Lenten Reflections

Greetings and blessings to you! As we observe Holy Week, it's a profound time for us to immerse ourselves in the love and ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Christmas is often considered a special time due to gift-giving, time off, etc., Easter holds the utmost significance for Christians as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Jesus died on the cross to save us and fulfill His eternal promise to the world; He is the Lamb offered for our sins.

As we near the end of our Lenten journey, reflecting on our Lenten promises and intentions to deepen our faith and prayer life, we may recall instances where we fell short. Just as Jesus faced temptation over his 40 days in the desert and overcame them all, we too, may have encountered temptations to abandon our Lenten commitments. However, I hope you've also taken steps to cultivate a more prayerful approach to growing in faith and devotion to our Lord. It's never too late to make a sincere commitment to strengthen your faith, prayer life, and acts of kindness toward others – do it all for the glory of God!

On Palm Sunday, amidst the joyous and public praise, the crowds exclaimed, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest," Luke 19:38. Holy Thursday and Jesus' penitential act of washing his disciples' feet remind us of our baptism, the need for confession/reconciliation, humility, and service to others. 

Good Friday offers a crucial opportunity to reflect deeply on the events leading up to Christ's death and His sacrifice for us and generations to come. As Catholics, we must have an unwavering love for God the Father and the Son, recognizing that Christ not only gave Himself but also gave us His Church. The profound pain of Mary witnessing her son's suffering on the cross must have been unbearable. Another significant moment for us Catholics is when Jesus gave us Mary as our mother of the Church.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, 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," John 19:26-27.

Easter Sunday's second reading from Colossians 3:1-4 urges us to remember Jesus Christ continually, past this worldly life:

Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.   

My prayer is that you experience a renewed sense of faith and prayer life as we enter the Easter season. I encourage you to invite a friend or family member(s) who may not have attended church recently, or perhaps never, to walk with the Lord and learn about His selfless sacrifice during this special time. Show them how Jesus can work in their hearts.

As we conclude Lent, let us remember what truly matters and enter Easter time with a renewed sense of faith and commitment to God. He is the Truth, the Light, and the salvation for all. I encourage you to go to confession (it’s never too late!) and attend the Triduum —Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. May you experience the joy and glory of Easter. God bless you and keep you safe.

Your Sister in Christ,
Christina Orozco Nevers

In this past Sunday’s reading from John’s Gospel, we hear the account of Jesus forgiving a woman caught in adultery. It is at the same time one of the most controversial examples of Jesus’ personification and teaching of forgiveness, and one of the most important. The “SparkNotes” version of the reading: it tells the story of a woman caught in adultery who is called by the Pharisees and Scribes, who while standing in front of the public and Jesus, is used as an object for judgement. The Pharisees and Scribes publicly expose her transgression, and call upon Jesus to render judgment, in an attempt to test Jesus’ interpretation of the Law and to “entrap” Him being inconsistent in its application. What follows gives us one of Jesus’, and perhaps the Bible’s most famous lines about judgement and forgiveness: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

This passage from John’s Gospel is often the source of great debate amongst Christians who seemingly fall into two schools of thought: some who believe that the story illuminates their belief that no person should judge another’s sinful acts, while others say that the story, perhaps scandalized by the first interpretation, shouldn’t be included in the Bible at all. While the most accurate interpretation of the passage likely lies somewhere in between, as is the case with many of Jesus’ teachings, the story powerfully reminds us of His perfect balance of justice and mercy, and how it should inspire our own actions in our daily lives. While the historical, cultural, and religious context of this verse are extremely important to its understanding, you likely don’t have the time (or maybe desire!) to read a 20-page reflection. For the purposes of our weekly Lenten discernment, I want to focus on two things that I believe Jesus is trying to teach us through the Gospel.

The passage shows us the importance of being slow to anger. As Jesus (and the woman caught in adultery) is “put on blast” in a public setting, rather than responding hastily and angrily, Jesus stops, bends down, and seemingly reflects in the moment. Jesus shows us that no matter what the situation, conflict, or dilemma that we find ourselves in, we always have the opportunity to pause, think, and perhaps pray before we react. In this Lenten Season, often called the great retreat of the Church, let us look to Jesus example of restraint and contemplativeness the next time we find ourselves worked up.

Finally, Jesus shows us that the true perfection of justice is mercy. In the same moment, Jesus mercifully acknowledges the woman’s sin (and forgives her), while at the same time he patiently corrects the Pharisees and Scribes. It is a perfect example of Jesus’ masterful way of “loving the sinner, but hating the sin.” Jesus in no way excuses the woman’s sin, but in a loving way teaches everyone in the Temple that they (and we) are all sinners, while at the same time forgiving them in a merciful manner. The moment teaches us the importance of humility- that we are all sinners and before we are quick to gather our stones to throw, we must first examine our own conscience.

