Archived Contents:
Martin Luther King Day Reflection
Reflections from Lent 2008
Week One
Ash Wednesday Feb 6th by John Loeser
February 7th by Paul Stage
February 8th by Adam Pendleton
February 9thby Peter Tassini
Week Two
February 11th by Katie Shaw
February 12th by Joe VanVolkenburg
February 13th by Ellen Leutze
February 14th by Patty Grasso
February 15th by Jill Snitzel
February 16thby Sarah Signorino
Week Three
February 23rd by Cory Ekstrum
February 22nd by John Loeser
February 21st by Josie Debold
February 20th by Angela Rorabaugh
February 19th by Chris Falzarano
February 18th by Jacqueline Chiarot
Week Four
March 1st by Alex Eadie
February 29th by Sarah Joy Askins
February 28th by Jim Pribek, S.J.
February 27th by Rose Marie Castner
February 26th by Emilyn Haremza
February 25th: What is the absence of Faith?
Week Five
March 7th by Michael Tunney, S.J.
March 6th by Allie Schnackel
March 5th by John Bucki S.J.
March 4th by Mike Slish
A Special Message by John Loeser
March 3rd by Liz Staley
Week Six
Reflections for:
March 15th by Dr. Dennis Duling
March 14th by Rev. Jonathan D. Lawrence
March 13th by Megan Brenner
March 12th by Sue Fischer
March 11th by John Loeser
March 10th by John Zeis
Week Seven
March 22nd by Kelli Gardner
March 21st Good Friday Gospel
March 20th by Ann Wojtaszczyk
March 19th by John Loeser
March 18th by Jason Zwara
March 17th by Luanne Tunmore
Reflections from Fall 2007
Ash Wednesday Feb. 6th
“Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart…” “We are ambassadors for Christ….We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” This is a call from God, but how much time and attention does God want from me? More than I currently give. “Why, am I not doing enough for God now?” Well, I can do more if I choose to do so. I tend to compartmentalize my life. I have (notice the order I put these in) a box for school, a box for work, a box for relationships, a box for service, a box for prayer, etc. So have I have invested too much of myself in the cares of this world that my relationship with Jesus is only in my church box?
You see, I believe that a relationship with Jesus is much more than simply participating in Sunday Mass, attending one or two retreats per semester, and going on ASB to serve the needy. For me, these activities result from my faith in Jesus, a faith that God and I built together, through His call and my prayer and Bible reading. Before I became a Canisius student, I used to read the Bible faithfully and with great interest. But like many other activities that I used to do, over the last 4½ years Canisius has dominated my time.
Today’s Psalm says; “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” This is my prayer and I have decided to take action to show God that I am serious. “What action” you might ask? Well it is simple; I’ve gone back to reading the Bible with anticipation and interest! My goal is to take in to my heart as much of God’s word as I can hold. Jesus said; “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father….But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” This Lent I have decided to make private DAILY prayer and Bible reading my personal habit, now and for the remainder of my days.
Do you want God? Then ask Him to be yours and start reading the Bible today. Campus Ministry can assist you with daily guide pamphlets or you can click on the links located on the main spiritual resources page for more resources.
-- John Loeser
February 7th
I believe. I believe in many things, actually: love, faith, justice, a solid eight hours of sleep every night. I also believe that today’s readings have the dangerous power of being able to separate many Christians from one another. That is why I believe they are so important and must be read so carefully.
What saves a person: faith or works? Many Catholics believe that one cannot exist without the other; faith is demonstrated through good works, which in turn demonstrate and strengthen faith. Many Protestants believe that faith alone is mankind’s salvation and good works have little to do with it; works are merely a by-product of sorts. Thus, neighbors are separated from neighbors in their relationships to God and their relationships to each other.
If you are Catholic (or want to be Catholic), meditate on today’s Gospel. Think about what it means to “deny [your]self and take up [your] cross daily.” I take it to mean a few things. Christ’s cross was the burden of service to others; he gave of himself so that mankind may benefit. If we are to follow Christ, we must do likewise. Our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior is what saves us, but our faith comes through and in and with our service to others. To have faith in Christ is to have faith in his Word, which tells us to give of ourselves and help others. If we do not follow that Word, is it the same as demonstrating a lack of faith?
If you are not Catholic (or don’t want to be Catholic), meditate on today’s Gospel. What is Christ telling us? No, we can never repay the debt that Christ absolved from us. That is why Christ did it. Service to others is not a repayment for that debt; it is following Christ’s Word. Jesus asked us to follow in His way, which was serving the people around Him. How can we turn down that request?
I’m not saying that each and every person is called to die upon a cross. I won’t pretend to know what it is that God wants of us, but that is why we must communicate with Him. The first step to knowing God’s Will is asking Him and patiently listening for the answer. God hasn’t exactly been shouting answers from on high lately, but that doesn’t mean He hasn’t been giving us clues. If someone calls you out of the blue and invites you to go on ASB the day after you ask God for guidance, I would say that He has provided you with guidance. If you receive an email asking for help from someone or to participate in a retreat, I think you have received an answer as well. Sometimes, when you are downtown and an old man asks you for money to buy some food, God’s Will is as simple as giving that man a slice of pizza.
Notice how God speaks through other people in almost all of the examples I mentioned or you can think of. This ties my rambling reflection back to its beginning: we must listen to each other. It is through other people that God speaks to us the most. If we allow personal differences or beliefs to get in the way, how will we ever hear Christ? Don’t get hung up on whether service saves you or not. Don’t get hung up on whether you should evangelize the world or build houses for homeless people as your form of service. Don’t focus on differences. Talk it out. But more importantly, listen. It is easy to talk, but it is hard to listen. Maybe God will speak through the next person you listen to. Maybe Christ will speak through you the next time you speak to someone. I am Catholic; I find that some of the best conversations over religious issues are with members of other faiths. Who knows? Service to others may be as simple as listening to what they have to say.
-- Paul Stage
February 8th
Hungry? Grab a Snickers.
In this time of fasting, we reflect on the words from Isaiah. God is unhappy. He hears the people call out to him, asking to receive “what is due them.” They have been fasting, and yet God is not pleased. Take a moment and think about what fasting means to you. Perhaps on Ash Wednesday you decided to fast. Fasting is not simply skipping meals. In fact, one can fast without denying themselves food at all. The words from today’s reading rebuke those who fast without knowing the true meaning of fasting. God speaks of His people’s “wickedness.” These are the people that do not eat all day, perhaps they even go to a holy service in the evening, but do not fast in the way that God intended. On the day of their fast, they “carry out [their] own pursuits,” quarrel and fight, and loudly and proudly proclaim that they are fasting. No wonder why God is unhappy. We can see people who do this even today, even at Canisius. These are the people who refused to eat on Ash Wednesday, and make sure that you are well aware of this while at the Dining Hall, or at Upper Deck. These are the people that don’t eat, but on their fast day make sure they get caught up with their e-mail, check their Facebook, go to work, hang out with friends, or go the gym. These are the people that will faithfully go to Mass, and end their fasting day with French fries and not a thought about anyone other than themselves. These are the people calling to God, and yet He “take[s] no note of it.”
God calls us to fast. I have dedicated my life to fasting in way that God commands. Now, anyone that knows me certainly agrees that my fasting does not involve giving up food… God says,
“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.”
To me, this is God’s way of directing our lives. We fast when we speak out against oppression. We fast when we practice social justice, when we serve the poor and the hungry. We fast when we acknowledge and help the homeless, when we give of ourselves to help anyone in need. One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus says that he loves those that others love to hate.
So next time you consider skipping dinner, perhaps visit a soup kitchen as well. Consider devoting your life to fasting as God intends: serving his people. For then when you need him, “he will say: Here I am!”
-- Adam Pendleton
February 9th
In today’s gospel, we are given an account of who Jesus calls to be his disciples. We are also shown what it means to be called by Jesus. Jesus calls the tax collector Levi and he says to him “follow me.” The scriptures tell us that the tax collector has no problem following Jesus, and in fact he stands up and readily does so without hesitation. What does this mean? Did the tax collector really stand up without reservation and follow Jesus for his entire life?
It is very difficult for us to imagine Jesus coming to us and asking us to just get up and follow him. Yet alone….why would he ever ask me to follow him? Some of you might be responding to this by saying: “If he knew what I have done in my life he would never ask me to come with him!” “Jesus doesn’t want me with him, I am a terrible sinner.” Or some of you might be saying, “Why do I have to follow him! I can do fine in my life without giving up everything! I go to church on Sunday! What more do I need to do!”
And yet if we take a closer look, it is possible that we will see Jesus calling us in our daily lives. God does not ask of us what we are not capable of. God does not ask of us what we cannot do. God only asks of us what is best for us.
God is present with us in each and every moment of our lives. From the moment of conception until our death, God is with each of us in a unique and special way, and if we are open to his grace, God will touch our heart in a way that will forever draw us towards God’s own self. Speaking from personal experience, this can come at the most unexpected times, the most unexpected place, and from the most unexpected person.
