Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

As the grey skies of February drag into March, classes grow busier, days grow even rainier, and years appear to stretch between today and spring break. During this time of year, one can easily feel overwhelmed by lethargy and anxiety—after all, who doesn’t feel like just going back to bed some days?—but for many students, these feelings can become so all-encompassing that they evolve into a different beast; depression. Depression can creep upon a person so quietly, he or she does not notice it until it becomes unwieldy. One feeling depressed typically feels alone, and may push others away; even the Lord. However, even when we turn our backs to the Lord, he reaches out to us. He longs for our joy. He is not some distant entity who sees but cannot sympathize—He understands pain not only because of the sacrifice He made on the cross, but the crosses we carry each day. He weeps with us.

Personally, I take great comfort in reflecting upon God’s promise of peace, from John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” There is no pain in this world that Christ has not felt and defeated, and He readily gives us the strength to do the same. No feeling can overcome the peace that will come from resting in the arms of our Father in heaven.

This Lent, we as a community should work to offer our suffering up to the Lord, and always to keep in mind the image of Him, walking beside us, lightening the weight of our crosses.

Cailin Class of '16

Saturday of First Week of Lent

In the Friday’s Gospel, we heard Jesus ask His followers who He is. Peter gets the right answer when he says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Although we do not see Jesus in the flesh in a typical day, and He does not specifically ask us who He is, our actions tell the world who Jesus is. Many people are wondering about God, so it’s important to consider what we’re saying.

As Christian college students, I think we are in a unique position to answer the question “Who is God?” by our actions. Today, rumors swirl about who God is and what he expects of us. Various organizations and denominations claim that they have the right answer, and these “answers” are the only excuse some people need to stop believing altogether. For this reason, it is vital for us to live for the God that we know and love and show the world who He is. God welcomes everyone, accepts everyone, forgives everyone, and loves everyone. In our daily lives, we can best show the world who God is by doing these same things. Do I welcome people into my life? Do I accept everyone despite their differences? Do I forgive people? Do I love?

Saint Francis of Assisi is attributed with the following advice, which I find to be especially helpful when I don’t know how to serve God in my daily interactions:

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when, necessary use words.”

 

Finally, a quick song from Carrie Underwood about who God is… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM5f6ym7D5k

Laura '15

Friday of the First Week of Lent

I can´t get this past Sunday´s Gospel out of my head. Do you remember what it was? =) After going to Mass on Ash Wednesday, complete with getting ashes on my forehead and making my plans as to what I was going to give up during Lent, this past Sunday when I was in mass the Gospel hit me over the head like a sledge hammer because it really helped me see Lent through different lenses. Hearing the story about Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for forty days to be tempted by the devil, without food, should really put our Lenten journey into perspective.

First of all, we have the example of Jesus who follows the Holy Spirit into the barren desert to fast and pray for forty days. Now that I live in Mexico for the school semester I understand what the desert is like physically. It is very cold through the night and through the morning, and of course, very hot during the day. Also, the barren desert is nothing but dirt, dust, and cacti. But why does Jesus go into the desert without food to be tempted by the devil?

1. Jesus goes to PRAY, which strengthens his relationship with the Father, and Jesus denies the devil in the process saying, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” 

2. Jesus goes to fast in the desert in order to accomplish the same goal, which is to strengthen his relationship with the Father by showing him that the following statement is true: “It is written, Man does not live on bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”

This Lent we have the opportunity to follow the example of Jesus with our OWN Lenten observance, following Jesus who goes to spend time in the barren desert to 1. To pray 2. To fast 3. Be tempted by the devil himself, all in order to become closer to God and experience his saving graces. We should do this not because the Pope and the Catholic Church as an Institution tells us to do it, but because we want to follow the our role model, friend, and our brother, Jesus.

Ciro  ‘14