Palm Sunday

Today we remember a DEAD MAN WALKING.

Today we remember what happened to Jesus almost 2000 years ago.

Today we pay attention to what is happening to so many others crucified in our times.

This week, we re-enact, symbolically, what really happened to Jesus.

This week, in and thru our liturgical re-enactment, what really happened to Jesus, really happens to us.

Now, we enter into the mystery of Holy week.

Now, God calls us to be with Jesus as Jesus goes to the cross for us.

Now, God calls us to continue Jesus' work of bringing forth the Kingdom of God in our times and places.

Now, God calls us to cry for a creation bent and blurred and beaten by sin and suffering.

Now, God calls us to heal a world filled with people who have been crushed by cruelty and intimidated by intolerance.

Now, God calls us to prophetically cry out and resist those who hate and hurt others.

Now, God calls us to convert those whose hearts are hardened, those who are blinded by desires for revenge.  An "eye for an eye" mentality leads to a world gone blind.

Now, God calls us to Love in Word and Deed; Truly Love to the point of no return; Truly Love to the point of going where Jesus is going, to the cross.

Now, with Jesus we must go to stand on the side of those who throughout history, have been and are and will be butchered and beaten by the powerful and oppressive. 

Today we remember a DEAD MAN WALKING.

Today we remember what happened to Jesus almost 2000 years ago.

Today we pay attention to what is happening to so many others crucified today.

This week, we re-enact, symbolically, what really happened to Jesus.

This week, in and thru our liturgical re-enactment, what really happened to Jesus, really happens to us.

EXHORTATION

Pay attention to the readings this night.  LET THE SAME MIND BE IN YOU THAT WAS IN CHRIST JESUS.  Pay attention to these readings, for they describe our God for us, this God who became a victim of human greed and intolerance and hate, our Lord who suffered at the hands of oppression.  Our God came and went to the cross to save us.  To save us from all the sin and horror of our human existence.  To save us, and free us from all the pettiness and selfishness that irritates and bugs us.  To save and free us from all that addicts us, and afflicts us.  To save us and free us from all that destroys human persons and human community.  To save us and set us free to believe, free to love, free to hope free.

The readings today are long.  These readings describe Jesus, our Lord, for us.  In these readings, we see Our Lord.  We watch Jesus and learn by imitating him.  The readings today are long.  Holy Week is the World Series of the Liturgical year, the March madness of the Church.  Easter is the real Super Bowl Sunday.  Let’s give some time this week to Jesus….

We need to give time to Jesus so we can become Jesus in our World today.  More than 25 years ago, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated in El Salvador for being the voice of the voiceless, for speaking out against the oppression of the poor and powerless.  Who speaks for the voiceless today?

We learn by imitating others.  Whom will you imitate?  Bernie Madoff?  Tiger Woods?  Paris Hilton and other celebrities?  Or those who follow Christ?

The guys and gals playing in the NCAA March Madness learned how to play by observing others.  This Week we observe and contemplate Jesus.  We have the love of God our Father and the example of Jesus and the power of The Holy Spirit, in and through the church, supporting us, as we become great followers of Christ.

But to Follow Christ, we have to know him and love him, and pay attention to him.  Especially this week, this Holy Week, as he goes to the Cross yet again for us.  Listen.  And Pay Attention.

Peace,

Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J.

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Today’s Gospel from John strikes a chord because of the words from the chief priests and the Pharisees. Fearing Jesus’ power among the people, they say,

“What are we going to do? 
This man is performing many signs.
If we leave him alone, all will believe in him…”

In the Holy Week readings, we hear in no uncertain terms that they did not leave Jesus alone. Yet, the world has about 1.2 billion Catholics today, and Jesus continues to perform signs today, though in different ways, despite his Passion and Crucifixion. Caiaphas “prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” This is a reason to kill Jesus, Caiaphas believed. Jesus died at the hands of those who wanted Him dead, but He did for those who wanted Him alive. Those who had Him in their hearts, then and now. They didn’t leave Him alone, but still so many believe in Him, his signs and his love.