My suggestion for discerning God’s call in your life is to look at where you have been and where you are going. Chances are, God’s call is not as distant as you think it might be. I am not sure who said this quote, but I believe it to be relevant under the circumstance. The quote is that “God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” Let us pray that we may be open to God’s will in our heart and in our mind. For there is no aspect of our life that God is absent from. Where is God calling you today?
--Peter Tassini
February 11th
Last week, on Super-Fat-Tuesday many of you voted on who should become a presidential candidate of our country and have a huge effect on issues such as poverty, war, and intolerance of others in our own country. Maybe your reasons for voting were focused on human rights issues, or maybe focused on the economy and the lingering war. Whatever your reasoning was, you had the privilege of voting or choosing not to vote. My question to you is, what about the people who do not have a say? Locally, there are people who live on the streets of Buffalo who are probably not registered voters and cannot express their views (maybe your neighborhood can-man?). Nationally, there are 30 states where English is the official state language, making participating in government almost impossible for people who speak another language (Florida is one of these states which boggles my mind because of the number of Spanish speaking people!). I remember a few months back having a conversation with a friend about Jesus. We were talking about different issues in the world and how Jesus would view them today, issues such as poverty, war, and intolerance of others in our own country. In today’s readings, the main theme seems to be: follow in the way of God. These are very active readings and focus on the positive actions Jesus wants us to display. Jesus would have been best friends with your neighborhood can-man, the homeless man on the sidewalk on Chippewa St., and with the Spanish speaking family in Florida who live in poverty. Because these people are living lives much less fortunate than our own, it is up to us as Disciples of Christ to give them food, drink, clothes, and welcome them, care for them, and visit them. In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
During this Lenten season, think about the fact that Jesus would have been friends with you, but he would have been best friends with the poor and oppressed, the people who do not have the privilege to vote and stand up for themselves. Because we are men and women for others, let us give thanks to the Lord during Lent by serving and caring for His best friends!
"Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
-- Katie Shaw
February 12th
In today's Gospel Jesus instructs his disciples how to pray and introduces the Our Father. This is among the first prayers we learn as little children - there is hardly a person among us that does not know this prayer. Like many I have prayed/recited this prayer all my life. It is one of those rote prayers that more often then not I do not think about it.
I have found when I listen to the words the prayer is beautiful and liberating. When I have asked God for forgiveness and for me to forgive those that have trespassed against or hurt me, I have found much peace. In fact when I find myself hurt by another I ask God to give the person that hurt me the peace in their heart that I wish in mine. Almost always within seconds the peace and grace of God rushes into to my center. I guess I would call it a spiritual law of compensation. This practice stems from thinking about the Our Father.
--Joe VanVolkenburg
February 13th
During the Lenten season, we often always think of this season as a time of repentance. Today’s reading reflects how even though God can be so disappointed by our sinfulness, he still yearns to forgive us. God’s love for us is so strong that He will do anything to help us turn away from our sins and make us more like Him. Today’s scripture also addresses God’s mercy – not only to the Ninevites, but also to Jonah. Mercy can be defined as the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment. God may not like our impieties, but that does not mean He views us as “bad” people. God wants us to turn away from our sins; therefore He shows his mercy and compassion.
God showed this same compassion to the Nivevites when He called for them to repent. He sees how much our pains and troubles can be caused by the sins we make. Sometimes when we think of sin, we picture BIG horrible acts and when some people think of sins, they slew out a laundry list of judgments. It can be hard reflecting on the sins that you have made. Sometimes it is good to remember who God is (sounds silly right?) and how much He loves you and that He IS love. God wants to be your friend and have a relationship with you—He wants to be a part of your life. In your life, He wants you to find peace and happiness, not be regretful and unhealed.
I challenge you today to talk to God and tell Him your highs and lows. Tell Him what is important in your life and what areas you need support or His guidance in. God is all around us and He is waiting to listen, just as He was listening to the Ninevites.
--Ellen Leutze
February 14th
The season of Lent calls all of us to prayer and reflection on God’s Word. Matthew’s gospel for today seems to be offering us a simple explanation as to how we should pray. “Ask and it shall be given to you….” Yet in our modern world of constant connection either with cell phones, text messages or computer blogs this seems all too simple. Quiet down amid all the noise and just ask God? Perhaps this will be our challenge today.
My own experience in prayer has changed over the years. My prayer requests are now more of conversations with my Lord. I no longer pray asking for my solutions to problems to be God’s solutions. Time, experience and humility have taught me to allow God’s plan to unfold and to trust. It is not always easy as I struggle with wanting to control my life just as you do. In our early years of marriage my husband and I experienced the pain of infertility. The process of tests, disappointments and fears can be overwhelming. Just at the point that we accepted that this might be God’s plan, our prayers were answered. We became the parents of three sons in 23 months (twins plus one.) It wasn’t until years later that we realized our journey to parenthood prepared us to be better parents. Not perfect ones but more seasoned to handle the challenges and joys that three sons can bring. As you look at your own life what are the challenges you are struggling with? Are you trying to solve them yourself? Do you play the list over and over in your mind?
Gracious Lord, help us with our prayer connection to your love and grace. May we trust in your word that you will indeed take care of us.
--Patty Grasso
February 15th
Starting with Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge, we as humans have been a people of sin. We are born with original sin and continue to sin throughout our lives. We are not perfect, we all mess up, and we all commit wrongdoings. How can a God who is perfect in all ways still love us after we disappoint him time after time? How many chances do we give the people in our own lives when they commit an act against us, knowing that it will directly hurt us? Not many I am assuming. After a while we become wary and start to loose trust in them. Luckily however, our God is not one with a human heart, given to a loss of trust and holding grudges. He is not looking down on us waiting for us to mess up again. He is there hoping that we do what is right and what is good, He wants us to some day join him in His great kingdom.
What does this mean for us? We are going to sin; there is no doubt about that. Does that mean that we miss out, and the door to kingdom is closed to us? No, this just means that we need to turn to our Lord with a humble heart and ask for his forgiveness. When we do this we have a new start and the door to eternal life in His Kingdom is once again opened back up to us, until we sin again.
This Lenten season if you don’t do it already you should be following the words found in Ezekiel:
But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Open your heart to the Lord and ask for forgiveness whether it be through the sacrament of reconciliation or in your own daily prayer, it is for our sins that Christ died. Let us make ourselves worthy of that sacrifice and live forever in His kingdom just as He wants it to be!
--Jill Snitzel
February 16th
Jesus told his disciples to “take nothing for the journey” as they spread the Word. As I journey with Jesus this Lent, I find myself struggling to live simply. I recently purchased a house. My husband and I have spent the last few months agonizing over paperwork, contractors, boxes, and the general chaos associated with moving.
The week before Christmas and two weeks before we closed on the house, I spent a week in New Orleans doing service with a few Canisius students. We worked on doing interior rebuilding for houses damaged by Katrina in the Mid-City neighborhood with a volunteer group, The Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA). I spent my week learning how to insulate and drywall. Before PNOLA’s involvement in the renovations, the homeowner was living in his un-gutted home without running water and electricity. PNOLA plans on finishing the house by March so Emmanuel, the home owner, can move back in and take care of his ailing mother.
I was struck by the dichotomy of my experiences of service and becoming a home owner. I was completely fulfilled wearing the same clothes for a week, eating donated meals, and doing manual labor for a man who lost everything when Katrina hit. While in New Orleans, I wasn’t thinking about the craziness of buying a house in Buffalo or about planning for Christmas. I could be simple and take minimal things on my journey to New Orleans. Upon my return, I was swept off into a maze of moving, meetings, and mayhem. I immediately felt an intense desire to leave the craziness and return to a life of simplicity; building houses in New Orleans.
The Lenten scriptures have given me solace for connecting my crazy life and the life of service and simplicity that I seek to lead. The gospel readings focus on the parables and stories of healing. Jesus tells us to reach out of our comfort zone as He did—walking with the marginalized, educating others, and serving those in need. To me, my trip to New Orleans represented pure simplicity and solidarity with the marginalized. I am challenged this Lent to reflect on how I can bring my energy to the marginalized and oppressed living in my Buffalo community. I can remember my experience helping someone who is trying to rebuild his home while I move into my first house. I can make a choice to be a responsible consumer and community member.
Live simply. Live sustainably. Live in solidarity. Reflect on how you can “take nothing” for your journey with Jesus this Lent.
--Sarah Signorino
February 23rd
In today's scripture readings the Lord tells me that there is no one else above Him and that no one else can free us from sin or guilt. Micah says “You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” I believe that this means that God loves us with all of His heart, and that no matter how much we may sin and use God's name in vein, He will continue to love us and He will forgive us when we pray with a remorseful heart; “forgive us our trespasses” in the “Our Father.”
The scripture reading from Psalms gives me a peaceful yet awing feeling of happiness. God is telling me that he has an infinite amount of love and kindness towards all living beings.
