2016 Cover Artwork by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17 · 2016 Cover Artwork by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17 . Ash...

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Page 1: 2016 Cover Artwork by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17 · 2016 Cover Artwork by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17 . Ash Wednesday: February 10, 2016 12:05 pm Mass, Room 222 of Academic and Research Building
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2016 Cover Artwork by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17

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Ash Wednesday: February 10, 2016

12:05 pm Mass, Room 222 of Academic and Research Building at STLCOP 12:10-12:50 pm Ashes Service, CSC Chapel 5:30 pm Mass and Soup, CSC Chapel

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016 11:00 am and 9:00 pm Mass, beginning outside, on the CSC patio

Holy Thursday, March 24, 2016 7:00 pm Mass, CSC Chapel Good Friday, March 25, 2016 7:00 pm Service, CSC Chapel Easter Vigil, March 26, 2016 7:30 pm Mass, CSC Chapel Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 9:30 am and 11:30 am Mass, Graham Chapel *See our website www.washucsc.org and weekly emails for updated information on events and locations

Weekly Ongoing Events

Sundays: Early Mass: 11 am, CSC Chapel Student Mass: 9 pm, CSC Chapel Mondays: RCIA: Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults: 7-8:30 pm, CSC Social Hall Tuesdays: Mass and Soup: 5:15 pm, except 2/9 and 3/15 Undergraduate Bible Study: 7 pm, contact Mark at [email protected] for more information Wednesdays: Social Work and Psychology Bible Study: 1:30 pm, CSC GYSA Bible Study: 7:30 pm, CSC Thursdays: Choir Practice: 7-8, CSC. If you want to get involved, email Joe Schoen at [email protected] Undergraduate Bible Study: Time TBD, contact David at [email protected] for more information

JOIN US FOR LENT AT THE CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER

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Fridays: Mass and Soup: 12:05 pm, CSC Living Room, except 3/12, 3/18, & 3/25

Mark Your Calendars: Special Events

Gay & Spiritual: bi-weekly, beginning 1/25, 6:30 pm

Tim O’Malley, Do I Have to Go to Mass to Be Catholic? A Talk on Liturgy & Catholicism: 2/11, 8pm

Confession Marathon: 2/17, 2pm- midnight at the CSC

Taize Prayer Night (With brothers from the Taize community in France): 2/24 at 7pm at the CSC

GSYA Deepening Retreat: 2/26-2/27

Cardinal Dolan’s Talk at WashU: 3/2 at noon in Graham Chapel

Day of Reflection Workshop on Centering Prayer: 3/5

Dan DiLeo Talk on Laudato Si: 4/20

Catholic Student Union Dollar Dinner: 5/4, 5:30-7

CSU Fish Fry: Date TBD

CLC (Christian Life Community): Small groups where you discuss community, spirituality, and service. For more information, contact David Willems at [email protected]

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Online Resources

Readings online:

www.usccb.org/nab/index.htm

St. Louis University Center for Liturgy:

www.liturgy.slu.edu

Creighton University Spirituality Resources

www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online

Archdiocese of St. Louis Prayer Resources:

www.archstl.org/links

Good Ground Press:

www.goodgroundpress.com

Bread on the Waters- Meditations & Stations of the Cross:

www.cptryon.org/prayer/season/index/html

Sacred Space- Daily Prayer Online- In a number of languages

http://sacredspace.ie/

Dynamic Catholic- Best Lent Ever:

http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/#signup

In September 2013 Pope Francis was asked in an interview, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio?” After a brief pause he answered, “I am a sinner.” For many years the CSC has had a sign hang above the doors to our chapel during Lent that says “All sinners welcome.” Each week as people enter into the chapel on Sunday the CSC staff is there to greet

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY

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them, as if to say, “As a sinner, I welcome you, please come on in and join the rest of us sinners as we journey back to God.” This year the sign over the doors to the chapel says “Doorway to Mercy.” Following the Pope’s leadership in this Holy Year of Mercy, we at the CSC would like to invite you this Lent to join us on a journey of mercy – cross the threshold in your life spiritually through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to discover how mercy can impact your life. We hope that this Lenten Reflection Booklet, created and written by students, can help you journey with the Catholic Student Center in our efforts to be merciful.

MERCY IN PRAYER Jesus says to us, “Blessed are those who are merciful,” but what does that really mean? I think before we can answer what it means to be merciful we have to first remove the obstacles to being merciful. At the top of the list is rushing through life. Being merciful requires someone to take the time to consider the humanity of another person or even in themselves. It takes time to reflect on circumstances and events in our lives. So what does it take to be merciful? It takes time in prayer. The very movement or lack of movement that creates space in our lives for reflection, consideration, pondering, contemplation, is a movement of relationship with God. In that relationship we come to see the need for mercy in our lives and the lives of others – we see it in the pain that surrounds us every day, in the pressure that so many on campus are under to perform, in the many needs that are unfulfilled in our world. Mercy enters into all that, but only through those who have made time to carry mercy with them. Make this Lent about creating space for Mercy. MERCY IN FASTING St. Peter Chrysologus once said, “Fasting bears no fruit unless it is watered by mercy. Fasting dries up when mercy dries up. Mercy is to fasting as rain is to earth.” Fasting is an action of self-denial that is intended to make us more aware of our own need for God’s love and equally important an awareness of the needs of others. If our fasting is simply about earning brownie points with God or making us feel better about our spirituality then it is pointless. Instead fasting is intended to turn us inward for the sake of being poured outward. And mercy is the fruit of that pouring outward – awareness of how we can be more merciful and where mercy is needed in the world. May your fasting this Lent bring forth an outpouring of mercy.

MERCY IN ALMSGIVING Almsgiving is an act of mercy. It is recognizing pain in the world and doing something about it. The Catholic Church has traditionally taught that the seven Corporal Works of Mercy are concrete ways in which we can live as Christ did as evidenced in the Gospels and listed by Jesus in Matthew 25. Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Shelter the homeless. Visit those in prison. Comfort the sick. Bury the dead. This Lent actually make time to do one or more of these corporal acts of mercy. In fact, make this Lent a foundation for setting a pattern in your life of doing a corporal act of mercy regularly so that you may continue the practice beyond Lent.

Troy Woytek CSC Director of Ministry

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This year, Pope Francis changed the Lenten tradition of the Holy Thursday rite of washing feet, allowing the participation of anyone of the people of God. Previously, the rite was limited to men, but now, Pope’s Francis’ change will allow men and women of all ages to participate in the rite that memorializes Jesus’ washing of the feet, a sign of service to others. Even more than changing tradition, Pope Francis has given us a chance to continue this spirit of solidarity and love for others. This Lenten season is an opportunity for growth not only within the Church, but also within you. To help you on your Lenten journey, we have brought together wisdom from members of the Catholic Student Center community, who shared of themselves and of their stories in this booklet.

Thank you to everyone at the Catholic Student Center and the Washington University Student Union, without whose support this booklet would not have been possible.

We all hope that this Lenten season be a time of growth for you in faith and love. From CSU and from everyone in the Catholic Student Center, we pray you have a blessed Lent and a very Happy Easter.

Love always,

Catholic Student Union

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 ASH WEDNESDAY

Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51: 3-6B, 12-14, 17 Second Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

A NOTE FROM CATHOLIC STUDENT UNION

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Everyone knows the gospel passage about being loud and public about your fasting and praise, where Jesus chastises the hypocrites who pray so that others can see them. While this could be interpreted as a message of solemnity and privacy, I believe that in combination with the first reading, which urges the reader to come to God, the true message is something a little different. The true message here is not just to pray quietly, but to be true to yourself in God. God knows you, in a way even you can't know yourself. No matter how many things you put between yourself and God -- busyness, artifice, forgetfulness, or hypocrisy as described in today's gospel -- it can't prevent God from seeing you as you truly are. Therefore, don't put anything between yourself and God. Come to God and be genuinely yourself while you do, without thinking or giving value to the way others think of you or the way they think of how you come to God. As we enter this Lenten season, in which we devote ourselves further to God in preparation for the miracle of Easter, take care to turn your face to God without pretension or artifice, being genuinely yourself with him. Joy Mersmann WashU Class of 2018

Day of Fasting Abstain from Meat

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 9:22-25

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As we enter this Lent season, Jesus reminds us in today’s gospel that “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” This immediately calls to mind the strength and sacrifice of so many Christians who have literally lost their lives for their faith.

