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

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

Today's Word: 

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032814.cfm

         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

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

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