Luke discusses sin in the story of two sons and a father, and expresses the idea that no matter how much sin one will invoke on God the Father, He will still express His love in return. Luke’s ‘parable of the lost son’ says; “because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” He is telling us that the son that set out and spent all of the father's money and sinned through his father's name was still welcomed home because he (the son) was forgiven and was appreciated by his father for coming home.
The scriptures speak to me in a way with exact precision that talks about sin and sinners. God will always love us, even though we may sin the worst possible sin and use God's name in vein, because he is the All Powerful and The Almighty. God is God; He takes away the sins of the world, and has mercy on us.
- - Cory Ekstrum
February 22nd
Do you feel obligated to attend church? Do you just go through the motions when you are doing service? In my 20 something years of working with and worshiping with "religious" people, I have found this to be more common than not--and I used to be one of those people! It is a shame really. God has so much to offer us, if we would only open ourselves to His blessings.
Today's psalm is one that I can recite by memory because it is very comforting to me. I pray it quite regularly and find it to give me a sense of calm no matter what is going on in my life. That is one of the great things my faith in Jesus does for me. I know that no matter what happens, good or bad, my faith in Jesus cannot be broken. Do you know what real faith is? It is "the assurance of things hoped for." Think about that. How awesome it is to know that my hope in Jesus, which is the saving work that He did for me when He was crucified, is guaranteed!
Unfortunately many of the people of our world do not believe this, even people who sit in church every Sunday.
We are not supposed to feel obligated to do the works of God. St. Peter tells us that we are to take care of our sisters and brothers in Christ, not out of obligation, but willingly. For a willing heart is a joy filled heart!
So who do you say Jesus is? Is He just a nice guy that did some good things for the people of His day, or is He your Savior, the One who guides your life?
Think about it.
--John Loeser
February 21st
The Gospel today of Lazarus and the rich man is a little rough on the ears and heart. In high school, my beloved Religion teacher, Ms. B, always taunted the quote to us, “Dives (aka. the rich man) was damned, because he didn’t give a damn.” Perhaps for obvious reasons, that has never really left me. But what do we make of all of this?
Jesus always had an agenda when relaying a story. Nothing is different about this one. He is pointing out the great hypocrisy that he witnesses in regards to the Pharisees. Jesus speaks for the poor and downtrodden and is trying to knock some sense into these priestly men, who have seemed to lose track about what their faith is about. Jesus is trying to bring the Pharisees – and us! – back to our call to justice and peace!
We are able-bodied men and women of faith, and this brings great responsibilities and obligations to not only serve the poor and vulnerable, but to humble ourselves enough to meet them where they are. We are called to be in solidarity with the lowest of the low. We have a moral obligation, religious obligation, and social obligation to KNOW, CARE, and ACT. In the Gospel, even the dogs have pity on Lazarus and use what gifts they have to be in solidarity with him. If the dogs can do this much, how much more can we do?
How can we possibly write off the issues of war, immigration, poverty, U.S. foreign policy, and etc. as being outside the scope of the church? Jesus was a rebel! By eating with tax-collectors and reaching out to the lepers, he was breaking all that was acceptable in society. Jesus was immersed in the political realm of his time, where He represented the very paradigm of justice and peace. He was the kind of guy who would be petitioning Congress to repeal unjust laws and marching down the streets calling for an end to unjust war! Through his many challenges and exchanges with the Pharisees, one sees how Jesus was incredibly counter-cultural. In a nutshell, Jesus sought to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. He did not sit tight, do his preaching thing, and call it a day. Jesus was active and up in people’s space, challenging them to walk the walk, and talk the talk!
Today’s Gospel is hard to hear, which only goes to show how Jesus was afflicting the comfortable of his day and continues to do so now. His message is strong and rough because what He was saying is a BIG deal! We are the body of Christ and members of the Church, and as such, we must actively work for peace through acts of service, as well as by working for social change. The rich man symbolizes the trap that we can fall into as human beings – of living a life of luxury, seemingly indifferent to the suffering that permeates the world wherever we turn. During this Lent, let us challenge ourselves to face the discomfort that naturally arises from analyzing these grave injustices that are occurring everywhere – overseas and close to home. However, instead of withering away from them, let us take a page out of Jesus’ book and work for peace. We are the arms, legs, and words of Jesus Christ!
--Josie Debold
February 20th
Today’s Gospel tells the story of a mother asking Jesus to allow her sons a place beside Him in heaven-on one the right, and one on the left. To the woman Jesus replies, “You do not know what you are asking…to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
So what is it that will allow us, children of God during the 21st century, to be able to sit at the table with Jesus? As it is often stated, it is not through faith alone that will allow us to see the face of God, rather our faith and works that will help us.
When I read this Gospel, I thought a lot about my fellow Canisius students. Canisius, along with the other Jesuit institutions, wants to create “Men and Women with and for others.” Many of us here at Canisius do service projects in one form or another. Whether it is re-building homes on Saturdays with Habitat for Humanity here in
However, what we may not think about when we do service is why we do it.
Well guess what? God knows what is in our hearts. He knows whether we are looking out for ourselves or genuinely caring for those that need our service. Just as Jesus saw through the selfishness of the mother of the Sons of Zebedee in the Gospel, so God sees through our hearts. We, as students of
So I urge you, students, faculty, and staff of
--Angela Rorabaugh
February 19th
Today’s readings truly are quite applicable, especially in this Lenten period. They all seem to carry a common theme of salvation and renewal. The first reading from Isaiah gives me the impression that no matter how serious ones sins may be, they shall be forgiven so long as s/he is willing to ask for forgiveness. If one does this, then one will share in the blessings of heaven.
The Psalm teaches us that Jesus Christ will help us to know we are sinners and accept it; for it is then and only then that we can truly ask for forgiveness. If we understand our sins and wrongdoings, then we can be truly sorry. If we are truly sorry, then the Lord God will forgive us.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us not to praise ourselves. For example, if you have given up something for lent, do not go about telling everyone how difficult it is and make yourself out to be a martyr. I know that this may be difficult, especially if you have given up something that you truly love. The entire Gospel can be summed up, in my opinion, in the last line. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” I feel that this line is a good life motto to live by. What good is it to praise yourself? Does it truly make you feel good? Is it not better to receive an unsuspecting compliment from a friend? Jesus is saying that those who praise themselves often will receive less in the end. This could be taken in a variety of ways. It could mean fewer friends, a distant family, or perhaps even not being allowed into the Kingdom of God. On the contrary, those who live life in a modest way, and let their good actions speak for themselves; they will be rewarded in the end!
--Chris Falzarano
February 18th
Each year, I am unsure of what to give up for Lent. I know that there are many facets of my life that I should change, because no one is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. However, by making this sacrifice meaningful it allows me to grow as a person, which is our ultimate goal during the Lenten Season. I strive to renew my faith, and the promise that I have made to God and my religious community, by challenging myself to make a difference. In the past, I have given up sweets and other small items. At the time, the change was miraculous. This year, I have made a decision to change myself; it has been a physical and emotional struggle, but the results have made my faith much stronger.
Today’s readings assure me that God is always there for me. He realizes that we, as people, are not perfect. In fact, the first reading goes on to say that we beg for forgiveness because we are “shamefaced.” However, God loves us all; he recognizes that we are sorry for our sins, and that we will make mistakes. Instead of dwelling on our shortcomings, he asks us to strive to be better people. He asks us to follow His two sets of rules. The first are the 10 Commandments. While many do not know them by heart, they are the rules of common sense. “Thou shalt not kill; honor thy mother and thy father; do not covet thy neighbor’s goods and wife.” The second is the rule that most try and live their lives by in this society. The “golden rule” challenges us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” Give and you shall receive; work hard and it will pay off. These rules are constant reminders to help other people and that small deeds really can make a big difference.
As I sit back and look at my life during this Lenten season, I am excited to make a difference. Each day, I try to do something small for someone else, whether it be a good friend or a complete stranger. By selflessly helping others, I am making a small difference. That is what God asks us to do during Lent. I challenge you to work hard to help and assist others in need because it will renew and strengthen your faith and theirs.
--Jacqueline Chiarot
March 1st
How many times in our lives do we let the little hassles bring us down? You know what I’m talking about: a fight with a friend or roommate, no money to spend, a bad grade on a test, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone cutting you off in traffic and the list goes on. Do we have enough courage to create a new earth, where there will be happiness? Do we turn to God and praise Him because He has rescued us? If these sound unfamiliar, maybe it is time to put our little hassles into God’s hands.
Sometimes, when things aren’t going our way, we have to give it up to the Big Guy upstairs and trust in Him to take care of it. After all, we know that we can’t make it in this life alone without Him. Like the royal official trusted Jesus to cure his son, we have to trust in God that if today is not going well, the sun comes up again tomorrow and we have a chance for a fresh start. During this Lenten season, let us remember that we always have the opportunity to begin anew, because when we trust in God second chances are limitless. However, we have to remember that it can’t be done alone. Our faith needs to get us through it. A popular spiritual song seems to capture the emotions that these readings invoke. The words go like this:
We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. Trusting in His holy word, He’s never failed me yet. Oh, Oh, Oh, don’t turn around, we’ve come this far by faith…Don’t be discouraged, by troubles in your life, He’ll bear your burden and relieve all misery and strife…” Our faith gets us as far as we allow it to. God is always there for us, ready and willing to help us through anything, if we ask. We just have to trust in Him and everything will turn out just fine.
