Reflection for Wednesday, April 9, 2014

WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

DN 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95

DN 3: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56

JN 8: 31-42

     How do we show that we are men and women for others? How do we show that we are devoted to our faith and to doing the work that we are called to as disciples? I have been taught that the season of Lent is to be about growing in our relationship with God our father, and preparing for the celebration of Easter. For it is in the days leading up to Easter, that Jesus gave his life for us so that we may be saved. Knowing that He made this ultimate sacrifice for us, how is it that we struggle to honor Him and thank Him in even the simplest ways from day-to-day?

     How difficult it can be to do something as simple as praying before a meal even when you are not sure that the people around you have the same beliefs as you do, or to play that Christian music station when your friends have already said that they don’t like listening to that music? Why is it that it is so easy to stay up an extra hour to watch that episode of that one TV show that you cannot live without but it is so hard to wake up twenty minutes earlier to say a rosary or stop into a chapel on campus to thank God for another beautiful day?  Why is it that we keep finding ourselves in the position of Peter when he denied Jesus three times, as opposed to being like the three men in today’s reading from the book of Daniel who stood by their belief in God even when they knew that it would mean death? These men were strong in their faith and were willing to tell who ever asked that they believed in the one true God and would not pretend to worship any other statues or ideals.

            The three men in the book of Daniel were true disciples of God, and because of their faith, God saved them from death. Today, we already know that God has a place for us in heaven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Now we must hold up our end of the covenant that God has with us: we must be His disciples and not be afraid to share our faith with others by proclaiming in a way of our own, “Blessed are you, O Lord…praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages” (Dn 3:52).

Katelyn Seroka is a junior in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Pathology) program and minoring in Special Education and Catholic Studies.

Reflection for Monday, April 7, 2014

MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

DN 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

PS 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6

JN 8: 1-11

Sin is all around us. We are walking through the valley of darkness. Yet woven into today’s readings and the Psalm are the themes of forgiveness, justice and the absolute patience of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

As I have reflected on the readings throughout this Lenten season, I have heard more clearly than ever before the theme of turning our back on God through sin. I have noted how frequently in the readings Jesus is spending time one on one with a sinner. The adulterer, the blind, those bearing false witness all represent the sinners. Temptation and sin are hazards of our daily lives. Sin is a turning away from the teaching of God and from those we love, from God’s love. And when we sin, we lose sight of the larger goal for our human existence. We fast and pray during lent in an effort to turn away from sin.

But not sinning ourselves, while necessary, is insufficient. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ challenges us not to judge others. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone...” Tossing the first stone, judging another’s actions by our standards, is so easy! As Christians, we are called to forgiveness, called to love others, wherever they may be in their lives. When confronted with the temptation to judge another, I try to remind myself what it may be like to “walk in their shoes” and resist the temptation to judge their decisions/behaviors by my standards.

Each of us has our own journey through the Valley of Darkness, a journey in a world full of sin and temptation, challenge and opportunity. As we travel this journey we have the opportunity to invite the Lord to be at our side – and the Lord, our rod and staff to give us courage is there if only we ask. He can be our companion, our courage to turn back to those we love, to turn away from sin. In turning away from sin, we have the chance to turn back to the Lord and to our ultimate goal, the achievement of eternal life. We need only invite Him into our hearts and our lives.

Dr. Angela Sharkey is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, School of Medicine, and Professor of Pediatrics.

Reflection for Sunday, April 6, 2014

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

EX 37: 12-14

PS 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

ROM 8: 8-11

JN 11: 1-45

“The fundamental thing is God's gift of His love. And the heart has reasons that reason doesn't know.”

Bernard Lonergan, SJ ~ Why I Am A Christian

Today’s Gospel from John tells the story of the raising of Lazarus.  As I reflected on the passage, I was overwhelmed with love.  Picturing myself within this passage, I saw myself standing with Martha.  Overwhelmed myself with grief, my arm around Martha, I felt her sadness and love for her brother Lazarus.  As I stood beside her, I heard the anguish and hope in her voice that Jesus would come.  Like an old friend who is always there no matter how many years you have been apart or no matter how far away they are from you, Jesus loved us.