God showed us in Jesus’ Passion that the happiest of days can come out of the darkest nights, just as new life came from Jesus’ death. Today, we should be grateful for Jesus’ enduring legacy and the life He gives to us and to the Church even today.

-Laura, 2015

Friday of Fifth Week of Lent

This week’s Friday reflection will be short. Living down here in México for the past two months has taught me a lot. For the past couple of weeks, the morning news has shown the thousands upon thousands of young “Spring Breakers” in bikini’s and sunglasses that have come to Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, and Cancun for their spring vacations after a long harsh winter season. These “Spring Breakers” come to let loose, party it up, enjoy the sun, and the “works” for a low and reasonable group rate. However, next week we Catholics celebrate our Spring Break a bit differently. In addition to the much needed break from the stressors of tests and papers, we are going to remember how Jesus suffered and died for us in such an amazing way, that two thousand years later it is worthy of a week plus of vacation.

After a long winter of the brutal cold, barrenness, DARKNESS, and 40 days of Lenten observance, we enter into the season of spring with flowers, sunshine, allergies, and life in the air. It is no coincidence that this upcoming week is also when Jesus suffers and dies on the cross in order to triumphant over Death and Sin, giving us Life renewed.

So, now, I invite you to think about your plans for Spring Break……..

In addition to catching up on sleep, watching a ton of TV, hanging out with family and friends, perhaps a short vacation, try and remember the main reason we are off for vacation, Jesus. If you need help staying focused, use this simple prayer:

Ciro, ‘15

Thursday of Fifth Week of Lent

“Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances.”  –C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis was a very smart man. When I find myself feeling defeated about my faith, or dismissing it as an unattainable goal for the perfectly pious, Lewis can always talk some sense into me.  I love everything about this quote. Firstly, he refers to faith as an “art”—what a beautiful concept. Art takes discipline, creativity, imagination, and, most of all, practice. Now, consider applying all of these skills to faith; naturally, it takes discipline to live faithfully, because it requires self-control, but what about creativity and imagination?  At first, that thought threw me off, but then I realized that my faith has given me a creative lens through which I can view the world with all of the beauty it truly possesses, as designed by God. Furthermore, it made me realize that I possess a personal faith and relationship with God unlike anyone else’s, so naturally, my triumphs, failures, and methods are totally different from those of my brothers and sisters in faith. Finally, the idea that faith takes practice brings me immeasurable comfort. Flaws in faith, no matter how massive, do not indicate failure. They are just steps in an ongoing process, and a sign that more practice is definitely necessary.

Lewis goes on to define faith based upon its permanence—it is immoveable, no matter what. Cognitively, most people with an understanding of faith from a spiritual perspective know this, but anyone who has ever been anything but satisfied (everyone) knows at a deeper level just how difficult of a task this proves to be. Times of great pain or loss can feel like a slap in the face to a person of faith; everything inside of us cries out “How can God do this to me?”. In my experience, at times like this, I try my hardest to picture myself walking alongside Christ carrying the cross, and ask instead, “How is God going to bring me through this?”  Sometimes it works; other times, I have to practice a little bit harder.

As we move rapidly towards Holy Week, there is no better time to begin looking at faith as the art form it is. Everyone falters. Sometimes, faith feels impossible, but maybe, for some, it is a matter of finding the right medium.

-Cailin Potami, Class of 2016

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

“Brothers and sisters:
I consider everything as a loss 
because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things 
and I consider them so much rubbish, 
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

Phil 3: 8-14

This past Sunday we were given a beautiful reading second reading that I cannot seem to shake from my conscious. It is a concept that is not easy to adopt in our lives - relinquishing all worldly possessions and desires so that we are empty and may be filled with Christ.

