Monday, March 31, 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/033114.cfm

The Gospel today deals with faith in prayer. It tells the story of a royal official who comes to Galilee to ask Jesus for the healing of his dying son. When the official arrives, Jesus criticizes people for their lack of faith, saying, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” However, the official persists and asks Jesus to heal his son. He believes Jesus when he says that the boy will be healed, and arrives home to find that it has been done as Jesus said.

What sticks out to me most about the reading is the way that the official approaches Jesus to ask for his help. Jesus is the poor son of a carpenter, known only through word of mouth; yet the royal official has the humility to recognize his own need and the courage to go to Jesus to fill it.  The official travels from Capernaum, a good distance from Galilee, to see Jesus. The journey was likely not easy, but he puts in the work to get to Jesus. The official also has the faith to believe that his prayer will be answered even before he sees the physical proof that his son has been healed. Lastly, when he arrives home to find that his son has been healed, he believes that it was Jesus who had healed him and allows this work of God to strengthen his faith.


Often times when I pray, I leave out one of these elements. I struggle especially with recognizing and thanking God when my prayers are answered. I have the bad habit of attributing my answered prayers to chance or some other factor. The psalm for the day reads, “I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me.” Lent is a great time to focus more on prayer, but also being attentive to the ways that God is answering our prayers. I hope to be more like the official in the Gospel story, who sees what Jesus has done and believes.

Lauren Ross
FCRH 2016

Friday, March 28, 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

Today's Word: 
         Hosea was no stranger to forgiveness. His relationship with Gomer was full of ups and downs that demanded that Hosea learn how to forgive as God forgave. Hosea and Gomer’s story is a great reminder about the beautiful nature of God’s forgiving attitude towards us. It is so easy for us to get caught up in the perfectionism that society demands of us: perfect grades, perfect body, perfect job, perfect family… When it comes to our relationship with God, we have to remember that perfection is not something that is demanded of us. Yes, we are to strive to live our lives for Jesus as best we can, but He isn’t expecting us to get it right all the time. Just like Hosea, Jesus forgives our mistakes and takes us back with open arms, full of love and grace. Isn’t that liberating?!? 

          There are countless times where I have stressed out about an essay, exam, or job application - I was obsessed with getting it just right, and I wasn’t settling for anything less than perfection. The problem was that all that stress completely robbed me of any joy I could have gleaned from the process. The good news is that our relationship with Jesus isn’t like that! We don’t have to be stressed about whether or not we are good enough, or whether or not God will forgive us when we make mistakes - we can trust in the fact that he will always “receive us graciously” (verse 2). There is so much joy in a relationship with Jesus Christ! During Lent this year, remember that God is a god of love and forgiveness, and he will always be there to catch you when you fall.

Robyn Ayers
FCLC 2016

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032714.cfm

               The great theologian and writer C.S. Lewis once said, “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” In this reading from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus presents an ultimatum that makes me, and I’m sure others, sort of uncomfortable. “Whoever is not with me is against me” is a trope in popular culture and politics so common, it is deserving of its own Wikipedia page. We learn in English class that this argument is a type of logical fallacy called a “false dichotomy.” However, Jesus presents to us the great truths – the truths of God’s love -- and if we do not accept all of them, we cannot accept any of them. It does not make sense to say that you love your neighbor, but exclude Phil across the street because he never returned your lawnmower when you let him borrow it. In the same way, you cannot respect God’s gift of life without respecting the lives of the homeless, elderly, mentally handicapped, and all other marginalized peoples, as challenging as that may be for some. Even loving most people means that there are those who are unloved, which directly contradicts the teachings of the Lord. But how often can we say that we are fully following Jesus? As sinful, imperfect people, the only possible answer is “never.” Lent offers us a time to make ourselves uncomfortable, not only through the abandonment of some material comforts, but through pushing ourselves to live as completely Christ-like as we can. Ask yourself at the end of the day how many opportunities you rejected to live like Jesus asked us to, and how many opportunities you accepted. Try your hardest to be with Jesus.

