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

Today's Word:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040814.cfm

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

Today's Word:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040714.cfm

          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

Today's Word:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040414.cfm

          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

Today's Word:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040314.cfm

           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

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

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