However, it’s sometimes harder for us to find ways to “deny ourselves”, since we live in 2016 in the Land of the Free and, fortunately, aren’t often faced with life-or-death decisions regarding our faith. To me, denying myself on a day-to-day basis could be as simple as designating 20 minutes to prayer rather than Netflix, listening to a friend’s problems even when I’m not having the best day, or giving an hour of my time to someone in need.

We also hear in the first reading that we will live prosperously if we obey the Lord, and perish otherwise. Though this sounds extreme, my experience has shown that I feel the most joyful and “prosperous” when I’m closest to my faith. Accordingly, when I begin spending too much time on myself, I lose sight of what’s really important to me—my faith and the people I love.

This Lent, consciously denying myself in small ways will remind me of the much larger sacrifice Jesus made for us, and of the person I want to be. After all, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Katie Elliott WashU Class of 2017

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“Catholics seem very...ritualistic,” my friend remarked after learning about our Lenten tradition of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. “Do you really fast?”

I paused. It is true that Catholics draw on a rich tradition of ritual, from learning prayers by rote in CCD to praying the rosary to receiving ashes...the list goes on. The older I have gotten, the more I come to appreciate the beauty in Catholic tradition: it is both deeply personal and communal.

Like all aspects of any culture, Catholic ritual is, to some extent, manufactured. It is designed to bring us closer to God and to each other. However, at times it can have the opposite effect. Today’s reading shows us that extreme, when God’s people lose themselves in the blind repetition of ritual. Their devotion, once a tool to help them find God, has become a meaningless show of piety, a façade to mask the fact that they have lost sight of the heart of their faith: to love and serve all people.

When I was in elementary school, my mom encouraged me to make a commitment to do something positive during Lent. Rather than giving something up, give something back. Promise to smile at a stranger once a day. Pledge to open the door for everyone walking into a building with you. This first week of Lent, I challenge you to do the same. Find God in your ritual. Do not fast without meaning, but create a ritual that brings you back to the heart of our faith.

Eva Mergner WashU Class of 2016

Abstain from Meat

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Isaiah 58:1-9A Psalm 51: 3-6B, 18-19 Matthew 9:14-15

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Isaiah 58:9B-14 Psalm 86:1-6 Luke 5:27-32

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If Jesus asked you, would you follow him?

I have heard this question in so many discussions and presentations that it can at times become a cliché. In fact, I am often caught up in society’s transformation of religion into a great maxim. The word “cliché,” is defined as a phrase or opinion that is overused and thus unoriginal. As the years go by and the Bible we study remains constant, falling into this idea of the Bible as a collection of truisms or “old sayings” becomes ever more dangerous because we can lose the meaning of the Word.

A great way to grow out of that system and grow in faith is to bring new life to every passage and every story you read or hear from the Bible. Try and find new meaning that you never noticed before. In today’s Gospel passage, Levi was a tax collector that followed Jesus and prepared a banquet for Him. Levi, despite his occupation, did not fear Jesus enough to deny Him. Many would be afraid to follow Jesus. Would you be afraid to follow Him because of who you are?

Try to find new ways to reflect on the Word and Jesus’s message, approach each prayer with new spirit, and seek His love with renewed hope. Forgive where you have not before, take up your cross with renewed purpose, and prepare for His day always.

If Jesus asked you, would you follow him?

Seth Marek Webster University Class of 2019

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15 Romans 10: 8-13 Luke 4: 1-13

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Today is a special day because we celebrate both Valentine’s Day and the first Sunday of Lent, an opportunity for us to reflect on the connection between our human relationships and how they inform our relationship with God. Whenever I struggle to wrap my mind around God, I imagine my relationship with Him as I would my relationship with my best friend or my girlfriend. Although we know that God loves us constantly, unconditionally, and equally, God also loves us all differently. Bonaventure, the Franciscan philosopher and theologian, taught, "We are each loved by God in a particular and incomparable way, as in the case of a bride and bridegroom." Francis and Clare of Assisi knew that the love God has for each soul is unique and made to order. In that spirit, here are three reminders of how can we use Lent to make our relationship with God as strong as our relationships with our other loved ones:

1. Give and take. All lasting relationships feature partners who freely give of themselves; in other words, it should be give and take. In the first reading, after God has given his chosen people the land of milk and honey, they give him the “first fruits of the products of the soil”, their way of giving back God’s blessings. I know most of the time I tend to take way more than I give with God, which I would never do with my best friend or girlfriend. What do you give to God?

2. Make each other better. I think the defining characteristic of a healthy relationship is that both people improve. Consider loved ones in your life who motivate you to be your best and offer you consolation when you fail. In the responsorial, we refer to God as “my refuge and fortress”, the place we find the nourishment to be our best selves. Will you let God make you a better version of yourself this Lent?

Keep your eye on the prize. Every day we are tempted by laziness, lust, and jealousy to be disloyal to our significant others or friends. In the Gospel, the Devil offers Jesus power and glory in exchange for renouncing God. As we are called in all things to imitate Christ, let us lean on Him during Lent to stay true to our relationships. Are you as loyal to God as your significant other or best friend?

Colton Calandrella WashU Class of 2017

As I’ve had more conversations with more people about God, the idea of His distance, farness or inaccessibility has come up time and again. Maybe people think of God as

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 Psalm 19:8-10, 15 Matthew 25:31-46

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distant because of the words we apply to Him: glorious, merciful, almighty, everlasting. They are not words we usually use to describe our fellow men and women. And perhaps that is why it is hard to recognize God in the people with whom we share our lives. I sang a song once with a festival choir, a song called “The Lord of the Small.” It was lovely, and these readings made me think of its words, which are a parade of ‘small’ people – a lame child, a wretch in the streets, the frail and the ill. Glorious people? No. But holy? Absolutely. My favorite lyric goes like this: “He pours out his spirit on vessels so weak, that the timid can serve and the silent can speak.” God gives us all the opportunity to help one another, and in doing so, to encounter Him. The challenge is to help first – that’s what we call faith, and what the people on Jesus’s right side in today’s Gospel were able to do. They did not look for glory or resplendence or beauty in their search for God. They did what they could for whom they could, and that was enough.

Catherine Aviles WashU Class of 2018

In this simple prayer we affirm our relationship with God on an individual and community basis. However, we can gloss

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 CONFESSION MARATHON IS TOMORROW WED. 2/17. PRIESTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT

THE CSC FROM 2 P-MIDNIGHT FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 34: 4-7, 16-19 Matthew 6: 7-15

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over this prayer as just a part of the mass, and lose the insights Jesus meant it to give us.

It is called the Our Father, not the My Father, for a reason, as we are all one family. Being a family, it is important to remember that everyone is important and loved by God regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics; everyone belongs. God will provide all that we need. In our busy day to day lives we have so much vying for our attention and taking our time, that it can feel overwhelming at times. Whenever you are overwhelmed, remember the words of this prayer that God will provide your daily bread. He will always be by your side and He will help lead you towards a life of happiness and fulfillment. Lastly, forgiveness is key to bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth. God is love and love has no room for anger, revenge, and ill feelings towards others. As a community of believers we are called to love each other as we love ourselves, and just as we make mistakes we wish we were forgiven, so do others. In the end a compassionate heart, filled with love, will help bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. Reflecting on God as our loving Father, how can you return that love to Him and to one another?

Tommy Baumel WashU Class of 2019

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 CONFESSION MARATHON IS TODAY! PRIESTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT

THE CSC FROM 2PM- MIDNIGHT FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Jonah 3:1-10 Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Luke 11: 29-32

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On Ash Wednesday, we decided to embark on a spiritual journey to become better versions of ourselves. It has been exactly one week since many of us made decisions on what to give up or add to our lives. Are you regretting your choice? Is it harder than you thought? Have you lived up to your commitment thus far? Are you being challenged? Stop and honestly think about these questions. Hopefully we can all say that we have stuck to our original goal and are experiencing positive change. If this is the case, we must keep strong and be models for those struggling. In reality though, many of us have probably “cheated” in some way on our promise to God. But before falling into the natural temptation to just give up because of failure, listen to God’s words in today’s reading. We hear of His ability to forgive. Note that this forgiveness does not come without a cost. Just as the Ninevites must fast for forty days and Jonah, in order to receive a second chance as God’s messenger, gets eaten alive, and as Pope Francis has recently illustrated that sins are like wounds that need treatment, we need to first recognize our wrongdoings and then take actual steps to correct them. Stop again and think not just about your failures but how you can avoid future ones. Once we swallow our pride and strip away our fear of having failed, we can receive God’s forgiveness and become better versions of ourselves. You began a unique journey last Wednesday. Is it appropriate to stay on course and help others on the journey or is it best to take a step off the road and look around for a new path?