Have a very blessed day, as we wait for the coming glory of God in this Lenten season.
--Alex Eadie
February 29th
Congrats! You have before you an extra day! Nope, I don’t want to hear the technicalities about the calendar and the Earth’s rotation. Happy Random Extra Day!
Now, what shall we do with our Random Extra Day? Is Leap Day a drinking holiday? Or a family holiday? It is definitely not a day to get outside and enjoy the summer sun. It is definitely not a Hallmark holiday. I didn’t forget to send flowers to anybody.
In the scriptures for today, I sense a progressive theme. The Psalm says “I am the Lord your God. Hear my voice.” The OT reading from Hosea says “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God.” In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus says “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.” Hear Him, return to Him, love Him.
During Lent, our job as good Catholic girls and boys (or men and women) is to prepare ourselves to accept the wonder of Jesus during the Easter season. That can be hard to do with all of the busy things life throws at us. Isn’t it lucky for us that we have this Random Extra Day today that we can use to hear Him, return to Him, and love Him?
--Sarah Joy Askins
February 28th
In recent years, the idea of “finding your voice” has almost become a cliché, but it remains a rich and wonderful notion. On a human level, we thrive when we speak and are heard well. But when our speech becomes a vehicle for spiritual self-revelation, we do more than thrive: we experience what it means to be a child of God. In our own way, we share the joy the Father must have felt when his Word “leapt down from heaven” (Wis. 18:14), taking on life and power in this world. And in speaking our unique spiritual truth, we also discover a lively and intimate community of fellow proclaimers of the Lord’s goodness.
Today’s scriptures highlight the notion of speech. In our First Reading, Jeremiah laments that God’s words and his own are not received by his people, and so “the word itself is banished from their speech.” As in the Tower of Babel story, the people’s speech is rendered meaningless. The psalmist prays for a better reception of God’s words: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice!” In the Gospel, Jesus frees a man from the spirit of inarticulacy: “and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.” In giving the man a voice, Jesus gave him more than the ability to be understood: he gave him full humanity, membership in God’s family, and deep friendship with his people.
The church is not properly catholic (or Catholic) until all have spoken their truth. Do not hesitate to speak yours! This is a human act; this is Godly act. Robert Frost’s poem
“Revelation” expressed it well.
We make ourselves a place apart
Behind light words that tease and flout,
But oh, the agitated hear
Till someone really find us out.
But so with all, from babes that play
At hid-and-seek to God afar,
So all who hide too well away
Must speak and tell us where they are.
AMEN!
--Jim Pribek, S.J.
February 27th
As biological/adoptive parents to our own children and surrogate parents to our students, we often are faced with the task of telling them things they may not want to hear. When they are young, we caution them not to touch the hot stove or to play with matches. At first, they do not understand why we are being so mean and telling them “no!” As they grow and become wiser, they come to understand and appreciate the guidance we gave to them when they were young, before they were able to reason and make decisions for themselves.
As our children grow, our guidance turns to matters with deeper consequences: watch who your friends are, don’t get involved with drugs, make good choices with your life decisions. Again, they may not always appreciate what we are telling them at the time. We are accused of being ogres; “times are different”; “you don’t understand me!” We pray that eventually they will see the wisdom of our words.
But Moses’ advice to the Israelites is as true today as it was then: “Be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen…but teach them to your children and your children’s children.” We have the obligation to share our wisdom, gained through our experience and our prayer, with those with whom we have contact and those entrusted to our care. In our everyday interactions with our students, in opportunities as we gather with our children and grandchildren, with all whom we meet, we should share the good news we have heard.
It may not be in the same way we told our children “no” when they were about to touch the hot stove. It will be in the manner we show forth the essence of who we are; in our sharing of our time with those in need, in our gentle ways of dealing with our elderly parents, in the ways we patiently deal with students who express a need. Then we will be doing what Jesus asks in Matthew’s gospel; to “teach the commandments” and be called “greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
--Rose Marie Castner
February 26th
How often do we ask God for guidance? In our first reading, Azariah appeals to God for his mercy and strength. Do we go to God in our difficult times? In such a stressful and secularized world, God may not be the first One we turn to, but He should be. Do we trust in God and fear him as Azariah did? Do we believe He will relieve our suffering? More importantly, are we willing to accept the answer God gives us when we ask for His direction? Our God is a loving God and we must trust that He would not lead us astray. Just as the prayer in the Psalm, do we implore God to teach us with an open heart? Are we willing to accept His guidance or do we let the stubbornness of our heart lead us? In the final Scripture, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother. Peter may have thought he was being generous with his offer of seven times, since this was much more than what the Torah demanded of him. Jesus then replies seventy-seven times, trying to make a point. Christ was pointing out that if we truly are forgiving, we will not count the number of times we forgive. Since Peter asked for Christ’s direction do you think he accepted it with an open heart, or was he quick to reject the suggestion because it seemed too difficult? Likewise, in this season of Lent when we ask God for direction, DO WE LISTEN?
--Emilyn Haremza
February 25th
What is the absence of Faith?
A Professor of Philosophy from a Midwestern University pauses before his first class of the semester and then asks one of his new students to stand and says to him, “young man, are you a Christian?”
“Yes sir,” the student replies.
“So you believe in God?”
“Absolutely.”
“Is God good?”
“Sure! God's good.”
“Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?”
“Yes.”
“Young man, are you good or evil?”
“The Bible says that only God is Good”
The professor grins knowingly, “Aha! The Bible!” He ponders for a moment. “Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person in the quad and you can cure him. Would you help him? Would you try?”
“Yes sir, I would” replies the student.
“So you are good!”
“I wouldn't say that.”
“But why not say that? You would help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.”
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. “He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?”
The student remains silent.
“No, you can't, can you?” the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
“Let's start again, young man; is God good?”
“Umm...yes,” the student says.
“Is Satan good?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then where does Satan come from?”
“From...God.”
“That's right” replies the professor. “God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me son, is there evil in this world?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Evil is everywhere, isn't it?' asks the professor. 'And God did make everything, correct?”
“Yes” replies the student.
“So who created evil?” the professor asks. “If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.”
Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues; “Is there sickness, immorality, hatred, self-centeredness? Do all these terrible things exist in our world?”
“Yes” replies the student.
“So who created them?” asks the professor.
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. “Who created them?” There is still no reply. Suddenly the professor begins to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. He looks to another student and asks; “Tell me, do you believe in Jesus Christ?”
The student's voice is confident; “Yes, professor, I do.”
The professor stops pacing. “Science says you have five senses that you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?”
“No sir. I've never seen Him.”
“Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?”
“No, sir, I have not.”
“Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?”
“No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.”
“And yet you still believe in him?”
“Yes.”
“According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?”
“Nothing,” replies the student. “I have my faith.”
“Yes, faith” the professor repeats. “And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.”
The student stands quietly for a moment before asking a question of his own.
“Professor, is there such thing as heat?”
“Yes,” the professor replies. “There is heat.”
“And is there such a thing as cold?”
“Yes, son, there is cold too.”
“No sir, there isn't” the student replies.
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested, as thee room becomes very quiet.
The student begins to explain; “You can have lots of heat, a little heat, or no heat, but we don't have anything called ‘cold.’ We can observe a temperature of 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any lower than that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go below the lowest temperature; -458 degrees. Every object or body is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.”
There was silence across the room.
“What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?”
“Yes,” the professor replies without hesitation. “What is night if it isn't darkness?”
“With respect, sir, you are wrong again. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, or bright light, but if you constantly have no light you have nothing, and we call it darkness, correct? That is the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't a real thing. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?”
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.
“So what point are you making, young man?”
“Professor my point is that your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.”
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise. “Flawed? Can you explain how?”
“You are working on the premise of duality” the student explains. “You argue that there is life and then there is death; a good God and a bad God. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. God is not something we can measure because God is not material. We cannot measure something that we cannot see, taste, smell, hear, or touch.”
The class is now in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
“To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.” The student looks around the room and asks; “Is there anyone in this class who has ever seen the professor's mind?” The class breaks out into laughter. “Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's thoughts, or felt, touched, or smelled the professor's mind?”
There is silence. “No one appears to have done so sir” says the student. “So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you do not have a mind, with all due respect, sir. So if science says that you have no mind, how can we trust your lectures, sir?”
The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the professor answers. “Well young man, if you want to get a good grade in my course, you'll have to accept on faith that I do have a mind.”
“Now sir, you are expecting us to accept on faith that you do have a mind. Therefore, you accept that there is such a thing as ‘faith’, and in fact faith exists with life. Now sir, I ask you, is there such a thing as evil?”
