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As we transition into Lent, the readings take us through the creation of God’s covenant with the people after the destruction of the flood. God makes a promise to all living creatures that water will not be used for destruction ever again. In the first and second readings, the symbol of water changes from representing loss, as seen in the flood, to symbolizing purification, salvation, and ultimately transformation.  

I am struck by the resilience presented in these readings. The promise that after destruction and suffering, comes protection and transformation. When I think of Lent, I associate the time with reflection and retreat, however that is not always the case for everyone. For others, the Lenten season can be alienating. Perhaps in the past this could be soothed by our gathering physically in our communities, but this year, Lent might appear more desolate without the physical reminder of love of community. However the readings invite us to remember our resilience. This resilience is exemplified by Noah and his family, and Jesus in the desert, both ultimately being strengthened by God’ covenant to be with us. In the face of injustice, destruction, and disillusionment, God resides with us. Yet this makes me wonder, whose face does God bear among the conflict? Where do we search for God in our plight?

The readings invite us this Lent to experience transformation and conversion through the waters of baptism, for a “clear conscience” as the letter from Peter indicates. In the context of our challenging lives and world, we are called to encounter God present in all that is still life-giving to us. The Spirit led Jesus to the desolation of the desert, yet it is the same Spirit, and the same God who protects Jesus and leads him out. It is comforting for me to see that Jesus, while being the Son of God, is still fully human where he experiences alienation and temptation and just like us, relies on God’s presence.

To me, part of God’s covenant is the promise that we are not alone. In the process of conversion, of transformation no matter how painful and alienating it might be, there is that promise of resilience and God’s presence with us. In the face of difficulty, I see this as an opportunity to search for the face of God. As we enter our own deserts this Lenten season, I hope that we may remember that God walks with us and will lead us out. How can we become a symbol of resilience for one another? Where do we search for God’s face? How might we be invited to rely on God’s presence as we embark on our Lenten journey?

~ Tayz Hernandez,  B.A. in Theology and Psychology, Class of 2021

“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

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It is early in Jesus’s ministry. He has been baptized, and he has been to the desert. He has preached in the synagogues of Galilee, and he has cured people of demons and sickness. Then, a man afflicted by leprosy approaches him, bends to his knees and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Has this leper heard the rumors of the healer in the nearby town? Was the name “Jesus of Nazareth” uttered over shared bread? Was it spat at him mockingly by a passerby in the street? Did he glimpse Jesus from afar, anxiously hoping?

The leper speaks with certainty of Jesus’s power to heal. Maybe even faith. “If you will it, you can make me clean.”

Cries for help are ubiquitous. Rarely are they directed so clearly to our unhearing ears. One such case: a man approaches me on the street. “Can you spare any change?”

Why was I approached? Because the man knew that if I willed it, I could “make him clean." Can I spare any change? Of course I can. What’s more, if I willed it, I could leverage all of my privilege on behalf of that man. I could treat that man like my own brother, or my own son. Instead I give him petty cash (on a good day) and he goes on his way. We each have the potential to radically change the life of another. But we don’t. Jesus did.

 As members forming the Body of Christ in our present day, we are called to be as Christ to one another. We are called both to will the impossible, and to do the impossible. The question then that I constantly ask myself is this: why don’t we? 

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We know that currently there is a lot of pain in the world. The news coverage is heavier, focused on events that make us doubt what good there might be existing in the world. Each of us have our own worries or mishaps that we might try to ignore so that we can keep moving forward. There are also times when we are tired and refuse to admit it or take the time to recover.  

In the readings today we hear how Job felt horrible about his situation. He could not find any hope in the situation he was in, but still, as we know from elsewhere in the Book of Job, Job found it in himself to be assured that God was with him. This makes me question: how do I still feel God’s presence when times are bad or rough? A simple thought came to mind for me and it was the sunrise of each day. Sure, living where it is cloudy most days means I will not always see the sun, but I know it’s there. I know God’s still there. Job was honest with himself and authentic too—he did not lie and say that he was still happy despite all that happened to him, he was sincere. How can we be more honest in our day to day?  

