Sunday, April 20, 2014

Sunday, April 20, 2014- Easter Sunday

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042014.cfm

We rightfully look on Easter morning as a day of supreme joy.  And that is as it should be.

But those who experienced that first Easter morn were confused and astonished.  Mary of Magdala approaches the tomb before dawn on that Sunday, and is horrified to see the tomb open.  She rushes back to Peter and John, the beloved disciple, with the news that someone has taken the body of Jesus, the one whom they so loved.  Peter and John rush to the tomb.  John arrives first but awaits Peter before entering the tomb.  And Peter is as confused as Mary.  It is John who first understands.

The resurrection is not a resuscitation of the crucified Jesus.  His death was just as real as our own shall be.  But our transformation shall be just as real.  The apostle Paul likens it to a small seed—our present lives—which shall fall into the ground and die.  But from that tiny seed a great tree shall emerge, as different from the seed as we shall be from whom we are today, to whom we shall be in the resurrection.


Peter and Mary, of course, came to understand.  As we hear this morning from the Acts of the Apostles, we “ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”  And so we too do, each time we gather for the Eucharist, and recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread.  Alleluia!

Fr. Robert Grimes, S.J.
Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Saturday, April 19, 2014- Holy Saturday

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041914.cfm

“He has been raised from the dead!”

Tonight, Catholics all across the country, after braving through seven long readings from the Old Testament, each with their own Responsorial Psalm, and an epistle, will finally rejoice at hearing the Good News we have been waiting all of Lent to hear. That is what today is about: waiting. No masses are celebrated commemorating Holy Saturday, it is a time of quiet reflection and anticipation. 

Everyone in the City can identify with this sense of waiting. Through a particularly difficult and bitter winter, every day in February and March I would wake up and check the weather app on my phone, hoping for a promising change in the weather forecast. Each day, as disappointment would come, I would nostalgically recall the warm spring days of years past, renewing my excitement for the inevitable turn in the weather. 

In a similar way, I think that is what today is about. After the disappointment and heartbreak that comes with Christ’s passion, remembered on Good Friday, we spend Holy Saturday waiting for His return in the Resurrection. As we do we recall God’s infinite goodness.  The plethora of Old Testament readings read tonight, that anticipate the Gospel of Jesus’s resurrection, detail some of the most famous moments of God’s goodness in the life of the Israelites: creation, God’s promise to Abraham, God’s liberation of the Israelites from the Egyptians, etc. These readings are supposed to remind us of the many times that God has been good to His followers, culminating in God’s greatest act of love and redemption found in the resurrection. As we spend today prayerfully waiting, anticipating the Good News of Easter, take a moment to recall a time you have felt God’s blessing in your life, and offer it up in thanksgiving of God’s greatest gift of all: His son.

Greg Pfeiffer
FCLC 2014

Friday, April 18, 2014

Friday, April 18, 2014- Good Friday

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041814.cfm

“Help me, Brian.  Help me.” 

Nelisiwe’s words continue to pierce my heart.  A beautiful, bright-eyed young woman in her early 20’s, Nelisiwe was ravaged by AIDS.  As I held her hand at the hospice in South Africa, she repeated those words to me over and over again.  She writhed in pain upon the bed, upon her cross.  What could I possibly do to help?  Unable to take away her pain or heal her from this incurable disease, I sat by her bedside.  In the early hours of the following morning, she passed away.  It was Good Friday.  Those were her last words to me.

Nelisiwe’s death and her words mirror Christ’s Passion in my life.  Every year when Good Friday comes, I think back to that final day with her.  I remember her pain and suffering, her plea for help, and my own inadequacy.

As we enter into the Triduum today, let us spend time with Jesus on the cross.  Pray with the Gospel story of Christ’s Passion and enter into the scene.  Hold Jesus’ hand.  Walk with him to the cross.  Stand by his side.  And listen closely.

What does Jesus have to say to you from the cross?  I hear his words, echoing in my mind.

“Help me, Brian.  Help me.”

Brian Strassburger, S.J.
Missouri Province Jesuit Scholastic 
in Studies at Fordham University

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014- Holy Thursday

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041714.cfm

On this day, Holy Thursday, we recall the very significant events that took place around the table at the Last Supper. At every Mass we attend, during the Consecration we are reminded of the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. In today’s second reading from I Corinthians, Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” On Holy Thursday, these words are particularly meaningful to read and to hear spoken at Mass.

