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We’re almost at the end of the liturgical year, and our scriptures challenge us to pay attention to our world’s need for God’s saving power, by awakening to all its perils and problems. We see this in today’s readings, which offer us predictions of cataclysmic events. It is natural to hear these readings and feel alarmed, discouraged, and fearful. When I was in graduate school my professor described this style of apocalyptic literature in this way: “things are bad, and they’re going to get worse, and God intervenes.”  Our faith invites us today to keep our eyes on God’s saving power entering our world, in the midst of all that troubles us. This requires us, as Christians, to first acknowledge the painful realities of crises that our world faces: environmental catastrophe, racial injustice, clerical sexual abuse, political upheaval, dehumanizing immigration systems, an ongoing global pandemic, and many other marginalizing and death-dealing systems and structures of this world. Fully acknowledging these realities, we are called as followers of Christ to also pay attention to – and ultimately to partner with – God’s presence intervening in our world: bringing salvation, liberation, renewal, hope, joy, peace, and transformation in tangible ways.   

In every generation people have wondered if they will see the end of the world. We often feel our present age is so horrifying, so volatile, so filled with suffering and distress, that these must be the signs Jesus speaks about in the Gospel. Yet we do not know the day nor the hour. As Catholics we wait in hope for God’s decisive victory over sin and death, and we are called to live now as people transformed by God’s power, bearing witness to God’s dream of love and justice for the world through our lives. 

We remember that we are part of a lineage of faithful followers who have done this in their own overwhelming times. As we celebrate Black Catholic History Month this month, let us pray in a special way that our African American ancestors in faith, like Sr. Thea Bowman, Fr. Augustus Tolton, Julia Greeley, Daniel Rudd, Billie Holiday, and more, will be like the bright stars that illuminate how we might live as people of faith in our context, pursuing faith, justice, and building up community, just as they did before us.  

~ JoAnn M. Lopez, Campus Minister for Liturgy  

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In Jesus’ time widows were among the most vulnerable in society. Throughout scripture the care they receive is a barometer of our communal relationship with God: if we care for the marginalized, then we are living justly, as God desires.  

The widow of today’s Gospel is often celebrated for her generosity, contributing her whole livelihood to the Temple treasury. But – wait. In the Gospel Jesus says “beware the scribes – they devour the houses of widows.” The scribes were leaders trusted to interpret the obligations of the community. Perhaps Jesus is saying the widow gave all she had because it was expected and demanded by the institution and community she was part of – she had no choice but to give all and be left with nothing.  

We often ask the most vulnerable to give all they have. To be a little more patient. “Now is not the right time for that legislation, initiative, or representation.” To be a little more understanding. “Don’t be so sensitive, they didn’t mean it that way, it was just a joke!”  To work a little harder. “if you aren’t successful, you must be lazy. My ancestors, my family, and I worked hard, why can’t you?” To deny their feelings: “your grief, your problems, they're bumming me out. Just focus on happy things.”  

When have you been forced to give all you could, more than you thought possible? When have you demanded it of another, or stayed silent when our community, church, or country lay heavy burdens on the vulnerable?  

As Christians, how are we called to respond to the burdens on the vulnerable, in a world that constantly demands all they have to give?  

As followers of Jesus, a first step is imitating how he lived. Pay attention to the verbs in today’s Gospel: Jesus sits, sees, speaks, and calls people together. He takes time to observe reality, and be attentive to the world around him, especially to the most vulnerable. He speaks out against injustice and oppression, highlighting the stories and experiences of the vulnerable. He invites into community. How can we be more like Christ? Who do we need to sit with? Who or what do we need to see? What truth demand to be spoken? What communities should you join or form? 

~ JoAnn Melina Lopez, Campus Minister for Liturgy 

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At the end of today’s Gospel, the scribes become hesitant to ask Jesus any more questions, even after Jesus reaffirms their closeness to the kingdom of God. It seems exciting and reassuring at first, that they are on the right track towards the kingdom of God. However, the closer I’ve looked, the less sure I’ve become about this. You might be thinking: Shouldn’t Jesus’ affirmation make the scribes eager to ask him about more? It may be that perhaps this reaction reflects less on the answer they received, and more on the intentions behind the questions they’ve asked him. 

