Lenten Devotional 2021

A Lenten Devotional for 2021 A collection of reflections on the Lectionary readings by members of The Academy of Saint Elizabeth

Dear Academy Family, Lent is my favorite liturgical season, a time in which I devote myself to becoming closer to the God from whom I have fallen away over the past twelve months, a time of self-reflection and self-abnegation. But in these days of pandemic, when life has gotten so much harder for all of us, we might ask how much more we can take, and I am reminded of something that has guided me throughout my spiritual journey even when—correction: especially when—times have gotten tough, and it is a principle I learned in, of all things, an improvisational theater class, and that is the mantra of “Yes, and.” In improv, the idea is, no matter the conceit your scene partner has created, you must accept its reality and further it. I feel as though that encapsulates what my relationship to God ought to be, and in our toughest trials, it is especially important to open ourselves to “Yes, and.” “Yes, and” has kept me going through many struggles I’ve encountered in life; it will keep us going in these times.

Subscribe to our reality as part of God’s ways (beyond our understanding; cf. Job 11:7ff.*), not ours. I leave you with the words of the Blessed Charles de Foucauld, whose biography was one of the first things to lead me truly to God and almost to the priesthood (but that is a story for another time): God, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.

I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it to you With all the love of my heart, For I love you, Lord, And so need to give myself, To surrender myself into your hands, Without reserve, And with boundless confidence, For you are my God.

As the Romans used to say, C ​ urate ut valeatis​, take care so that you may be well,

Noah J. Stanzione, Editor

*All translations are taken from the Lectionary for Mass, based on the New American Bible (NAB), except for the Ten Commandments, which are taken from the Catechism.

February 17: Ash Wednesday Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

As we begin the Holy season of Lent, we are reminded that this is the time of year where we can renew ourselves in our Faith and our relationship with the Lord. It is the season of repentance and the time for us to contemplate what the Lord did for us when He sacrificed His only Son on the cross to save us all. For many of us, it is the time to “give up” something that holds meaning for us so as to perform a personal sacrifice as Christ did for us, with the goal to grow closer in our relationship with Him. This originates in the need to emulate Jesus’ sacrifice in the desert when he fasted for forty days.

However, we can also use this time of repentance to add something to our daily routine that will strengthen our relationship with God, whether it is performing good deeds or changing the way we pray to God. Are we blocking out all of the noise that interferes with our ability to be close to Him? It is important to point out that in today’s Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus reminds His disciples that we each have a personal relationship with God, so there is no need to share our sacrifice or advertise it to others for recognition, as our reward will come from God Himself. In these days of social media, it seems like everything we do needs to be documented for others to see. We are led to believe that this is the way we should all live our lives, if we take our cue from “influential” people—and I know it feels good when we see those “likes” on our posts. However, are we doing good deeds for the acknowledgement or because we truly care for others? This makes the difference. I know it may seem confusing because we hear so many contradictory messages. When we are feeling confused, it is important to look to the Gospel and use Jesus as our example of how to live a righteous life. During this season of Lent, may we work toward strengthening our faith and being mindful of God’s promise of the reward that will be ours as we grow closer in our relationship with Him.

Beth-Ellen Walsh Director of School and College Counseling

February 18 Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25 Then Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

At first glance, the readings from today seem, in a word, daunting. In Deuteronomy, the reader is promised that having a lack of faith spells certain death. Similarly, in Luke, Jesus tells any potential followers that they must “lose [their] life” in order to truly follow him. The bluntness in these passages perhaps make them seem frightening. However, the straightforwardness of these readings is not meant as a scare tactic, but rather to communicate the simplicity of the steps to becoming a faithful person.

The truth of the modern era is that things are constantly being asked of us. As beautiful and wonderful as this era of connection is, it is nearly impossible to have a single moment entirely alone.

Through social media, we are constantly called to compare ourselves to others, to open ourselves up for others’ dissections and opinions. In the readings from today, God calls us to rise above this. When Jesus calls for his followers to lose their lives in Luke, he is not talking about death. The life Jesus is calling his followers to abandon is the life in a material world where people lose sight of their own hearts and their own faith in the struggle to fit in. Jesus is calling his followers to leave behind the endless, exhausting complexities that make up the human experience. By losing this life we know we are gaining; we come to Christ by shedding the muddle of everyday life.

The important message in these readings is that we are not called to change who we are in order to be faithful people. We are given the simplest choice of all: life and death. Choosing death entails turning away from God, getting dragged down by the complications of everyday life. Choosing life is simply giving it up for and to God. The choice is not difficult at all; the only challenge is the ability to follow through.

Gina Petruzziello Grade 12

February 19 Is 58:1-9a; Mt 9:14-15 They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. “Why do we fast, and you do not see it? Afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?” Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. . . .

Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the L​ORD​? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke.

Lent, as many of us know, is a time of fasting. Everyone has their own idea of what fasting entails, but oftentimes people associate fasting with reflection. Fasting allows one to fully appreciate and reflect on the things they take for granted. As described in today’s reading from Isaiah, we as humans may have one idea of what fasting is, but God has ​His idea of what it should be. Isaiah takes the time to depict one whose fasting “ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw.”

Oftentimes people find fasting to be an inconvenience and thus focus on the negatives of fasting.

They may complain of hunger or missing the food item or activity they may have given up for Lent.

However, this is not the reason why we as Catholics should participate in fasting during the season of Lent. As Isaiah’s writing goes on, he describes the real reason why we should participate in fasting during Lent: the fast he claims that the Lord wishes us to partake in involves such things as “releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke” and “sharing your bread with the hungry.”

One can infer from this reading that, when fasting, one should focus on not only what he or she has taken for granted but also on helping those in need. After all, Lent is a time in which we Catholics are gearing up for Easter and the freedom it brings us. Isaiah goes on to further explain the outcome of following God’s plan of fasting when he writes, “Then you shall call, and the L​ORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: ‘Here I am!’” By helping those in need, we are following in Jesus’ footsteps and then are able to fully understand that no matter what, He hears our calls and will answer us in ​our times of need. In order to grasp the idea that Jesus is always with us, we need to see past our own wants and needs and focus on the needs of others and how we can help them. This is the true meaning of Lent and the message that Isaiah conveys through today’s reading.

Sarah Marsh Grade 12

February 20 Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32 The Pharisees complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

On our cover is the painting “The Calling of St. Matthew” by the acclaimed Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. In Caravaggio’s painting, attention is drawn to Jesus, who stands at the right of the frame, as well as seemingly to an otherwise unremarkable figure seated at the lower left. I say “seemingly” because while Jesus’ hand calls a figure to the left of the frame with a gesture clearly paying homage to Michelangelo’s painting of Adam’s hand extending to God (Christ is the “new Adam”), scholars debate which of two figures on the left is Matthew; more scholars tend to see Matthew as a long-bearded figure pointing perhaps to himself, definitely in confusion. The reason he is the “preferred” Matthew is because the light that emanates like a spotlight from over Jesus (perhaps coming from heaven?) lands on him. But I prefer to view as Matthew the other possibility, the man to the pointing and hirsute man’s right (so our further left), clearly younger, head bowed, deeply invested in counting his coins. In part, my problem is with the direction of the other tax collector’s pointing: it seems to be straight across himself to his right (our left) rather than inward to himself. For another, I think seeing Matthew as the figure more invested in his counting (or, I think, more ashamed of his calling) ironic.

The pointing man is bearded, and beards tend to symbolize wisdom. Furthermore, the light shining on him gives him some dignity, as if he were of higher repute, more expected to be called. Caravaggio was famous (and controversial) for his troubled, violent life, but also for the normalcy he gave to religious figures: they are subtly haloed if at all, and often appear hyperrealistic: a painting of Peter’s crucifixion shows a frightened old man, in as much horror as pain at his impending death, with his executors struggling to pull his cross into position; a painting of Matthew “writing” his Gospel shows him as senile and half-blind, with “inspiration” being an angel physically guiding his hand (and by implication thought). But to me, this only increases the power of these images: Christ does not call the perfect, but Christ calls ​us​, sometimes deeply flawed and fearful and half-blind to the word of God but ultimately (we hope and pray) faithful. Peter still dies for his faith; Matthew still brings God’s inspired word to us; Caravaggio still makes wondrous art.

My favorite biblical film is an Italian picture called simply ​The Gospel According to Matthew​. It uses the words of the Gospel, but it is visually stark, in black and white, with peasant characters, and a physically unremarkable Jesus with close-cropped dark hair. As such, it makes us focus on Matthew’s words and message: that though the moral teachings of Jesus are difficult—I struggle mightily to live like Christ—we all have an invitation to share in Christ’s glory. Erich Auerbach makes a compelling point in his book ​Mimesis that the Gospels were radical as literature for portraying common people as worthy of their own stories, and not, as they often had been, as objects of ridicule. Jesus associated with sinners, and deliberately. In my own eyes I often feel like a tax collector, like the one beating his breast in the corner of the temple in Luke, like I’ve hoodwinked my way to being perceived by those who look up to me as good. And imperfect are we. But, like Matthew, Jesus still wants us if we’re willing to follow. As goes the line in T ​ he Fantasticks​, “Then follow.”