Now uncertain, the professor responds, “Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily news reports. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.”
To this the student replied, “Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of Good. ‘Evil’ is just like ‘darkness’ and ‘cold’; they are words that man has created to describe the absence of good, light, and heat, respectively. The Bible says that God is good. St. Anselm said that God's essence is pure goodness and everything God has created is inherently good because it acquires its goodness from God. God did not create evil. Evil results when humans reject the goodness that is within them. Evil comes out of human hearts that do not have God's love present within them. Evil is like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”
The professor was speechless and sat down.
--Author Unknown
March 7th
There are a lot of question marks in today’s Gospel passage from John. It is no
surprise the questions are all asked in relation to Jesus. They are asked by the
ordinary people genuinely trying to understand who this Jesus is. They are
asked by the religious authorities who are getting fed up with Jesus in their
midst. And one question is asked by Nicodemus, who speaks up on behalf of
Jesus in the midst of the powerful leaders.
Made as we are in God’s image, we, too, have the capacity to ask good,
thoughtful questions as we seek genuine answers of people and issues that are
important to us. Bearers of judgment and the ability to discern, we can consider
and decide for ourselves when a person is genuine or inauthentic and what
situations are true or false. And, at our best, we can stand up and speak out on
behalf of someone or something important to us.
Our tried and true Lenten practices of prayer, sacrifice, and good works are great
ways to grow in the graces that bring us wisdom, knowledge and
understanding. Our practice of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, with
others of our faith help us to grow into the body of Christ. This is the very
same Jesus whose presence and company got the early companions and crowds
in today’s Gospel passage (and now us today) asking the good questions about
Him in the first place.
Michael Tunney, S.J.
Fine Arts Department
March 6th
Today’s readings remind us that we are easily pulled away from the path that God has laid for us. God was angry with the people of Israel because they had turned away from His path. They chose to worship a golden calf that they had made, sacrificing to it and claiming that it was their god who had brought them out of Egypt. God wanted to destroy His people and then make Moses a great nation in their place. But Moses pleaded with, saying that if God destroyed the people, the Egyptians would say that God only saved His people in order to kill them Himself. Moses then reminded God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how He swore to them saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised you, I will give to your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’ God then gave up his plan to destroy Israel.
We cannot judge harshly the actions of others. As Moses begged God for mercy for his people, God did what Moses asked. God showed Israel the way back to the right path, instead of forcing a punishment on them that could further push them away. We all experience times when we lose sight of our faith. These times are not easy, but if we allow them too, they can show us how important our faith is and how wonderful it is when we find it again.
The same scenario happens to the Jewish authorities during Jesus’ time. In John’s gospel, the Jews are searching for testimony about the truth of Jesus’ acts. Jesus says that if He testifies on His own behalf, then the testimony cannot be true. He says that the Father testifies on His behalf through the works that He has given Jesus to do. Jesus says however, that the Jews have never heard His voice or have seen His form. They search the Scriptures thinking they have eternal life, yet they don’t understand that the Scriptures themselves testify to Jesus. Jesus challenges the Jews by pointing out how they will accept praise from one another, but they will not look for the praise that comes from God. Jesus says that Moses, not He, will accuse them of this because Moses is the one who has written about Jesus. If they do not believe Moses, how will they believe Jesus’ words?
Moses had prophesized about Jesus, yet the Jews do not accept him. The Jews could not see the truth that was right in front of them, and this is often true today. Many times we have left God’s path and have not been able to see what is really important in our lives. We become concerned with those unimportant things and sooner or later we are on a road that leads away from Jesus. Lent is a time to reflect back on those things that we have forgotten; the important things to keep us on God’s path for us. Let us use this Lent to work with God in keeping true to our faith and purpose in life.
--Allie Schnackel
March 5th
Reading 1: Isaiah 49:8-15
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you.
Psalm 145
“The Lord is gracious and merciful.”
Gospel: John 5:17-30
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.
God is about life.
God wants people to be filled with life
God wants us to respect life.
God is like the mother who tenderly loves and feeds the child at her breast.
God is the one who wants people to have eternal life,
a life that is more than possessions, or money, or status before others.
God’s priority is help people live, not to condemn them for their sins.
God’s priority is to help the whole world to live in peace,
a peace where people share all the gifts with one another.
Isaiah’s feminine image of God holding a child challenges us to rethink what God is about.
The theologian Elizabeth Johnson writes in her book She Who Is: “The Spirit is the Spirit of freedom, partial to freeing captives rather than keeping them bound, biased in favor of life’s flourishing rather than its strangulation. … Christ crucified and risen, the Wisdom of God, manifests the truth that divine justice and renewing power leavens the world in a way different from the techniques of dominating violence. The victory of shalom is won not by the sword of the warrior god, but by the awesome power of compassionate love, in and through solidarity with those who suffer.”
~ John Bucki SJ
March 4th
In today’s first reading, we hear about Ezekiel being led out into the water by an angel. Ezekiel does not go all the way into the water at once. Rather, the angel led him gradually. First, Ezekiel goes until the water reaches his ankles, then until it reaches his knees, then his waist. Finally, the water reaches a depth so great that Ezekiel cannot enter it any further. The growth in the size of this stream is like the growth of Christian faith. A Christian cannot simply develop great faith over night; rather, we must work to develop this faith slowly, step by step, through prayer, study of the scriptures, and meaningful dialogue and faith-sharing with other Christians. Like Ezekiel, we cannot see the full glory of God on earth, but we can appreciate the hope, strength, and life that faith brings.
In today’s responsorial psalm, we are reminded that God is always with us. This can at times be hard for Christians to understand. It is easy to see that God is with us when things are going well, but we must also remember that He is our strength in hard times. God is with us to carry us through our difficulties—all we need to do is turn to Him and ask for His help. As you consider this Psalm, I ask to look back on the events of your day or week, and see where you have felt God’s presence. This will take no more than a few minutes, but can help you see that God really is always with you.
Today’s Gospel has Jesus curing a man who had been ill for several years. Following this miracle, Jesus is persecuted by the Jewish leaders because He performed the miracle on the Sabbath, when work was forbidden. Society is rejecting Jesus because He has done something which is outside of social norms. But the reality is that being a true Christian does not fit with the value of society. Christians put others before themselves and God at the center of all, something which secular society would not even consider. As Christians, we may be laughed at, ridiculed, or persecuted. Sometimes what is right may not be easy, and what is easy may not be right. When we face such a situation in our own lives, we should turn recall this Gospel and pray for the strength to do what we know is right, rather than simply conforming to the expectations of society.
~Mike Slish
A special message for those seeking God--
We try to keep in touch with God in church on Sunday morning...
Or Sunday night...
And, perhaps during a midweek service, if we have the time.
We do like to have Him around during sickness...
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don't seem to have time, or room, for Him during our work or play...
Because...
That's the part of our lives that we think... we can, and should, handle on our own.
May God forgive me for ever thinking...
That... there is a time or place where...
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.
We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.
If, You aren't ashamed to do this...
Please follow these directions.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed?
Tell a friend to view this message...
And view one or both versions of this viedo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhBmCzqmI6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArrZ3AxdLfg&feature=related
Do you see?
Can you make a difference?
Yes, I do Love God.
HE is the source of my existence and He is my Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
This is the simplest test.
If You Love God... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...
Tell someone you love to read this.
You could be giving them the best gift you could ever give.
--John Loeser
March 3rd
A young woman was driving to work one day and on the road another driver cut her off. She laid on her horn and waved at the driver, cursing. When she got to work she walked in at told one of her colleagues “Someone cut me off this morning! It was so rude! I’m so GLAD I’m not like those people, rude, inconsiderate, self-absorbed! I always pay attention to the road and what others are doing. It’s so good that God is on my side this morning, I could have been in a really bad accident!” Little did she know that the driver in front of her was taking her screaming baby to a hospital where her father was dying, not even sure if she would make in time to say good bye. The woman got on her knees in the hospital next to her father’s bed, taking his hand: “God thank you for my father’s life, I pray that you take his and my sins away and that we may find peace and love in your arms as you take my father home.”
Like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, we too, may often find ourselves in these positions. We may think we are right, and that we have no “sin” to bear in certain situations. But we do! When we judge others, we sin. When we boast about our religion and ourselves, we sin. When we are prideful, we sin.
Let’s take a look at Hosea’s writings. “Let us strive to know Yahweh, as certain as the dawn his judgment will rise like the light, he will come to us as showers come like spring rains watering the earth. …what I want is love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.” Hosea doesn’t long for the traditional forms of worship and communal sacrifice to God, but rather that of learning his role as being a creation of God, learning what God desires of us, what God longs for from us, and through that, there is great redemption and healing! We may fall like the tax collector, but God lifts us back up into goodness and love. God’s judgment or love does not come in erratic beams of light or earthquakes and storms, but rather as a graceful sprint shower, sanctifying us with every drop, washing away our sins and transgressions.