Evan Nagel WashU Class of 2019

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Ask and you shall receive.

Growing up with anxiety, I really misinterpreted Jesus’ words here. I assumed that He was telling me that all I needed to do was ask for things, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore. I thought if I prayed enough, I wouldn’t get sick. If I just asked God a certain number of times a day, nothing terrible would happen to me.

Of course, on some level I understood this wasn’t true – because bad things happen in life. But I just couldn’t reconcile that knowledge with this passage, or the idea of intercessory prayer – when we ask God for things we want or need. Why ask God for something He already knows I want or need? Do I really just have to ask for something, and I’ll get it? Obviously not, or we’d all be lottery winners.

It wasn’t until I read a book on prayer that I came to understand Christ’s words and how He calls us to intercessory prayer. When we ask God for things, we must recognize the risen Christ interceding for us at the hand of the Father – He is already praying for us in His infinite wisdom of what we truly need. When we engage in intercessory prayer, we are called to listen to Christ’s prayer for us. Does it match the prayer we’re praying? If not, we are called to open our hearts and align our prayer with Christ’s. Prayer doesn’t change God – it changes us. This Lent, when you ask God for help, listen to Christ’s prayer for you and you shall receive wisdom, understanding, and peace.

Molly Daily CSC Intern-in-Service 2015-2016

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Esther C: 12, 14-16, 23-25 Psalm 138: 1-3, 7C-8 Matthew: 7:7-12

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Pope Francis has declared a Holy Year of Mercy for the Church. “Let us not forget that God forgives and God forgives always,” he said. “Let us never tire of asking for forgiveness.” We are constantly reminded of God’s everlasting mercy as he is willing to completely forgive and forget any past transgressions if one but turns away from their sins and looks to Him. To God, it does not matter your past, as all He sees is the person who you are now. In the first reading, Jesus shows that it is not enough to simply follow the laws of the land, but we must not hurt our brothers or sisters. Here, Jesus contrasts the laws that had been so embedded in society and with the ideas of the Gospel. Too often we are focused on the bigger picture, and we do not even notice that we may have hurt those closes to us. Jesus urges us to go further – any form of hatred, or violence, or anger towards another is harmful and should be reconciled where at all possible. In order to come to the altar and offer gifts to God, we must let go of everything and repent for any wrongdoing against our brothers and sisters; we must ask forgiveness of others for any harm that we might have caused them, and then, and only then, can truly be open to the fullness of God’s mercy. Jeffrey Eichinger WashU Class of 2019

Abstain from Meat

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Ezekiel 18: 21-28 Psalm 130: 1-8 Matthew 5:20-26

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I was privileged enough to participate in the Agape Service Immersion trip to El Salvador this winter break. For twelve days, we were welcomed with open arms by the Salvadorans and were blessed with the opportunity to come to know the stories of many of the people that we met. One night, a woman told us her story of the persecution and assassination of her oldest brother, a priest, and the deaths of her remaining three brothers during the subsequent years of the civil war. For me, the most striking part of this conversation was not her chilling account of the violence that tore her family apart, but rather her response to the question: Is it possible to forgive those responsible for the deaths of your brothers? And her answer was yes.

In that moment, Anita taught me about loving a little bit more like Christ. She chose to find the humanity in her oppressors rather than dwell on the atrocities that they had committed. She asked only that we remember and share her story so as to not repeat mistakes of the past. Through her testimony, Anita modeled for me Jesus’ teachings from today’s gospel, instructions to his disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

So I now challenge you to learn from Anita. Who is the hardest person in your life for you to love right now? What is stopping you from loving them? Jesus instructs us to love our enemies, a daunting task to be sure. But I urge you for the remainder of this Lenten season to try to love a little more. Actively seek out the good in those around you, especially the most difficult ones to love, for we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And in doing so, we come closer to becoming children of God.

Sarah Eichinger WashU Class of 2016

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Psalm 119: 1-2, 4-5, 7-8 Matthew 5:43-48

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18 Psalm 27: 1, 7-9, 13-14 Philippians 3: 17- 4:1 Luke 9: 28B-36

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In the first reading, God makes a pact with Abraham promising both land and descendants. The second reading discuses becoming closer to God and how mundane things often get in the way of our connection with God. This passage also discusses the sacrifice given for the possibility of our citizenship in heaven—emphasizing the importance of faith in Lord and his love. The gospel recounts a time when god communicated not only with Jesus but also with three of his disciples.

One phrase stood out to me when I was reading these passages: “…observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.” I think this quote was brought out to me specifically because of recent experiences within my life. Last year I went through RCIA along with a few others from my high school. Aiming to be the best human possible was an aspect of our faith continuously reiterated by those leading the class. They explained that we, as Catholics, achieve this best self by attempting to replicate Jesus and his actions within our everyday life. We look to him as a model and try to live and love as he did—without greed, violence, or shame. If we are able to achieve such things within our own life then we will have earned our citizenship within Heaven. The strength behind this idea for me is viewing Jesus and his followers as models to imitate and reproduce in our own lives—something relatable to everyone.

Emily Albertina WashU Class of 2019

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about how I became Catholic. It was almost an expectation in my family. I don’t think I really knew what my faith meant to me when I

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016

1 Peter 5:1-4 Psalm 23:1-6 Matthew 16: 13-19

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was confirmed. It isn’t until now that I feel like I have chosen for myself that being Catholic is what I believe in. In these passages, I saw this idea and the idea of reflecting on my faith being preached throughout the readings.

In the first reading, we are asked to “tend the flock of God…overseeing not by constraint but willingly”. It is only when we chose to follow God willingly that we can truly follow him. It was only when I chose myself to follow God that I could feel confident in my faith. After we have chosen to follow God we must “be examples to the flock”, we can strengthen our faith by reflecting and asking ourselves deeper questions, as Jesus does to his disciples in the Gospel. “Who do you say that I am?” he asks them. He wants Peter to think on who Jesus really is to him, beyond being the Son of God. He asks his disciples to deepen and reflect on their faith, to trust in him and heaven, to say who they really believe he is. I encourage you to really think about your own faith after reading these passages. How have you chosen to follow the flock of God, and how will you set an example in it? Who is Jesus to you? What does your faith mean to you and how can you grow in it?

Amanda Ortiz WashU Class of 2018

When the first reading calls the people of Gomorrah to conversion it directs them to the “instruction of our God.” Indeed, it uses a Hebrew word for ‘instruction’ or ‘law,’ technical terms, less appropriate to describe a spiritual relationship with God, and more

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Isaiah 1: 10, 16-20 Psalm 50: 8-9, 16BC-17, 21, 23 Matthew 23: 1-12

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relevant for the orders which we follow in professional environment, or the statutory rules which keep our property from being stolen – otherwise, the most worldly goods which kept people of Sodom and Gomorra away from God. Thus God, through prophet Isaiah, lowers himself and speaks to us in our own terms.

We thus learn that conversion (becoming Catholic, or coming closer to God within the Catholic Church) requires effort and is gradual. And it implies shifting the object of our laws, from the pursuit of our individualistic aims, to a commitment to God. This is why in today’s Gospel Jesus calls his students to do what the Pharisees say: by following the divine laws they preach, we experience our commitment to God in a physical way, in everything we do, and in every weakness we fight.

The Evangelist reminds us that the orthopraxy which Jesus demanded from his disciples is not a result of spirituality, but its basis. And however paradoxical it may sound, we must take the effort to be obedient to God, before we can even become orthodox believers – and before we can claim that our spirituality is much greater than following ‘instructions’.