In the Gospel reading from John 13, we read that Jesus knew that His hour had come to pass from this world to the Father and also that He loved his own in the world and He loved them to the end.  Jesus was sharing a meal with these friends He loved while facing his crucifixion and death.   He must have felt great sadness as well as dread at what was to come very shortly.  In spite of this, He took the time to minister to His friends – the friends He loved.  In an act of humble service, He washed the feet of his disciples.  He explained to them that even though they called Him teacher and master, He did not consider it beneath Him to do this for them.  He asked them to follow his example:

            I have given you a model to follow,
            So that as I have done for you, you should also do.  (John 13:15)

The model that Jesus gave the disciples on Holy Thursday night is a model for us as well.  In fact, His whole life was a model -- and a gift -- for all of us.   

Judy Kelly
Assistant to the Dean
Fordham College at Lincoln Center    

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041614.cfm

Betrayal is a horrifying reality that strikes the heart and injures our relationships.  Betrayal is the risk we wage when opening ourselves to another, letting our guard down, and trusting intimate moments with a person we hold dear.  Many of us have confided in someone only to be disappointed to learn that our investment flopped.  Perhaps we have been the one to betray another …

In this selection of the Gospel of Matthew, we learn of the betrayal of Jesus by a close friend: Judas.  Judas became enthralled in the possibility of gaining power and wealth – turning his back on Jesus for the sake of selfish advancement.  Judas wanted to believe that he would not betray the Lord: Not I, Rabbi?  How often do we rationalize a wrong to a right?  How often do we allow the desires of the world to corrupt our own vocation? 

As we venture more fully in Holy Week, perhaps we can consider the times we are tempted to betray those who put their trust in us: a friend, colleague, partner, the Lord.  What draws us away from our commitment?  What makes us afraid to be bold and convicted in our calling?  Do we have the courage to return to the Lord, beg forgiveness, and be refreshed in the mercy that is our God?  Let us turn to the Cross of Christ and recognize our sinfulness only to embrace true salvation. 

Ave Crux, Spes Unica!

Joseph Desciak

Assistant Dean, Fordham College at Lincoln Center 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041514.cfm

“So Judas took the morsel and left at once.” John 13:30

When I was a child, I would poke at minuscule green seasonings in my supper, and ask my mother, “What is this?”  Exasperated, she would say, “Don’t pick it apart, just eat it.”  Nowadays, when cooking for my own children who refuse to eat their supper, I am reminded of my own ingratitude.

In the Gospel today, I am struck by the ingratitude of Judas.  Jesus feeds Judas his Body at the Last Supper and Judas leaves anyway to betray him.  Judas chooses to reject the loving grace of God. Why would anyone do that?  Why do we do it today?

This week, as we remember the Last Supper and as we celebrate Easter with a feast, let us recollect with gratitude all the graces we receive, not only the food lovingly prepared, not only Jesus’ gift of himself in the morsel of the Eucharist, but also in all the everyday graces of our lives.  Let us try not to be ungrateful children in the presence of the God of all graces.


Joseph Creamer 
Assistant Dean, Fordham College at Lincoln Center

Monday, April 14, 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041414.cfm

“I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations”

We are all chosen.  We are all set apart.  We are all called to bring God’s Light to His people. 

In July 2005, I embarked on my journey into the unknown.  I left my family, my friends, my job and my comfort zone.  It was not easy. 

In a unique way, God gave me reassurance.  A few days before leaving, my mother and I went to morning Mass as usual.  Unbeknownst to Mum, on this particular morning, after all was set for my journey, I had the ‘cold feet’ feeling.  I was quiet as we drove down to Mass, not wanting to make her more anxious for me. 

Mass was amazing.  When the Postulants on duty sang a hymn entitled “Be not Afraid, I go before you always” I instantly felt comforted and reassured.  Later on, the priest on duty asked a Jesuit Scholastic (JS) to preach after the Gospel.  He did not know of my upcoming journey, but his homily touched me.   The JS shared how at times God sends us far and wide, to charter the unchartered waters.  He also mentioned that God always goes before us and that we need not be afraid.  At that moment it all made sense to me.  I was not coming to the U.S. alone, He was going before me!

