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- 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

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

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

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

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

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