In today’s Gospel we see Jesus doing what no human can do – judging other people’s spirituality as not authentic. Yet thus he reminds us that he has given each of us the capacity to judge whether our own declared orthodoxy is embedded in our orthopraxy, in a committed relationship with God.

Tomek Cebrat WashU Class of 2019

“The Son of Man of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Wow, that is such a powerful statement. Jesus himself not only came down from heaven and entered a world full of darkness, but he was willing to serve while he was here. We can see throughout Scripture that Jesus served with great love.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Jeremiah 18: 18-20 Psalm 31: 5-6, 14-16 Matthew 20:17-28

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He fed the thousands, touched the lepers, and sought out the lost and forgotten. His whole life was commitment to others—all the way to the cross. As I take time during the season of Lent to look at my own life, I realize my need to increase my service for others. Yes I need to volunteer more and do other practical acts of service, but I also need a heart of service—looking out for others before myself. Do I slow down and listen to other people’s stories and let them know that they are important? But also, do I let God serve me? Do I let God love me with his infinite, unending love on a daily basis? Do I accept His mercy and forgiveness when I fall short? This Lent I want to make an intentional effort to serve and to allow others to serve me. What about you? How do you need to increase service in your life?

Darcy Holzum St. Louis College of Pharmacy Class of 2018

We tend to focus a lot on our career, especially as college students. Every day is about working toward a career we hope to find interest in, and one that, hopefully, also pays well. Even if we don’t want to admit it, how much money we will earn is a pretty important deciding factor on what kind of job we wish to have one day. And that’s what I wish we could change. I wish that life didn’t center so much around money. However, it’s pretty difficult to make this a possibility, especially when you have all

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Jeremiah 17: 5-10 Psalm 1: 1-4, 6 Luke 16: 19-31

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those college loans to pay off and stress over. Reading the gospel passage for today, though, takes a lot of that stress off of finding a high paying job and worrying about the surmounting college expenses. What we learn from the deaths of Lazarus and the rich man is that worldly riches are not the things to stress over. Instead the true treasure lies in life after death, which cannot be achieved through any amount of wealth accumulation. We hear this kind of thing a lot in church – that being rich now doesn’t mean you will have everlasting wealth. But I think we should really take this in. Realize that it doesn’t matter how large your salary is/will be. If you want to be rich, and I mean truly RICH, then you have to serve God. Be a person who is wealthy with the love of the Lord. I know that God’s love will take me places that no paycheck can.

Jessica Kovach WashU Class of 2019

Whenever someone in my family is complaining about something in their life, my mom likes to offer some helpful advice: offer your suffering up to God as a sacrifice. After all, if Jesus suffered and died, offered his life, for us and for our sake, I can surely offer my “suffering” up too. In the readings for today, there are plenty of suffering children and concerned parents. In the first reading, Israel’s beloved son Joseph is plotted against and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives a telling

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A Psalm 105: 16-21 Matthew 21: 33-43, 45-46

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parable about a vineyard owner with rebellious workers who kill his dear son. A series of kinda sad stories.

Now on the other hand, today is also my mom’s birthday, a day where I think about her a little more often than usual. And in reading these passages, I can’t help but notice the precious relationships between the fathers and sons. Israel and Joseph, the vineyard owner and his son, God the Father and His Son Jesus, their relationships of deep love all stick out to me, despite being in stories filled with suffering and death. Of course, thinking about this love brings me back to God’s love for not only Jesus, but for all of us. Honestly, love is really what it all boils down to. All of our fasting and praying in Lent comes to the Resurrection, when Jesus saves us all because of love, the love a father has for all of his lost, complaining, suffering children.

Since Lent can be full of sadness, Catholic guilt, and just plain dreariness, it’s really important to remember love, to remember that love is the point, to remember that love has saved us. So do me a favor: today, call your mom, or your dad, or whoever might be missing you. I’m sure they would love to hear from you.

Megan Herbst WashU Class of 2018

Abstain from Meat

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016

Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20 Psalm 103: 1-4, 9-12 Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

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Lent is in full swing now. Your resolutions have been made, planned out, and if you are like me, probably are strictly followed. Such is the nature of humanity in many respects. Too often we try to do what is right, and we fail. And sometimes the failure is in the lack of trying at all. Too often steer off the righteous Way that God has laid before us. We are the prodigal son in the Gospel reading. We take the good will and the blessings that God has given us and waste them. Maybe we do not have that enriching conversation because it is uncomfortable to be vulnerable, or we stay in at home because it is easier to watch Netflix than go out with friends. Yet each time we try to pick ourselves up, return to the Way. This is point of the Lent. Lent is a time where we return to God, we receive His unending mercy. God will not be angry or chastising. God rejoices at our return. He is the good shepherd who takes care of his flock especially those go astray. So I pray you attempt to return to the Way of God, and never be afraid of His, or anyone else’s forgiveness.

Juan Masi WashU Class of 2016

It seems like every day there are more and more things fighting for our attention. Whether its people, assignments, or even the new game that you’ve played for an hour

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Exodus 3: 1-8A, 13-15 Psalm 103: 1-4, 6-8, 11 First Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12 Luke 13: 1-9

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straight; there is always something out there to occupy your mind. Consequently, I feel that today’s scripture is a wake-up call to all of us, with the purpose of bringing our attention back to God. Even for Moses in the first reading, God has to ignite a bush to grab his attention away from his everyday duties. Only then does Moses hear God calling out to him, asking him to lead the Israelites. The same message can also be heard when Paul warns us to pay attention to the examples of those who came before us. In the Gospel, Jesus himself calls us to become aware of our short time on earth and asks us twice to repent, lest we parish. He explains that although we are alive and well, it does not mean that we are justified, for even those who were destroyed by tragedy were no more sinful than those who were not. By calling our attention, Jesus is giving us another chance to realign our focus, as the farmer does for the fig tree, and all we must do is bear one piece of fruit to be redeemed. So during this season of Lent, take a few moments to assess the route you’re on, and then realign yourself with the path God is calling you to follow.

Kyle Cepeda WashU Class of 2019

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In this reading we see Naaman, a powerful commander who has leprosy. He then goes to a prophet of Israel and is healed. Naaman is a rich man with gold, silver, horses etc…. He can’t cure his leprosy however; just as there are things in our own lives that we can’t cure or fix no matter how much money we have. He is then told that he must seek out a prophet from Israel. Originally he has his doubts, how can it be that I must wash myself in The Jordan when there are stronger rivers. In our everyday we see lots of rivers that we can choose from, some that appear much more powerful than others. Often the correct path (or river) is one that doesn’t seem to the best. Our natural instinct in today’s world is to go for the mightiest river. But why do we try for what appears to be the mightiest river. Isn’t God mightier than all the rivers? Shouldn’t we then as such try and choose the river, however feeble, that draws us closer to god?

William MacKay WashU Class of 2019

Are you familiar with Catholic guilt? I think that many times, we Catholics feel like we have to act a certain way out of a sense of obligation, or even a sense of fear;

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Second Kings 5: 1-15 Psalm 42: 2-3, 43: 3-4 Luke 4: 24-30

TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016

Deuteronomy 3: 25, 34-43 Psalm 25: 4-9 Matthew 18: 21-35

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and when we don’t act that way, we feel that all too familiar sense of guilt. After reading today’s Gospel, you might find yourself thinking: “I have to forgive others because Jesus told me to!” or maybe “I have to show mercy or God won’t show mercy to me!” Yet maybe it’s not obligation, or fear, or guilt that should cause us to show mercy to others, but in fact, a sense of gratitude. After all, the king in Jesus’s parable says, “I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” Think about the ways God has shown mercy to you. Every time you sin, God is ready to forgive you. No matter how many times you turn away, He is calling for you to come back to him. He even became man, suffered, and died for our sins! When we think about the ways God has shown mercy to us, how can we not want to share that mercy with others? Perhaps when we experience this gratitude, that’s when we will be able to forgive from the heart. What are you grateful for today? Ezekiel Saucedo WashU Class of 2017

The theme for today’s passages is focused on the law handed down to the Israelites from God, the law that indicates their special status as God’s chosen people and, as a result, holds them to a higher standard than other peoples. This law, centered on the

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

Deuteronomy 4: 1, 5-9 Psalm 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Matthew 5: 17-19