My departure day arrived.  Before boarding my flight, I cried my eyes out.  Surprisingly, God provided guardian angels throughout my trip to The United States.


Since coming to the United States, He has continued to show me His face through so many wonderful people.  My experience as a student has made me feel chosen and set apart with a Mission to be a light for God’s people.  Let us continue to find Jesus in the ordinary events of our lives.  He is waiting for us to anoint His feet, just like Martha did.

Clare Mukolwe
Fordham Graduate School of Business

Friday, April 11, 2014

Friday, April 11, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041114.cfm

A refuge. A mighty champion. An escape. In all three of today's readings, we hear of God's faithfulness in dangerous times. "The Lord is with me!" cries the prophet Jeremiah. "God has rescued the life of the poor!" The psalmist exclaims, "Praised be the LORD! My God, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!" And in the Gospel, Jesus escapes from danger and returns to the place of his baptism.

But the readings are about more than God's protection. They also paint a scary picture of persecution and betrayal. "All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine," laments Jeremiah. "I have shown you many good works from my Father," Jesus confronts his persecutors. "For which of these are you trying to stone me?" Both Jeremiah and Jesus are threatened because of their courageous honesty - because of the challenge they issue to radical faithfulness to God and God's kingdom. 

These readings hit a nerve this week because we have just learned that a Jesuit priest, Fr. Frans Van der Lugt, has been killed in Syria. Fr. Van der Lugt left his home in the Netherlands to devote his life to serving in Syria; after 35 years, he thought of Syria as his home and his neighbors in the city of Homs, whether Christian or Muslim, as his family. When civil war broke out, he sheltered some families in his home, and refused to leave Syria when he was offered the chance to flee to safety. His life was a courageous and challenging witness to the love of God, and he was persecuted for it. 

The prophet Jeremiah reassures us that God sees into the mind and hearts of the just and protects those who are faithful. But what to we do when that doesn't seem to happen? How do we make sense of it? Our world today is full of stories like Fr. Van der Lugt's, stories of pain, disappointment, and violence. How do we find God in those stories?

What I appreciate about today's readings is their honesty about the reality of suffering. Neither the prophet nor the psalmist pretend that they aren't upset or in pain. Instead, they are able to see and proclaim God's presence within the pain. 

As we begin to walk through Holy Week, God will be present within pain. God will be present, transforming us, within Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. God speaks to us in Fr. Van der Lugt's death and powerful witness of love. Though we may not be called to be martyrs, we can also be prophets in our own sacrifices and suffering. 

How can God transform you through the sacrifices that have to make for your faith or for people you care for, or the ways that you suffer?

Katie Anderson
Assistant Director of Campus Ministry for Liturgy

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041014.cfm

“Who do you make yourself out to be?”

This is the question that a group of Jews asks Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. Who exactly does Jesus think He is? Does Jesus really believe Himself to be better than prophets like Abraham?  Is He just possessed? Crazy? Jesus, what’s your deal?

In response to this question, Jesus answers, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’”

With this suave answer, Jesus reminds us that it is God whose opinion matters most. This is something that I forget quite often; too frequently, I find my life becoming a performance for others. I perform good deeds with the intent of receiving praise from an audience so I can pat myself on the back for a job well done. Jesus reminds us here, however, that this is the wrong kind of mindset. Being complimented by other people and thinking highly of myself are nice things, but it is ultimately God who glorifies me.

As I work to be more aware of God’s presence this Lent, I want to remember we are all made in God’s image. I hope to do things always with the purpose of fully reflecting that image and allowing God to shine through me. Let me be content with knowing that God—and not others—will glorify me for my good works. I can thus be happy with myself because God is happy with me, not because others constantly compliment me.

So the next time someone asks you, “Who do you make yourself out to be?” don’t forget that you can always say, “a reflection of God’s image!” If the setting is not appropriate for that kind of answer, just think it to yourself and smile silently.

Nick Endo
FCLC 2016

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040914.cfm

          My favorite line in the first reading is “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar.”  I imagine all three of them speaking in unity, as if they telepathically were all beamed the same words and timing.  Or maybe one began speaking, another continued and the third finished their thought: a collective evolution of their powerful response.  However, I am inclined to believe that this isn’t what is meant by this sentence.  The three men were together in consensus.  It’s not that one of them was strong and the other two felt compelled to agree as not to look wimpy.  I don’t think they were all totally thrilled with the white hot furnace either.  But I think they saw in each other the intention to be loyal, and used community to find strength.  Community can draw out the strength that was hidden: it doesn’t shame fear or create courage out of thin-air, because it is already inside us from God.  I like to think that because these three used community right, they were saved.