As we move closer to Easter, and the celebration of Jesus’ ultimate display of forgiveness and merciful judgement, let us put down our own stones as we prepare to roll back the stone at the tomb.

I’d like to focus this reflection on the idea of waiting or preparing for things not entirely known, and not entirely anticipated with joy.

Growing up Catholic, Lent was always partially a time of waiting (with some impatience) for Easter and all the familiar fun and happiness that holiday brought (counting down the days, say, until you can eat chocolate again). But that isn’t really the kind of waiting, or preparing, in which Jesus and the disciples are engaged in the Gospel readings we get during this time. For them, what comes at the end of all of this is less certain and less obviously “good.” In the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus describes to his disciples what they’re headed for, Peter’s instinctive reaction is to take up a stance of opposition against it: that won’t happen; it can’t. Jesus tells him off. He says he’s thinking about things the way humans do, not the way God does. To me this seems importantly different than saying: “Don’t worry: it’ll all be worth it for what comes after,” or “Don’t worry: it’ll all just be temporary.” It’s more like saying: “This part you want to skip is important.” “This part where you don’t understand, yet, is important.”

I happen to be pregnant this Lent, and it feels like a very appropriate time to be pregnant. There’s a lot to be afraid of, and uncertain about, as you contemplate what you’re going to arrive into at the end of a pregnancy. And the journey in the meantime isn’t always marked with joy: sometimes, for a long time, even, it might be marked by a lot of nausea. But you do what you can for now, and you make your plans around the best possibilities, even though they lie on the other side of pain, and even though you may not really understand how to envision the goodness of those possibilities, exactly (how does one really understand the prospect of a completely new person being in one’s life, anyway?).

Maybe you have something like this kind of waiting, or preparing, in your life right now. Graduation gives you a lot to look forward to, and a lot to be worried about, too. The looming

specter of finals: their trials and their possibilities for learning. The state of the world right now leaves a lot of us feeling like we’re on the brink of something: we feel we can begin to see the awful shape of parts of it. But we can’t go back, and we can’t stay put to stay safe, either.

The reading on Sunday was one that a lot of you are likely familiar with: the story of the prodigal son. Maybe this week we can think about the part of the story where the son is still on his ashamed way home to face his reckoning from his father. What does he think he’ll find when he gets there? What does that journey feel like while he’s still in it? How does he keep going? Let’s keep going. Let’s see what can be wrought from us. Let’s keep trying to understand how we can see this part as important, as something God would call good.

Do you hear what I hear?

No, this isn’t a misplaced theme to the Christmas season. It’s a question that should challenge us, the faithful, regularly if we have the ear of our heart open. This week, we have two instances in our faith tradition that illustrate moments where God speaks to important people in what will turn out to be important moments. The first is from this past Sunday’s gospel reading, where God speaks to Moses in the form of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15). The second is Tuesday’s feast of the Annunciation, where God, through the Angel Gabriel, speaks to Mary and announces that God has chosen her to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).

Our modern mind and sensibilities would have a difficult time grappling a bush on fire speaking nor an angel appearing out of nowhere. In both situations, Moses and Mary are apprehensive and even fearful, to an extent, probably as we would be today. A conversation ensues that reveals a plan that God has in mind. Use your imagination and put yourself in Moses and Mary’s place, how would you have reacted? Would your apprehension have gotten the best of you? Moses and Mary asked questions; what would you have asked?

As we are in prayerful preparation during Lent, how can we apply these moments in scripture to our lives?

1. God may not speak in such a grand or remarkable way. Are we noticing the ordinary and unremarkable ways God speaks to us?
2. Are we ready to listen to God, and more importantly, how would we respond?
3. Who might be a companion, friend, or spiritual mentor to share such a reflection, or to merely ask, "Do you hear what I hear?”

*If you’re interested in enlisting the help of a spiritual mentor during Lent, I’d encourage you to sign up for the Busy Person’s Retreat, sponsored by the Office of Mission & Ministry. It is an opportunity to go on a home retreat and work on your spiritual self under the guidance of a personal retreat leader. The format is flexible so as to fit your schedule, and there’s a wonderful meal at the end of the week. It is an excellent way to dip your toe into the retreat world or an opportunity for a mini spiritual reset. I hope you’ll consider participating!