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Ten Commandments, formed the basis for Jewish religious identity. Jesus affirms and highlights these laws in his Sermon on the Mount, basing his teachings out of this long-established Jewish religious identity and approaching them in a new light. Jesus’ word not only takes these commandments in a new light, emphasizing the positive actions and good one should put out into the world, rather than the negatives and “Thou shalt nots” of the Ten Commandments. Additionally, Jesus applies these new laws to all who choose to follow him, Gentile or Jew, telling us that all are welcome to God’s loving grace. These passages help us see how deeply rooted God’s word is in tradition, but at the same time they show us how our perception of it has changed over time, how unconditional love and inclusivity to all have become key parts of our faith while still maintaining the essential basic law that it began with. Sam Fisher WashU Class of 2018

"If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts". When Jesus performed miracles, it was with a soft heart, moved by mercy and compassion.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Jeremiah 7: 23-28 Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9 Luke 11: 14-23

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In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, what shape can forgiveness take in our own day to day lives? As humans we are in need of healing, we're all broken and we all need to be forgiven. In this truth, a.k.a. humility, we are brought to the Heart of Christ. How often has our brokenness taken form in thoughts of shame, guilt and/or self-accusation? How can we become more aware of our toxic thought patterns, or what some might call "demons"? How can we make the transition to loving our whole human self, including the bodies that we've been given? Lucas Prize CSC Intern-in-Service 2015-2016

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016

Hosea 14: 2-10 Psalm 81: 6C-11, 14, 17 Matthew 12: 28-34

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My freshman year of high school, my religion class was grudgingly taught a jingle that accompanied our teacher’s favorite bible verse: Jesus’s “Golden Rule." And yes, there were hand motions. At the time, we all believed that the exercise was ridiculous. Now, however, every time that I hear or read the words, the tune always plays in my head, and I mentally perform the body motions. For me, this memory, which I now cherish, is a great reminder of the message of today’s Gospel: to love. The first reading is an example of the great, powerful, forgiving love that God has for each of us. Even when the people of Israel were unfaithful, He reserves no wrath or ill-will towards them. Rather, He loves them unconditionally. When we turn to, and accept, His love, so many possibilities open up to us. Through God’s love we “blossom like the vine.” In the Gospel, then, Jesus imparts on us the “Golden Rule:” Love God with everything you have—body, mind, and soul. This is a pretty daunting task. It might seem challenging to love God in such an all-encompassing, full way. Perhaps we can start by devoting small parts of our day to spend with God—whether that is taking a ten minute walk to be with Him in silence or going to daily Mass, spending time with God on a regular basis can be the first step in learning to love Him as passionately as we are called. “You (point at the person to your left) shall love the Lord your God (clap clap) with all your heart (point to your heart), your soul (smile), your mind (point to your head), and your strength (flex your arm). And you (clap clap) shall love your neighbor (put your arms around the people next to you) as yourself (hug yourself)”.

Allison Nickrent WashU Class of 2017

Abstain from Meat

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016

Hosea 6: 1-6 Psalm 51: 3-4, 18-21 Luke 18: 9-14

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Oh, how tempting it is to declare ourselves, either in action or words, morally superior to those around us. With murderers out there, it’s so easy to look at our lives and tell ourselves that, all things considered, we’re pretty moral people. With this inflated self-image, there may seem to be no need to take a serious look at our own lives and how we interact with those around us. However, in today’s Gospel, God tells us that, not only should we constantly be looking for self-improvement, we should also treat these “morally inferior” as equals. Think about what this means. When others spew hatred, do we grow to hate those people? Or do we hold out hope for them, praying that they find peace in their hearts? It’s pretty easy to love those who are doing most everything right, but it is just as important, perhaps even more so, to love those who are doing major wrong. As stated in the gospel, the sinner who humbles him/herself will be exalted. But how can we expect a sinner to humble themselves if we, too, have given up hope in them? Too much energy is wasted in trying to figure out who we are better than on a moral level. Instead, we should focus on how we can better ourselves and what we can do to help those around us, however dire their situations may seem, to also better themselves.

Andrew Wellen WashU Class of 2018

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Ah, the story of the Prodigal Son. I can remember many years ago hearing the story of the Prodigal Son for the first time (or rather, the first time I could actually make any sense of it). I was about eight years old at the time, and I remember being unable to comprehend why the father in the story didn’t punish his son. It didn’t make any sense to me; the younger son did the wrong thing, and the older son did the right thing. But the younger son got all the praise?

The problem was I was attempting to understand the parable in terms that I knew; my own family. I’m the older of two brothers, and whenever my younger brother disobeyed my father, there was never any celebration or rejoicing…quite the opposite. So when the Prodigal Son returned after throwing his inheritance away, I never understood why the father would be so happy to see his son return.

I then came to realize that the father in the parable is no ordinary father, but is God the Father. Incredibly, if we are willing to apologize for our sins and acknowledge our faults, God will ALWAYS forgive us. It’s an idea so radical that my young self couldn’t even comprehend it, and to a large part I still can’t. I challenge you to feel God’s forgiveness and go to Reconciliation this lent. I promise, it will be worth it.

John MacKay WashU Class of 2017

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Joshua 5: 9A, 10-12 Psalm 34: 2-7 Second Corinthians 5: 17-21 Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

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Something that I always thought was a mystery was faith. Literally it means belief. But today’s Gospel passage and others have really pressed upon the idea that faith is so much more than that. Faith heals. This belief in Jesus and in his power heals. For me, Jesus’ call to faith is very difficult because what he asks for me to trust him with is my future. The royal official asks Jesus to heal his child by offering this uncertain future to Jesus and say, “Jesus, I believe that you can make my child live.” To be honest, to even try to begin to understand that level of faith, telling Him, “Jesus, my next step is so uncertain. I am so worried about my exam, my health, my future, but I offer it to you to do as You will.” Wow. In this society where I am told that I am the master of my fate, that my studying at such a prestigious school, my studying of psychology, my hard work, my poor choices, my sins, my failures all have future consequences. We are responsible for our actions and to think otherwise is to be irresponsible and immature. To me, Jesus is asking me to let go. Let go of my own ownership of rewards and consequences. Let Him take care of the future. Have faith in Him. Not easy is it. But I believe, no, I have faith that when we can let go and step aside, God will work wonders.

Vincent Truong WashU Class of 2016

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016 Isaiah 65: 17-21 Psalm 30: 2, 4-6, 11-12A, 13B John 4: 43-54

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12 Psalm 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 John 5: 1-16

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The theme of water ripples through today’s readings. Ezekiel is directed by an angel to wade through water flowing from a temple. Ezekiel initially wades easily in ankle deep water. But he’s challenged as the angel releases more water until Ezekiel must swim to cross.

In the fourth week of Lent, we may be struggling to cross our own rivers. Whether that’s giving up sweets or sacrificing 10 minutes of “snooze time” to say a prayer each morning, we are no longer wading effortlessly through an ankle deep stream. We are reminded today that following Christ is a challenge, yet a challenge that yields abundance. Though the high river is difficult to cross, it waters trees, makes things fresh, and carries fish. May our lives be similarly fruitful after passing through the currents of Lent. The psalm reminds us that God is our stronghold. Relying on Him, we can swim through the life-giving, glorifying river.

The Gospel introduces water not as the ultimate cure for the sick man. When asked by Jesus, “Do you want to be well?” the sick man makes excuses. How often do we also make excuses? What prevents us from plunging into the pool? Maybe we think we’re already good enough, that we don’t have time, or fear being disliked. But we enter the temple of the Lord, from which the water flows, by pursuing Him despite the difficult rivers to cross. Obedience is the sick man’s decisive cure. There are 2 weeks left of Lent, may we put down our excuses, take up our mats, and swim.

Elizabeth Lent Brown School of Social Work Class of 2017

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Today marks four weeks after Ash Wednesday; that’s one whole month of Lent already. It is Today’s readings are a source of comfort and reassurance. They remind us that we do need to rely on the Lord, but in turn He will never forget us.

It is very easy to get caught up in our own ambition and determination when we set a goal we’d like to achieve, have a project to complete and even when we consider the Lenten resolutions that we have committed to keeping. In today’s readings, I am reminded that all that I have accomplished and will ever accomplish is all through the grace and will of God. Even Jesus himself says, “the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing.” If the Son of God says he can’t do anything on his own, then surely I can’t either!