Noah Stanzione World Language/Religion

February 21: First Sunday of Lent Gn 9:8-15; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

In the Book of Genesis, God gives his promise to Noah in Chapter 9, but he also asks that Noah keep covenant with God and that he remembers what led to the Great Flood. God sends down the flood to cleanse the Earth, but he also knows that he needs to reward those who follow his teachings and love their fellow man.

God gives his promise to Noah that he will never again send a flood, but this is done with the implication that Noah, and his sons, and his sons’ sons, also keep their side of the promise.

The promise that God extracts from Noah, and therefore his descendants, is that there will be no harming of another man and that people can live in peace. God asks Noah to remember that all human beings are made in His image. To shed the blood of one man is to shed your own blood; he promises Noah that there will no longer be a Divine punishment like the Flood as long as these promises are kept. However, throughout history, these promises were not kept. Brother slew brother, neighbor fought neighbor, and children went against their parents. The only way to move forward is to remember the promise of a better future, which is why the reading this first Sunday of Lent is so relevant to our world in 2021.

God asks Noah to make a covenant with Him. In 2021 we can ask our neighbors, our families, our friends, and even strangers to also make a covenant with our communities. Protect those who are vulnerable: wear a mask, get vaccinated, stay home when sick. Beyond the coronavirus, there are other covenants that we make each day. We promise to speak out against injustice and inequality. We promise to defend our friends and strangers when we see that they are being harmed by words or by actions. We promise to work to ensure a better environment, both on the Earth and in our homes, by caring for the world we live in. We promise to protect the animals, plants, and land we rely on to keep us safe and cared for. We promise to acknowledge our privilege and our ability to speak for those who may feel they cannot. We promise to work to improve the future for ourselves, our children, our students, our friends, and our families.

God promises Noah that He will forever protect all mortal beings. He promises Noah that He will remember His covenant and will not send another flood to harm the Earth. God reminds Noah and his sons that all men are made in His image; by looking into the eyes of another human, you are acknowledging that they are a part of God and they deserve God’s love. God reminds Noah of His love, but he also reminds Noah to ​give love. This is what is important as we enter the season of Lent and prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus. God sent his Son to us to save us; Jesus gave His life for us so that we may be better tomorrow than we are today.

As we prepared for 2021, many people were ready to forget the tumultuous year that was 2020.

However, it is essential that we do not forget the year, but rather learn from it, like Noah, so that we can prepare ourselves for the future and work toward a better future. God has made His covenant with us; let us make a covenant with God; we shall strive to remember the promises we make each day, to work toward a better tomorrow, and to always be better and walk forward with love. Although 2021 has already begun, we can use this season of Lent to allow ourselves to move toward the time of fulfillment and remember the promises we have made.

Carlin Heinle English

February 22: Feast of the Chair of St. Peter 1 Pt 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19

In both of today’s readings, God promises that there will be a new leader. To the Presbyters, this leader would be a chief Shepherd, and to the region of Caesarea Philippi, the leader would be someone who was very close to Jesus, Peter. Jesus wanted Peter to be the foundation of his church.

Jesus states, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Because Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends, Jesus trusted him to continue his work of building and strengthening the church. Peter was the first pope, the bodily source of power and guidance. Jesus knew Peter would be a satisfactory leader of his faith and would not become fearful. Peter had so much respect for Jesus that he was more than willing to continue to spread his message.

Lent is a time to reflect on all that Jesus has done for us. He suffered and died on the cross to save all from sin. 1 Peter states, “Beloved: ​I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed​.” Because of Christ’s suffering, we are all able to share and witness the glory of God. Christ died on the cross because he loves us and wants to help us reach our ultimate happiness in life. All the time, especially during Lent, we need to love God and Jesus above all else. Jesus asks us to have a strong faith like how Peter did:

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”

Peter knew it was Jesus who had come to him; he did not need any proof. The Lord God instilled in him the belief that Jesus was the Son of the living God and that he was standing before him. This is the kind of faith we all need to have in Jesus. We should not need proof that God and Jesus are always with us, but rather realize they love us so much that they are always watching over us.

Like Peter, it is our job to carry out the message Jesus taught so long ago and continues to instill in us today. We need to continue to have faith in Jesus, not only because we want to, but because he has faith in us. He would not have died on the cross to save us from sin if he did not believe in each and every one of us. Therefore, this Lent, we should all take time to reflect on how to strengthen our faith and our relationship with Jesus and God so we can recognize the love they have for us.

Katie Dusko Grade 10

February 23 Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15 Thus says the L​ORD​: “Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”

This passage offers a beautiful and simple message of God’s enduring presence and His unconditional love. The rain and snow fall to the Earth to nourish and make the ground fertile for the abundant harvest. So too, God’s will descends upon the land and envelops all that it encounters. This passage can only be seen as a great comfort to God’s people who too often struggle with everything from the mundane tasks of the day-to-day to the longer-term burdens and worries of an uncertain and ever-changing world. In a time of great adversity, when our struggles can seem insurmountable, how reassuring it truly is to know that God is with us in all that we do!

To take this reflection to another level, God’s creatures can complete their own virtuous circle by ensuring that everything that emanates from them serves as noble a purpose. In this Lenten season, let us reorient our words and our actions to have the purposeful intent of the rain and the snow. Let us too shower our fellow man with kind words and good deeds. For like the rain and the snow in the passage, our kindness can lead to green shoots all their own.

Maggie Macchiarola Grade 11

February 24 Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32 This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.

Through the despair and tragedy that we are faced with on a daily basis, do not worry nor fear; the resurrection of Jesus is coming to save us. That is what we will be given to save us from these dark and terrible times. Every day we are presented with new obstacles to face, and it seems that a lot of these obstacles are not easy to overcome. Between our own personal lives and current events, this generation is in a never-ending battle with evil. We are faced with daily difficulties and there is no sign as to when they will stop or get easier for us. We all look for signs, all the time, to find peace and beauty within our people, yet it seems as though we will never receive a sign. Rather, we will receive the sign of Jonah, the sign of Jonah meaning Jesus’ resurrection. That is what we ultimately must look and wait for, as that is what Jesus is promising us.

Along with that, we must remember that God is looking out for all of us in these tragic times.

He is here to forgive us and let us repent for our sins. He is here to save us, through reconciliation and resurrection. We may be flawed people living in a flawed time, but God is forgiving and watching out to make sure we get better and persevere. So please, do not fear. We will be saved by the Lord, through the sign of Jonah, and we will be forgiven for our wickedness. Have faith, and we will make it through life’s defeats and soon find triumph.

Jordan Pinkava Grade 12

February 25

Est 12:14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” I’m sure all of us can recall hearing these words, or even more often, “Remember the Golden Rule!” from the time that our greatest faithful responsibilities were sharing our toys on the playground and cleaning up after playtime.

However, as we get older, the complexity of the situations in our lives inevitably grows with us.

Suddenly, what seems to be such a simple instruction becomes much more hazy.

Today’s readings discuss not only the Golden Rule, but also the concept of calling out to God and asking for help. People often find it quite difficult to reach out for help in times of need and begin believing that appealing to another is overbearing, a sign of weakness, and a threat to their independence. However, from Esther’s beckoning to God to save thousands of people from a brutal massacre to the first lines of the Gospel reading being, “Ask and it will be given to you,” the readings of February 25 teach us that if you do take the initiative and reach out, God will deliver to you what you need. I have identified that the common theme between this concept and the Golden Rule is this: the energy that you put out into the world is the energy that will be reciprocated to you.

This idea is a beautiful blend between understanding that as a servant of God, we have the responsibility to follow certain principles and act with kindness, while also remembering that we can trust in God to lead us down the right path and grant us the tools we need to succeed as faithful followers. If there is one universal truth about life, especially in today’s climate, it is that nothing is simple. While the moral correctness of everyday choices is often clear to us, more influential situations become so nuanced that it can be difficult to determine what is the “right choice.” The obligations of sharing toys on the playground turn into obligations as a family member, citizen, and fully mature child of God. While thinking of these responsibilities can be overwhelming, all that these readings are asking us to do is try. ​Try to make the right decision, and ask God for help. It is impossible to never make a mistake; learning from mistakes is what makes us wonderfully human. However, as long as we are doing our best, God will recognize this and give us what we need. Of course, these readings remind us to strive to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. However, they also should provide us some comfort and solace, while reminding us that things are not always so simple. God not only understands this, but encourages us to reach out and ask for help. “Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” As we continue in our Lenten journey, we can focus today on thanking God for being a figure to whom we can appeal in times of need, and on striving to treat others in the way that God has shown us.

Kaitlyn Garrett Grade 12

February 26 Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26

Today’s Gospel reading shares the importance of reconciliation not only with God but with our neighbors too. Matthew 5:24 reminds us to prioritize peace, teaching us to strengthen a foundation of love with those around us before we pursue other worldly things. In this way, the Gospel preaches, “Go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Not only can we glean the strength of lasting peace from this verse, but I think it may also serve to say that we should not pursue anything, relationship, “gift,” or other endeavor, without a reconciled heart​—a​ motive that is rooted in love or good intentions for that or whom we are serving.