I waited with Martha as we looked down the road, seeing the travelers and feeling the dry dust kick up around us.  There was a moment of excitement as we saw Jesus coming toward us.  And it was as if our oldest and dearest friend had arrived to make everything okay just by his presence.  Martha and I were so confident in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.  And our old friend wants us to believe that He is the resurrection and the life.  And we do with love and joy.

As Jesus inquires about Lazarus, Martha and I stand before him and watch him weep.  He too is deeply troubled by the death of Lazarus.  His tears are tears of love and of hope and we are both overtaken by emotion ourselves.  I find myself weeping beside Jesus and wanting to hold His hand, to comfort Him.  Instead he comforts us by reminding us to believe in the glory of God and he raises Lazarus.  God’s love is the fundamental gift here, manifested in His Son Jesus. 

As the passage ends, I find myself sitting on a rock just outside the tomb.  And I know I have witnessed a selfless act of love.  And I know I will witness a selfless act of love as I move through Jesus’ story over the coming weeks.  And I know that in order for me to embrace and turn toward this awesome love, I must be in right relationship.  And I feel a great heavy load lifted off of me as I remain a witness to God’s love and as I watch my old friend with awe.

Susanne Chawszczewski, Ph.D.

Director of Campus Ministry

Reflection for Saturday, April 5, 2014

SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

JER 11: 18-20

PS 7: 2-3, 9BC-10, 11-12

JN 7: 40-53

As I read today’s gospel reading, I think of the times in my life that I’ve wanted God to show himself to me. In the moments when I felt lonely and lost, I begged God to reveal himself to me. Many times I believed that my prayers were left unanswered because I didn’t see what I wanted or expected to see. I had limited myself in how I believed God could appear to me. The thing is that God was there, but my expectations of how God could appear interfered with my seeing him.

In today’s gospel, we see something similar. As others refer to Jesus as the Christ, the chief priests and Pharisees refuse to see it. They’re blinded by their expectation of how the Christ should look and act. Certainly the Christ would not lower himself and come from a place like Galilee, which was a place that was looked down upon because the law was not zealously observed there. He wouldn’t come from a place like this but rather a place where the law was enforced. Jesus broke a lot of laws and challenged the law followers so he couldn’t possibly be the Christ because he would be with the chief priests and Pharisees, not against them.

Sometimes we can box God into similar restraints: “God would never show up in a situation like this”, “God can’t possibly be speaking to us through this person”, “God would never allow this to happen”, etc. But when we limit God to our expectations, we miss out on how he is working in us and in our lives. Lent is an opportunity for us to look at our faith through different lenses. Perhaps somewhere in this season there sits an invitation to look at how the Christ is speaking to us through an unlikely situation. 

Robby Francis

Griesedieck Hall Campus Minister

Reflection for Friday, April 4, 2014

FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

WIS 2: 1A, 12-22

PS 34: 17-18, 19-20, 21, and 23

JN 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

Personally, I have always struggled with tests. I remember my overwhelming nervousness over state standardized testing and constantly questioning, “What if I don’t pass?” and “Will I have to repeat this grade again?” This annual testing was the nightmare of first through tenth grades with these plaguing questions repeating over and over in my head. I had the privilege to attend one of the best public high schools in the state, so why did I worry so much? Nonetheless, testing continues to bring about my fear of failure and my sense that I am not enough. The Book of Wisdom shares how can one not be fearful that “I am not enough” for God when it comes to my own time of judgment?

“With revilement and torture let us put him to the test

that we may have proof of his gentleness

and try his patience.”

“Let us condemn him to a shameful death”

“…for their wickedness blinded them”

This is a question that I ask myself nearly every day. Perhaps it is words like, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” that serve as consolation and comfort for my fears. I hear over and over that “God will never give me more than I can handle” and that he seeks to strengthen me through my seemingly daunting challenges. However, when you fall far enough that you really believe that you are simply the brokenhearted that stands alone without God, fearful of the torture and shameful death that may one day ensue, what is to pick you up?