Luckily this is not meant to be a frightening fact, but rather a comfort. The Lord is always with us to help and guide where we most need it. The Psalm reminds us that “the Lord is gracious and merciful,” and in the first reading we are told that the Lord will never forget us. In this somber season of Lent, it’s important to remember, God is always there.

Regina Verhelst WashU Class of 2016

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 Isaiah 49: 8-15 Psalms 145: 8-9, 13CD-14, 17-18 John 5: 17-30

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Today’s first reading begins with a conversation between Moses and God about the Israelites worship of the golden calf. God wishes to let his “wrath blaze against them to consume them” due to their misplaced faith. Moses reminds God of his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and Moses returns bringing the Ten Commandments, so the Israelites have rules for how to follow God.

In the Gospel, faith is once again misplaced. The people believe the scriptures and John, which both proclaim Jesus’s coming, but when Jesus stands in front of them in the flesh proclaiming his own coming nobody believes that he is the son of God. In both passages, the people have gotten so caught up in what they believe they should do that they lose sight of God’s plan for them. In our culture of busyness, it’s similarly easy to lose sight of what should be our focus: loving God and trying to live in his image. Instead of each day being about accomplishing everything on our checklist, maybe some days we can stop and think about where we can better allow God to take part in our lives. Maybe it’s one less hour surfing Facebook that’s spent instead at Mass and Soup, or maybe it’s stopping and giving a granola bar and a smile to the homeless person sitting on the street corner. These tasks don’t require more time out of our days. Instead, they require a redistribution of our resources to better serve God.

Maria Ahern WashU Class of 2017

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 Exodus 32: 7-14 Psalm 106: 19-23 John 5: 31-47

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Towards the end of 2015, a solar farm project was planned for Woodland Town, North Carolina to serve as a new source of much-needed renewable energy for the surrounding areas. We’re talking fields upon fields of solar panels that would be laid out for several acres. Which I think would have done marvels for the vicinity. Shortly afterwards, however, the project was shutdown and discontinued. The town council had voted that the solar farm would soak up all the energy from the sun, which would hinder photosynthesis and prevent plants in the area from growing. In addition, they feared that the solar panels could cause cancer. Of course, this is scientifically erroneous logic. The panels are harmless and only absorb the light that falls directly onto them, like passive receptors. The sun’s energy is not something that can be “stolen” from surrounding areas and affect plants. To me this story highlights the significant impact fear and ignorance can have on people’s actions, specifically of the unknown, the new, the misunderstood, and the different. We can see this pattern repeated throughout history: Pharisees fearing the goodness of Jesus, persecution of the Jews, rejecting the heliocentric theory, segregation of races. Why? Why is the initial reaction in so many cases to shutdown, to blind, to cut off? I find an inspirational answer for myself in a quote by Marianne Williamson, a peace activist, who says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” Yes! Maybe we fear what we don’t know because there may be change to something better, and we’re not sure how to handle better. Maybe we fear the uncertainty that comes with embracing a new success. Maybe we fear our own limitless potential, because in that is something so uncontrolled and unbound. Perhaps there is something intimidating about ideas like unconditional love, equality, discovery, and improvement because they are so powerful. And I think it’s intimidating to me to think that I am the best at being me, only I can do what I can do, and nobody can do what’s uniquely me better than I can. That’s powerful. Maybe that’s what makes it difficult to accept difference and potential elsewhere, because I haven’t yet accepted it in myself. Maybe once we acknowledge that we are the powerful manifestation of God’s potential on earth, through our gifts, talents, and characters, and don’t shrink from our own greatness, we can support and be open to that power in others, fearlessly.

George Rizk WashU Class of 2015

Abstain from Meat

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 Wisdom 2: 1A, 12-22 Psalm 34: 17-21, 23 John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

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Today’s readings reminds us of one of the major themes in the bible: If you trust and believe in the Lord, he will take care of you. Always. “For to you I have entrusted my cause!” These are the words of someone who has given their entire selves to the Lord. To commit my life to the Lord with that much certainty seems difficult at times, but then I consider those who I already trusted with unwavering certitude. My family, my friends, my classmates, strangers, and even machines! Although these are all great people (and things), they aren’t as reliable as God. I believe that the sun will rise tomorrow to beckon in a new day. I believe that the traffic lights will operate in such a manner that won’t put anyone on the road in danger. I believe that my friends and family truly mean it when they say that they love me. If I can do that, how could I not trust in a Lord whose power and love for me are beyond anything I could ever imagine?

Some Quick Questions to ponder:

Who do you trust?

When was the last time you’ve been let down by a friend, family member, or someone else you had trusted?

When no one is around to comfort you, what do you do?

Chimezie Ileje WashU Class of 2018

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016 Jeremiah 11: 18-20 Psalm 7: 2-3, 9-12 John 7: 40-53

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Our track coach always says that the best people to be around are those that have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. He loves to talk to us about Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker born with phocomelia, meaning he has no limbs. The common theme in what Nick talks about is having a sense of gratitude and rejoicing in all the gifts that you have and all that you are able to do. This message was what immediately came to mind when I first looked at the readings for today. In the first reading and the psalm, we are reminded of all the gifts that God has given us and everything that He has done for us. In the second reading, we hear about how no matter how much we may lose in our lives, we have gained, and continue to gain, so much just by being followers of Christ. The gospel reminds us that instead of focusing on the sins of others and wishing for them to be punished, we should be grateful for the forgiveness of God and share it with others. I think that as students and adults with busy lives and dozens of obligations pulling us in a thousand directions, it can be so easy to lose sight of how lucky we are to have so many wonderful people and blessings in our life. The readings today remind us that we need to constantly look at our lives and see all that God has done for us, and thank Him for it.

Tori Cooke WashU Class of 2016

SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Isaiah 43: 16-21 Psalm 126: 1-6 Philippians 3: 8-14 John 8: 1-11

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Silence filled the dark, cool chapel. It was 7:30 AM on a Monday. On any normal Monday, it would be empty, yet at that moment the small chapel overflowed. Nobody spoke. There were no words that could capture the gravity of the situation. The campus minister rose to the podium and stammered, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”

This brief account from my high school 4 years ago is what immediately comes to me when I hear Psalm 23. That day, our beloved friend and classmate, Theresa, had taken a turn for the worse after battling cancer for two years. This image sticks as a knife in my memory, and yet, I could not help but smile when I realized that it was the Psalm for today.

That day, we wept for our sister in Christ, terrified at the thought of what would happen to her. Rather than be consumed by the darkness of fear, Theresa walked through the valley of death seeing the light of Christ on the other side, and reflected that light with the way she lived her life. That is why I smile at this Psalm. We are often so overcome with the anxieties that fill everyday life that we don’t see the goodness that saturates the world. We become like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, estranged to God and engulfed by darkness. We refuse to be immersed by God’s love and often indulge in self-pity. Today, in honor of someone who to you is a “living example of faith”, I challenge you to think about how you can reflect Christ’s light to others every day.

Brody Roush WashU Class of 2017

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016 Daniel 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 Psalm 23: 1-6 John 8: 12-20

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In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, the people area wearied by their long march and are discontent with God and do not trust him. They complain directly to God and to Moses regarding the conditions under which they are living. He has freed them from Egypt, and yet all they do is complain. In response to this impatience, God punishes them. Experiencing death and pain, they cry to Moses that they have sinned against God and feel regret now that they have seen the power of God. God’s response is to require Moses to make an object In order to relieve themselves of the pain of being bitten by the serpents, they only needed to look upon the staff that Moses has made, showing their reverence to God and praise Him as the Lord who healed them from their pain and suffering, pointing to the healing ability of God to defeat sin and death.

In the reading of the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of leaving to the people. He begins to explore different elements of what it is to be, and how each individual’s reality relates to that of others. He explains that he is a human being in likeness to those of the world, but he has some other complexities to him. He ends by saying that they must believe in him for who he is, including that higher being as the Son of God. They must have faith in God to truly be with Him.