It seems almost impossible and certainly would be met with judgment by our society.  We are inundated on a daily basis with advertisements, marketing campaigns, and media which successfully convinces us that buying [insert good or service here] will contribute greatly to our happiness. As a business major, I am sometimes taken back by what we are taught in the classroom. Many times I find myself thinking, “This consumption driven, self-indulgent society is not what God intended.” We were created for much more, and more importantly, are underutilizing ourselves.

I am guilty; of course, to succumbing to the “normal” 21 year old wants. I too have bought Uggs, a Northface coat, and designer clothing. This is not necessarily bad. To have nice, quality things is not bad, but I believe the excess of these things will lead to a misconstrued view of life. We begin to think we need these things. We begin to judge based on what is on our bodies, we see categorize based on what we believe someone’s economic standing to be, and we create ideologies of acceptance based on Elle, Vogue, and Marie Claire.

It is easy to do this. Retail therapy is relaxing, we don’t have to think, it gives us momentary happiness; therefore, we continue to do it. But, what if we tried for a week, two weeks, a month to limit ourselves. Limiting ourselves so that the Divine can enter into our beings and make us limitless. Are you up for the challenge?

S.B.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Matthew 18:3 - Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

            This is a passage we’ve heard often, but I have never fully understood. At first I thought that you shouldn’t question God, but then how can I grow? So that was option was out. Then I thought you must return to what you believed about God when you were little. But that was a long time ago and I forgot, plus my family was not very ‘into Church’ so I didn’t put much importance in it when I was young. So that wasn’t going to work either.

            After years and years of hearing this, someone showed me what this faith looked like. Last semester I interned at an agency serving adults with intellectual disabilities. One woman had the most beautiful faith I have ever seen in my life. She would see the sun and look up at the sky each day and tell us “God’s watching me.” Even when she had a difficult day, she was immediately cheered up when she saw the sun peaking through the window knowing it was God’s presence. And this woman showed God’s ‘sunshine’ everywhere she went by lighting up a room with her loving nature.  She taught me what it was to have faith like a child. Life is so complicated, she was able to make it so simple and know that God was with her.

            So in what ways do we need to become like children and make things simple? Maybe in actions: like stepping away from studying for midterms and do something childlike, such as coloring (a personal favorite). Maybe in thoughts: asking God to remind you that no matter how crazy things God shines down on us. In whichever way you please, let God be our parent this Lent.

-Lauren G. Class of ‘13

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The days of Lent are numbered! Now especially is a good time to check up on your Lenten promise. Have you done well and kept it? When were the times that you slipped? Take a little time to reflect on it today. Today’s responsorial psalm, Psalm 23, is possibly the most well-known psalm, and possibly my favorite. In the following paragraph, I’ll break it apart for you so you can see each message our Lord presents to us in this psalm (the psalm will be bolded). I wanted to include the whole psalm because there are so many valuable messages and so much wonderful imagery in it.

 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Here we see Jesus as our shepherd, our guide. We will not be lost with him. We also know that God fulfills us. God makes whole what was broken! We need not any more than His love and grace to fulfill all our wants and needs. ^“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Here we know that Jesus is with us, and leads us to peace; peace in our souls, our lives, and in those around us. We also can be comforted knowing that He is constantly leading us on an ever ascending journey towards Heaven. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Amongst all of the evil in the world, Jesus is beside us. In all of our shadowy moments, thoughts, and days, Jesus is with us. There is nothing we should fear, yet rather, we should find comfort in all times. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God is preparing for us! He has a place saved in Heaven for those that He loves (all of us, his children!). His loving mercy and kindness which surpass all human understanding are always with us and we are beyond filled with them. At the end of our days, we will be with God, and He with us.

So, for all of the days when you feel alone, for all of the days you feel there is no one there, Jesus is….always. Pax amicis in Christos!

-Eric C. Class of 2016

Sunday of the Fifth Week of Lent. End Violence Against Women

The Woman from John 8:1-11

On average more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States *  Most dangerous place for women?  The home… or the hill.

