Reflection for Saturday, March 22, 2014

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

MI 7: 14-15, 18-20

PS 103: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

LK 15: 1-3, 11-32

Show us wonderful signs.

My mother is a firm believer in white birds. For her, the spotting of a white bird has marked many significant decisions and life events. (If her logic holds true, then the white bird I saw this week must mean something big is headed my way.) Whether it be a white bird or the way the ocean hugs the shore, the smile of a stranger or the peaceful stillness of silence, signs of God’s love abound. The question is whether or not we notice them.

In today’s gospel, the way the father “ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him” and welcomed him home with celebration was a sign of his love and forgiveness for his younger son. The older son needed more help seeing it, but the father’s actions were a sign to him too – a sign of mercy and compassion and a call to rejoice and celebrate.

All too easily I fall into complacency with my own relationship with God. I, like the older son in today’s gospel, take for granted that I am “here with [my Father] always.” If I’m not careful, the habituality of routine, whether good or bad, weakens my awareness. The extraordinary closeness of God becomes ordinary to me, and I unknowingly close myself off to the many wonderful signs God sends us.

           

Signs of God’s kindness and compassion, mercy and forgiveness greet us daily and invite us to be signs of that unconditional love in return. Just as the father pleaded with the older son to enter the house and join in the celebration, we are called to be extensions of God’s wonderful signs. Let us catch sight of them, run to and embrace them, and celebrate them as the father sees and responds to his returning son.

This Lent, may we not only be aware of God’s wonderful signs but also be those signs ourselves. May we see the signs in our everyday, that we too may understand our place at the larger table and see cause for celebration.

Anne Milne is a senior studying public health, a CLC facilitator, and the sacristan for the Campus Ministry masses.

Reflection for Friday, March 21, 2014

FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

GN 37: 3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A

PS 105: 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

MT 21: 33-43, 45-46

Harming someone may not always result in physical pain. Many people get caught up in major traumatic events and forget to notice the everyday occurrences that derail societies. Lent, however, reminds us to take a step back and examine the daily interactions and routines of our life. Mental harm may be just as, if not more, detrimental to a person as physical harm. Often times, we carry out an action even though in our hearts we know God would not approve. It is easy to tell white lies since they appear to be less harmful than an actual lie. Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph into slavery because they saw it as less harmful and wrong than outright killing him. Why should they fire the bullet when they can have someone else do their dirty deed? Have you ever found yourself stuck in a sticky situation as this? (Aiding a harmful action without directly making it occur.) Lent reminds us that even though our actions may not directly bring about physical or mental harm, we must take into account all the current and future consequences that could result from our wrongdoing. I like to think of actions as a pebble hitting the water. Though the initial impact of the pebble may only span a few inches, the momentum of the pebble’s contact spreads immediately as ripples through the rest of the water. No matter how small an action may be, its impact is endless.

Many wrongdoings are a result of our jealously. Like most people, I find myself being jealous of others’ success, happiness, and possessions. But, jealously will only lead to my demise. We live in a world where bigger is emphasized as better: bigger houses, fancier cars, more money, better bodies, better jobs…However, when focusing on the objects we lack or want, we loose site of the riches we already posses. Everyone is blessed in his or her own way. Lent offers us a time to reflect on the blessings we currently have. Not all blessings will be evident at first. You may over look the tender hug you received from a friend or the warm smile shared by a stranger, but all blessings matter, big or small. Joseph’s brothers got caught up in the favoritism their father showed towards Joseph that they forgot to cherish the love their father had for them. By having food on the dinner table, a place to sleep, and clothes to keep them warm, they were already extremely fortunate. Even when we feel that we have lost everything, we must never forget that we still have the one thing that means the most: God’s love.

The overall theme I would like you to contemplate is the following: the little things matter. Pope Francis’ Lenten message is “He became poor so, that by His poverty you might become rich.” By consciously reflecting on the impact of our everyday actions and remembering our many blessings, we too will become rich, as the Lord has promised. We will be rich in the sense of an enriched spirit, humble thoughts, and compassionate actions.

Emma Dwyer is a junior studying Biology.