Ian Schaefer
FCLC 2017

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032614.cfm

Lent to me is the most important time of the year because during Lent I choose days in which I can fast, pray more, do penance and in general be closer to God. Being humble is one of the most important lessons I have learned from family and being raised as a Catholic. During these 40 days I try to be more open minded towards people and I try to reflect on how my life has changed since Lent in the previous year. This time of the year is the best season to reflect upon the Gospel MT 5:17-19. Jesus said to his disciples “ ...Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least three commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” It’s important to reflect on this quote because this season is a season of penance. We often forget that every day we should ask God for forgiveness, because that might just be the last day of our life. However, before Easter we are reminded of His good deeds, of His non-ending prayers for us, and of our salvation. We cannot deny that we strongly believe Him, that we find in Him comfort that is beyond human capacity and that we will always love Him and adore Him, because He feels the same for us.

I believe in this religion that has lasted for so many centuries, that has faced so many obstacles and still reigns today in the hearts of the believers. For as difficult as it is to spread the word, we have an obligation to Him to do it. We should continue to grow with Him, and take others with us. We should suggest, explain, demonstrate and give honor and value to His Death and His Resurrection but we should not try to impose it on anyone.  He wants us to love him and be open with him. He wants us to recognize that he is merciful and won’t judge us as long as we continue to pray in Him and give Him thanks for all that He has done for us.

Irena Nilaj
FCLC 2016

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032514.cfm

The Annunciation of the Lord, Solemnity

         The event celebrated by today’s feast has been captured in countless paintings depicting the archangel Gabriel’s visit to Mary inviting her to be the Mother of God. According to the letter to the Hebrew’s, however, it also celebrates the Lord’s willingness to enter the world as a human being in fulfillment of God’s will.

          There is much to meditate on for our own life. First of all, God calls each of us to a life’s task or vocation.  Mary is a model for how to respond. Naturally, she had concerns and fears. She discerned whether Gabriel’s invitation was God’s call and not. Luke’s Gospel says that she was greatly troubled, she pondered, she asked. These are all natural and wise responses. When Mary realized that Gabriel was truly a messenger of God, she responded fully and wholeheartedly. We are no different. Whatever our own call in life, we need to discern that it is truly what God wants for us. And what God wants for us is always our full flourishing as human beings. It is also a call to be “for others,” that is, to work for the full flourishing of others, according to the vocation that is ours.
        
          The phrase, “I come to do your will” moves like a thread throughout today’s readings and prayers.  Living according to God’s will is living in right relationship with God and cooperating with the “dreams” that God has for each one of us. Mary cooperated with God in bringing Jesus Christ into the world as Emmanuel, God-with- us. Lent is a good time to ponder and discern how God is inviting us to cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in our own time, in our little corner of the world.

Sr. Judith M. Kubicki, CSSF
Associate Professor of Theology

Monday, March 24, 2014

Monday, March 24, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032414.cfm

In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” Imagine how a prophet feels rejected by his own people. Even more so since he lived in community with them and sincerely believed that his message was worth sharing. Indeed, rejection hurts the body and soul. Now imagine we are this prophet’s reluctant audience who selfishly prefers to hear what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. Finally, imagine the true prophet Jesus who was rejected and crucified by those He deeply loved. Rather than reject His detractors, Jesus teaches us a lesson that is difficult to embrace – the message of accepting, loving, and forgiving – once we rise above the self-absorbed rubble that is ourselves.

The ancient philosopher Socrates taught there are three types of people. The ignorant person does not know he does not know. The arrogant person does not know but thinks he knows. The wise person knows he does not know everything. He is wise because he possesses humility – an openness to listen and recognize that no one, including himself, has a monopoly on knowledge. For the Christian, this humility is expressed in acceptance, love, and forgiveness. Think about it. To forgive someone is to love her even more since we consider her worthy of reconciliation again and again. And let us not forget to forgive ourselves, for Jesus teaches that we are that worthy person, too.


Recall the prayer of St. Leo the Great (one that Sr. Monica Kevin shares in her Fordham Christmas cards): “For unless, in humility, He had come down to us, none of us, by our own merits, could ever go up to Him.” Amen to that.

Robert J. Parmach, Ph.D                                                                                                   
Freshman Dean, FCRH

Friday, March 21, 2014

Friday, March 21, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032114.cfm

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…”

Jesus was held in contempt by some chief priests and Pharisees not just for the reason that he blasphemed or dissented from the laws, but because Jesus saw into their hearts and laid bare their hypocrisy before all. Jesus was pointing out to them what was missing in their lives of public piety and sanctimoniousness: LOVE.                                              

In our daily lives, we are sometimes forced to accept the fact that our actions though seemingly noble are lacking the most important ingredient and motivation of love. The love of God, which necessitates the love of self and love of neighbor, often falls through the cracks of our lives and eventually becomes absent from our motives. Duty, habit and pride quickly slip into its place, silently but drastically changing the nature of our actions.