          Another powerful line is the very last one of the Gospel reading: “I did not come on my own, but He sent me.”  I’ve struggled with feelings I can’t control, namely depression.  I have a hard time reconciling it with my faith that God is intentional and benevolent in creation.  I wonder why God is doing this. When I ponder that maybe there’s a mission for me in The Divine Plan, I can be quick to write myself off as pretentious.  And I absolutely can’t say my role in the universe is anything like Jesus’.  However, I can accept self-love easier if I remember my feelings are not my doing, but God’s, and that God has sent me: I’m not on my own.

Kathe Gallagher
FCRH 2017

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Today's Word:


Growing up Jewish, I always heard my friends talk about what they were giving up for Lent, and I watched as some did better than others in their endeavor to commemorate Jesus' fasting in the desert. However, I never really understood the point of all of it. When I was asked to write this reflection, I Googled, "What is the point of Lent?” What I found told me that Lent is a season of self-examination, fasting, and penance.

I understand that the whole process of Lent is so that the renewal of baptismal promises actually means something. I don’t think one needs to be Catholic in order to find meaning in the Lenten season. Recently I have been having these mini-epiphanies about what my personal beliefs actually are. Perhaps if I actually devoted some thought to it, my convictions would become clearer to me. Self-examination takes work, and for those of us who do not have a religious obligation to participate in Lent, it provides a form of motivation to take on the project of self-examination. So this year, instead of giving up cookies from the cafeteria, I will be giving up accepting snap judgments about people as true. My penance will come in the form of the realization that words have meaning and the way I have used words in the past may have caused someone pain. I may not be Catholic, or even particularly religious for that matter, but I believe that I can learn something by participating in Lent this year (and yes, I still am giving up cafeteria cookies).

Hannah Buckley
President of the Jewish Student Organization
FCRH 2016

Monday, April 7, 2014

Monday, April 7, 2014

Today's Word:

          Today’s reading serves as a great reminder of the need to forgive and be forgiven. This applies to each and every one of us. Without exception. No one but Jesus and His Blessed Mother are without sin. It is for this reason that we have a Savior and for this reason that forgiving another, as Christ forgives us, is one of the most Christian things that we can do. It is true, one who is forgiven, saved and redeemed may find it easier to forgive others, as he or she has been forgiven, not judged, not condemned.

          Jesus is abundantly clear in the Gospel today where He states, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” The Lord of the universe is “calling us out" so to speak; he is reminding us that we all fail to live and to love as he teaches. He is reminding us that we are sinners, and that in Him we find the forgiveness, peace and hope that we need to live our Christian lives.  Jesus also reminds us that no one of us is in a position to judge unfairly or condemn another. That is not our place.


          By His example, he models just exactly how we are to deal with one another: embracing, reconciling, forgiving, sharing one another’s burdens and never putting anyone out of the scope of our love. For this we have a great teacher, for this we have a Savior!

Fr. Philip A. Florio, SJ, D. Min.
Assistant Vice President for Campus Ministry

Friday, April 4, 2014

Friday, April 4, 2014

Today's Word:

          There is so much to take away from these passages that one would not know where to even begin! The phrase that struck a chord within me was the passage “Let us beset the just one, because He is obnoxious to us;.. Reproaches us for transgressions of the law".  I think too often circumstances and behaviors that are normal to us may not always be of the most moral in nature. Behaving justly can be difficult and no one is free from sin.

          In college I struggled with this constantly, sometimes I felt that law and politics in some societies were not in the best interests of humanity; of God’s people. I didn’t know what to believe! However I was in luck, Jesus was the answer and he has set an immaculate example. Our Lord has paid the ultimate price for our salvation and has demonstrated through love and compassion how we must live. Doing the right thing and doing the easy thing are not always the same.  I found that I wanted to learn to live more in the light of God and love all with the depth and consistency God intended. That was my answer.