In my daily life, I constantly find myself asking questions about everything – Why are strawberries red? How are dogs so happy all the time? Why does my pencil fall to the ground when I let go of it?  

Sometimes I also ask myself the deeper questions – Why does the universe exist? Who is God? Who am I? 

When I ask questions – about polarized political topics, about the universe, about others, about God – I must reflect whether or not I am asking them out of pure curiosity, or if I’m actually trying to provoke a different response. I’m constantly urged to reflect on not the questions themselves, but why I ask them. 

How do my intentions influence the way I ask other people questions? Am I asking because I want to learn, or because I want to prove a point? Do I have a genuine curiosity about God and my neighbors? How am I being called to address the things that I don’t know, and through what lens can I evaluate my intentions? 

“Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.” 

~ Taylor-Ann Miyashiro, Class of 2022, B.S. Electrical Engineering

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Reflecting on this week Gospel’s reading, the first thing that came into my mind when I read it and let it sink in was: have I had the faith of Bartimaeus to have the courage to ask God to help me? Do I have the courage to always let God be there with me through all the steps of my life? I find this touching and a point of reflection for me, as life gets so busy that sometimes I forget the meaning of faith itself.  

This week’s reading tells us about a blind man, Bartimaeus, who asked Jesus for help so that he can see. He kept asking even though he could not see Jesus, he kept on shouting even though a lot of people told him to be quiet, and at last, Jesus noticed him and called him, and asked him what he wants. He responded he wanted to see, and Jesus said “Go your way; your faith has saved you”. From this, we can see that no matter what the circumstances are, Bartimaeus kept on having faith, being persistent, and knew that God will listen, God will provide what he needs.  

I believe everyone has their own portion of a problem, and we sometimes forget that God is with us all the time. When we ask Him for help, and don’t get the answer immediately we might feel sad, see ourselves as being left all alone and abandoned. This is where faith plays a very big part, when we pray and keep being persistent about it, like Bartimaeus, we reground ourselves in our faith that no matter what the outcome, that God is with us, has not abandoned us, and desires the best for us. This faith in God’s presence and love will help us get through each and every problem we encounter.  

As a person of faith, we go through each day and encounter different problems, and hope that God will walk with us every single step of the way. The question for us to consider is: have we included God in our daily life and let His way be the way for us? Are we as persistent as Bartimaeus with his faith, believing that God will draw near to us to help us?  

~ Alberta Wendy Sunanda, Class of 2022, BA in Business Administration, Finance Major

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This week’s readings have brought the notions of power, community, and relationships to my mind. When I first think of the word power, some words that initially come to mind are strength, capability, glory, force, and rule. I also think of the superiority that someone with power may have and how it may be utilized both in good and bad ways. This made me wonder if people today in our world or even myself truly realize the gravity of positions of power or leadership we may currently hold in our lives.

I have held several positions of leadership or “power” in the past in various instances and one example is when I used to work as the desk coordinator in a SeattleU dorm. As desk coordinator, I was the person in charge of making schedules, meeting with my desk supervisor, ensuring the desk functioned smoothly and efficiently, and ensuring the desk was a welcoming and helpful environment for students and guests.

The Gospel reading for this week has made me realize that my job is an example of a situation where I held a certain “power” over people and others as I was in a position of delegation and enforcement of policies and procedures. However, I also realize this position was a form of power that Jesus invites us to realize, a power coming from love and service. Working in the dorms, I was not only able to provide the best quality care and assistance for residents, but I was also able to form great relationships with the residents and my coworkers and help make the dorm a welcoming environment for everyone. I consider the interactions and connections I made at the desk to be the highlight of working in the dorm for almost two years.

With today’s reading in mind, are there any positions of power or leadership in your own relationships or community that you are a part of that comes to mind? If so, how do you (or would you) utilize these positions to express your love and service to others? In what ways do you feel called to serve others?

~ Erin Camemo, B.S. Diagnostic Ultrasound, Class of 2022