I have recently been researching some of the earliest texts and traditions related to Lent and Easter in the history of the church as preparation for my class on the history of Jesus and for a presentation to our Iona LIRIC students on the history of Easter, during Spring break.

It surprised me to know that the image of Jacob struggling (wrestling) with God in the Hebrew Scriptures once played a very important part of the spiritual preparation for the high holy days of the Easter Triduum. In the Book of Genesis Ch. 32: 22-32 Jacob wrestles with an angelic form of God. The scene is also referenced in the Book of Hosea, Ch. 12:3-5. Some scholars suggest that this scene of Jacob was once one of the stations of the cross, together with the story of Jonah swallowed up by a whale for three days. Others suggest that these themes were often carved onto the burial tombs of the early Christians who were, in many ways, still very Jewish in their art, stories and literature. Both Jacob and Jonah emerge with a clear sense of their mission because of their struggles. In many way, Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days, not so much to get away from the secular pull of the temptations in the towns or villages he knew; rather, he goes into the desert to do battle with his God and from that emerges with a clearer understanding of his mission, a mission that would lead to the cross.

We see this very clearly in the early sections from the Gospel of Mark, the oldest of the four gospels. When the early church began celebrating Lent, as a preparation for Easter around the year 700, most Christians knew that it was a struggle to simply see Jesus as a Redeemer. But, as Benedictine Sister Joan Chichester, in her wonderful book, “Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope”, reminds us, our struggles to grow more authentically or discover our mission, is born out of struggle. It is this struggle that bears the fruit, the joyful fruit, of a life that is lived in the glow and confidence of Easter.

It’s something of an understatement, but it should be obvious that many people in our world are struggling at the present time; many wonder if the United States in its present political condition or even the mainline churches in the USA actually understand the pain of their struggles for food, clothing, heat, or what they need to live a sustainable life that respects the natural world and its resources.

What we can do during this time of Lent is to be more attentive whenever we see humanity struggling to make sense of life or struggling to find an end that leads to the hope of Easter. Furthermore, with Pope Francis, we can affirm that the voices of darkness, selfishness and greed which led to Jesus being crucified, will never win; only generous love with an attentive ear to the struggles of others will make us as Christians relevant and victorious with the risen Lord of Easter.

Fr. Vaughn J Fayle OFM, Ph.D.

Lent is upon us already.  Where did the time go? Many of us are wondering and asking ourselves (and others as well) about what to do for Lent.  What are you giving up? Are you doing anything special for this time of conversion and renewal? Hopefully these weekly reflections may help you on your Lenten journey. We often think of Lent as a time of penance, sacrifice and conversion.  It is but it is also a time of renewal. We are invited by our prayer, fasting and works of charity to renew our relationship with God, with others and with ourselves as well. This Lent 2025 is a Lent rich in celebrations that can help us in the call to renewal and conversion. 

This week, all Christians are beginning the journey of Lent.  Because of the difference in calculating the date for Easter, Orthodox Christians are usually a week or two later in beginning Lent and celebrating Easter.  This year is one of the times when we are close in the dates for Lent and Easter.  Orthodox Christians began Lent (also called the Great Fast) on Monday while Catholics and other Christians begin on Wednesday.  All of us will be celebrating Easter (also called Pascha for the Orthodox) on April 20. This occurs every few years.  Pope Francis has called for Christians to find a common date to celebrate Easter. This has been welcomed by several Orthodox Patriarchs, especially His Beatitude, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew. As we journey through Lent, perhaps we can pray for the dialogue needed to bring about that common celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection for all Christians. Jesus did pray that “all may be one.”

This year also marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.  This was the first Council of the Church and was called to define the Church’s understanding of the mystery of the Holy Trinity as well as understanding the person of Jesus Christ as fully Human and fully Divine. From this Council, we have the Nicene creed which is professed by Christians on a regular basis.  It is a time for the Church to celebrate this historic event and to renewed in living our faith in the Mystery of the Trinity and in Jesus Christ.  

Lastly, Pope Francis has recognized 2025 as a jubilee year with the theme of Hope.  We are called to be Pilgrims of Hope.  It is certainly something our world, our country and our Church need in these troubled times.  Hope invites us to pray and to work for a world of peace and justice. It calls to recognize the sanctity and dignity of human life as well as to safeguard the gift of creation.  Hope calls us to see the world in light of faith and to serve others with love and compassion. 

May our prayer, fasting and works of charity (from Matthew’s Gospel for Ash Wednesday) help us on our journey to Easter to grow in Faith and to be bearers of Hope to all in our world.