Reflection for Thursday, March 20, 2014

THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

JER 17: 5-10

PS 1: 1-2, 3, 4, and 6

LK 16: 19-31

Mary Poppins was one of my favorite movies to watch as a kid. The nanny that flew in and made everything better...it was just a very joyful movie! I could not stop singing "Let's Go Fly a Kite" for days after each time I saw it. Earlier this week, I watched Saving Mr. Banks with a friend. The movie tells the story of Walt Disney trying to make the story of Mary Poppins into a movie. He runs into difficulty with P.L. Travers, the author of the Mary Poppins stories, as she is unwilling to give up the rights to the book. She believes that Disney does not understand the heart of the story and would not do justice to her character. I'll try to not spoil it for you, but Disney learns that the story was Mrs. Travers' way of coping with her dark past (especially her alcoholic father), and they eventually end up making the movie. But now, I look at Mary Poppins in a whole new way. She does not come to save the children, but the parents. I sometimes feel the same way about many of Jesus’ parables. I learned them one way as a kid, and then as an adult, when I read them in light of my life experiences, they rock my world.

The Gospel reading today, tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man. As a kid, I thought: Lazarus goes to heaven, and rich man rots in hell; money bad, poor good; kingdom of god is for the poor; blah, blah, blah. But now I realize that it is much more. Last semester, I studied abroad in the Philippines and I fell in love with the faith that I saw in the Filipino people. Every day, they made the hard choice to trust in God. They have this idea of “kaya namin,” which essentially translates to “we are able.” I see it as a manifestation of their hope and faith that God, or some higher power, is just on their side. I spent my spring break on an immersion trip in the Walnut Park and O’Fallon Park neighborhoods in the Northside of St. Louis. The faith of the people that I met last week, rekindled the fire that burned in me in the Philippines. In Baptist churches, you often hear the phrase: “Thanks be to God, who is the head of my life.” It is that kind of a faith that I am jealous of. I wish that I could give myself over to a God completely, and I struggle with it every day.

What I now gather from today’s Gospel is best summed up in the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” I doubt that Jesus wants all the rich folks to give up all their money and let dogs lick their sores. Instead, I suspect that he asks us to think about taking on the imagination of those that are materially poor; to have the faith of Lazarus, of my Filipino friends, or those that I met last week. In Mary Poppins, Mr. Banks finds that money may not be as important as taking the time to fly a kite worth tuppence with his family.  This might be the outlook on life that a Christian should have. This Lenten season, let’s try to engage the reality of those that are marginalized all around us, and rethink some of the Gospel classics. I pray that we can all find hope in the Lord. Happy Thursday!

Nebu Kolenchery is a junior studying Public Health.

Reflection for Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

2 SM 7:4-5A, 12-14A, 16
PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 AND 29
ROM 4:13, 16-18, 22
MT 1:16, 18-21, 24A

St. Joseph and the Child Jesus
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church

When I was growing up, I did not pay much attention to Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, except around Christmas time. I loved to arrange the nativity figures in our family's crèche, sing Christmas carols, and listen to the Gospel narratives of Jesus's birth. But I usually placed Joseph in the background of the crèche and my own imaginative reflection on the Christmas story. After I became Catholic several years ago, I gradually became more aware of how the Church understands and venerates St. Joseph, this holy and humble man.

I've found some Catholic traditions related to St. Joseph to be delightful (and delicious!). For instance, when I worked as a graduate assistant at Villanova University, several of my Italian-American co-workers brought zeppoles for everyone to enjoy on St. Joseph's feast day (And, for the record, today is a Solemnity—the highest form of liturgical celebration—so if you gave up sweets for Lent, you can break your fast!). Other traditions, such as burying a St. Joseph statue upside down in one's yard to sell a house, have seemed more bizarre to me. Most recently, my appreciation for St. Joseph and his intercession has deepened thanks to a friend who invited me to pray a novena with the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph.