This message of reconciliation at the heart of our actions is further communicated in the following parable by reminding us of the Lord’s final judgment. In the parable, the judge is said to be, according to the NAB’s footnotes, a “warning of the fate of unrepentant sinners in the coming judgment by God.” In this way, we are reminded that what we reap in judgment will be a product of our own sowing, that being how we pursued and nourished relationships with others. The Gospel emphasizes that we are called to make amends with our brothers and sisters whom we have forsaken in saying that if you “recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar.” This illustrates repentance before heading to the altar, by abandoning our gift and seeking to replenish the gift of one another. Reflecting on past Lenten devotionals from my peers, and an additional biblical resource for better interpreting this reading, I learned that the relationships we have with each other are a reflection of our relationship with God as well. A special thank you to Kaitlyn Garrett, whose writing taught me that these relationships we nurture go beyond ourselves, extending to our own unique faith with God. In last year’s devotional, she shared her insight by offering “the importance of caring for our neighbors through urging inherently undivine humans to interact with other undivine humans as if we are directly communicating with God the Divine.” I think this contributes to today’s reading on reconciliation by explaining our relationship with God through the lens of those relationships which we have with each other​—r​ einforcing the blessings that they bring into our lives. In this way, we may recognize bonds which we have formed all around us as more than human relations, but ways in which we build each other and our faiths up together. In other words, I think today’s Gospel and my peer’s theological reflection inspire us to prioritize a loving foundation with each other, from which we are enabled to build up not only further human connections, but ultimately our own intimate connection with the Lord.

In summary, as we prepare for the next forty days and forty nights, I think God arms us with a call to peace, reinforcing His commandment to “love thy neighbor,” and yet clearly conveying the responsibility we have to work for peace amongst all members of our community. Moving forward, although we each may have chosen an item, a habit, or perhaps a food that we have surrendered temporarily, may this Gospel be an enduring supplement to our arsenal of faith tools as we embark on this journey, and may it help us to grow closer to each other and to God this Lenten season.

Carina Cooke Grade 12

February 27 Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48 The Old Testament passage Deuteronomy 26:16-19 for today speaks of following the commands of God, the creator of all nations. If we believe to be true that we walk in obedience to Him, it is our responsibility to follow His commands. One of the most important commands is to love one another and show grace to others as God has shown to us. God created many nations and we as His followers should offer grace to all.

Jesus addresses this in a portion of His Sermon on the Mount, the command to love one another. The passage in Matthew 5:43-48 speaks of love for all of God’s people, even those we might consider enemies:

You ha​ve heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” . . . For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

How relevant this New Testament passage is for us today! Because of today’s emotional climate, it is even more important to follow God’s command to love one another. It is easy to love those that are close to us or agree with us on matters social, spiritual, or political, but what about those who do not share our view? The Bible doesn’t teach to hate our enemy, and Jesus in His sermon doesn’t reference God’s command, but what current society was dictating. We understand that during Jesus’ time on earth there was a social climate of dislike and hatred for fellow beings. Today we hear people criticize those who hold opposing views or don’t fit what society considers current fashion or behavioral trends. To be caring and loving to all people does not dictate today’s behavior. Social media doesn’t lean toward caring or showing love for each other. It tends to be more of a platform to show how I’m right and you’re wrong in absolute terms and even sometimes includes shaming someone; how sad!

How does this fit with our belief to be a follower of obedience to God’s commands? It doesn’t, but we can buck the current trend by our actions to embrace compassion and offer grace to others. Start turning thoughts about others to be more hopeful. That fellow student you don’t get along with, the sibling that you think always gets his or her way, the rude customer or coworker at your job—how can you accept them as a beautiful creature of God’s design and show grace? They are all treasured possessions of God; if we keep that as our focus, hopefully we can find the grace to care about them. As a suggestion, start small. Try to put actions first, and hopefully a caring attitude will follow. Post a positive thought or a caring shout-out about someone each day, hold the door for someone, reach out to the person you see that is stressed (even if you don’t know them well), and ask if you can do anything for them. We should try to view each person we encounter with grace, even though we recognize the differences we may have.

In closing, we all know that the hardest thing is to love someone who has wronged you. Ask God for the strength to let go of your pain and anger. Pray for that person. In my experience, you may find peace within when you let go of the negative feeling blocking the way to showing an “enemy” grace.

Gail de Freitas Administrative Assistant for Student Services

February 28: Second Sunday of Lent Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Rom 8:31b-34; Mk 9:2-10 Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. [But the L​ORD​'s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”] As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.

The most difficult of today’s readings for me has always been the binding of Isaac. What does it mean? Is it really saying that whatever God says to be right is right because God says it? Doesn’t that have the effect of making God’s will and “rightness” itself arbitrary? And why does an Abraham who has successfully argued with God before to intercede for his son Ishmael, that he receive a blessing, or for the people of Sodom, that they be spared, maintain his silence here? Where is the role of Abraham’s independent conscience, the formation of which the Church heartily promotes? (Aquinas even would rather have been excommunicated than go against his conscience.) But then what if our conscience is ill-formed, and the command we’re given by God is in fact right? How do we know?

It appears the authors and continuers of the tradition of Genesis 22 themselves changed its message. Some scholars believe that the appearance of the angel (bracketed above) is an interpolation, added later. In this case, Abraham is looking for a way out, and God gives it to him by providing the ram. Abraham’s conscience is being tested. In the later version, Abraham’s faithfulness becomes the point of the test. But either way, I think we all feel deeply for Abraham’s pain and his confusion at God’s command, while grateful for God’s ultimate mercy.

As Christians, though, we have another way through the story: that the Holy Spirit is really predicting the sacrifice of Christ. God loves Abraham and so spares him the pain of having to sacrifice his son; God so loves us as to not however spare God. As Paul describes God today in Romans, it was “he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all.” The Greeks had a cognate story to Abraham and Isaac, Agamemnon and Iphigenia, but the Greek gods are not so merciful: Agamemnon is allowed to go through with the sacrifice they demand. There are several prominent variations of the myth, so discerning a consistent moral is difficult. One of its most famous incarnations, though, proves instructive for us. Pliny tells of a wonderful portrait painter named Timanthes, the best in Greece, who, when tasked with portraying Agamemnon at the sacrifice of his daughter, despite his talents did not feel he could render so a father’s pain, so he had Agamemnon hide his face in his hand.

Imagine how much more God’s pain in sacrificing Jesus for us. But also imagine God’s love.

Noah Stanzione

World Language/Religion

March 1 Dn 9:4b-10; Lk 6:36-38 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. . . . For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” is a nice-enough sentiment and, on the surface, it seems like something everyone can get behind. It’s only when we try to apply this proverb to our daily lives that we find it’s actually quite a tall order and, perhaps, not something we’re all particularly interested in doing.

The difficulty becomes clear to modern Americans if we put a few extra words onto Jesus’ lips, and I’m confident that he won’t mind me doing so. If we rephrase his statement as, “Be merciful [to Republicans],” or “Be merciful [to Democrats],” then suddenly everyone wants to add amendments to one of Christ’s most important commandments. Suddenly, “be merciful” is something that people can only accept with certain exceptions. And yet, this is precisely the opposite of what Jesus was saying in this verse. Some of the earlier verses read: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.” In other words, when Christ says, “Be merciful,” he is specifically commanding you to be merciful to people that you hate.

Next to COVID-19, political divisiveness was the defining characteristic of the past year.

Families, it seems, were thankful that Thanksgiving was cancelled so they didn’t wind up at each other’s throats over the election. Perhaps a hearty dose of Christian mercy is the remedy for times like these. Loving your enemies is probably something you haven’t thought to do in the past year; you were probably thinking about how much was at stake for you and for those you love in the past election and, as such, you thought Jesus’ command for mercy could be suspended as an emergency measure.

But I think that Jesus’ words in this passage can be viewed as prophetic in a sense. When he says, “Stop judging, and you will not be judged,” I take him to mean that when we judge others, they in turn pass the same judgments upon us. When you call someone across the political aisle stupid or ignorant or hateful or dishonest, you can be sure that same judgment is being cast right upon you. In this way, hatred is a self-feeding fire and, as we’ve seen in the past year, it can get out of hand rather easily. There is, however, a way to break the cycle. To quote Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

In other words, “Be merciful,” because it’s the only remedy for hatred.

Kevin Johnson Science

March 2 Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. . . . As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.”

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.”

These words from author C. S. Lewis speak to the heart of today’s Gospel reading. We find Jesus speaking, as he often does, to crowds of people and to his disciples. His lesson deals with a challenging topic as he highlights the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It can be difficult to acknowledge when those in charge are guilty of behaving in direct opposition to what they profess to believe and be.

Even today, we still see this in many leaders around the world as we struggle with increasing challenges to our perception of life and our ability to even get by on a day-to-day basis. For the hypocrites, they live in denial. Many of them expect others to do their work or lift them up, all the while ignoring the true plights of the people around them. In exalting themselves, they leave others behind. Jesus wants us to know that it is in humility that we will find peace and exaltation, not in lifting ourselves above everyone else. Even C. S. Lewis, an atheist-turned-Catholic, sees the wisdom in this. Humility is not about seeing yourself as less than someone else; it is about releasing the ego and letting love and compassion be your guides instead of pride. In this time of danger and extreme division, of polarized beliefs and pandemics, let us all work to truly practice what we preach. Only in our own humility will we be able to have a positive effect on those around us.