-  Nearly one in four women in the United States reports experiencing violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life. *

-  Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner – a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth *

-  We all heard about the little girl shot by Pakistani Taliban last fall for wanting to go to school.*  The Taliban are more terrified of an educated girl than they are of drones.  And what of the girl raped on the bus in India?  Seven men, one woman.  What is the matter with such guys?  Or the girl who was “dead” in Steubenville Ohio?  Two football player, age 16 and 17, were found guilty of raping her. *  Three young lives ruined by one stupid, drunken night.  From this Gospel, One lesson we can take: END ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN!!! Which word of that phrase can’t we understand?

-----------------------

[*  http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/userfiles/file/Children_and_Families/DomesticViolence.pdf

[*http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/05/world/asia/malala-yousafzai-shot-by-pakistani-taliban-is-discharged-from-hospital.html?_r=0 ]

[* http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/world/asia/india-new-gang-rape ]

[*http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/17/justice/ohio-steubenville-case/index.html ]

Michael Card, Forgiving Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn9mx4PVFXw

Surrounded with shouts the cruel accusations
Dragged to the court no hope of salvation
All hope was lost for those who had caught me
Knew what I was, They knew all about me
I thought it seemed strange as we entered in
They stopped a young rabbi to ask His opinion
Caught in the act, their reason for hating
My body could feel the stones that were waiting
My judge a man from Galilee
In His eyes so gentle I could see
A father and a brother and a son

Chorus:  Just as I saw Him
The hope I had lost became born again
I was not hopeless though I'd been lost
Now, I felt I was found when He looked at me
With His forgiving eyes

The crowd gathered round, so angry and violent
But He stood beside me, peaceful and silent
Then with a word
With one question He showed them that
They too were guilty and could not condemn
The next thing I knew He asked me, Where are they
And I looked around the courtyard was empty
The stones scattered round, the warm morning sunlight
He'd made the darkness perfectly light
In this new light now I understood
He would not condemn me though He could
For He would be condemned someday for me

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

I spent a large part of this week studying metaphysics and ‘Aristotle’s god’ appeared again and again in my notebook. Thought thinking itself. The Unmoved mover. Pure form. As I sit down to write a Lenten reflection, I am struck by how blessed we are that God is not who Aristotle thought He was.

God isn’t unmoved, but He is a mover. He moves us in our hearts to pray, to have faith, to act with justice and goodness. However, God is moved too. He is moved with love and compassion when we love others and when we mess up. He is moved when His people cry out for help, and He moves to help them in their time of need in various ways. According to Christian theology, God is a Creator—He created each of us with love, and He thinks about is. He notices when we follow Him and smiles down on us. God knows we’re here.

Aristotle also contended that we’re all on the path to God, that He is our telos, our final end. We’re constantly striving to be more like God and live closer to Him. We’re always moving toward that end, but during Lent we try to be especially conscious of that movement. Lent is a good time to consider again what our end is and what we’re doing to reach it. We find opportunities to change our ways and get ourselves back on track when we really look at what’s going on around us and within us. By revelation, we know that this ultimate end, unity with God in heaven, is possible if we live and love according to God’s will. What a beautiful belief.

Laura, 2015

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

 

The other day I was watching the news on TV, here in México, and I saw a very interesting story that I thought I’d share with you. The story was about different towns throughout México, like Ixtapalapa, preparing for their reenactment of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. It’s quite the spectacle, very dramatic and emotional as you’d imagine, but just to set the scene… In addition to enormous crowds of thousands of Mexicans and tourists, there are those who are dressed in Biblical clothing; then there are hundreds of centurion soldiers, some on horseback in full Roman regalia; finally there is Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, wearing a real crown of thorns, with a rope around his neck being pulled by two Roman guards.

