Wednesday of Holy Week

Here we are in the middle of holy week-the home stretch! We are almost there! But why are we really excited? Maybe because we are excited to get away from the stress and work of school and go home to our families. Or so we can eat sweets again or let go of our other Lenten sacrifices. Hopefully we are also excited for Easter itself.

            Before I focus on Easter I want to gain all I can from the time we have left in Lent. This weekend, I was on team for a retreat back home that was the perfect start to Holy Week. It helped refocus and reenergized me in my relationship with God. In what ways can we make special preparations for Easter after a long Lent?

            One of the kids on the retreat said that he wanted to be “showered in holiness” throughout the weekend. It was a great image that we used throughout the retreat. I plan on asking God to do the same for me: to fully accept all He has to offer me and to be cleansed and renewed by the gift of Jesus. Will you accept the graces that God has ‘showered’ upon and the sacrifice Jesus made for us?

            Happy and Blessed Easter Everyone!

-Lauren G. Class of 2013

Tuesday of Holy Week

“As I carry this cross, You'll carry me.” – Carry Me by Audrey Assad

After Palm Sunday mass I felt called to reflect about what cross I am carrying with Jesus this Lent. Every day, week, month, year we have a different cross. Sometimes it is large and burdensome, other times it is smaller and we are able to manage. Regardless of size, God is there. It has been said to me that in the moments when we feel most lonely and abandoned, God is nearest. Take a moment and really reflect on this. In those moments when we feel farthest from anything or anyone, God remains. We are unaware, but God has put his arms around us and he simply waits for us to feel his embrace. When we do an indescribable warmth rushes into our souls and we are found again. We pick up the cross with newfound strength and God carries us the rest of the way. All we need to do is say, “Jesus I trust in you.” So, go and pick up your cross and know He will carry you.

- Stephanie B. ‘14

Monday of Holy Week

Monday, April 2, 2012

Holy Week is upon us.  This time of year always brings me such anger toward humanity.  With a heavy heart I ponder how the same people who welcomed Jesus so warmly could turn on Him so quickly.  How and why can I keep going, aware that people could be so cruel?  Trying to find answers to these questions I remembered a marvelous poem.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years building, others could destroy overnight.

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

-Mother Teresa

Life will present challenges and there will always be a cross to bear.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else says or does.  All that matters is what you say and do.  People might be unforgiving or frustrating, but do not let their negativity infect you.  Our lives are to be lived for God.  Do your best, give with your whole heart, and love without limitations.