Caitlyn Roper English

March 3 Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross serves as the fundamental example of putting others before ourselves. The Son of God took the lowest path to become human, to be charged and killed as a criminal before the world. God sacrificed His only Son out of absolute love and infinite mercy in a selfless act to save us from our sins. As a disciple of Christ, and His hands and feet on earth, we are asked to make our own sacrifices in service of others, just as Jesus did on the cross. Being a follower of Jesus is no easy task. To take part in “the cup,” one must be prepared to take on sacrifices big and small. These daily trials may seem like a burden but when done out of love and compassion they become a joy. Just as Jesus came to love and serve us, we should bestow His love upon and serve others.

Like James and John’s request in Matthew, it is only human to want to be honored and esteemed for our sacrifices and good pursuits. It is important to not let such rewards dictate our actions and the motives behind our good works and deeds. Many times it is easy to get caught up in compensation for sacrifices, but giving and serving selfishly will not bring any happiness, only greed and expectations. When we serve others, do we help out because we want something in return, or sacrifice from the goodness of our hearts and out of love for our neighbors?

Katelyn Rohlf Grade 12

March 4 Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31 Blessed is the man who trusts in the L​ORD​, whose hope is the L​ORD​. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

This passage is about not worrying about what God controls, which is everything. Some people spend all their time trying to control the world, but this passage tells us that we will never have that control. If you aren’t looking to God, you are looking in all the wrong places. You could search everywhere for sustainability and never find it without God. Those who do have confidence in God will have sustainability and prosperity in their lives. When you find reassurance in God, you will have no more worries.

Sometimes we get really caught up in school and the daily worries of our life. We forget that God is there, looking down on us. He controls what happens, and he has a plan for us. Although our lives seem to be in other people’s control, God is the only one who can really change our path. We think our teachers, our enemies, our parents control how our life is, when really God does. When you start to have a relationship with God, you can see your path more clearly. You can grow and live peacefully. I struggle a lot with anxiety, and I worry every day. When I remember that I can ask God for help, I remember I am bigger than my anxiety. I know a lot of us have anxiety, with the state of the world right now. Whether it be from events in the past or present, remember God will bless you with everything you need if you just listen. But if you only believe what others tell you, and not what God is telling you, you will not see your blessings.

Brugge Erikson Grade 9

March 5 Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

To fully understand the meaning in these lines, one must understand the background from which they are derived. The reference comes from ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose stones to use in construction. No stone was more important than the cornerstone or capstone, for it was to be the foundation on which everything rests. The structure of the building, its integrity and durability were dependent on the masons choosing the ​“right stone.” As you might expect, many stones were rejected in this process until just the ​right stone and fit was found. This is the literal meaning of the passage, but what does it mean for us in our Lenten journey as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord?

Symbolically, ​Jesus is the rejected cornerstone​. Consider that the cornerstone was very difficult to find and that if one could not be found the entire project would fail. And that sometimes, the rejected cornerstones may have actually been quite suitable. This causes us to ask ourselves some important questions in reflection: Have we ever “rejected” something prematurely and not seen its worth until it was too late? Have we been open to the truth and not biased by the opinions of others?

Is our heart open to Jesus? The message for us this Lent is that Jesus is there waiting for us to find him.

Once we find our ​“cornerstone,” the foundation of our faith, will we be better able to recognize truth and goodness? Perhaps, most importantly, will we have the insight to choose what is ​right​? I sincerely hope so.

May God Bless Us One and All.

Lynn Burek Principal

March 6 Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But his father ordered his servants, “Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” Then the celebration began.

Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son is probably one of the more well-known stories from the Gospels. A son asks his father for his inheritance and then leaves and squanders all that he is given and lives a life his father would not be proud of. Then, when he has nothing left, he goes back to his father’s house and asks for forgiveness, and his father gives it to him. Not only that, but he rejoices in the return of his son, to the dismay of his other son who remained behind and lived a life his father could be proud of. I believe there are two lessons to be learned from this reading. The first lesson is that of forgiveness—forgiveness in the face of what could be seen as unforgivable. We can assume that when the prodigal son left his father’s house, he had no intention of returning and probably did not think too much of the family he left behind. However, this mattered nothing to his father. He was just thankful that his lost son found his way back to his family and wanted to celebrate that. How many of us can say that we are able to forgive grievous infractions against us? I think we can all take a cue from the father and work to forgive others, as we pray each time we recite the Our Father: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It is important for us to emulate Jesus’ example of forgiveness that He practiced in all things, even as He was dying on the cross.

I believe the second lesson we can take away from this reading is to refrain from judging others.

Jesus first told this parable as the Pharisees and scribes were complaining that the sinners and tax collectors were listening and eating with Jesus, and they took issue with that. The word ​prodigal means “spending money or resources freely and recklessly,” so we can infer that this prodigal son could be seen as resembling the character of the sinners and tax collectors. The older brother judged his younger brother and didn’t feel he was deserving of his father’s forgiveness, although his father disagreed. I believe that Jesus welcomed all who would listen to Him and did not pass judgment. He invited sinners and tax collectors to sit with Him, just as He did for everyone else. During this season of Lent, may we all try to be better and not judge others, using Jesus’ example.

Beth-Ellen Walsh Director of School and College Counseling

March 7: Third Sunday of Lent Ex 20:1-17; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 In Exodus 20:1-17, we learn about the Ten Commandments, which were set forth by God to help us guide our lives. When reading these verses, it can be hard to imagine what they mean for everyday life. But I believe that God has outlined them to show us how we should live in the best manner possible to both be a good role model and to honor God. The first commandment​, “I am the L​ORD your God; you shall not have strange Gods before me”: This commandment means that we should only honor one God or one holy entity. We should only honor our one God or holy entity in our daily lives to help guide us to a better quality of life.

The second commandment​, “You shall not take the name of the L​ORD your God in vain”: We need to respect our God and represent Him in a way that honors Him. This basically means not to use His name when swearing or angry.

It also may mean not exactly using His name in the wrong manner, but instead choosing to respect ourselves and live life in the way God has outlined for us.

The third commandment​, “Remember to keep holy the L​ORD​’s Day”: In this verse, we are asked to honor God on our day of rest. I believe that this can also be considered a time for us to reflect on the past week and focus on the week to come. What did we do during the week that was kind or helpful to others? Was there a time when we could have put others before ourselves? Was there something that didn’t turn out the way we planned that we can change for the upcoming week? We should spend this time in reflection to honor our God through our actions.

The fourth commandment​, “Honor your father and your mother”: This is one of the most important commandments for us to focus on each and every day. Growing up can be difficult, and we do not always get along with the adult figures in our life, but we have to realize that they are doing what they believe is the best for us. We need to think about how much they do for us on a daily basis and how we can show more respect to them. Is it as simple as helping with a chore without being asked or making dinner after a long day or even leaving them a note about how much we appreciate them? There are many things we can add to our everyday life that will show how much we honor the adult figures in our life and, accordingly, honor our God. The fifth and sixth commandments​, “You shall not kill,” “You shall not commit adultery”: The two commandments seem to be rather self-explanatory and may not seem to relate to our everyday lives. At your age, murder and adultery are not a viable option, but instead how can we live our lives following the goodness of the commandments to be the best people that we can be everyday?

The seventh commandment​, “You shall not steal”: This commandment is also self-explanatory and very important in our everyday lives. It is essential for us to not steal in the sense of physically stealing something, but we should also focus on not stealing time from others or stealing ideas. We all know that it is wrong to steal, but have you ever asked for homework answers or looked at a peer’s paper? Does this also count as stealing? We may not think of those actions as being as bad as stealing nail polish from the drug store, but they can be considered just as disrespectful to God. The final three commandments​, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,” and “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods”: These three commandments all relate to one wanting what others have. We should not want what others have or, obviously, take what they have. We should be happy with what we have in life and should not judge ourselves based upon what others have. This applies to more than just the physical nature of our lives; it also applies to the emotional and spiritual aspects as well. In summary, I believe that the Ten Commandments, while written thousands of years ago, still provide us with very useful guidelines to live our lives in the best manner possible while honoring our God. Sara Vukas Science

March 8 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab; Lk 4:24-30 Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. The prophet sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.” But Naaman went away angry. . . . But his servants came up and reasoned with him. “My father,” they said, “if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it? All the more now, since he said to you, ‘Wash and be clean,’ should you do as he said.” So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

You never know what someone is truly going through. People often assume that because they “know” someone and have seen them act a certain way that they know everything about them. The truth is that people have more than one layer. The outermost layer of a person is a version of ourselves that we want others to see.

The idea of “starting new” often involves relocation and going to a place where you are unknown. Little do people realize that they are unknown where they already are. People’s perceptions of a person is a combination of their opinions and the outer layer that a person allows others to see; this is not a true reflection.

When starting new and relocating there is a sense of a clean slate. An opinion has yet to be formed, so the outer layer you give off will be accepted more easily than attempting to change or alter your outer layer in the town where people already think they know you.