The psalm really sums it up for us, I think. “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” This psalm takes us through repentance and love. God doesn’t want simple sacrifices- he wants love in action, prayer, a relationship with us. When we behave like the Pharisee in our daily situations and raise ourselves up on pillars of pride, God is going to take that pillar down. “Sacrifice gives you no pleasure, were I to offer burnt offerings, you would not have it. My sacrifice is this broken spirit; you will not scorn this crushed and broken heart.” When we humble ourselves before God, with all our pains and hurts, make ourselves vulnerable to a God who loves us as a mother and a father their child, God raises our brokenness up and heals us.
As we journey together and with our brothers and sisters around this world during Lent, we need to take a good look at ourselves inside. Sometimes it may be easy, others, harder. Sometimes when we see ourselves in a very honest way we may even become ashamed, or embarrassed. God isn’t going to strike us down and humble us, but maybe, like that spring rain, give us gentle reminders to come back to love and peace. Maybe, “like that tax collector over there”, we’ll see our faults and our personal short-comings and reach out to a God that will heal and love us.
--Liz Staley
March 15th
History is filled with great and powerful public persons who make mistakes and are disgraced. King David was one of these. The chosen Lenten text about God’s promises to David through the prophet Nathan, that David and his descendants would reign as “sons of God” on the throne of Israel forever, omits some key words (2 Samuel 7:14b-15). These omitted words qualify God’s promises to David by saying that if David “committed iniquity,” he would be punished.
Just as the promises to David and his sons were remembered down through Israel’s history, so also was the qualification: the Davidic kings would rule only if they reigned with integrity (1 Kings 2:4; 8:25; 9:4-5). King David did not always live up to his role as God’s chosen one. He lusted after Uriah the Hittite’s wife Bathsheba, he committed adultery with her, and then he had Uriah placed on the front line of battle where he would be killed. Lust, adultery, and murder were part of David’s story. Centuries later, the Jewish rabbis struggled with the obvious weaknesses in this great man’s character. They also knew that David’s descendants did not always live up to their role and that they did not reign forever.
The Davidic kingdom, the Davidic capital, and the Davidic temple built by David’s son Solomon were destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.E. Were these events God’s final punishment for “David’s” iniquity? Not final. David is still remembered as the greatest of Israel’s kings. His reign is still considered the “Golden Age” of the Israelite monarchy. Furthermore, as the prophets foretold, a new Shoot would come forth from the cut-off stump of Jesse his father and David’s “seed” – his son – would be “raised up.” Yes, great and powerful public persons make mistakes and are disgraced, but one must always wait for the rest of the story to be told.
--Dr. Dennis Duling
March 14th
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18: 2-7
John 10:31-42
When we read the Gospels, especially the texts for Holy Week which detail Jesus’ debates with his opponents, it can be tempting to try to identify with his “loyal” disciples against his Jewish critics, as if to say that we could never reject Jesus in that way. In doing so, I think we miss something important – ultimately Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by his own disciples and we as his followers sometimes continue that abandonment when we lose faith and stray from the path. Yet even as he was abandoned and suffered on the Cross, Jesus kept his faith and trust in God, to the bitter end.
Today’s readings remind us of the importance of holding onto faith even when we struggle. Sometimes life becomes so difficult that we see no way things can get better even though we want to believe, and we feel like the Psalmist who says, “the breakers of death surged round about me, the destroying floods overwhelmed me.” (Psalm 18:4) Sometimes we’ve created our own problems and don’t know how to fix them. Sometimes the people we thought were friends have betrayed us, “All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” (Jeremiah 20:10)
Other times, our friends haven’t as much betrayed us as they just can’t understand us. They seem to think we should just get over life’s disappointments and move on with our lives. They can’t understand that no matter what has caused our pain it can take time to heal and in the meantime the ordinary struggles of college life do not seem as important.
Where can we turn in times like these? Jeremiah, the Psalmist, and Jesus all remind us that this is the time to turn to God. Even in the midst of his anguish, Jeremiah holds onto his faith and concludes, “Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!” (20:13) The Psalmist reminds us that, “In my distress I called upon the LORD and he heard my voice.” (18:6) When Jesus is challenged and his audience won’t believe him, he doesn’t try to fight or pursue claims for himself, but turns the focus upon God, the source of his power. (John 10:38)
This doesn’t mean trusting God is simple or a quick fix. We can’t just push a button and expect God to solve our problems immediately, or even solve them at all. Many people of faith have struggled with the same challenges we face and struggled to hold onto their faith. Even when their problems lasted their entire life, finding room for God in their lives gave them the strength to keep going.
One of my favorite writers, Vera Brittain, describes her struggles with faith in her autobiographies Testament of Youth and Testament of Experience. She served as a nurse with the British Army in World War I and felt abandoned by God when her brother, her fiancé, and most of her close friends died in the war. Since she believed they were serving God by going to war, she couldn’t understand how God could have abandoned them. At that point she was ready to give up and contemplated going to the front lines where she would face certain “heroic” death, but ultimately decided that it was just as heroic to face the struggle of going on with her life. In the years after the war, she gradually rebuilt her life and starting a career and family. As she became a writer, she found philosophical motivations for advocating for peace in Europe, yet discovered that the Christian pacifists were making a better argument and so rediscovered her faith after so many years of believing she had no need for God. As World War II began, that life started to crumble again. As a matter of conscience, she felt compelled to challenge the plans for war and the violence of airstrikes against cities like Dresden. Suddenly all of her friends and admirers rejected her as unpatriotic and the government listed her as untrustworthy. This time her faith was a bit stronger and she continued to trust God despite the challenges and struggles, going on to write more books and raising her children to lives of service. I met her daughter a few years ago – she served as a member of Parliament and is now a professor and lecturer on politics. Her mother’s story reminds me that although life is not easy and God does not bring easy fixes for our problems, it is possible to remain faithful and live life with integrity even when our friends and enemies challenge us to give up our faith.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” Psalm 18:6
--Rev. Jonathan D. Lawrence
March 13th
Today the main message of the scripture seems to be talking about our one on one relationship with God. In the first reading (Genesis 17: 3-9) God is speaking with Abram, who soon becomes Abraham, the Father of a “host of nations.” Because of Abraham’s undying faith, God promises to make Abraham a “man among men.” Our Lord becomes the God of Abraham’s descendents and will give them land and homes of their own. All that is asked in return is that they keep the covenant that God has made with them, making Him their only Lord.
In the Gospel (John 8:51-59) Jesus is speaking to his people and tells them “Amen, Amen I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” Of course, the Crowd is baffled, for they have all seen death in their own time. Jesus tries to explain that this is a message from our Father, the Lord, whom Jesus knows and speaks his word. The people scoff at him.
Do you find yourself wondering about your relationship with God? I do, almost everyday. I know that there is much that I have been given in my life, and all these gifts are from God. All he asks from me in return is that I have a little faith, give some praise to Him, and that my belief be true. Of course, there are times when I question my faith, wondering how any of this is possible and what seems to be the master plan! There are times when I fear what is to come, the unknown, the future. But I trust in God knowing that no matter what, he walks with me, as does his only Son. Keeping the faith is a daily battle. Some days it is an easy path, while other days it seems like I am forever climbing uphill to keep my end of the bargain. If this is how your faith journey is going, just know that God walks with you, and you are not alone in your climb.
--Megan Brenner
March 12th
In the reading of Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, we hear of an incredible story of faith and courage on the part of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were challenged to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. They defied his insistence and pleaded no defense by placing complete faith in the God that they serve. They say if God can save us, then he will, but even if he doesn’t, we will not serve your god. So the King had them bound up and thrown into the white-hot furnace. And lo and behold, King Nebuchadnezzar sees four men unharmed walking in the fire and says the fourth man looks like a Son of God. He then gave homage to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver his servants.
Wow…there’s a lot of drama there! But here’s what I understand from this reading. First, we get strength and courage from each other to stand up for what we believe in. That’s why I like Church. Second, if we TRUST, I mean really trust in this God who sent His own Son into the fire and delivered Him, can we not face any danger or threat, illness or grief, knowing that God will rescue us? It takes extraordinary courage, but God’s grace will provide that too, if we ask. Think of a time you showed courage you didn’t know you had…hmmmm.
Now John’s Gospel 8: 31-42 serves to confirm the previous story. Jesus tells his disciples, “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.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego clearly believed that! However, Jesus was challenged by the Jewish authorities who claimed to already be free because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus is like...HELLO…you’re trying to kill me…this is not what Abraham would do. If God were your Father, you would love me because I came from Him. He sent me!
Like the Jewish authorities, we can sometimes hold onto “truths” that cause us to behave the way we do, but are not consistent with our true beliefs. For example, we may vote according to our political party even if it goes against a higher moral standard that God calls us to. Or, more simply, we may pay $100 for a pair of jeans that we “have to have” while knowing that we owe our room mate $20.
So I think the bottom line is that we are called as Christians to “walk the talk”…as our friends in the furnace did, and as Jesus asked his disciples to do. Not easy? Perhaps…but when we do it, we get great benefits in return!