“I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

Jesus is of God and the Holy Spirit, but don’t we also know Him too? (God that is.) At the very least, it is our faith seeking journey to know Him. We are created in His image after all, right? In the Catholic faith our image of God is laid out as "God created man in his own image… Man occupies a unique place in creation: (I) he is "in the image of God"; (II) in his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds; (III) he is created "male and female"; (IV) God established him in his friendship. (Catechism 355)  It’s as simple as friendship but as grandiose as the tallest, largest, most beautiful mountain to ever exist. Friendship with our loving and gracious God, who sent his only son to save us; no wonder this testing and struggling to be enough seems constantly overwhelming. God loves us more than we can fathom, consistently shares His endless mercy and seeks to console us at our most vulnerable, if we just let Him. Yet it feels like a scale that is constantly weighed down my God’s unending love. How can we possibly prove to be enough in this divine friendship?

I by no means have an answer, but undoubtedly seek to understand my worth by seeking God’s perspective. In this Lenten season, may we have a chance to seek God’s viewpoint as he sent his only son to die for us. May we seek to view others with that same mercy and unconditional love as God does. May we seek to combat our own fears by simply relying on the friendship that God shares with us every day, whether we notice it or not.

Erin Twiehaus is the Campus Ministry PRAY intern.

Reflection for Thursday, 3 April 2014

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
EX 32: 7-14
PS 106: 19-20, 21-22, 23
JN 5: 31-47

Dear one,

I am writing to let you know that you have my praise, and you do not need to look any further. I understand that you get tangled in the web of life and it gets harder to see who you are. There are voices coming from all sides telling you who you should be, telling you how to be good enough. In this world of comparison, you are constantly seeking the praise and approval of others; constantly measuring your own worth against theirs; constantly chasing an empty ideal of success that was created by the world. And you wonder why you cannot find peace. The praise that you seek from other people has become the molten calf that you raise up and worship. It is where you seek value and meaning, yet it always leaves you empty, wanting for more. Yes, it is true that you were created with a sense of incompleteness, a longing for a place to fit and call your own, a desire to be understood and accepted. But you are searching in the wrong places. The world will always tell you that you are not enough, but I challenge you to believe that you are.

I ask you, “How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44). How it pains me to see you turn away in search of earthly recognition. You were created for a much higher glory. That place of understanding and acceptance you are seeking has already been set aside for you. You will find completeness when you can find your worth not in the recognition of others, but in me. You will find peace. I love you. I am proud of you. I have plans for you that are uniquely yours, beyond human comparisons. So seek my praise in all you do, without concern for the comments of others. Work for the recognition I have for you above all else. Stop worshipping the praise you receive from others, because I give you my praise, and I beg you to believe it. You are enough. You are strong enough; you are smart enough; you are caring enough; you are beautiful enough; you are good enough; you are enough. Believe that this praise is enough.

All my love,   

            God

Jackie Bova is a junior studying Theology and Communication.

Reflection for Wednesday, April 2, 2014

WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
IS 49: 8-15
PS 145: 8-9, 13CD-14, 17-18
JN 5: 17-30

"Far more than you may realize, your experience, your world, and even your self are the creations of what you focus on.  From distressing sights to soothing sounds, protean thoughts to roiling emotions, the targets of your attention are the building blocks of your life."  -- Winifred Gallagher

Lent is a time for reflection and introspection.  As we look inward, are we aware of what holds our outward attention?  Do we focus on the negative in a situation?  Do we discredit the messenger at the expense of the message?  Today's readings show how a focus on doubt or abandonment can make us closed to hearing the message of grace and mercy.  

In our age of constant connection via social media, do we purposefully distract ourselves?  How comfortable are we with quiet?  I know that as I write this, I am constantly tempted to check my smartphone.  How many times do our classmates' and colleagues' faces light up from the glow of their phones while we are telling the story of what happened in our life on a given day?  By not being attentive to each other, we miss the chance to have someone feel validated.  We miss the fleeting opportunity to be present in that moment and really enjoy it and learn from it.  

As we seek to reflect on own experiences, we must first practice paying attention.  The next time someone is speaking, put your phone away.  Live in the moment and pay attention to what is going on in front of you. Determine what meaning it may have in your own life.  Think of ways that you can act on the situation at hand. The more you pay attention and engage in life, the better you will be at shaping it.  

Upon mastering your skill of attention, author P. M. Forni believes "you finally live out the elemental truth that in life there are no rehearsals and you only play for keeps." 

Floyd Welsh is Program Director for Major Exploration Academic Advising in the Student Success Center.