Always smile at a stranger; you never know if it is the only smile they will get for that day—smiling at a stranger, friend, or enemy is all in the same.

Annemarie Gallo School Counselor/Admissions Associate

March 9 Dn 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

At times, people outside the faith tend to think that Christianity is some grown-up form of Santa Claus, or mere wishful thinking. Christians, however, know that there is a reason our foremost symbol is the Cross. The great thinker C. S. Lewis remarked, “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. . . . If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” Lewis knew first-hand the trials that came with striving to live out the faith but shouldered his own crosses, come what may. Our crosses may come in many different forms, but one which we all share is that of forgiveness.

There is something innate in us that makes us loath to apologize. As the father of a spirited three-year-old, I know the tears that come (and come) with accepting responsibility and proffering forgiveness. I also know that it doesn’t come to be much easier as I grow older. In today’s Gospel reading, we are reminded that our Lord puts no limit on forgiveness and indeed insists that we forgive others. God, in His infinite wisdom, teaches us who He is through stories, and we can see ourselves as the Janus-faced man in today’s parable. It is so easy to demand justice from others and mercy for ourselves. Yet, the Lord doesn’t let us off the hook: we shall only be forgiven insofar as we forgive.

We affirm this advice each time we echo our Lord’s Prayer.

Any denizen of Twitter knows that the twenty-first century can be an unforgiving place to live. During this Lenten journey, let us pause to remember the wise words of Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew Fred: let us strive “to think of people below [us] as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” When we pause to remember that we are all on this journey together, it might be easier to forgive our brothers and sisters from the heart.

David Gillespie Social Studies

March 10 Dt 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

This passage, placed within the Gospel of Matthew, is written to reveal the Jewish heritage of Jesus. The writers of the Gospel of Matthew establish the authenticity of Jesus as part of the royal lineage of David. In addition to this information that confirms Jesus’ rightful place in a line of succession, we are shown that Jesus knows and follows the Jewish laws. Jesus knows the law, follows it, and in addition challenges those who follow it to see the deeper meaning within the law. Bart D. Ehrman in his book ​The New Testament writes, “Jesus goes to the heart of the law in question, to its root intention, as it were, and insists that his followers adhere to that, rather than the letter of the law as strictly interpreted.”

Jesus sees the law as the least that we can do. He wants us to see a larger vision within and beyond the law so that we not only follow the rule but live into a larger, more healing grace for the world. As we learn to not just follow the law but to go beyond it to offer love, openness, forgiveness, and peace, we breathe life into a larger vision of hope for others. Jesus challenges everyone to not just follow the law but to go beyond it to extend a helping hand, an open heart, and validation for all. This call to action is a challenge to be the last, to help the poor, to heal the sick, and be the salt and light the world needs right now. This invitation is not for the faint of heart or for those who are only interested in following the letter of the law. This invitation to be a force for healing in the world is not—does not—always come with clear instructions, and yet only you can know what you are called to do. Only you can listen with courage for the next beautiful thing that you are called to bring forth for the world.

During this Lenten season, trust that you are called to this dynamic moment of discernment.

Trust that you are living into a larger grace for the world, each moment, as you breathe life into something new. When you see the law, see beyond it, and trust that you are the bearer of justice, freedom, healing, dignity, and love that the world needs right now.

Kimberly Borin Religion

March 11 Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”

After Jesus cast out the mute demon, people still doubted His power and divinity. They asked for another sign, a sign to prove that He was doing God’s work and not that of the demon Beelzebul.

Even though the onlookers had just seen a miracle, they still asked for more. And even if Jesus had performed another sign, would the people have believed Him then?

Sometimes we act the same way as the onlookers in this passage. We refuse to see God’s intervention in our lives and instead ask for another sign, another miracle. We fail to appreciate all God has done for us, whether it be an opportunity for education, a loving family, or even a beautiful sunset after a long week. Jesus goes on to say that “whoever is not with Me is against Me.” Do we make active choices to follow Jesus? Or do we doubt, asking for another sign, another miracle? Jesus speaks to those who doubted His divinity, and He speaks to us too. If we do not acknowledge God’s place in our lives, we doubt His divine power. We instead begin to believe that all the good that happens to us comes from worldly things. We do not stand with Him but against Him in ignorance.

Faith is not built upon the number of miracles or the extent of intervention God has in our lives; it is built upon the acknowledgment that God is there, and that all good comes from Him. Why was one miracle not enough for the onlookers to acknowledge Jesus’ power? They could not believe after one, so why would they believe after two? After ten? After one hundred? If the onlookers had faith, if they had been able to acknowledge the presence of God actively, instead of demanding more proof, they would have been with Jesus. We must not be like the onlookers. If we are not with Jesus, we are against Him.

Julia Muir Grade 11

March 12 Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12:28-34 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

As the Lenten season continues, we feel tempted to break our forty-day promises between ourselves and God. We struggle to embody all of the Catholic teachings during this time of personal growth and reflection. In Hosea 14:2-10, this prophet spoke the words of God to many surrounding sinners. He was saying that even through our best efforts, no one is perfect. However, God is the only one who can save us from our daily mistakes. In this time of Lent, we are trying our best to do what God would have wanted. We have to fight back from what is holding us down from being true Catholics and children of God. Chapter 14 of the Book of Hosea speaks to those that choose to listen to God. Anyone could ignore God’s word, but those that choose to go out and proclaim His goodness are ensured His forgiveness.

This idea is also emphasized in the Gospel of Mark 12:28-34. Here, we learn that loving God and honoring Him is the Greatest Commandment. God leads us to the path of salvation and eternal rest. This season of Lent is an opportunity for us to show our devotion to God, because He allowed His only Son to die for our sins. To help push us forward during these times of temptation and internal weakness, we must always remember the true purpose of Easter. God is aware that humans are constantly challenged by the overwhelming stress of the world, but putting God before everything else is the true test to show our love for Him during this season.

Emma Kelly Grade 10

March 13 Hos 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

In this season of Lent, as we await the death and resurrection of the Lord, it is important to keep in mind the virtue of humility. In this parable, Jesus speaks of two men—a Pharisee, a member of a legalistic and righteous sect of ancient Judaism, and a tax collector, a member of a group regarded as greedy and sinful. Both of these men come to the temple, the Pharisee proclaiming his own righteousness and the tax collector begging for forgiveness. It is the latter man, the man who falls and admits his falling, who is exalted by the Lord, rather than the man regarded by society as good and just.

This is seen too in Hosea when it speaks of the judgment of God shining “forth like the light.” Light, forgiveness, love—it is all found in God, not in oneself or one’s conception of oneself. The Pharisee prides himself on fasting and paying tithes. He thinks this is the mark of a righteous man, when all the tax collector has to offer is loyalty and humility before God. Often, we think we have to do X or say Y to be good in God’s eyes. It is so easy to be like the Pharisee, and think that following all the rules makes one more righteous, or to fall on the other side of the spectrum and be plagued with guilt over breaking them. At the end of the day, what God desires is “knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings,” as the Hosea reading tells us. All God asks of us is to enter God’s temple as the tax collector, with humility before and trust in God. We are asked not to profess our righteousness but admit our sins, and God will exalt us all the more for it.

Molly McKenna Grade 12

March 14: Fourth Sunday of Lent 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

God blessed us with his son, Jesus, to bring light to our world and guide us in times of trouble.

He did not come to judge but to walk with us through our everyday lives. The past year has been very unexpected, to say the least, and our lives are constantly changing. Each new day presents different obstacles, and it is not hard to lose sight of what matters most: Jesus and his love for us. We must keep our faith in God and trust that he will guide us through what is to come. During this Lenten season, we should look to follow God’s light and embrace his love. It is easy to get distracted by school, the pandemic, and the ever-changing world around us, yet God’s love and grace have no end. When darkness surrounds us, God loves us; when we sin, God loves us; he loves each and every one of us no matter what path we choose to take.

Through all of his actions, God has shown us “the great love he had for us.” He created the Earth, full of its beauty and wonders, simply for ​us​. He gifted ​us with his only son to guide us through life. He sacrificed his only son so that ​we may enter Heaven and be safe from sin. When the world seems dark, God is always there for us to turn to. Sometimes it is hard to keep our faith in God, but it is important to remember that he is always there. Even when we sin, we must be prepared to repent and turn back to God. Lent is the perfect time for us to recognize and take ownership of our wrongdoings. Jesus died on the cross for us. He was willing to sacrifice his life to save us from darkness and sin. We must be willing to endure our hardships and work to not lose sight of God’s love. Jesus’ actions prove to us that God will love and protect us during good times and bad. Take this Sunday to acknowledge God’s never-ending love for you, and embrace his presence in your life.

Claire Daly Grade 11

March 15 Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54 Thus says the L​ORD​: “Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying; no longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime; he dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed. They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.”