Each year, one person is chosen from hundreds to play the coveted role of Jesus. During the interview with the man chosen this year to play Jesus, he said he has to prepare throughout the Lenten season mentally and physically for this reenactment. He will have to be physically ready to carry this heavy wooden cross more than a mile, up-hill, in the heat, and he will have to be mentally ready to suffer blows from the Roman guards, insults from passer-bys, and he has to study a script that narrates the Passion story.

Although, the massive crowd can’t hear the actor’s words being played over a useless sound system, people are crying without shame in the streets, overwhelmed at the sight of this Jesus figure being led to his crucifixion. As witnesses to this emotional scene we ask ourselves: “why are we crying?” if this is only just a reenactment? Do we cry because we know we are all sinners ourselves and he is dying in our place? Do we cry because we know we are just better as human beings for witnessing Jesus’ courageous act of self-giving? Even if we aren’t chosen to play the coveted role of Jesus in a reenactment of the Passion, the least we can do is show up for Jesus while He carries His cross for us.

We can be like Simon who is pressed into service by the guards to help lighten Jesus’ load. We can be like Veronica, who is too weak to really help Jesus physically, but can show him compassion by wiping the blood, sweat, and tears from His face. Or we could be like the woman who come and meet Jesus and can do nothing but weep and cry for Jesus in His time of suffering.

            If you haven’t already, please check out the virtual Busted Halo Stations of the Cross on YouTube, and watch the stations at least once a week, or like me, watch a few each day, for the remainder of the Lenten season. Watch these videos and read the messages. Prepare yourself for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, so when these days come, you are not confused as to why we are commemorating these events. Take 5-10 minutes a day to get ready to meet Jesus in His Way of the Passion on Good Friday.

Ciro ‘14

Thursday of Fourth Week of Lent

The church around the globe brims with exaltation at the announcement of our new Holy Father here on Earth, Pope Francis I. He is, of course, the first Jesuit (whoot!) pope, the first Pope from the Americas, and the first to take the name “Francis”, but, to me, his most fascinating quality is his humility. He certainly sees his position as one of service rather than power, as evidenced by his choice to take the bus, cook his own meals, and, most recently, pick up his own bags at his hotel. He has dedicated his life to serving and working among the impoverished, and truly embodies the Jesuit value of living “for and with others”. 

                In a society which seems to become increasingly occupied with the pursuit of wealth and power, the election of a pope dedicated to poverty and humbleness should act as a call to action, as loud and clear as the joyous cries which erupted at his unveiling. Most students view college as a step to attaining a “successful” life, a reasonable goal in its own right. However, we could benefit from a reevaluation of the meaning of “success”.  I think, on some level, we all know that objects and money do not denote success, yet we still give them priority. Additionally, status does not lead to happiness, but we still work to be the very best in others’ eyes, often by having the most. We do find happiness in this endeavor—to deny that would obviously be a lie. However, that temporary happiness is like a firework; it is blinding in its intensity and beauty, but vanishes with haste, leaving only smoke and ash. The joy that comes from living for others acts more like the summer sun; it constantly glows with a warmth that we feel, fostering life.

 As our new Pope’s namesake says, "Poverty is the way to salvation, the nurse of humility, and the root of perfection. Its fruits are hidden, but they multiply themselves infinite ways."  Of course, this does not necessarily mean that the only way to Christ is through sacrificing all possessions and worldly desires, but rather reexamining our priorities. This Lent, may we answer God’s call to work towards a joy that comes only from serving His people.

-Cailin, '16

Wednesday of the Fouth Week of Lent

How many campaigns have been created around this idea?
It sounds easy. Or at least, it seems it should be easy…
But, why is it so difficult?

I am currently reading Richard Rohr’s Naked Now and have been inspired to share what I have experienced while reading his beautiful book.

He speaks of the importance of “yes!” and how to develop this response as a habit. In my own life, I found it difficult to make the switch, as I believe all Westerners do. We are very conditioned to be skeptical, to be suspicious, to ask questions, and to look for proof or reason.