Erin DeNardo WashU Class of 2017

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016 Numbers 21: 4-9 Psalm 102: 2-3, 16-18, 19-21 John 8: 21-30

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When I read today’s gospel, I immediately put myself in the position of the Jews. They thought they were living good, truthful lives and were set right in the eyes of God because they were descendants of Abraham. However, Jesus made it clear that simply being a descendant of Abraham does not automatically mean that they were living honest lives.They need to leave room and be open to letting Jesus work in their lives. We Catholics often can fall into the same trap as the Jews and think just because we are Catholic and go to mass every Sunday, we are living the life God wants us to. Our faith life can be much fuller and richer than this though! Jesus makes it clear in this passage that the “truth” is not something that was available only to Abraham and the prophets, or to the priest giving the homily on Sunday. The truth is something that is available to each and every person who follows Jesus! How wonderful is that? So today I challenge you to reflect on a truth or value you hold dear in your heart. Pray about it and ask yourself, is this value something Jesus has or would teach me? Is this value allowing God to work in my life? If so, how? Once we can figure out for ourselves what we believe, our spiritual lives can flourish because we will be set free, just as Jesus promises.

Philip Masini WashU Class of 2018

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 Daniel 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95 Daniel 3: 52-56 John 8: 31-42

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Our names have power. Some studies suggest that we prefer careers, people and places whose names are similar to our own. The Catholic tradition has long recognized the unconscious influence that names can have over our lives. The practice of naming children after saints is one expression of this belief, and represents a binding of our lives to the lives of those who witness God’s salvific action in history. Today is the feast of St. Patrick, my namesake. Although known for Irish-themed parades and parties, his feast day is also a good time to reflect on the power of names. A beautiful prayer attributed to St. Patrick, known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate, begins “I bind to myself today/ the strong Name of the Trinity/ by invocation of the same/ the Three in One and One in Three.” Calling on the Name of the triune God and binding himself to it, St. Patrick is caught up in the continuously unfolding love between the three persons of the Trinity. This love is the eternal life that Jesus refers to in the Gospel reading today. Jesus teaches us that we are able to participate in the eternal life of God because God bound Himself to us first. He points back to the covenant that God forms with Abraham in today’s first reading. Notice how God places the burden of keeping the covenant on Himself, promising Abraham heirs and land in return for simply keeping the covenant! God binding Himself to humanity through the covenant with Abraham is a foreshadowing of the Incarnation, which is why Jesus is able to say that Abraham “rejoiced to see my day.” Jesus then shocks His audience by claiming the name “I AM” as His own, using the power of that name to demonstrate His unity with the Father. As St. Patrick recognizes, this very radical act of naming is an invitation for us to contemplate and enter into the life and love of the Trinity.

Patrick Cruitt WashU Graduate School of Psychology, PhD Candidate

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016 THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK Genesis 17: 3-9 Psalm 105: 4-9 John 8: 51-59

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As one of the final days of Lent, readings for March 18th speaks of faith. Most of the passage speaks of faith that believing in the Lord will save them from atrocities. However, the line, “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them” speaks of the faith that the Lord will eventually punish the evil-doers with justice. Sometimes after long duration of harassments and hope is slipping away fast, we tend to wish for misfortune to be struck on the enemy.

When I came to United States eleven years ago and couldn’t speak a word of English in a state that did not have diverse races, I began to develop anger and frustration at my powerlessness and the unfairness of society. Children constantly harassed me due to my failure to speak English like they could, failure to dress like they did, and failure to like what they liked. As I thought I couldn’t do anything to change the situation, I prayed to the Lord: to make myself be likeable in this new environment. After a while and with no progress, the innocent prayers turned grim and I prayed for those who make fun of me to be punished.

In the end, no punishment came but my original prayer was answered. “For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked,” I was able to live rest my elementary days without malice and depression. That wicked thing was not the elementary kids who bullied me nor adults who ignored me due to my poor English but it was my desire to get revenge to these people.

Shung Chai WashU Class of 2017

Abstain from Meat

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016 Jeremiah 20: 10-13 Psalm 18: 2-7 John 10: 31-42

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Out of today’s readings, there is one line that stuck out to me above all the rest. In the second reading, the letter from St. Paul to the Romans, he speaks of the covenant made between God and Abraham…and he claims that it all comes down to the righteousness and faith of Abraham. For:

He believed, hoping against hope.

I have learned that one of the hardest things to do in life is this, to believe beyond all the odds and allow hope to live in your heart, especially when life is difficult. But I have also learned that God honors our belief, our hope. He honors it above all else. When we refuse to let our fear consume us, but rather allow God to transform it into strength, He will. Always.

This is a lesson that St. Joseph taught us. He had no reason to stand by Mary and Jesus, but he did. He must have been terrified, being forced to run from his home for a child who wasn’t his, but he did. And God honored him for it. So today, I ask you to look inside yourself and take even the smallest glimmer of fear in your heart, and give it to God, even if it’s just for a moment. And then, please reach out to a man in your life who has helped shape you, and say thank you. These two small acts will help you to honor the covenant that God has made with you.

Allison Zastrow WashU Class of 2016

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016 THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH Second Samuel 7: 4-5A, 12-14A, 16 Psalm 89: 2-5, 27, 29 Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24A

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The imagery involved in Palm Sunday is so vivid. Between the procession to the parishioner participation in the reading of Jesus’ Passion to the abundant palms themselves. This pageantry and familiar reading definitely help my ability to reflect on the reading and how this Gospel plays into my own life. One of the things that strikes me during these readings is the way in which Jesus is betrayed and victimized by so many people: by Judas, Peter, and the crowd who encourages Pontius Pilate to release Barabbas. Jesus is God made human, loved unconditionally and the source of love, betrayed by those he showed love. I love Jesus and I know Jesus loves me. I wonder how many times, I myself have betrayed Jesus or other people I love. I know there are times I turn my back on Jesus, and hopefully I become conscious of these and repent in reconciliation. What about betrayal in less obvious ways? Particularly the times when I think I’m doing the right thing. Maybe studying for hours, or closing myself off when I’m upset, or avoiding the truth with a white lie to protect someone I love or protect myself seems like the right thing, but ultimately am I growing closer to Jesus in these actions or am I betraying him? It is easy for me to despair in my shortcomings, but in Jesus we have hope. When we all betray Jesus, both in the reading of the Passion and in real life, he always offers us mercy, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Max Cormier WashU Class of 2017

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 PALM SUNDAY Procession: Luke 19: 28-40

Isaiah 50: 4-7 Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Philippians 2: 6-11 Luke 22: 14- 23: 56

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 Isaiah 42: 1-7 Psalm 27: 1-3, 13-14 John 12: 1-11

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Welcome to Holy Week! Our time in the desert is about to end. I pray that your time in the desert has born much spiritual fruit. This Monday of Holy Week the Church has given us a challenging reading as we prepare for the Easter Triduum. St. John brings us to the town of Bethany. The time of Jesus’ betrayal is near. We find in this story Mary Magdalene anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive oil. When Judas saw this, he was distressed that Mary wasted oil that cost 4300 days wages. Why was Judas troubled? The typical and obvious answer is that the oil could have been sold and given to the poor. Jesus tells his followers to give to the poor. In this passage, however, He gives a unique answer to Judas, “leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (JN 12:1-11) Judas is absorbed in what he would lose by anointing Jesus instead of what he would gain. When we are confronted with uncomfortable situations, we are sometimes worried about what we may lose. However, if we see Christ in the other people, we will be able to pour out ourselves to those in need. In this last week of Lent, challenge yourself to give all you can to those in need. It is by doing these things that we grow closer to God on our journey to Heaven.

David Willems CSC Intern-in-Service 2015-2016

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016 Isaiah 49: 1-6 Psalm 71: 1-4A, 5-6, 15, 17 John 13: 21-33, 36-38

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These two passages speak of the departure of Jesus from this Earth which helps us to reflect on how we change when we are no longer physically in someone’s presence. The line that sticks out to me the most is “Where I go you cannot come.” The disciples were accustomed to going with Jesus wherever he went. They were clearly confused by this prohibition of their presence. I think anyone would be. When you have that much loyalty to a person and spend that amount of time with them, the idea of separation becomes unfathomable. However, I believe that these readings highlight that we sometimes change our behaviors when we are no longer in someone’s presence. For example, Jesus loved Simon Peter, but told him that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. In addition, Judas betrayed Jesus when he was out of Jesus’ sight.