The world is not perfect and never will be. War, prejudice, disease, and suffering have plagued our society for centuries and will continue to do so. Humans make mistakes, do and say things that they are not proud of, and they continue to walk the Earth with the guilt they feel. However, there is one thing that connects people and reminds them of the good in our world: God. In Isaiah 65:17, the Lord proclaims, “Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.” In this passage, God is reminding us that even in our most significant failures, there is hope to begin again, hope to have a better future. God is the path to that future. No matter how many mistakes we make or how many times we falter, we will always be able to lean on God for support. God has shown countless times that he will care for us and absolve us of our sins, gifting us with a new opportunity to be a better person. In our society today, everyone is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. We have struggled mentally and spiritually while isolated at home. Nevertheless, God is with us. Every day he gives us the chance to do good, even in challenging situations—and remember that with him in our lives, our tears of yesterday will be washed away. Our future is uncertain, and no one can predict the outcome. Still, everyone can turn to God for guidance and reassurance that we will persevere.

Colleen Dooley Grade 10

March 16 Ez 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16 There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”

Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

In this passage, John talks about a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years and was still waiting to be healed. The man thought if he was able to get to the pool of Bethesda first, he would be fixed. The problem was, he had “no man” to put him in the water. Jesus saw this man had been waiting for a long time and proceeded to help him.

After his healing, many people came to a realization: the man represented patience since he had to wait thirty-eight years to be healed. Although this is correct, we often overlook that this man also represented hopelessness. He had tried so many different ways to be healed and had no luck. This man’s situation had nothing to do with healing. Rather, Jesus helped change his point of view. We learn from this to put our faith and trust in God. If we are patient and take a moment to understand the situation we are in, then things can get much better for us. We can use this lesson to help us in our everyday lives. For example, if we are stressed with a lot of work and are very busy with our family, this reading teaches us that we should put our faith in God and know that He will help us. God’s love is universal. He does not just help the sick or poor people. He helps everyone in need. By trusting God, we can be like the paralyzed man, and become healed of our own problems. Instead of seeking others for help, we should seek God so that He can show us the way.

Caroline Clarke Grade 10

March 17 Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30 Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the L​ORD​ comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, “The L​ORD​ has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

Today’s reading from the Book of Isaiah offers a sense of comfort during uncertain times. The Lord says to his people, “I answer you,” “I help you,” “[You] shall find pasture,” “[You] shall not hunger or thirst,” in this way encouraging us to trust that he will provide for our every need. Most importantly, this reading reveals that the Lord “shows mercy to his afflicted.” The past twelve months have been incredibly difficult for each and every one of us. We have possibly struggled through greater physical, mental, and emotional challenges than ever before, but the reading from Isaiah gives us something to look forward to and hold on to in times of need: God’s mercy. Ask yourselves, is it not by the grace of God that you have made it to this moment, that you have prevailed over the numerous trials and tribulations of the past twelve months, and that you now have the ability to take inspiration from our Lenten Devotional and those around you during this Easter season? It certainly may not feel like it, but God has shown us abundant mercy over the past few months. We have had the opportunity to spend more time at home with family, to focus on the things that truly matter, and now to be together as a community celebrating the resiliency of Academy students, teachers, administrators, staff members, and parents alike during the Easter season.

Ciara Collins Grade 12

March 18 Ex 32:7-14; Jn 5:31-47 The L​ORD ​said to Moses, “I see how stiff-necked this people is. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation.” But Moses implored the L​ORD​, his God, saying, “Why, O L​ORD​, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? . . . Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people.”

Every human on Earth sins, and every human on Earth is forgiven by God. But have you ever felt that you had done something so bad that God would not be able to forgive you? In chapter 32 of Exodus, after God had freed his people from slavery in Egypt, they did not repay him justly. Israel and the people worshipped a golden calf and praised the calf for freeing them rather than God. This enraged God, and he was planning on letting his wrath exterminate his people from the Earth. But before he did, Moses stopped him. Moses argued for God to spare his people for the honor of God’s name. Why would God free the oppressed people only to kill them all? If he did this, then it would create the image that he had freed them with the evil intent of exterminating them. More importantly, Moses also argued that even though the people had broken their end of the covenant, God still had other promises to fulfill. The Lord had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Israel that they would have as many descendants as stars in the sky. God spared the people because of his covenantal faithfulness.

He still spares and forgives us today, because of what Jesus did for us. God remembers and acts on his mercy toward us even when it is at his expense because Jesus, his own son who he gave on behalf of dying for our sins, saved us. So, while sometimes it may seem like we’ve committed a horrible sin and that God will never be able to forgive us or favor us any longer, that is not the case. God understands that we are humans and therefore will sin, because that’s the way he made us. He will always spare us of his wrath when we ask him for forgiveness, because that is what Jesus died for. We are all God’s children, and he loves us unconditionally, which is why he will always forgive us for our sins.

Sophia Vail Grade 10

March 19: Solemnity of St. Joseph 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Being a parent is never easy and I can only imagine how difficult it might have been for Saint Joseph as he was chosen to help raise Jesus under very different conditions than we know two thousand years later!

Despite the vast differences in our worlds—ours today and Saint Joseph’s then—there is a common thread of love, devotion, listening, guiding, nurturing, helping, and caring that fathers have provided to their children over the years, and they will never change despite the changes in society. I have looked to Saint Joseph to guide me in my own vocation as I’m sure so many other dads have done and will continue to do so for centuries to come!

Saint Joseph did not have it easy and almost “threw in the towel” before Jesus was born. Thank God he didn’t! Today’s readings remind us of his calling to be Jesus’ father here on earth, and of his faith. Although tested and spread thin, his faith and love of God saw him through to fulfill what was to be—his integral role in the birth of Jesus and becoming Jesus’ foster father here on earth.

Being a teacher is very much like being a parent. You have responsibilities to young people to help them and guide them on their own journeys. As perfect a child as He was, Jesus still had adolescent traits and characteristics here on earth growing up and surely, but minimally, tested Saint Joseph’s patience. But that’s what children—and yes, students—do! Fathers (and teachers) have been chosen for a vocation that involves plenty of human interaction, need, and sacrifice. It comes with disappointment, worry, and grief—but greatly balanced with pride, joy, and unconditional love. Saint Joseph has always been a role model for me, so it’s no wonder he is the patron saint of fathers.

Pope Francis has announced this liturgical year throughout the Universal Church as the “Year of Saint Joseph.” That is wonderful news for all of us! You don’t need to be a parent, a spouse, or a teacher to ask Saint Joseph for his guidance—​all of us can just ask for his help! Pope Francis even provided us with a daily prayer to Saint Joseph: Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son; In you Mary placed her trust; With you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too, Show yourself a father, and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.

As we move closer to the end of our Lenten journey and await the resurrection of the Lord, let us always remember that Saint Joseph has provided us—and always will—with his fatherly example to help all of us in our lives. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Thomas Antonjy Mathematics

March 20 Jer 11:18-20; Jn 7:40-53 Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.” Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” Then each went to his own house.

In the Gospel today, the people of Jerusalem are talking about Jesus and who He is. They’re murmuring amongst themselves, debating whether Jesus is a prophet or the Messiah, or if Jesus doesn’t qualify to be the Messiah at all because He’s a Galilean. The rumor mill is abuzz in Jerusalem.

We can imagine this happening in any given cafeteria. Friends are huddled up in different groups, gossiping about a peer who has a reputation for whatever it may be. (Jesus had a reputation, too!) Different groups are sharing vying stories, and suddenly it’s difficult to see what’s truth and what’s hearsay. Sometimes, all the situation would need is going to the source, asking the peer if this or that were true. No one wants to admit talking about that person, so everyone is afraid to approach the source. Wouldn’t it be better if the Jews had gone t​ o the source​ directly to settle this dispute?

Now, imagine you’re back at the table with your friends and they’re saying something that doesn’t seem right to you. It’s not easy to be the person to speak out against a group’s opinion, especially if that group is your friends or respected colleagues. That’s what Nicodemus does here.

He’s a Pharisee, but he speaks up and asks, “Does our law condemn a [person] before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” Shouldn’t we hear from Jesus? Shouldn’t we go to the source?

We can look to Nicodemus’ action in our daily lives. When we hear a rumor or see a post on social media, before turning to our friend at the next table or before reposting, retweeting, or even responding, we can remind ourselves to go to the source. Before we believe a post slandering, or “cancelling,” someone, let’s remember to give her a chance to speak for herself. We don’t want to fall victim to condemning a person before hearing from them first.

Kelly Donnelly Religion

March 21: Fifth Sunday of Lent Jer 31:31-34; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days: I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the L​ORD​. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 is all about learning from the past, forgiving, and rebuilding. In this passage, the Lord says, “The days are coming . . . when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master.” The Lord’s trust was broken with the covenant he made with the Israelite ancestors. However, the Lord learned from this and decided to make a new covenant with the people of Israel. This can apply to our lives because it is easy to be spiteful toward someone who breaks your trust. Trust is an important value in life, and you can feel betrayed when someone goes against you or breaks a promise. However, it is important to be able to find peace with yourself and forgive others for their wrongdoing. You can use every experience to learn, and maybe, like God, you will trust someone with a ​new covenant. Lent is a chance to forgive anyone who has done wrong against you and discover what you can learn from those experiences.

