Lent is a liturgical season in the Christian calendar that asks us to be more attentive to our relationship with Jesus. We are invited to pray more, to fast and to give ourselves in service with and to others.
We offer these reflections from members of the Newman University community as one contribution to deepening your prayer time during Lent.
March 16: Second Sunday of Lent (Genesis 22:5 – 12, 17 – 18 Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 Luke 9:28 – 36)
Hope-filled discipleship. The message of today’s readings is one that should fill us with great joy and anticipation of the readiness of God to respond to our needs throughout life. The readings help us to understand the plan God has for us which is beyond our imaging. Pope Francis in opening the Holy Year calls us to journey in faith and hope. He tells us to bring our fear and helplessness in all that we are experiencing to our loving God who never abandons those faithful to him.
The Genesis reading tells us that Abram acknowledged his helplessness in changing his situation. Psalm 64 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, I must wait for the Lord with courage.”
Paul tells the Philippians that, if they continue to trust in Jesus and to be faithful to what he taught them, they too could one day look forward to eternal life and their “lowly bodies would be united to his own in glory.” Paul is not telling them that their lives here on earth would always be free of suffering, but he is telling them that Jesus will be faithful to his promise to send the Spirit to guide and strengthen them. The Gospel describes the Transfiguration in which Jesus invited Peter, James and John to join him in prayer on the mountain to strengthen their faith.
God will continue to strengthen our faith as we turn to him in prayer.
Sister Margaret Washington, ASC
March 17: Monday, Second Week of Lent (Daniel 9:4 – 10; Luke 6:36 – 38)
In our continued pursuit to discern right from wrong, the Lord consistently offers us mercy and forgiveness. Luke reminds us to refrain from judging or condemning others and instead embrace a spirit of forgiveness. In a world overwhelmed by expectations — whether about our appearance, careers or personal lives — it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: love, mercy, and forgiveness, rather than falling into the trap of comparison.
James Sanny, Videographer, University Relations Office
March 18: Tuesday, Second Week of Lent (Isaiah 1:10, 16- 20; Matthew 23:1 – 12)
I have reached an age when my flaws of character feel impossible to reverse, like a red wine stain that has completely dried on my best white shirt, “Why even try, it is what it is.” Isaiah’s message serves as an important reminder and a call to action. Our God’s promise of genuine forgiveness if we repent makes even the darkest stain redeemable. It is time to step out of complacency. It is time to take an honest look at my own misguided actions. And what better way than to replace evil with good? The time is now. May I replace my complaints and judgements about others with caring service for those in my neighborhood with a need. God knows there are many opportunities for this work!
Ann Roder Fox, ’81, ’01
March 19: Wednesday, Solemnity of St. Joseph (2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a,16; Romans 4:13, 16-18,22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a)
St. Joseph, a just man, knew himself and knew his place in the providential order of things. “Go tell my servant David,” that is, Joseph, that the time has come. The heir foretold from of old, the heir that will “make his Kingdom firm,” has arrived. Now the Kingdom will last forever —beyond human power, due to divine grace. This is the promise, the covenant, that heaven confirms. St Joseph, like David, would turn and pray “My God, the Rock, my savior!” little knowing it would be from his home that the savior would come. His ignorance did not matter. His faith saved and perfected his knowledge of the law — faith in a gift beyond the law, for through Joseph did Abraham become the father of many nations. St. Joseph’s faith saved him in his dream, to trust in the word of the angel beyond empirical or legal assurances. St. Joseph took Mary into his home and thus fulfilled the promise, the law, and faith, for in his home did the Word made flesh first dwell amongst us.
John Brungardt, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
March 20: Thursday, Second Week of Lent (Jeremiah 17:5 – 10; Luke 16:19 – 31)
In the gospel of Luke, we hear the story of Lazarus and the rich man. We see that the rich man regrets his actions from the time that he was alive. We should heed his example, as we know that the reason why we were gifted the wealth that we have is not for ourselves. We are given wealth to share with others; once we die, there will be nothing left for us. We could be selfish and keep everything to ourselves but what better time to give to others than during Lent as this is a time of sacrifice in preparation of the Lord’s Resurrection.
Luke Timmermeyer, Seminarian
March 21: Friday, Second Week of Lent (Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46)
Today we reflect on two stories: one the story of Joseph and his betrayal by his brothers because of their jealousy, and the second, the parable of the Tenant Farmers who beat, stone and kill the emissaries of the owner, who is only asking for his fair share that resulted from his generosity.
In both, the brothers and the tenant farmers were jealous and felt entitled, responding not as God expects with love, but with malice and disdain. When have we felt jealousy? When have we acted out of anger that is misplaced?
True, we don’t often respond by hitting, stoning, or killing another, yet we do so metaphorically, bullying, belittling, casting aside and being dismissive. In this season of Lent, we are asked to look inside and to reflect on how we act towards others, finding a path of love. That is what is expected of us, to love the other as we would love ourselves. We are reminded in both stories that hate, anger, resentment, and jealousy are inconsistent with the pathway God expects of us.
Drew Bogner ‘79, Board of Trustees Member
March 22: Saturday, Second Week of Lent (Micah 7:14 – 15, 18 – 20; Luke 15:1- 3, 11- 32)
The readings serve as a reminder of God’s unending mercy. The God of Micah is a merciful and forgiving God who casts our transgressions into the abyss. This is echoed in Luke’s prodigal son story, which demonstrates a father’s unwavering love. We are prompted to consider our own forgiveness in both texts. Do we stand in judgment like the older brother, or do we celebrate when the lost are found? Lent encourages us to practice mercy, both receiving and giving it and to have faith in a God who will always return us home, regardless of how far we’ve wandered.
Kaven Bartlett, Student
2025 Lenten Reflections
For all of the reflections, check out the page on our Newman website.