I like to describe my period of involvement in volunteer work at the beginning of my junior year as being a time of exponential personal growth and recognition of purpose. However, I often needed to turn inwards and ask a question: in making my time, skills and energy available to those in need, was I sincerely being charitable or was this a way for me to be convinced of what a magnanimous person I was? I constantly needed to remind myself that once love ceased to be the cornerstone of my thoughts and actions, everything collapsed into a pile of emptiness and vanity.


It is dangerously easy to cast aside the cornerstone of love in favor of a more gratifying and self-serving approach to good works. I pray that during this season of Lent characterized by prayer, penance and love-inspired sacrifice, we may never dismiss love as being a mere building block, but instead recognize it as the rightful cornerstone of our lives. 

Doreen Ivy Bentum
FCRH 2015

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032014.cfm

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is often misunderstood as a condemnation of wealth. Rather, it might be considered as a condemnation of having the ability to help another human being in need, and choosing not to do so.

This is an easy enough message to understand, and one I can support and work to be more attentive to in my own life. I believe that most people are essentially good human beings who, when seeing someone who needs help, will work to respond. As a people, we can certainly always continue to grow in how we help one another. However, I think there is an even deeper meaning that echoes throughout today’s readings and in this parable that is even more challenging. The Rich Man did not reject Lazarus’ needs just because he had a hard heart, but rather he rejected Lazarus because he simply could not see him.

Focused on his wealth, the Rich Man’s narrow vision did not allow for someone like Lazarus, and he was blind to Lazarus’ plight because he was not a part of his reality.  
It was not the fact that the Rich Man did not choose not to help Lazarus, but he did not even know he was there to be helped.

This is a terrifying thought – that we ourselves could be so blind to God’s love and mercy that we could in turn be blind to the needs of others, and fail to make that return of God’s love and mercy to those so desperately in need. Yet I think the danger of doing this is very real and seductively easy, especially when we are faced with the temptation of putting something other than our faith in God at the center of our lives, like the Rich Man.

The Lenten season is an opportunity for us to reorient, renew and return to God’s love and grace. We have an opportunity to examine where we’ve fallen short, where we may have placed our needs before those of others and where we may have placed something other than the love of God at the center of our lives.


If we heed the words of the prophets and truly take up the invitation from Jesus in this parable, as challenging as it may be, what might that enable us to see that we could not see before? Who might we see anew? Whose sufferings might touch our hearts? And how, as we move through this Lenten season in preparation for the celebration of God’s deep and boundless love for us at Easter, might we be called – and compelled - to respond?

Conor O'Kane
Associate Director of Campus Ministry at Rose Hill and Director of Interfaith Programs

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031914.cfm

Lent is, among many other things, a season of giving up unnecessary things to become acutely aware of the presence of God in our lives.  Lent, for college students, also falls during the time applying to, interviewing for, and choosing between potential internship and career opportunities.  The stress and difficulty of the job search process cannot be overstated, and, from my personal experience, I have found that it is easy to fall into the habit of applying to internships with only money and future success in mind.

              One of my professors defined discernment as finding where personal talents, knowledge, and skills meet the world’s needs.  Since our talents, knowledge, and skills are gifts from God, and our being on this Earth, too, is a gift from God, it follows that God’s will should be the deciding factor in determining a potential career.  This requires giving up control over what our plans may be to God, and allowing God to guide us to our true calling.


              Today’s readings are about having faith and putting trust in God.  When attempting to discern which internship or which career path is right, God should play a role. The Jesuit tradition calls us to use our God-given gifts to meet the needs of the world, but finding the best possible way to fulfill this mission is no easy feat.  Discernment does not happen overnight.  It takes thoughtful prayer over a long period of time.  I want to spend this Lent in prayerful discernment, giving up my own ideas about success in order to become acutely aware of God’s presence in my life and of his plans for my future.  I encourage you to do the same.  AMDG.