I have experienced these changes with the death of friends and family. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes such a dramatic event for us to reveal how we truly feel about someone, whether it be positive or negative. As we reflect on the departure of Jesus from Earth, we can reflect on the value of our time. These passages serve as a calling to treasure the time we have with each other. For me, the most common thing I forgot to say to someone before it was too late was thank you. Thank you for laughing with me. Thank you for caring about me. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Kristin Geczi WashU Class of 2018

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Isaiah 50:4-9A Psalm 69: 8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34 Matthew 26: 14-25

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It’s doubtful that anybody likes to write essays in high school (or perhaps, ever), but I was in the running for Valedictorian, and I wasn’t about to let a dinky paper stop me. I wanted this A. I had been slaving over an analysis of one of Chaucer’s works, even sending it off to some of my peers who had graciously agreed to proofread it. Feeling confident after sifting through dozens of critiques and comments, I turned it in to my teacher, only to receive an invitation to the principal’s office the next day. Someone had returned to me a modified version of my draft, and I didn’t notice it before submission. Someone sabotaged and framed me for plagiarism; someone was a Judas Iscariot.

We’ve been taught that it’s good to forgive others, but if you have ever been betrayed or wronged or deeply hurt in some way, you know that it’s easier said than done. It’s not to say that you can’t be angry: even the Son of Man in the Gospel today was angry at Judas. You may have lost much from being betrayed and have all the reasons to be angry, but here’s the kicker—What will you gain from staying angry?

The dark clouds of pain and anguish descended upon me shortly after my conviction, but come graduation, I ended up being the valedictorian. But this story isn’t about me. It’s about setting your “face like flint” and having faith and trust in God, your unflagging companion and protector. It’s about how the sun is always shining above the clouds; how God always brings justice and rewards the good; how everything will turn out for the best in the end.

Jonathan Vachon WashU Class of 2016

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TOMORROW’S CHRISM MASS: This Mass is celebrated once a year on the morning of Holy Thursday at the Cathedral in each diocese. During the Mass, the local bishop will bless the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism (only the bishop may do this blessing). We use the first for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. In recent years, this Mass has also acknowledged the ministry of priests. It invites them to renew their commitment of service and to receive the prayers and support of the people. The Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 10 am at the Cathedral Basilica on Holy Thursday here in St. Louis and all are welcome to attend this ancient tradition.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016 HOLY THURSDAY- 7 PM AT THE CSC Chrism Mass: Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Isaiah 61: 1-3A, 6A, 8B-9 Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14 Psalm 89: 21-22, 25, 27 Psalm 116: 12-13, 15-16BC, 17-18 Revelation 1: 5-8 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 Luke 4: 16-21 John 13: 1-15

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At times, it seems easy to become focused on the abstract nature of theology. Every week we celebrate a multi-syllabic word, transubstantiation, through the mass. But one of the things that Holy Thursday reminds us of is the very physical, human nature of Jesus and his ministry to us. Celebrating the feast of Passover with his disciples, Jesus breaks physical bread as a metaphorical representation of his own body. However, it is through this physical reality of having our hunger filled that we can understand the spiritual fullness that is offered through the Eucharist. It is through this physical quenching of thirst that we can grasp the relief of spirituality. Through this sacred meal with his friends, Jesus takes his sacrifice and translates it into experiences that we can identify with. Not only can we come to understand Jesus’ own ministry and sacrifice through the ordinary, physical world, but we can also understand our call to serve. The action of Jesus kneeling to wash his disciples’ feet was one that caused Peter to protest, aghast that his “master” and “teacher” would do a humble servant’s work. We are called to minister to one another, kneeling at the feet of those around us to serve. The human reactions of the disciples—shock and confusion—illustrate how people today might react, too. Our service should be revolutionary in its humility, its spirit, and its love! Understanding the human and physical way in which Jesus showed us how to love helps us connect with this human manifestation of God, willing to sacrifice all for our sake. Micaela Heery WashU Class of 2016

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together.”

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 GOOD FRIDAY- 7 PM AT THE CSC Isaiah 52: 13—53: 12 Psalm 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25 Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9 John 18: 1—19:42

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— Lila Watson, Australian Aboriginal Activists Group Once again, the Passion have come. Once again we remember how Jesus was first “spurned and avoided,” then was “tested in every way” by the high priests and ultimately was “obedient to the point of death.” Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God has chosen to bind our liberations together. Though the contemporaries of Jesus initially may not have recognized it, Jesus walked with us by bearing our infirmities and enduring our sufferings. We are similarly called to this walk, this process of binding up others’ liberation with our our own. Yet we often fail. We spurn and avoid those who are different from us in their religion, sexuality, ‘race,’ wealth, political ideology, or a thousand other ways. We, like Peter, often fail to remain faithful when we are afraid of the consequences. After this failure, we must continue to walk. We must ask for mercy and help. But only through continuing to walk together in communion will we draw closer to our own liberation. Whose liberation is bound up with your own? With whom do you walk? With whom have you failed to walk? Brian Wieliczka Ph.D. Candidate

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My favorite line of all the readings here is in the 4th Reading. "For a brief moment I abandoned you. But with great tenderness I will take you back." The first reading shows off God's first ever miracle for us, creating the Heavens and the Universe just for us. The second reading show off another one of God's miracles, saving Abraham's son from harm by providing the Lamb to be sacrificed. (There are many uncanny similarities to Christ here). The third reading's miracle was God destroying Pharaoh's armies that were hunting down Moses and the Jews. With his loving kindness, He protected the people who worshipped Him. God performs miracles. But it is at this moment that He is about to show off the most beautiful, joyful, and powerful miracle of human history. He is about to conquer death forever so we don't have to face it. When God created us, He told us that we would die if we ate of the Apple. And we did eat the Apple. And we continued to sin. Over.. And over.. And over again. And all of these readings prepare us for this miracle. The miracle of being redeemed. God knew that, without Him, we would perish. And He couldn't see that happen. So He sent His only Son to die so that we, His people, wouldn't have to. Josh Meister Webster University Class of 2017

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 HOLY SATURDAY- 7:30 PM AT THE CSC 1st Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a Responsorial: Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35c or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22 2nd Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 0-13, 15-18 Responsorial: Psalm 16:5, 8-11 3rd Reading: Exodus 14:15-15:1 Responsorial: Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18 4th Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14 Responsorial: Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-12, 13 5th Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11 Responsorial: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4-6 6th Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4 Responsorial: Psalm 19:8-11 7th Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28 Responsorial: Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 or Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19 Epistle: Romans 6:3-11 Responsorial: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Gospel: Luke 24: 1-12

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What is it about scarcity that allows it to hold such power over our lives? These past 40 days, we have simulated scarcity so as to make way for Christ to come into our hearts. But what about other scarcities that crop up in our lives, uninvited? Do we still choose to make way for Christ and recognize the abundance of God in the face of these shortages? Or to we defer that space to fear, doubt and worry?

Having recently started medical school, I find myself choosing the latter when I worry that I won’t have enough time to learn everything I need to know for an upcoming exam. What if I fail? What if it’s just too complicated for me to understand? What if everyone else is just so much smarter and the curve is high?

Deference to scarcity can also take the form of rationed joy, perceived lack of community and friends, and the fear of not being able to make ends meet. Will there be enough resources to provide for a family, or enough money to support oneself, or enough food to satisfy? What about being pretty enough, fit enough, smart enough, good enough for a spouse or partner? The list goes on.

Mary is faced with uninvited scarcity in today’s Gospel. She is so distraught when she notices Christ’s absence from the tomb, the place of death, that she fails to recognize his presence in the garden, the place of flourishing plants and life. Yet ultimately, through her choice to focus on the living, she is able to recognize Jesus and receive His blessings, and her life is forever changed.

“Why do you look for the Living among the Dead?” – Luke 24:5b

We have the ability to shift our awareness to the abundance of life and resources around us, no matter what deficiencies we perceive. This Easter season, let us choose to focus on the Living and experience God’s abundance and love, even in the face of uninvited scarcity. Happy Easter!

Jackie Kading WashU Class of 2013 WUSM Class of 2019

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016 EASTER SUNDAY- 9:30 & 11:30 AM AT GRAHAM CHAPEL

Acts 10: 34A, 37-43 Psalm 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3: 1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6B-8 John 20: 1-9

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He is Risen!

Back Cover Art by Ezekiel Saucedo ‘17

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