As I have prayerfully reflected upon events in the life of St. Joseph, I have been struck by the humanity and holiness of the man God chose to protect and parent His Son. In today's Gospel, we read how Joseph—doubtless deeply hurt by what he perceived to be the infidelity of his beloved—decides to divorce Mary quietly and spare her from shame. But an angelic messenger dispels Joseph's fears with the assurance that God will save His people through Mary's child, who has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Joseph awakes, he welcomes Mary into his home as his wife and cares tenderly for her and Jesus.

I find Joseph's actions and reactions in this vignette to be so relatable! When God does something unexpected in my life—even something joyfully and beautifully unexpected—I often find myself constricted and paralyzed by fear. God does not always show up in ways that feel safe and familiar, which is why Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, the shepherds, and other characters in the "Christmas story" all hear the angelic announcement, "Do not be afraid!"

This Lent, I have been praying with the idea of "magnanimity," and asking for the grace to receive God's expansive love, which drives out the fear that narrows my heart and limits my ability to love. And I can think of no better model for large-souled generosity than Joseph, who does not utter a single word in Scripture, but whose loving, courageous actions speak volumes. Joseph shows us how to give our pain, disappointment, and fear to God, and how to welcome Christ into our hearts and homes with obedient trust. Today, let us turn to St. Joseph and request his intercession for "the grace of surmounting all anxiety" so that our own hearts "may become a living crib" for Christ our Lord. 

Rachel Kondro is a campus minister in Reinert Hall.

Reflection for Tuesday, March 18, 2014

TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

IS 1: 10, 16-20

PS 50: 8-9, 16 BC-17, 21 and 23

MT 23: 1-12

In today’s readings, the rabbis are jumping through all the right hoops, but so closed off to the reality of what Jesus is doing for them. In today’s world, it can be easy to slip into the mentality of the rabbis. We think that if we are taking just the right courses or have the coveted leadership position or go to the right study spot, then everything will work out the way we planned. But if we look closer, if we are really aware of the realities surrounding us, we will find that there is a much larger invitation at play. God calls us to not only go to the classes and the meetings and the libraries, but to be changed by them. God gives us tools to better ourselves every day. Instead of just going through the motions of your schedule and your studies, take a minute to realize why these things are on your resume, and whether or not they should be there to stay. Are all of our works “performed to be seen” like Jesus warns the Pharisees about (MT 23:5)? Or do they make us better people for Christ?

People walk into our lives all as small opportunities to change, to learn, to grow.
In today’s first reading, God doesn’t just say “be good.” He says “cease doing evil. (IS 1:4) Quite the daunting task. To me, it sounds like too large of a task to do on my own. The best part about the season of Lent is that we are in this together (cue the High School Musical soundtrack). Going in to Lent, you may have asked, “What can I do to be a better follower of Christ in the next forty days? Even in that question, we seem to make things just about ourselves. We should be asking what we can do to become a better community of believers. This means engaging Christ in your day-to-day living. In your conversations, in your studies, and in your weekends. This season of lent is not all about us. It’s about Jesus and the sanctity of His life poured out for us. Jesus did not live boasting about His good deeds or His powerful sermons. In fact, He actually spent a lot of time performing miracles and then warning people not to talk about what they had seen. Jesus invites us into the mystery and wonder of His love. He draws us closer and closer to Him each time we open our eyes and become susceptible to the beauty that surrounds us. This Lent, find yourself in awe of the community of believers you can find at SLU and in the Church at large.

Liz Vestal is a sophomore studying Social Work, currently abroad in the Philippines through the Casa Bayanihan program. 

Reflection for Monday, March 17, 2014

MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT

DAN 9:4B-10
PS 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13
LK 6:36-38

Confession and penitence; pleas for forgiveness and deliverance; offerings of praise and thanksgiving; a discipleship manual for judging others - with mercy, humility, and generosity.

Today’s readings suggest a road-map to prepare the way for the Lord in our lives this Lenten season. They also remind us of something we know perhaps all too well: right relationship is difficult.

The readings begin with a confession from a penitent Daniel:

We have sinned, been wicked and done evil... 
Justice, O Lord, is on your side; 
we are shamefaced even to this day: 
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, 
and all Israel, near and far, 
in all the countries to which you have scattered them 
because of their treachery toward you. 