Shannon Marcoux
FCRH 2016

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031814.cfm

I find that the humility we are called to in the gospel is possible because of the forgiveness that is extended to us by God as shown in Isaiah.  It often seems to me that one of the most scandalous aspects of Catholicism is forgiveness.  It has been easier for me to forgive others than it has been for me to forgive myself.  I find this to be especially true in one given moment in my time here at Fordham.


One day I was going to the Grace Baptist Church Soup Kitchen with the Pedro Arrupe Faith and Justice Council.  However, I was tired because I had stayed out and up late the night before, even though I knew that I was supposed to be heading to the soup kitchen at 11:15 in the morning.  While we were working there, for the first half, I tried to hectically account for all the factors of the work.  Instead, in my exhaustion I made countless mistakes, up to and including spilling juice on the serving table.  While I ameliorated the spill to the best of my ability, I had to take a moment’s pause to assess what to do next.  While I regretted my choices from the previous night as selfish in the light of the current charitable work, I could not let that paralyze me.  So I decided that I should focus on pouring the soup into the containers.  I honed my attention upon the importance of cleaning each container, for the sake of each person that I was not even able to see enter the soup kitchen as others were now serving.  The attention transformed the work from one of exhaustion to one of joy.  The whole ordeal reminded me of how God does forgive, even as I remembered to recount this at Confession.  It also reminded me that Christ wants us to flourish in the simple expression of our fullest selves, and that there is strength in the grace of this recognition to walk on joyfully.

Thomas Ginch
FCRH 2015

Monday, March 17, 2014

Monday, March 17, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031714.cfm

Forgiving is quite possibly the hardest action in life since it is so easy to fall into the traps of bitterness, resentment, and hatred. Lent is a time for letting go, and letting go of those traps will help us get closer to God. I know that I need to learn how to forgive; not specifically others, but myself.

I feel I am the pure definition of being my own worst critic because I still deeply regret things I have done when I was a child. Even so, I am quick to blame myself for anything that goes awry and that results in deep hatred towards myself. That's not what God wants. I may love the people in my life a lot but what God really wants from me is to love and forgive myself for my imperfections. I am in his image; I live my life devoted to Him and through the people I love. I have to learn how to forgive myself, not just for Him, but also for the people who love me and forgave me for my imperfections. At the beginning of Lent, I gave up hating myself in favor of loving myself and forgiving myself in order to get closer to God.  I feel I'm doing a good job at it so far and even if I mess up, I simply have to let go and let God.


Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Andrew Abbensett
FCLC 2016

Friday, March 14, 2014

Friday, March 14, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031414.cfm

In the reading from Ezekiel the desire of God is revealed to us. "Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD" NO! God derives no pleasure from the death of the wicked! God loves us! He is crazy about us!

I think this is something I always need to remind myself in prayer. It's easy for me to get caught up with all of the things that I think I need to do or I think I am doing wrong. I will often spend a good deal of my time in prayer worrying if I am going to be able to do everything that God wants me to do. I will ask for the strength to get through the day and list all the things I think I will need help with.

I am coming into this Lent from a place of great frustration. I have been having back problems for a while now, and I am starting to accept that there is a lot of things that I just can't do at the moment. Its frustrating, partly because I am a young person and feel like I am expected to be able to do a lot of things. What I am realizing now and what I am trying to spend my time praying over this Lent is the fact that God loves me as me.


God is not out to look for the things I am doing wrong. He's not trying to come up with some complex set of expectations that I could never live up to. God takes no pleasure in the death of a wicked man! He wants me to do well and he wants to love me as me. I spend my prayer now asking God to help me see that I have all the strength I need to be good in His eyes. No matter how feeble I feel, God loves me in that state and wants me to be at peace with it.

Alex Placke, SJ
FCRH 2016

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031314.cfm

"Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand."

My grandmother always tells my siblings and me when we complain about having too much homework or not wanting to do our chores, that God helps those who help themselves.  She said this so we would realize, as Queen Esther says in today's first reading, that the Lord "always free[s] those who are pleasing to" Him.  She wanted to instill in us that, as much as we believe that God will help us when we fall, free us from our constraints, and forgive us when we sin, it's a two-way street: why do we put the burden on God when we can take our lives into our own hands and help ourselves (as well as others)?