John 12:20-33 conveys the message that it is crucial to find the good in every situation. Jesus says, “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.” Sometimes as Christians, we may rely on God to solve all our problems single-handedly. God gives us challenges, not so he can fix them for us, but so we can learn how to solve them ourselves and find inner strength. This Lenten season, remember that God gives his greatest challenges to his greatest warriors, and even if you are struggling, you have the strength you need to get through any obstacle you face. Trust in yourself and your abilities and remember that God will always be there for you if you need him.

Ava Romer Grade 11

March 22 Dt 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Jn 8:1-11 Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.

In John 8:1-11, Jesus shows his mercy to a young woman caught in adultery. When Jesus was at the Mount of Olives, he arrived in the temple area early in the morning. People gathered around Jesus as he began to share his teachings. The scribes and the Pharisees came to Jesus with a woman.

The men said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” The men made her stand in the middle of the circle on display as all eyes looked upon her with disgust. Jesus sat looking at the ground as the men pressed him for an answer. He stood up tall and said, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Jesus bent down and waited, and, one by one, the people began to part ways until only the woman stood before Jesus. “Woman, where are they?

Has no one condemned you?” Jesus asked. She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

In this story, we learn the beauty of Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness. We as human beings are not perfect; we sin. When Jesus said, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” everyone cleared the area, and the woman stood unharmed. Jesus teaches us we should not judge others by their sins. Currently, as young women, we are in the process of growing up and becoming independent. We all say and do things we are not proud of. So the next time someone messes up, rather than condemning them and gossiping about their mistake, show mercy toward that person. If the person is in need of help, offer your assistance. As young women, we should not be looking to tear each other down but rather to build each other up.

Samantha Insler Grade 11

March 23 Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30 He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I ​AM​, you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.”

Today’s readings focus on things beyond this world. When the Israelites complained about their life in the desert and faced punishment from God, God gave them the opportunity to repent and receive heavenly help in the form of a bronze serpent. Jesus repeatedly mentioned that He is not of this world, but that His home was “above.” Jesus Himself is not unlike the bronze serpent, in that turning toward Him will save us from suffering. During Lent, a time of reflection and prayer, we are called to look toward things outside of ourselves and our physical world. Like the Israelites who complained about their life in the desert, we are often caught up with distractions and struggles on Earth. Lent is a time to “look at the bronze serpent” that is Jesus Christ and adjust our focus from our worldly struggles to our faith in Him. As Jesus said, “He has not left me alone.” Even as we may struggle with our earthly lives and our relationship with God, we are never alone. The Israelites were never alone in the desert, and we have not been abandoned even now. Lent is a time to focus on the relationship that will never leave our side, no matter how many deserts we must walk through. It is time for us to “[come] to believe in Him,” and make our relationship with Jesus one that keeps our focus upward, toward the One who calls us to a life that is not of this world.

Grace Roethlin Grade 11

March 24 Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42 If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.

Earlier in the book of Daniel, the three Jewish people that remained faithful to God were remarked to have known the truth, therefore, they were free. But what is classified as the truth? In this case, the truth is worshipping God alone, and not the idol which the King of Babylon set up.

Especially given the time and circumstances in which the Jewish people lived, it can be hard to not worship the God that the king has told everyone to worship, especially when, if you do not do so, you will be persecuted. However, because the Jews who were loyal to God were considered free, they did not fear torture or persecution. While, in the literal sense, they were not free because they were bound and cast to a furnace, they were not scared because they were not afraid of the torture. In John 8:31-42, today’s Gospel, Jesus provides himself to be the truth, and tells the people that he will be the one to set them, and us, free.

I believe that today’s reading is asking us to remember that as Catholics, we have to put our full trust in Jesus, because if we put all of our trust in Jesus and follow his word, we will become free. This ideology is applicable in all aspects of life, especially in our daily lives when making decisions. Namely, if we follow the word of Jesus and act as one of his disciples, we will remain free from the power of sin.

When Jesus spoke about truth in this case specifically, he was implying that the truth was the Jews gaining liberation from their Roman oppressors. However, the sense in which there is truth in the modern day can be put up for debate. I personally believe that today, truth can be defined as liberation from any burdens. Yet, this must be taken into account with the rest of the teachings of the Bible, saying that God will not take difficulties out of your life. Rather, he will help you through them. So, by remaining in the word of Jesus and being set free by the truth, you have reached a point where you no longer have to worry about the problems you may face, as God will always be there to help you through them.

Colleen Devenny Grade 11

March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

Today’s entry is a little different, because ​you’re the one doing the reflecting. Today we celebrate the angel coming to Mary to tell her that she would bear the child Jesus. And what is Mary’s reaction? At first “greatly troubled,” she then says, “​Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” How is Mary a model for you? How can you submit better to the word of God?

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March 26 Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42 I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!” . . . But the L​ORD​ is with me, like a mighty champion.

This passage from Jeremiah talks about how Jeremiah is being shouted at by non-believers because of his prophecies. It opens up with Jeremiah hearing people shout at him, “Denounce! Let us denounce him!” He then says that “all those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” In other words, everyone he thought he trusted has now turned on him. I connected with this because it reminds me of when people you thought were your friends become highly critical of you and judge your every step. Friend groups throughout high school can feel like that, so this is something that any student can relate to. Life may seem like everyone is pressuring you or judging you and watching your every move, ready to say something if you fail.

Jeremiah then says, “But the L​ORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion.” Believing in God gives you the confidence not to worry about “the haters.”

In fact, they too can fail and be put to shame, maybe more shame than you would ever have, so they are not as perfect as they think they are.

The line, “O Lord of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart” can mean how God is there to test your resolve. God is there to both help you and test you. You cannot just give up entirely in the face of harsh criticism. If you believe he is there to back you up, then you can have the confidence to move forward.

Emilia Domanowski World Language

March 27 Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56 He 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.

John in today’s Gospel recounts the events that happened a week prior to the death of Jesus.

Following the resurrection of Lazarus, more and more people gathered and began believing in Jesus.

The chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting in order to voice their concerns regarding the growing popularity of Jesus. They feared that they would lose their power and influence among the people if they did not take action to try and stop Him. Caiaphas, the high priest of that year, said, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” Through this statement, Caiaphas was insinuating that Jesus must die in order to save the Jewish nation from the Romans; however, there is a deeper meaning beneath. This statement parallels the true reason behind Jesus’s death, which was to pardon the sins of the “whole nation” and provide us with the opportunity to be reunited with God after death. During Lent, it is important that we reflect upon the actions of Jesus and recognize the immense sacrifice He made in order for us to attain salvation. We must show our appreciation for His actions and keep His example in mind while we attempt to carry out our own personal sacrifices during this final week of Lent.

Isabella Toomey Grade 11

March 28: Palm Sunday Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16; Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and marks the first day of Holy Week. It is important to note that the last miracle Jesus performed prior to His arrival was bringing Lazarus back to life, four days after his death and burial. Word of this miracle traveled and created much anticipation for His arrival. The people must have felt excited, hopeful, and curious about the stories and promises they’d heard from afar. Could this young man, riding a donkey symbolic of peace, be the prophet they had been waiting for? The Son of God entered through the Golden Gate or Eastern Gate, which was believed at the time to be where the Messiah would enter at the end of days.

As we reflect on this promising, hopeful journey into Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate, we can all relate to our own rituals and traditions that we use to symbolize the most meaningful celebrations we take part in. The branches of palm and articles of clothing laid in the roadway to welcome Jesus and His entourage were symbolic for an honorary guest but were also rooted in a common, useful purpose, keeping the honorary guest clean, free from dust or mud from the dirt roads. Additionally, palms during Roman times were symbolic of peace and purity. Waving palms and laying garments down allowed anyone who attended the processional to participate in the ritual as an individual as well as part of a greater whole.

To me, this day feels ominous, with a dark cloud overshadowing an otherwise promising, hopeful event. The miracle performed by Jesus with Lazarus, along with the people believing He is the King or Messiah, is reported to be the final straw for the Romans, sealing the fate of Jesus in the coming week.

When we have something looming in our life that causes distress, anxiety, or a sense of doom, we can counter the anticipation by centering and grounding ourselves and calling our attention to the present moment.

If we allow the heaviness to take over our present moment, it robs us of our ability to experience and appreciate the gift of life. We can use rituals or meaningful symbols to draw our attention back to the present moment.

Keeping a daily gratitude journal or using contemplative prayer, meditation, or a breathing exercise can all contribute to a healthy, grounded, spiritual awareness.

I believe we can know and observe the final week of Jesus’ life from the perspective of a consolidated lifetime. You can have a celebration like a homecoming or birth of a child along with death, grief, and suffering.

Both experiences are acted out with meaningful rituals, traditions, and symbols commemorating the event whether it is joyous or sad. When we reflect on our own lifetime from a consolidated point of view, we will also observe the best times and worst times of our lives. We may come to realize that we didn’t have the ability to control many circumstances or every outcome. We do however have the ability to control how we see life​—​our perspective and perception, if you will. What we are given during Holy Week is the ability to detach from the outcome, to observe life and death for what it is in that moment, and to have Faith that it all has meaning and purpose. We can use these observations during Holy Week and in our daily lives to deepen our ability to experience love, compassion, empathy, and forgiveness for ourselves and others.

Megan Knight Director of Development and Alumnae Relations

March 29 Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11 Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “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.”