The Psalm that follows issues pleas for forgiveness and deliverance, and offerings of praise and thanksgiving:

Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins 
may your compassion quickly come to us... 
Deliver us and pardon our sins... 
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, 
will give thanks to you forever; 
through all generations we will declare your praise. 

In the Gospel lesson, Jesus shares a discipleship manual for judging others - with mercy, humility, and generosity:

Jesus said to his disciples: 
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 
Stop judging and you will not be judged... 
Forgive and you will be forgiven. 
Give and gifts will be given to you... 

What kind of relationship do we have with God?

Do we have an exchange relationship with God - regularly serving up deals to our Master, offering up “this” from ourselves in exchange for “that” from Him? I suspect that all too often we fall into this sort of relationship with God. It seems to me though that right relationship with God entails neither deal-making nor exchange.

Daniel seems to suggest that God punished the Jews in exchange for their iniquities - leaving them ashamed and in desolation. The God that I know though doesn’t mete out punishment in exchange for sin. Butif I understand that Christ resides in me, then it comes as no surprise that when I sin against God I feel ashamed and desolated, as the Jews did. For when I sin against God I sin against a part of myself. Such is the true nature of my relationship with God.

The Psalmist seems to offer God a deal - praise and thanksgiving, in exchange for forgiveness and deliverance. The God that I know though doesn’t accept deals, and I imagine is sorely unimpressed with offerings of praise and thanksgiving. But if I understand that Christ resides in me, then surely I will be moved to give God the same praise and thanksgiving offered by the Psalmist. For the joy of the gospel message of forgiveness and deliverance must surely fill my heart. Such is the true nature of my relationship with God.

Even Jesus seems to offer an exchange - a deal from God. Don’t judge, and in exchange you won’t be judged. Give, and in exchange you will receive. The God that I know though doesn’t offer deals. But if I understand that Christ resides in me, then when I follow Jesus’ instructions and judge others with mercy, humility, and generosity, surely I will experience a part of Christ’s own perfect mercy, humility, and generosity. For when I do so, Christ becomes resurrected in me. Such is the true nature of my relationship with God.

This Lenten season, I pray that we might prepare the way for the Lord in our lives, through confession and penitence; pleas for forgiveness and deliverance; offerings of praise and thanksgiving; and as disciples of Christ who judge others with mercy, humility, and generosity. In so doing, I pray that we might discover the Christ that is resurrected within each of us when we enter into right relationship with God.

Bonnie Wilson is Associate Professor of Economics in the John Cook School of Business.

Reflection for Sunday, March 16, 2014

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

GN 12:1-4A
PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
2 TIM 1:8B-10
MT 17:1-9

Today’s Gospel is one of my all-time favorites. It tells how Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a mountain, away from civilization, and there they witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. They also bore witness to the appearance of Moses and Elijah. This experience was so powerful, so joyous for Peter and the rest, that they suggested pitching tents and staying up on the mountain. But Jesus instead leads them back down the mountain, and instructs them to speak of the vision to all, but only after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.

I’ve always likened this reading to how we sometimes have powerful, almost transformation experiences. Perhaps it has been a spiritual retreat, or maybe going on a service/mission trip. We see so much good in these experiences, learn so much, and form such deep relationships that we don’t want to leave. We ask ourselves, “why can’t the real world be like this?” But just as Peter, James and John were instructed to share the vision once Jesus was resurrected, so too must we be willing to share our experiences with others. Otherwise, they were for naught, and only we benefited from them.

I think the same can be said about our experiences with Lent. Sometimes, I think we can make Lent a solitary season. It’s usually “I’m giving up sweets”, or “I’m going to read the Scriptures daily”. But why shouldn’t we share with other what we are doing? How about engaging in sacrifice together? Maybe get a group of friends to volunteer? Host a small group Bible study or scripture reflection session. Certainly, we must each make our meaning out of Lent, as we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. But there is no reason why we can’t also make it a community season, one in which we all can engage together.

Bobby Wassel serves as Assistant Director for the Center for Service and Community Engagement. He has spent the last 8 years working at SLU, connecting students, faculty and staff to service opportunities with the community.