God is with us in good times and bad, and when we call for help, He will answer us.  But even this places some responsibility in ourselves - we need to be willing to recognize that when we need the Lord's assistance and guidance we must seek it. This leads to praise and gratitude - as much as we like to think that we are self-sufficient and can truly be in autonomous control of our lives, we are in great need of God's help and should express our thanks to Him.  It's all too easy to forget this part. We think that our successes are ours alone, and we blame others, not ourselves, if something goes wrong.  Why are we so quick to blame but hesitant to praise? We should recognize that the Lord turns "our sorrows into wholeness" and praise Him for His kindness. This Lent I am keeping in mind my need to be more grateful, and express my gratitude and praise.

Gianna Sciangula
FCLC 2015

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031214.cfm

What is the sign of Jonas?

In today’s reading, we’re told that “the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time,” and that it was in this iteration that he became a prophet to the people of Ninevah. On his first attempt, though, Jonah famously attempted to flee in the exact opposite direction-- Thomas Merton (also known as the Dark Knight of the Soul) writes in his eponymous book The Sign of Jonas, “[L]ike Jonas himself I find myself traveling toward my destiny in the belly of a paradox.” How is it that a reluctant prophet trapped in the digestive tract of a gigantic fish can become a sign of conversion to the capital of the greatest city of the 8th century BC?


The sign of Jonah is exactly this: redemption is never beyond our reach; in fact, it’s closer to us than the very molecules of our being. No circumstance is beyond God’s saving grace, be it death, whale, or sin. Lent is a season to cast away any presumption that clouds our view of God, to contemplate our failings in penance, and to experience redemption literally wherever our journey takes us. Armed with this knowledge, no further sign should be necessary. The Easter Triduum looms just beyond the horizon as a sign given in love. Merton tells us later in the same book, “Every minute life begins all over again. Amen.” Let us all heed the Caped Cistercian’s call this Lent, and embody the sign of Jonah in all we do!

Stephen Gan
FCRH 2015

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031114.cfm

The gospel according to Matthew 6:7-15, presents us with the “Our Father” - the model prayer given to us by Jesus himself. It is undoubtedly the most well-known and often said Christian prayer, but how many truly grasp the meaning of it. I, for one, am guilty of merely reciting the “Our Father” in times of prayer. Please do not judge me - I do consider myself a fairly devout Catholic - I try to be a good person, assist those in need, attend church regularly, am a catechist for my parish, and volunteer in numerous activities. Yet, the realization that I have never really taken the time to understand and appreciate this perfect prayer is a bit disconcerting.

Interestingly enough, this past Sunday’s homily included a request from the celebrant, to pray the "Our Father" very slowly while contemplating the words. So today, for what seems like the first time in 53 years, I prayed the “Our Father” slowly and carefully as to reflect on its meaning to me.

First and Foremost, I am awed by the fact that the “Our Father” was given to us by Jesus himself.  It not only teaches us how to pray, but to glorify and thank our heavenly Father.  Most importantly the prayer provides us with a simple guide to living- honor and respect God, be thankful, be obedient, ask for forgiveness and be forgiving, look to God for guidance and protection.


The “Our Father” is a precious heirloom to be cherished and revered – What a beautiful legacy!

Irene Sarno
Senior Asstistant Director of Academic Records

Monday, March 10, 2014

Monday, March 10, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031014.cfm

In today’s readings, we are given specific instructions on how to live a just life with hearts of compassion.  How we are to behave in the world as compassionate humans is laid out in black and white.  In Leviticus, we are given specific guidelines on our behavior and actions that will be judged by God as correct or incorrect.  In Matthew’s gospel, we are issued guidelines on the degree that we treat our brothers and sisters, particularly those that are marginalized and suffering from oppression, and we do so with love and compassion, which is pleasing God. 


When I stop, pause and reflect on my life throughout the day by using the great gift of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Examen, I can reflect on my life and see that whatever I did, did not do—and could have done—for others has also been neglectful of Christ.  This prayer helps to give me an awareness of Jesus’ presence and need in ordinary circumstances and in each and every person I encounter.  Jesus desires each of us to feel peace in our hearts, our communities, and our world.  To the degree in which I treat my brothers and sisters as Christ in my midst, is the degree in which I feel that peace.  Keeping my eyes and heart in the direction of Christ, lessens the opportunities for me to act in an unkind and selfish way to my brothers and sisters.  When I am not Christ-centered, I am less likely to act in a loving fashion to my brothers and sisters.  Thank you, Jesus, for the invitation this Lent to keep my eyes and heart focused on you each day, thereby being assured of enjoying eternal life in your presence, which is being in complete and utter love.