To say “yes!” without knowing what we are saying “yes!” to is uncomfortable because we are so conditioned to “no!” Rohr explains:

             “For some unfortunate reason, complaining, rejection, or fearing something strengthens your sense of ego and makes you feel like you are important. You contract back into your small and false self, and from there, unfortunately, it becomes harder and harder to reemerge.“ (52)

Our ego is built by “no!” As a woman I have said “no!” to my body, I have declared my personality as a “no!” and my ability to be someone of worth was a “no!” Now that I have come to understand “yes!” I have not experienced new life, but new love. The love I have for myself; the love that Christ has for me.

This Lent I challenge you too to find this “yes!” God is always saying it to us, we simply choose to hear it as a soft whisper or a strong, ____.

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lent is a time to slow down and pay attention to God.  Paying attention to God is what prayer is all about.

The Trappist Monks (Thomas Merton was a Trappist) have resurrected a form of prayer based on the spiritual classic, the Cloud of Unknowing.  Called centering prayer, you sit in silence for 20 minutes, once or twice a day.  You just concentrate on being present to God, and emptying your mind of all the images, thoughts, worries, daydreams, etc. that are always running through our heads.  To focus, you use a prayer word or phrase, like “Love” or “Peace” or “Jesus, son of the living God, have mercy on me.”

http://www.centeringprayer.com/

Some people have reported amazing transformation as a result of regularly practicing this kind of prayer.  Give it a try.  But know prayer, spiritual exercise, is like physical exercise.  If you go to the gym three times a week, once a year, don’t expect to get into great shape.  Praying regularly, like physically exercising faithfully, will show results in a few weeks. 

There’s three weeks left in Lent!

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

This weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time at the beautiful Chapman Lake Retreat Center (If you’ve never been, I highly recommend). As I sat on the dock of the Lake, which is my favorite place to think there, I took in the beauty which is God’s creation. Sometimes it is hard for us, especially with crazy Scranton weather, to find or see the beauty of God’s creation; to find the creator in his creation. That is the challenge I’m presenting to you. Take some time today or tomorrow to look for God in nature. See Him not only in the sunny days, but in the storm, the clouds, the trees, the breeze, the gentle flurries, the light rain, or the falling leaves. Life isn’t about finding God in the easy times of life, or our sunny days, but rather, it’s about finding Him and feeling His presence when the skies get gray and stormy.

So tomorrow or today, no matter how gray the cloudy sky is, or how hard the rain may come down, try to find God in it. Just the same, look at the difficult times in your life. Look at the times when your skies were stormy. Do you see God there? If not, who helped you through those times? Do you see God in them? He is there during our darkest days and stormiest skies. Seek Him. Find Him. “That they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27). Pax amicis in Christos.

-Eric C. Class of ‘16

EDITOR'S NOTE:  A couple of dozen students spent parade weekend at the lake.  A much saner and safer alternative to the insanity on saturday of parade weekend in Scranton.

Sunday of the Fourth Week of Lent

I spent about an hour yesterday fighting with my computer so it would let me connect to the internet. Apparently having MacAfee anti-virus on my computer turned off the Windows anti-virus software, which confused Cisco who thought I had no anti-virus software. In the end I had to uninstall MacAfee, change the settings of Windows Defender, uninstall and reinstall Cisco, and restart my computer about five or six times.

            My point here is not to complain about my computer problems, but to look at how I handled them. I realize that I’ve been thinking about time a lot lately, and I think my posts reflect this, but I was astounded by the fact that I spent about an hour with my computer just trying to get on the internet because I wanted to watch Netflix. Parade Day tired me out and I wanted some time with How I Met Your Mother and the episode of New Girl I still hadn’t watched from two or three weeks ago. As I sat on my couch and realized how invested I was in my internet access, I couldn’t remember the last time I got so invested in something else.         

