?

Gospel: John 5:1-16

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be well?" 

The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me." 

Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your mat, and walk." Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. 

What do I need from Jesus as we get close to Easter? 
 

Gospel: John 4:43-54

From today’s gospel: “He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. 

What do we need to be able to believe in Jesus? 
 

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Today’s readings focus on becoming a new creation. Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians we are a new creation, the old things have passed away. We are made righteous because of Christ, and can be with the God who created us and loves us. We see this unending love in action through the story of the prodigal son in today’s gospel, who after saying to his father- I wish you were dead, you are of no use or importance to me, give me what I’m owed so I can do what I want, I want nothing more to do with you, and off he went. Despite the hurt and rejection the father spent, he spent every day looking for him, and saw his son come back ‘from a long way off’. The father didn’t make him feel guilty or put a plan for him to be paid back, just ran to greet him with open arms and immediate and full forgiveness, like the offense never happened. May we remember this extravagant love of the Father, who is always watching for us. 
 

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

From today’s gospel: “But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What have I done to grow in humility and ask for mercy this lent? 

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

From today’s gospel: "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this:Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." 

What is one way I can show love to God and the people I encounter every day?

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

From today’s gospel: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.”

What am I doing to end division in places that need it?

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

From today’s gospel: “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

How am I following God’s call for me so far this lent? 

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Today we celebrate when the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to God’s son. The incarnation of Jesus is a central mystery and foundation of our faith. Mary shows great faith in her yes to God, may we strive to have faith like hers. From today’s gospel: “Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

How am I going to say yes to God this week?

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

From today’s gospel: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place." Sometimes sharing our faith is not well received, even among people close to us. 

What do I need to do to overcome discouragement when I talk about my faith?

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Today’s gospel highlights the importance of repentance. We not only need to acknowledge the times and places we have fallen short in our call to love God and others, but to say that we are sorry and try to do better. God continues to work with us, to help us be more and more faithful and fruitful, (like the gardiner in the parable). Repentance is part of this growth, and when we are willing to recognize the areas in our life where we need to grow, then we can more fully bring about the kingdom of God. This lent, let us take advantage of those opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and grow always closer to God.
 

Gospel: Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

From today’s gospel: “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found."

Who can I turn to when I feel lost or alone?
 

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

From today’s gospel: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.” 

What wonderful thing has the Lord done in my life this week?
 

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

From today’s first reading: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD.”

What is one thing I found hope in this week?

Gospel:  Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Today is the solemnity of the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We know Joseph was a righteous man and followed the word of God, even though it might not have always made sense. This lent, we pray we can be as attuned to the will of God as Joseph was and as willing to follow it. 

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

From today’s gospel: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

What does it mean for me to truly live humbly?

Gospel: Luke 6: 36-38

In today’s Gospel, we are reminded to be children of God.  In our daily lives, we are quick to judge others, condemn others' actions, and withhold forgiveness for those who have wronged us in some way. This Gospel reminds us not to do those things and to give of ourselves. It says, “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.”  

We give when we are reminded to, such as during Socktober or the Food Drive, but what do we do during other times? Can we donate clothes instead of throwing them away when we are done with them? Can we volunteer our time to help with the Gala or Meal Ministry? Even on a simpler basis, can we say a prayer for someone in need or say a kind word to someone we pass? A simple smile or kind gesture can make a difference to someone. Let us remember that so many people are struggling on the inside and that a small act of kindness may make their day.  

Kelly Wolf
Art Dept. Chairperson
 

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

In today’s gospel, Peter, James and John were able to see Jesus in a completely new way, the way that most closely revealed who Jesus is as the Son of God. They heard Jesus identified as God’s chosen Son, but they were not sure how to describe what they had seen, so they didn’t tell anyone. Sometimes, it is hard for us to describe experiences of faith or encounters with Jesus that we have experienced. Sometimes, it can be hard to admit we had them at all. We might be afraid that people will treat us like we’re different or look at us funny. Ultimately, Peter, James and John overcame their uncertainty and fear and spent the rest of their lives teaching and spreading Jesus’ message to the world. 

This lent, let us also find a new way we can share our faith with someone, whether that’s a family member, friend, classmate or teacher. 
 

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

From today’s gospel: “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” 

How will I remember to pray for people who have been unkind to me this coming week?
 

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

From today’s Gospel: “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” 

Is there someone in my life I need to forgive? What will it take for me to forgive?

Gospel: Matt 7:7-12

From today’s gospel: "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.” 

What do I need to ask God for today?

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

From today’s gospel: “there is something greater than Solomon here.” 

How do share the greatness of Jesus with others?

Gospel: Matt 6:7-15

From today’s gospel reading: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” 

Do I trust that God has my best interest in mind? How can I trust that God will take care of me?

Gospel: Matt 25:31-46

Today’s gospel tells us to take care of the least among us, and reminds us that anyone in need (regardless of where they come from, why they are here, what they do for a living, the choices they’ve made, how they dress,) is our neighbor and it is our responsibility to help to have the things that they need. As Jesus says “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” and later he says “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:40, 45-46). 

Today, we ask ourselves: Do I recognize those are are least among us, and do what I can to help them?

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

In today’s gospel, after spending 40 days fasting and praying, Jesus was hungry. The devil used Jesus’ hunger to tempt Jesus away from his mission to spread the good news of God’s kingdom. Jesus responds to the temptations of the devil using Scripture and the confidence that he is following the will of the Father. After Jesus turned every temptation, the devil departed him for a time, but not forever. We often also face temptations in our life, in a variety of areas. Maybe it’s to just stand by and watch while a classmate is teased or harassed, or to gossip about something someone said, or post unkind things online. Resisting temptation can be difficult, especially when it happens over and over. Spending time in prayer, being around people who uplift and help us, can help us resist this temptation. During this Lenten season, let us make an effort to resist those temptations that do not recognize the dignity of others and choose actions that build up and help each other. 
 

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

From today’s gospel reading: “Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.” (Luke 5:27-28). 

What am I being called to give up so I can more fully follow Jesus? 
 

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

From today’s first reading: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: 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. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8) 

What is one thing I will do to help someone in need this Lenten season? 
 

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

From today’s gospel reading: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) 

What is the cross I am being called to take up this lenten season? 
 

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

Ash Wednesday is about refocusing and realigning ourselves in relationship to God and one another. We must encounter our sinfulness and frailty not with shame and blame but with honesty and truth, trusting that God receives our confession. Today our readings remind us to repent and acknowledge our wrongdoings.  We reflect today to remember our sinfulness and ask God for his mercy and forgiveness. During Lent we practice the 3 pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We repent and ask God for forgiveness. We receive the Ashes as a visible sign of life that is fleeting and that we should humble our hearts. As we reflect on the season of Lent and the readings we will hear today we ask God to humble our hearts and allow us to follow Christ on the Way of the Cross.
 

-Mary Ridler, Theology Department