To help inspire us during the Church’s grace-filled season of Lent, Newman University community members share their reflections on the Mass readings for each of day of Lent. We begin with Ash Wednesday and will continue through Easter Sunday.
You can visit newmanu.edu/lent to read today’s reflection.
Feb. 25 – Second Sunday of Lent
(Genesis 22:1-2,9a, 10-12, 15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10)
Sister Barbara Jean Franklin, ASC
A mountain of laundry, a mountain of dirty dishes, a mountain of papers to write and exams that will require a lot of study. Whether one works in the hospitality industry, in a hotel or restaurant or if a person happens to be a student; there are always mountains of things that challenge us each day. Abraham was in anguish as he climbed the mountain with his beloved son. Peter, James and John climbed a mountain with the “Beloved Son.” They were challenged to let go of preconceived notions about Jesus. In both biblical passages God breaks through in surprising ways. We, too, are challenged to name our mountains and climb them in faith that our God will break through for us. Our lives will be transformed as surely as Jesus was transfigured. The mountain top awaits our arrival. God waits to break through into our everyday lives. Let’s climb together.
Feb. 26 – Monday, Second Week of Lent
(Daniel 9:4-10; Luke 6:36-38)
Cynthia Smith Lohkamp ’66 SHA
In both Daniel and Luke, we are reminded of God’s great mercy and His command, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” Offering compassion, unconditional love and forgiveness often hurts and leaves me vulnerable. Am I strong enough to carry additional pain? Do I remember to ask for and accept the grace needed to show mercy? Can I remain humble and nonjudgmental? Yes, by the Grace of God! Mercy can flow throughout the whole world as we each commit to the practice.
Feb. 27 – Tuesday, Second Week of Lent
(Isaiah 1:10-, 16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)
Zachary Kelsey, student seminarian
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and trust in Him. In Isaiah, God tells us how to do this: “Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good.” Jesus adds to this in the Gospel saying, “The greatest among you must be your servant.” To live humbly, I must recognize that I need God and to return that need for God by serving others who are in need. I am not called to live for myself but to love God and serve others. Lent is an opportunity for me to humble myself before God by being honest and asking what barriers I put up around my heart that keep me from giving myself entirely to Him and how I can best serve others.
Feb. 28 – Wednesday, Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
Diana Crook ‘85 Board of Trustees
Entering the second week of Lent, I think about the great gratitude I have toward our Lord for all that he came to do for us. In Jeremiah, we see the people ready to destroy Jeremiah about anything he spoke. He asked that his suffering be taken away. But Jesus was willing with full knowledge to enter into the passion as we read in Matthew. But he would rise again.
The excitement of our Lent is to consider that all the suffering on earth has meaning because of Jesus. Recognizing that we are sinners and that Jesus knew that his sacrifice was our ultimate gain, our heavenly reward, we pray, “Oh, how we are blessed! We thank you our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Feb. 29- Thursday, Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31)
Steve Karlin, professor of education
Reflecting on Jeremiah — we are so fortunate for the glorious gifts we have been given by God to serve others through teaching and service through our university mission. “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every person according to his ways, and according to the fruit of their doings.” While there is much sin, greed and materialism in our world today, using our gifts with dedication and passion as humble servants for the benefit of our students and others is living out God’s will. What will I do today for others? How else can I use my talents to honor the gifts that God has given me?
March 1 – Friday, Second Week of Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13m 17-28; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46)
Laura Hartley, director of Advancement Services and Annual Giving
What must Joseph have felt when he realized his own brothers planned to kill him or leave him for dead? His emotions, I am sure, were running wild with confusion, betrayal and hurt. How often have we all felt those same emotions when coming into contact with the faults of people?
I know I have. But what brings me comfort comes from the Gospel today when Jesus says, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.” Let us always remember that God is with us and, whatever the world throws at us, we are wonderful in His eyes.
March 2 -Saturday, Second Week of Lent
(Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
Joanna Pryor, director of Athletics
This Lent I think of both sons. The older son so we don’t become bitter with God and the younger son, so we don’t take advantage of what we are given. More often than we like to admit, we have been the prodigal younger son, being wasteful and reckless; we have also been the older self-righteous brother, diligent and doing what is asked of us. I ponder and realize how this is very much like parenting. We can have one child who does everything asked of them and another who is challenging and pushes all the limits. As a parent, we love them both and work to give them understanding. Through the six weeks of Lent, we need to remember the Father’s generosity through it all.
To read all past reflections, CLICK HERE.