--Sue Fischer
March 11th
Moses was told; “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and whoever looks at it after being bitten (by a serpent) will live.”
Is it possible that God's power of healing could come through this simple act of obedience?
The Psalmest said;
"O LORD, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
in the day when I call, answer me speedily."
Do we have the power to call on God and make a similar request?
Jesus said to the Pharisees;
I belong to what is above.
You belong to this world,
but I do not belong to this world.
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.
For if you do not believe that I AM,
you will die in your sins.”
The Pharisees asked Jesus;
“Who are you?”
And Jesus replied;
“What I told you from the beginning....the one who sent me is true,
and what I heard from him I tell the world.”
The Pharisees did not believe Jesus was telling them the truth.
This is the Gospel. It is what the Church teaches.
Do you believe that Jesus told the truth? God's Truth?
--John Loeser
March 10th
In today’s reading, we have the 23rd Psalm (the one which is familiar to all), juxtaposed between readings where we learn of the plight of two women. The first is of beautiful and upright Susanna, wife of Joakim, and the other is of an anonymous woman alleged by the scribes and Pharisees to have been caught in the act of adultery.
Susanna has been, as she says, “completely trapped” by two wicked elders who were supposed to govern the people as judges. These men lusted after Susanna. In their lust they “suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven and did not keep in mind just judgments.” In their wickedness, these men threatened to falsely charge Susanna with adultery unless she would lie with them. She rightly feels trapped, for she feels she must either commit adultery with these men, or refuse the elders’ advances and thereby subject herself to the power of these judges who would convince the assembly of their unjust charge against her. In either case, she would face the penalty of death. And initially she is right---she is trapped---for although she refuses the adulterous advances of the elders, saying that “it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord,” she is condemned to death. But as she was being led to execution, “God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel” who cried out: “I will have no part in the death of this woman.” Susanna is then saved by the brilliance of the spirit-filled Daniel. Daniel caught the wicked elders in their perjury, and they thereby suffered the just punishment of death for their lie. “Thus was innocent blood spared that day.”
The anonymous woman in the Gospel reading faces the same fate as Susanna, albeit her fate, unlike Susanna’s, may have been the result of her own wrongdoing. Nonetheless, in any case, the scribes and Pharisees were not pure of heart in their exuberance to punish the accused woman, using her as a pawn to trap Jesus so they could bring some charge against him, just as the elders had tried to trap Susanna. But Jesus, as Lord, could not be trapped. He at first refuses to answer their question and instead just bends down and begins to write on the ground with his finger. When the Pharisees and scribes continue to ask him what should be done with the adulteress, he merely says, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” and continues his writing on the ground. When all who were intent on stoning the woman walked away, Jesus asks the woman if she has been condemned by anyone. After she responds that no one has, Jesus tells her that “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
The 23rd Psalm between these two readings celebrates what Susanna and the anonymous woman dramatically experience and all of us need in the dark times in our lives, namely, that “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. . . Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are by my side.” Both women initially seem hopelessly doomed to condemnation and death; both are saved by God’s providence and divine justice prevails. There is however a contrast in the way in which God’s justice prevails in the two readings. In the first reading, strict retribution is required, for the elders are not worthy of God’s mercy. But Jesus exercises divine mercy in withholding condemnation of the adulteress and instead gives her the opportunity for repentance for her past sins, which is just what Jesus’ salvific life and death makes possible for all of us!
--John Zeis
March 22nd
As we reach this, the final day of Lent, we are all finally seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel” so to speak. We have endured the suffering and death of Christ and are now eagerly anticipating Easter Sunday. However, before we wish Lent goodbye for another year, it is important to take one last look at what it all means and prepare ourselves for the new life Christ brings. Paul writes in the Letter to the Romans: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6: 3-4)
Paul states here that we actually link ourselves with the life of Christ at our baptism, however how many of us take time to reflect on the significance of this? Through our baptism, we too have died and been buried; we too are anticipating our own resurrection into new life. Lent gives us a time to dust off this connection with Jesus and examine it—get to know what it means to die and rise with Christ. Every Lent we are able to again renew our bond with Jesus and experience the descent into death and the return to a new life. May each of us, this Easter Sunday, find a renewed joy and peace in finding an empty tomb.
-- Kelli Gardner
Good Friday March 21st
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
-- The Gospel of John
March 20th
In the readings today, two themes stand out to me: sacrifice and service.
In the first reading, we hear of the Lord instructing Moses and Aaron about the Passover. Here we see the sacrifice of the lamb being a salvation for the Israelites in Egypt. It is important for us to remember this sacrificial tradition of Passover, to understand the next passages where Jesus becomes our sacrificial lamb and gives us a new remembrance of bread and wine, which is his body and blood.
In the psalm, the psalmist asks, “How shall I make a return to the Lord?” That is how can I repay the Lord for all he has done for me? The answer: service, for he says “I am your servant…To you I will offer sacrifice of thanksgiving.” The response of “Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ” leads us right to the second reading where Paul tells us about remembering the sacrifice of the Lord by eating the bread and drinking the cup. This passage urges us to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and gives us a way to partake in Jesus’ body and blood even to this today.
In the gospel, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. This is an amazing example of service and the Lord’s selfless love for humanity. Jesus, the Son of God, in the last hours of his life on earth, went to each of his disciples’ before supper and washed their feet. This symbol of service reminds us that we all must “wash each other’s feet,” that is serve each other. To me, this gospel is a wake up call to continually care for one another and realize that we, as humans, are all equally called to serve others. Another verse I would like to note from this gospel was “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” This is yet another example in the Bible of the depth of the Lord’s love for us. Even as Jesus knew he was going to be betrayed, he still loved. He loved to the point of death, a death in which he sacrificed his life for the sins of all.
In these last few days before Easter, these readings bring home the message that we must realize the sacrifice the Lord has made for us, remember this sacrifice through the bread and wine which are his body and blood, and follow the example Jesus gave in the last hours of his life by serving all of our brothers and sisters.
--Ann Wojtaszczyk
March 19th
“The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.” (Isiah 50:5) For many years God has been trying to speak to me. Not audibly, but in ways that I can understand. My problem for most of those years was that I HAVE been rebellious, not wanting God to speak to me for fear that He might ask me to do something that I do not want to do. As you can imagine, for much of my life it has been quite difficult for God to get His message across to me.
Like most of us, I searched for guidance in ways that were not Of God, and often I was disappointed in what I found. As the psalmist says; “Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless.” When “I looked for sympathy…there was none.” Life in our culture can be quite difficult at times. Some people find life to be maddening because of the disappointments and pain that we all experience. For me, much of this pain and disappointment has come from my own heart. It came from my desire to put ME and MY DESIRES first, rather than putting the needs of my loved ones first. I do not bear full responsibility for my selfish attitude because this is what I have been taught all my life; that I am #1, that my desires matter more than the needs of others, that I am the center of the universe. This is what I learned in my public school, this is what I have learned through American Mass Media, this is what has been taught in many American family households, including mine. However, this is the way of life that I chose to live rather than to search for a better, more fulfilling way to live—and for that I can only blame myself.
In today’s Gospel we read of Jesus’ prophecy that all His disciples will abandon Him when he is arrested by the authorities. The reality that people will inevitably do what we believe is necessary to meet our own needs and desires was also true during the time that Christ lived on earth. The Gospel goes on to tell us that Jesus’ prophecy was accurate, and all the disciples did abandon Jesus in His most desperate time of need. I encourage you to think about what it means to be a true brother, a true sister, a true son or daughter, and a true friend. Do your desires cause you to abandon those you love in their time of need? How is God trying to speak to you, to help you make choices that will lead you toward a more fulfilling way of life? Please pray about it and ask Him.
--John Loeser
March 18th
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (Jn. 13:38)
Simon Peter’s exchange with Jesus the day before his arrest and crucifixion is of particular importance for us during Lent. How often do we ourselves deny Christ? We deny him each time we betray our morals taught by the Gospels. Whenever we cross the lessons taught to us by Christ we betray and deny Him. Peter denied Christ directly for fear of being associated with Jesus, and being arrested and punished as well. Why do we deny Him under far less straining circumstances? Why do we so willingly cross what Christ has taught us to live by? If we choose to become more like Him, we must take the period of Lent to reflect on this and meditate on how we can more closely follow Christ’s teachings.
But the end of Peter’s story is equally relevant to us. Upon denying Christ three times, Peter breaks down and prays for the Lord to forgive him. And this is what Christ’s sacrifice means to us. Peter, who directly betrayed his promise to Jesus by denying Him, was forgiven. So are we when we do as Peter did—pray and ask for forgiveness. Christ’s sacrifice took away our original sin; from there all sin we had was sin we accumulated ourselves. But this sin is not permanent; it was sin that could be absolved whenever we renew our faith to God through confession and penance.
The period of Lent is a reflection on this dichotomy. This week we grieve and mourn the loss of Christ, yet through the week we keep in mind that He rises again. Our faith to Christ and God is similar; it may perish when we sin, but through the Spirit it is reborn and renewed.