            
          It is hard to think about how much Jesus would have suffered and sacrificed for us. When I think about this time, I feel overcome with sadness and love. I couldn’t understand how we as humans could allow this, but I feel awe when I reflect upon how the Lord had allowed this for us. Not only was our Lord forgiving but He also loved. That’s amazing! The Lord will confront the evildoers and aid the just. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and the Lord redeems the lives of his servants and those who take refuge in Him. There is nothing but love in the arms of God and I feel so blessed to live a life so filled with this knowledge!

Roshni Patel
Fordham School of Law 2014

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Today's Word:

           The readings for today made me think of an Ancient Literature course I took freshmen year where we read and discussed the story of Jacob wrestling with God. (Genesis 32: 24) At the time this story challenged the traditional way I had of viewing God. Instead of a distant and overwhelmingly powerful God, here was a God who wanted to engage humans, who was present directly on the Earth, and who wants to be wrestled with.

In the readings today, Moses seems to be doing the same thing, wrestling with and struggling to hold back God’s wrath from the Israelites. Negotiating with God is something I do often, but I have noticed that many times my negotiations become less like good conversations.  To me, good conversations occur where both sides are receptive and open to change, but my prayer all too often ends up being me, intractable acting like a cemented wall, as God tries again and again to gently pry the wall apart.

            Too often I think that my prayers resemble the wall above, or I feel afraid or nervous to share my doubts or questions with God.  I know that I need to be more like Moses, who raises his qualms about God’s plans for Israel’s destruction and saves his people. 


God, please help me to become more like Moses, a servant of you who is unafraid to enter into real conversation. When I may make plans and desires in my own heart, help me to share them and develop them into what you intend by working with you.

John Tracey
FCRH 2015

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040214.cfm

Today’s readings focuses on Jesus the Messiah, the one who came to redeem all from sin. The Lord answered the long-awaited prayers of his people by sending his only Son. However, the Pharisees fail to see God’s power to heal and restore people to wholeness of life through Jesus Christ. They accuse him of blasphemy and condemn him. Jesus says, “whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life.” The Pharisees, instead, were concerned only over the fact that it was Saturday. I find myself wondering when I have refused to recognize God’s mercy and love, which never ceases for a moment, in my life because of my pride. I’m so fixated on hearing what I want to hear that I miss God’s voice when I’m being spoken to.


I find solace in two lines: from Isaiah’s reading “I will never forget you” and from John’s gospel, “I cannot do anything on my own.” When I’m drowning in my pile of homework and stressing out about everything that needs to get done before graduation it’s easy for me to miss God’s presence in my life. I am easily distracted and consumed by my To-Do List that I believe God has abandoned me. Today’s readings challenge me to take a step back and recognize that I have not been forgotten, none of us have. The Lord is always present sharing in my joy and pain. It is I who have to remember that “I cannot do anything on my own.” My burden will be lighter when I share it with the Lord. We have to fix our eyes on Jesus. We need him - his Grace - to plunge us into the waters of prayer, of the opening of our spirit. May we be bearers of his light.

Jennifer Monsalve
FCRH 2014

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Today's Word:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040114.cfm

        In today’s first reading, an angel brings Ezekiel to the river, where he sees the abundance of life the water brings to its surroundings – trees blossom, overflowing with flowers and fruit. These living things grow and prosper thanks to the river’s steadfast generosity. I find myself asking, “Where, in my own life, am I nourished in this way?” I think of the people who lift me up – roommates, friends, co-workers. I think of the things I am passionate about. I think of quiet time alone with my thoughts. It’s easy for me to forget about all of the rivers that bring me life. By taking some time to reflect on these generous sources, I am offered two major privileges. First, I can bask in the light of gratitude, thanking God and others (and even myself!) for all that I have. Secondly, I can remind myself of the many of places I can go to for healing. I need only to remember my path to the river, sit on its banks, and dip my feet in. I welcome this opportunity to rest – and to continue to grow.
         
        Refreshed by the recognition of these graces with which I am blessed, I feel ready to answer Christ’s call in today’s gospel – “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” This is not a question but an imperative, and I find that incredibly powerful. The Son of Man has no time for my excuses. He is my strength, but only I can control what I do with that strength. It’s often difficult for me to figure out where God is calling me. I often over-think my choices, worrying myself until my thoughts are even more muddled than when I began. How could I rise and walk if I don’t know which path I should take? With these seven words, however, Christ frees me of these worries, allowing and encouraging me to take the first step. 

Courtney Code
FCRH 2015