            My ability to study for a test runs out after about forty-five minutes; my paper writing attention span is spotty at best until the night before something is due; and when it comes to day-to-day work, well, it doesn’t take a lot to derail me from reading. When I sit down to pray, which usually happens late at night because I spend all day procrastinating or playing catch-up, I can only manage a few minutes before I’m dozing off in the middle of my centering mantra.

            I’m not that busy of a person, so I can’t even attempt play the too busy for prayer or friends or family card and I think that while God may not have been meddling with my computer or Cisco he may have been speaking to me in the aftermath and asking me: How am I using my time? I know I spend a lot of it clicking around the internet or watching Netflix (specifically The West Wing so at least its quality television but still) or playing with my phone. I know I have enough time to see everyone and talk to God and go to class and squeeze in an episode of television at the end, I just have to use it for what matters instead of what doesn’t.

            So my challenge or question for you lovely readers is: how are you using your time? And does any of your time usage need to change?

            --Katie R. ‘13

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

“It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again.”  -F. Scott Fitzgerald

Saturday, March 9, 2013

In the First Reading today, Hosea speaks about having hope. He says that God will come to save us and raise us up to live with Him even though we are imperfect. “Let us return to the Lord…He will heal us.” Lent is a time for us to return to God and allow Him to bring us closer to Him. We do this through Mass, Stations, private prayer, almsgiving, fasting and other activities. Sometimes, though, we still feel inadequate. We know that we need God to heal us, but giving everything over to God can be daunting.

In The Great Gatsby, the narrator Nick Carraway admires his friend Gatsby for having an “extraordinary gift for hope.” At times, believing that God loves us, heals us and never forgets or abandons us takes extraordinary hope. If we’re open to God’s grace, we can find the hope to believe in God no matter what mistakes we make, what bad things happen to us, or what failings we have. Gatsby also has a “romantic readiness” about him that allows him to never give up on love. One of the best ways that we grow in faith is by loving others and developing our love with God. Like Gatsby, we need both great hope and great love to find God and make Him part of our lives this Lent.

Laura F.

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Early this week I got an email for BP in University Ministries about a virtual Stations of the Cross series called, “Busted Halo.” It’s available on YouTube and I have been watching one or two, or three stations a day, in between classes for some personal prayer time. Since I was really struggling for an idea for this week’s reflection, I turned to the series to find some inspiration. I found a lot of inspiration in the 6^th station where Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JaG9L8gzj4

In the video reflection it talks about how Veronica eases Jesus’ burden of carrying His cross. Her simple gesture of kindness, wiping the blood, sweat, dust, and perhaps tears from Jesus’ face is all that she can do to help Jesus’ suffering. We, too, are called to help other people as they carry their crosses in life, whether it be problems at home, struggles with their homework, or a lack of self-love, or whatever. We can like Veronica wipe the sweat from their foreheads, offer a friendly smile, and go out of our way to help ease their suffering.

Take a moment and think of someone carrying a heavy cross in your life.

Whether it’s a parent, a sibling, a grandparent, a friend, or a stranger you see in the DeNaples or on the Commons every day, how can you help ease their burden today?

Pray about it. Below are the lyrics to one of my favorite Church hymns, the Summons (Check it out on YouTube!). Hope you can pray and enjoy the lyrics.

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Ciro ‘14

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

I believe that virtually every individual on campus and in the world would agree that life is complicated. It is challenging, and painful; it changes every single moment. We often make plans and are confident in them, only to witness them shatter. Life is confusing. It seems so difficult to make the “right” choices that will lead us to a bright, happy, fulfilling future. In today’s first reading, however, God offers instructions which are striking in their simplicity. He says “This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper”(Jer. 7:23).  That’s it; that is the secret. We only have to listen to the Lord and trust in Him, and we will “prosper” as His people. However, as the reading goes on to explain, this is not always an easy decision. When God calls out to us, we as people are inclined, for whatever reason, to cover our ears and ignore Him. Today’s Responsorial Psalm refers to this. The response is “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts”. That image, of a hardening heart, is intense, but it is accurate. To stifle Christ’s voice is to suffocate our hearts, and it is a decision we make each time we sin, or every time we begin to believe that life is a journey we can take alone.