--Jason Zwara
March 17th
As we enter into Holy Week, it is easy to get lost in the tragedy of what Jesus is about to undergo. Today in the Gospels, Mary has broken a jar of pure nard and has anointed Jesus’ feet as if to wash him for his burial. With this symbolic act we cannot help but look ahead to the cross. Where is God in these dark days coming? We must remember that God is right there in the middle of it all, holding the hand of Jesus, just as God holds our hands and keeps us even in times of trial. Isaiah talks about a servant of God coming who, filled with the Holy Spirit, will work tirelessly, patiently, peacefully until justice is established in the earth. And this servant “will not be crushed” until the task is accomplished. Although this week we watch as the world rejects Jesus for living and preaching justice or “right relationships” amongst all, we have to remember that God redeems Jesus in the resurrection.
Ultimately, God delights in Jesus because he is living up to what God called him to do—to be a light for others, casting out blindness wherever he went and bringing people up out of darkness and into liberation. This is the call we have inherited as Christians as well. If we listen to God’s voice and follow God’s plan for us, the Psalms promise that we will surely see the goodness of the Lord take roots in our communities large and small, just as Jesus’ message took root in the early Christian community and from there spread to the ends of the earth. With God on our side, then, we can say with the Psalmist even in the midst of trial and apparent defeat, “The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?”
-- Luanne Tunmore
Love Your Neighbors, and Your Enemies?
Have you ever read or heard this scripture preached on in church?
MT 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father. He makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust" (NAB).
This is a difficult thing to achieve for most of us. Think about it. How many times during the day do you think negative thoughts about people whom you don’t’ get along with? Or worse yet, how often do you speak a bad word about someone whom you disagree with rather than trying to understand their point of view or why they do what they do? Now let me ask you; “is there room inside your heart to love people, despite the things you don’t like about them?”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said the following:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction…. The chain reaction of evil – hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
The Apostle Paul says this in Romans Ch. 13: The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
If you have never read the Beaditudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) for yourself, I encourage you to do so. “Why should I read this” you may ask? Consider the following quote from E. Stanley Jones’ book “The Word Became Flesh.”
Remember this one? “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt. 5:7)]. "[These are] the Be-attitudes, not the Do-attitudes. In this Jesus was realistic, for doing comes out of being. A good tree brings fourth good fruit. This is not the attempt to get human nature to do good apart from being good…. ‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’ [Jesus] goes straight to the fountain knowing if that is pure, [then] the stream will be pure.”
-- John Loeser
The following are reflections from the fall 2007 semester.
Ignation Retreat Reflection 1
Recently, I attended the Ignatian Retreat in October and loved its opportunities. I had needed some time away from the “Real World” and wanted the opportunity to reflect on some things I was struggling with. I made a great deal of progress with my struggles and even felt like a new person on Monday when I returned to school. The retreat gave opportunity for prayer, walking, sharing, and meditation on my struggles. I met and spoke with my spiritual advisor privately. She and I worked together using prayer and scripture to guide my journey. I am a non-traditional sophomore, mom, wife and person. Sometimes, I do not remember that I am a person too. When I returned from the retreat I felt like a person first, rather than last. If life seems to be overwhelming, sometimes we need to take ourselves out of the norm and re-assess. I highly recommend this retreat to do just that! The next one is in January ’08.
-- Patty Strobele-Moziak
Ignation Retreat Reflection 2
This weekend was probably the most peaceful of all weekends. I enjoyed the peace and quiet. It gave me a chance to think about things and to be in the prescence of God. This truly was a magnificent weekend and I enjoyed getting to meet new people. These people are Paul Stage, a senior here at Canisius, John Loeser, a super senior, Patty Stroebele, a sophomore, and Susan Fischer, a Campus Ministry director. These people helped me realize what I needed to do to get through the semester. I am so fortunate to have met Paul Stage though, he is very kind and seems very interested in what I have to say. Throughout this weekend I learned how to be more spiritually inclined so I could clear my head to go home and start over again. These people are all unique and deserve props for dealing with what they do everyday. Paul is a great intelligent student, and John & Patty are great to talk to and are even willing to help a freshmen like me to do papers (college style). Sue Fischer is great and she deserves praise for what she deals with everyday in Campus Ministry! Father Pribek, who was our spiritual director for the retreat and is a jesuit priest here at Canisius, has a big heart and he is probably one of the greatest people to talk to! He is also one of the kindest people in the world who care about people like me. Overall, this retreat allowed me to experience something entirely new and helped me realize my potential. It was like a journey into the unknown in which I didn't know how it would turn out or how it would effect my life after the journey. I hope I will be able to attend the next Ignation retreat in January, and eventually go on a Kairos, and I hope to see everyone on the next Ignatian Weekend directed retreat. Remember, always to give God a little bit of your time and you will be awarded with the many gifts of the holy spirit. Peace out.
-- Cory Ekstrum
Ignatian Retreat Reflection 3
The October Ignatian “quiet” retreat came at the perfect time in the semester. I had been feeling a bit run down from all of my academic work and other responsibilities, and I needed a breather. I am a senior who is looking at graduation in a few months, and I am entering a time when I must make some major life-changing decisions about my future. There was plenty of time to rest, reflect on what has happened over the past four years, and to think about my future. I enjoyed the one on one sessions with my spiritual director which gave me a chance to talk about what and how I have been feeling lately, and I received some very positive feedback. This retreat gave me a chance to examine my life and how my past choices are leading me in the direction that I want to take, and what potential choices I must make to stay on that path. If your looking for a place to focus on yourself without the distractions of daily life, the Ignatian retreat is for you! The next Ignatian is in January '08.
-- John Loeser
4th Day Retreat Reflection 1
My Fourth Day experience was certainly different than that of my Kairos experience. Leaving Kairos I had the typical "Kairos" high - I loved everyone, I was refocused on life, on God, and I was excited to start my new life as I "lived the fourth." When I left the Fourth Day retreat, I felt a little more grounded. 4D made me re-examine how I have been living my life since Kairos, and if I had been doing what I wanted to do. It was a bit of a reality check for me. Though I didn't feel as happy as I did when I left Kairos, I had a better sense of purpose to live differently.
-- Adam Pendleton
4th Day Retreat Reflection 2
My Fourth Day experience was full of personal and group reflection. I was not seeking to experience Kairos on the Fourth Day--I wanted to reflect on where I have come since Kairos and how I can continue to improve on "living the fourth."
-- Sarah Signorino
The Spiritual in India
In the summer of 2007 I studied abroad in India. I learned about Eastern Christianity and the contrasting religious traditions and practices of the Indian people. Indians live their religion in a much more visible way than North Americans do, and the religious diversity in India is much wider than it is here.
One evening, as I was observing every day life from the entrance of my hotel in Bangalore, I was intrigued by the road side Hindu temple that was directly across the very busy street. For a half hour I watched many people stop in and pay homage to their deities, which are icons housed in little shrines. These icons are real people to the Indians, and they must be cared for. Every day people will come and offer them food and flowers, dress them, and some icons are even offered alcoholic drinks.
As I was observing this particular temple, I noticed a woman who was sitting directly in front of the icon with her head bowed. She sat there for the entire half hour and never moved, so I assumed that she was in a state of deep prayer. I later learned from one of our Indian lecturers that the deities are believed to be capable of inflicting terrible pain and disaster, and it is common for the Indians to fear the deities. This caused me to consider what the woman at the street corner temple may have been praying for. Perhaps relief from some emotional or physical pain she or a loved one was going through that she believed the icon was responsible for? Only she knows.
I contrasted my observations in Bangalore to my own experience as a follower of Jesus Christ. When I pray, I spend much of the time asking Jesus for guidance in my daily life. I believe that God has a plan for me, and every day I to try to gain some insight as to what that plan is because I desire to follow it. I believe that God gives us freedom to choose what plan we will follow: our own or God's. Sometimes I face difficult choices, and there are instances when I fail to figure out what God would like to see me choose. Sometimes I suffer because I have made the wrong choice, but unlike the Indians who pray to be spared from their deity’s wrath, I believe that God is NOT causing my suffering. I believe that God allows me to endure the suffering for a greater purpose because suffering produces perseverance, if I will allow it to happen. Perseverance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-4). I have that hope, the hope of life eternal where there will be NO suffering and no more death (Revelation 21:4).
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-- John Loeser
Kairos XXI Reflection
I enjoyed hearing some very solid wisdom from young people. They said some things I really needed to hear. Things that made me stronger in an area I felt so tired and weak. I also liked how people really listened to some things I think are worth hearing. I loved to hear spontaneous laughter exploding into the room. I also liked the food. I wanted to be closer to people and that gift was given too, something you can't force out of anybody - its just given or it does not exist. I feel gratitude. I experienced God's presence in the people. There was a lot of goodness and beauty and innocence out there. I would do this again in a heart beat.
-- Fr. Tom Colgan