During Lent, we are reminded of God’s love for us as He sacrificed His only Begotten Son to save us sinners. Is there any way to show our devotion to Jesus in return? Lazarus’ sister Mary displayed her love for Jesus in a simple and powerful way: she honored Jesus by anointing His feet with great humility, only to be criticized by Judas for her actions. Mary knew in her heart that there was nothing too good for Jesus our Savior, while Judas only thought about his own financial gain, not Jesus or the poor. When Jesus said, “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,” He knew what was in Judas’ heart and the ultimate betrayal and humiliation​—​even His own death​—t​ hat would follow at Judas’ hands for thirty pieces of silver. Mary kissed the feet of Jesus while Judas gave Jesus the kiss of death. Mary serves as an example to us all. We also know how Judas’ betrayal ended for him. Placing our love and devotion in our Lord Jesus Christ with acts of pure humbleness and selflessness for others will result in God’s everlasting love and glory.

Helen Kotoulas Chief Financial and Operations Officer

March 30 Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 The L​ORD​ called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. “You are my servant,” he said to me, “Israel, through whom I show my glory.” Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the L​ORD​, my recompense is with my God.

In the reading from Isaiah, God calls upon the servant Israel to take on a new task. But God calls upon us ​all to take on new tasks. Whether we finish that task right away or we don’t even know what the task is until we finish it, God has something for us to do. An example of when God calls upon us is when God called upon me. When I was younger I was like every other kid. I never wanted to go to church; I never wanted to say my nightly prayers. The only time I liked the idea of church was when Santa or the Easter Bunny came to my house. Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing because I was still a part of the church, but I wasn’t really doing my part. But when I turned thirteen, my family and I moved to a new church. This church was my calling from God. My calling was to start doing my part in the church community. I started to go to church every weekend; I started to help out more with different activities that were going on in the community too. When God called upon me, he made me realize that I need to do my part. I became one of the most active members in my church at such a young age.

When God calls upon us he gives strength to get through the hardest times in our life. An example of this is how we are all going through hard times right now, and yet we all have strength to get through them. With this global pandemic, we never know what can happen, and yet with all the different things that have happened in the last twelve months, God has given us the strength to get through it all. So if you ever have a bad day and feel like you can’t get through it, remember that God is there, and he will help you through it.

Abigail Passarella Grade 11

March 31 Is 50:4-9a; Mt 26:14-25

In today’s first reading, we hear about the “suffering servant,” who bravely withstands suffering because they know God is with them; then in the Gospel, Jesus predicts that Judas will betray him. When have you been brave because you trust in God? When have you turned away from God?

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April 1: Holy Thursday Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. ​Maundy comes from the Latin for “command” and references Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you.” This passage from 1 Corinthians reflects on the Last Supper when the Corinthians came to the Lord’s Table and the institution of the Holy Eucharist began. At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and poured wine, symbolizing his broken body and blood shed. He asked his disciples as they ate the bread and drank the wine to “do this in remembrance of me.” How often do we take these sacrifices for granted? When we go to church and take part in the Eucharist, do we quiet our minds and souls and truly reflect on and remember the sacrifices Jesus made for us? Are we indeed practicing the Lord’s Table as he intended when we take communion? Are we going through the motion without remembering the importance of the Lord’s body and blood?

We are all human, we all make mistakes, we have all sinned, and we have all wronged someone at some point in our lives. Take a moment now to stop and reflect on what Jesus sacrificed for us. He gave his life for us to remove our sin. He gave his life for us so we would forgive one another and love one another. Are you living your life by “loving one another” as Jesus commanded? Today, more than ever, we need more of ​simply loving one another in this world. We are surrounded by so much hate, injustice, negativity, and cruelty in society. We all need to do better to love our neighbors and to love one another despite our differences. At the Last Supper, the Lord’s Table was a table where all were welcome. Do you live a life where all are welcome? We all need to do our part with our families, our friends, in our school, and in our community to be more kind, open, accepting, and welcoming to one another—no action is too small. Although your Lenten journey is almost over, don’t let this mark the end of your sacrifices to live a better life, to be a better person. Remember what Jesus sacrificed for us, remember the importance of taking part in the Eucharist as Jesus intended, and remember to live by honoring Jesus’ commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”

Lauren Corvo Assistant Principal

April 2: Good Friday Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42 So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” *** Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Good Friday is the day Jesus Christ put his life on the line for us. He wanted there to be a future for humans, and he did what God had asked of him his whole life. When going to Church on Good Friday, something I would do is first look at the cross. It reminds me of how Jesus put tons of others before himself and thought about others and our future. Some things I also think about on Good Friday are how much Jesus really cared for us and how we should all try to act like him and be like him because he represents someone who is completely selfless, kind, faithful, and compassionate.

Jesus’ sacrifice shows his care for all of us and how much thought he puts into everything he does for humans to live happy lives. His sacrifice really connects with me because it shows me how important being compassionate and selfless can be. The qualities Jesus lived and conveyed are the ways we should all act. His sacrifice also connects with me because he died for us and saved the world from our sins and brought us closer to God. Finally, getting ready for Easter spiritually helps us all to get closer to God and follow in his footsteps by sacrificing something, going to Mass, and trying to connect with or praying to Jesus to start preparing for his coming.

Greta Servitto Grade 9

April 3: Holy Saturday Gn 1:1-2:2; Gn 22:1-18; Ex 14:15-15:1; Is 54:5-14; Is 55:1-11; Bar 3:9-15, 32, 4:4; Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Rom 6:3-11; Mk 16:1-7 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. . . .

Of the forty days of Lent, Holy Saturday always seemed to me to be by far the most under-appreciated and under-recognized. There must be a purpose and message tucked within the day that is strategically sandwiched between dark, Good Friday and glorious Easter. What could it be?

What could we learn from sitting in the space between total darkness and shining resurrection?

To get some insight, I try to imagine what the world felt like on that day. How heavy were the hearts of those who loved Jesus and witnessed His traumatic death? What were they left to feel, having witnessed such chaos, confusion, betrayal, and violence?—surely palpable fear, shock, and raw grief. I imagine the day weighted heavily by silence. It is no surprise to me that in the midst of their devastation, it was the women who loved him most that pushed through their despair to tend to Jesus’ body. How many times do we as women purposefully pick ourselves up to tend to our own agenda—what we think we need to do—only to find the universe has “rolled back” the rock to show us a bigger picture? Can you imagine their confusion? They just went through the biggest trauma of their lives and in their exhaustion head out to do what they as humans think is right and attempt to anoint Him—only to find more unsettlement. There is yet more to the story than they even imagined!

I am not faulting these women for wanting to take action and anoint Jesus in their despair. As a “type-A” person, I am forever making my lists, creating my piles, tending to my agenda especially in times of great challenge. When my life is in complete disarray, nothing gives me more pleasure than a trip to Target to buy a slew of plastic containers. The joy of packaging my household into organized boxes temporarily distracts me from my troubles. Perhaps however, in the midst of turmoil, what is actually needed is a big, fat pause. A time without any action. No gatherings. No sacraments. No talking. A Holy Saturday. A time not to react with physical actions, but rather to clear our heads of all thoughts and sit in the midst of the gray, unknowing, emptiness of loss, allowing the Holy Spirit . . . the universe . . . the greater I A ​ M to gently clear the clouds and reveal the larger perspective: a bigger truth that we could not see initially and not discover without pausing, allowing the emptiness to be filled by the true, clear message.

Michelle Lowe School Nurse

April 4: The Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5, 6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-8 On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

And so we arrive at the end of our Lenten journey. If the larger world were any indication, one might come away thinking Easter to be our second most sacred holiday, after Christmas, but that is not the case. In fact, for me growing up, it was the very absence of commercialism that made Easter particularly special. On the vigil, I would play trombone with a brass ensemble at my band teacher’s church, and on Sunday my grandmother would make her famous timballo, or as it was corrupted in her Bari dialect, toom-BAHN, a kitchen-sink feast of pasta, meatballs, eggs, cheese, broccoli rabe, whatever ingredient you could imagine, inside a sweet crust. But times change. When she got older and her hands too undexterous, she taught the recipe to my aunt. My grandma has now passed, my aunt moved away, my band teacher retired, and my embouchure I’m sure ruined from years without practice. Such is the way of human tradition. But the eternal verities of Easter remain.

In today’s reading from John, Mary of Magdala of her own volition recognizes what has happened—that Christ is risen—and goes to tell the disciples, but this is not the only version of the story. The oldest Gospel, and today’s alternate reading, is from Mark, and in Mark 16:8, the last verse of the original text, after the angel tells the women at the tomb to proclaim the good news of their risen Lord to the disciples, they did nothing, “for they were afraid” (​ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ​). This must have been unsatisfying to early Christian audiences, for two additional endings appeared, in both of which the good news was proclaimed, as indeed it must have been. But how often have we been afraid in the face of God’s might, and how often have we been told to “be not afraid”? (It’s a rhetorical question, but the command appears numerous times in the Bible; it even constitutes the title of a popular hymn, incidentally played at my grandmother’s funeral Mass.) To live without fear because we know our God is with us—that is one of the key messages of the Bible, and of today. Until next year. . . .

Noah Stanzione World Language/Religion