So, what drives us to “harden our hearts”? In my experience, stubbornness and fear act as the usual culprits. Especially now, as many of us dive headfirst into adulthood, we want to make our own paths, which is a noble undertaking. However, accepting God’s help in doing this can feel like giving up, when, in reality, we cannot begin the trek until we take God’s hand. No matter what, He will lovingly show us the way we must go. While He will not fend off every obstacle, He will stand beside us, and, no matter what, His words will call us home. 

-Cailin   ‘16

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Today I am called to reflect on a reoccurring theme that has arisen in my life since returning to campus. As a junior, I have made myself a home here in Scranton. I have found a group of people I share my time, energy, and love with. This group is constantly changing, evolving, and redefining itself. I continue to be beautifully surprised by the new bonds formed at the end of each semester. My sisters, who both attended Jesuit universities, always say to me, “You always say that person is your best friend, we only had a couple of best friends”

I was reflecting on my sister’s words and I realized I meant that exactly what I said. After recently returning from Search 69, I can honestly say this list of best friends continues to grow. I have had the gift to get to know numerous people on a personal level; they have shared with me, and I them, so I qualify them as best in my book.

 

My question to all of you reading these words is, what is your social sphere like here in Scranton? Are you satisfied? Do you feel that you truly have the love of your friends? What is your idea of friendship? Do you feel the need for change?

I ask these questions because I recently met with three students here at The U who expressed that they feel their friends do not really know them. They have surface value friendships which go no deeper than weekend parties and Saturday brunch conversations at DeNaples. Each student I met with was searching and longing for more. They want to build a family. I once her a cheesy Hallmark card that said, “Friends are the family you choose for yourself.” I agree 100%. Your friends become your support, your strength, your rock when you are away from home.

Each of the three students explained that they do see the relationships and groups on campus they want to be a part of. They see their ideal, but they do not know how to attain it.

I admit it is difficult to put yourself out there, try a new experience, and get involved on campus in a new way or, for some, the very first time. Why am I writing this? Not to simply tell you about what great friends I have. No, quite the opposite. I ask this Lent to look around at your friends, and more importantly, those who are not your friends. Determine if your friends are fulfilling your needs? If they are, give them praise and thanks. If they are not, I am not saying ditch them, but go in search of those who you want in your life. Make an addition. Do not be afraid.

Open yourself up to the beauty of new relationships

… that includes God too! 

S.B ‘14

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Choices: we make them all the time. Some are not all that important like what to wear or what to eat for lunch. But others seem larger than life; like your major, career path or what to do after graduation. On the senior retreat this weekend, myself and other seniors focused on those big choices. While not everyone will be leaving Scranton this spring, we all need to make choices like these eventually.

 Over and over we heard the message that there is no set plan for our lives. God did not make up a clear path for us that we have to get exactly right or we will be miserable human beings for the rest of our lives. Instead he gives us the power to choose what we desire and see fit at the time.

 All choices will bring us growth as well as ups and downs; the most important part is to stay close to God regardless of the choice. He will give guidance and peace to make the best choice you can at that time. I have found this guidance in the practice of discernment. (Jesuits love it!) Paying attention to one’s thought and feelings day after day can be God showing us the desires of our heart- if we pay attention.

 Throughout Lent and whenever a decision comes up, I challenge you to do a few things. Search your life, your heart, your mind for the ways God may be leading you. Know that while God knows it all there is no set plan, so value your choices instead of fearing them and I’ll try to remember to do the same. 

 -Love and Lenten Blessings,

Lauren G.  Class of 2013