Carol Gibney
Associate Director of Campus Ministry at Lincoln Center
Director of Ignatian Programs

Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday, March 7, 2014

Today's Word:


During Lent I hear others talk about the things they are giving up or sacrificing – chocolate, meat, candy and other indulgences.  It always makes me wonder if they are doing it out of tradition or if they are actually taking the time to reflect on what it really means to be without.  What stood out to me from today’s reading from Isaiah 58:1-9a was the question, “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? Afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”, and the request from God, “This rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly…setting free the oppressed…sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless... and not turning your back on your own.”  These words are so powerful for me because I believe that there is no point in just sacrificing for the sake of doing it and sometimes even bragging about if we don’t take a moment to reflect on the purpose and consider ways to reach out to others.  This reminds me of the concept of having empathy and understanding for the experiences of others versus physically reaching out and helping those less fortunate. In the work I do in Multicultural Affairs, I often have conversations with people who are thinking about their own language and openness to others, but when we discuss taking action by confronting bias language or speaking up when they see someone using hurtful words, there seems to be a disconnect.  I would love to see both a reflection of one’s own heart and words along with reaching out on behalf of others.  Lent is a great time to stop and consider how to move beyond our fast by taking action and “not turning your back on your own.”

Sofia Bautista Pertuz
Assistant Dean & Director for Multicultural Affairs

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030614.cfm


My high school chemistry teacher once told our class, “Each day when you wake up in the morning, you have a choice as to what attitude you will bring to the day.  You can choose to be positive or negative.  The choice is yours.”

Today's readings offer us a similar choice.  In the first reading, Moses sets before us “life and death, the blessing and the curse” and asks us to choose.  The Gospel seems to present a contradiction, however, when Jesus says, “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”  What does it mean to choose life if to choose life means to lose it?  What is Jesus asking of us?

Jesus is inviting us to love. 

Jesus shows us choosing life means choosing love; the kind of love that is absolute freedom and authenticity. It is loving ourselves and others for all that we are, and all we are not.  It is owning our gifts and talents and sharing them generously to help meet the needs of the world.  It is following our passions for the good of others. 
 
This type of love enables us to be authentic, that is, being who we are when we are most fully alive.  When Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, I don’t think he is telling us to give up being ourselves.  In fact, quite the opposite.  It is as if Jesus is telling us to get out of our own way so we can be fully free to be who God is creating us to be.  We give ourselves freely to what and whom we love and in doing so, we lose our lives to what we love.  We find freedom and we find God.

As we enter into Lent, I invite you to wake each morning and to make the decision to choose life, that is, to choose love.  Love yourself fully and freely for who you are – limitations included!; follow your passions and talents and share them generously with others; give yourself to that which and whom you most love.  In doing so, you will lose your life.  But you will also find God and bring God’s love to life in the world.


Erin Hoffman
Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Spiritual Programs

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wednesday, March 5, 2014- Ash Wednesday

Today's Word:

Today’s Gospel invitation to go about our lives of faith quietly, not calling attention to our fasting, prayer and almsgiving is somewhat ironic, since there will be a very noticeable display of Lenten ashes all around us today! The truth is that we are meant to be signs to one another by the way we live our lives. As we begin Lent, we make the Christian Community visible through the ashes we wear. These ashes remind us of our destiny: union with God.

The gospel and readings tell us that it is not important that others see how much we pray, or fast or donate to charity. God takes notice of all our efforts. These efforts, sometimes whole-hearted and sometimes not, help us to grow in intimacy with God. God sees the desires of our hearts and responds with tenderness and mercy to these longings. Lenten practices give us help to clear a space for God’s love, mercy and forgiveness to flow into the places within that have become hardened and stale.  When we let go of the things that keep us from God, we will be reconciled with God and can be true ambassadors for Christ.


There are many ways to live Lent: taking part in spiritual opportunities on campus, or taking time to really listen to someone who needs an ear.  Maybe you will forgo a Vente Caffe Mocha and give to someone in need. Maybe you will choose to unplug from your cell phone or computer for 15 or 20 minutes a day to become more aware of God’s love for you. Lent is a great opportunity to get closer to God. Whatever you decide, may this Lent be a time of deep peace. May you be reconciled to a God who is crazy about you!

Joan Cavanagh
Director of Campus Ministry at Westchester