As we read the Gospel today, I think it is important to be reminded that Jesus was still human, as us, and lived in the realness of life. He still was tired, was afraid but was also committed to giving himself to others. He took the time for himself then continued to serve those around him, and as we hear in today’s Gospel, those he healed then in turn served others around them. I find this comforting because it illustrates how human Jesus was in his earthly life. It reminds me to be more human too, trusting that it is there that God meets us.

Having those Jesus served continue to serve others is an example to me of the heart of the Gospel, the “Good News.” We are part of the church that lives and believes in the Gospel, not just hearing it, but also responding actively to God’s love in our world. I am reminded of St. Francis’s quote “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words,” something I heard plenty in elementary school but something that I think rings true today. Having encountered God’s love, how can we be part of sharing that Gospel with others? How are we called to serve others? 

~ Karina Comes, B.S. Biology, Class of 2021

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In the second reading, Paul tells us: “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” 

In our world, it seems like anxiety surrounds us,  with worries about health, financial security, politics, and family life. I find it almost unrealistic to listen to this teaching of being free of anxieties and paying more attention to God. However, both Paul and the author of Deuteronomy call us to trust in God. They call us to trust that amid all the suffering and the anxiety in the world, God is present for and within us. We need only be attentive and surrender our worries to God.

Paul says to the community he is writing to, and to us: “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” How can we be free of anxieties?

Moses, in the Book of Deuteronomy shares a promise that God will send a prophet to the people, to trust that God has listened to the plea of the people. That God listens. These readings paired together, invite me to reflect on that promise. God promises to liberate us from the anxieties of the world, and invites us to trust that God listens to our plea of help, our hope for relationship. 

Today’s readings inspire me to think about our own place in this promise. We are called to act as prophets for one another by trusting in God’s love and trusting that God will be the one to give us the words we need. We are in a tumultuous time where anxieties are high and it is necessary for us to be there for and with one another. We have a mission to trust in God and to become prophets for one another.

But what does this truly mean? What does it mean to act as a prophet? Especially now, what does it mean to trust in God and free ourselves from anxieties in the world that we inhabit? To me, it means recognizing what material things might hold us back and focusing on being agents of hope. It means spreading God’s message of hope and love with one another, and accompanying one another through our anxieties. Trusting that God will give us the strength to persevere and be there for each other. How can we act as prophets in our own communities? How are we being called to be present for one another in the times of high stress? Where can we see an opportunity to be agents of hope?

~ Tayz Hernandez,  B.A. in Theology and Psychology, Class of 2021

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“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

This is the message of Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, the first words Jesus speaks in the Gospel. This is the message of Jesus that reverberates through the centuries to us today.

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

The urgency of Jesus’ proclamation captures my attention today. The time is now. God’s reign of justice, God’s promise of life, hope, joy, peace, of transformation, it is here, breaking into our world.

Jesus’ prophetic proclamation came in a world yearning for change, deeply seeking God’s deliverance and transforming power. It came as promise, and embodied reality. Jesus lived what he preached, and invited others into the same dedication to the kingdom. This is why folks left their livelihoods, their families, their lives behind, to follow and participate in the unfolding promise of God’s love.

Can we be disciples in the same way?  Do we believe Jesus’ proclamation? Do we live as witnesses to this reality? Do we experience and proclaim the in-breaking love and kingdom of God in our world?  Do we look at this world fully, wholeheartedly and see all the places that cry out for God’s presence? Do we, as the Body of Christ, draw near to those places most in need of God’s reign, committing to embodying the promise in every place?

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and this year’s theme, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, taken from John 15, reminds us of Jesus’ invitation and promise: that through a deep rooting in God’s abundant love, much is possible.

Jesus appears on the scene in today’s Gospel soon after his own experience of being told he is beloved at his baptism. His mission, his passion for God’s kingdom, all his teaching, healing, liberating, inclusive, prophetic ministry, was rooted in this first knowledge of his own belovedness. Jesus knows that love bears much fruit in our world!

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

The love of God is not just a feel-good panacea, but rather a dynamic, energizing love, that invites us into ever-widening circles of compassion, and renewed commitment to God’s reign of justice and peace.

This Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, let us recommit as Christians to grounding ourselves in God’s love, and proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand with renewed energy and faith-filled action for justice and peace. Let it be in, among, and through us, that the world may know:

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

~ JoAnn Lopez, Campus Minister for Liturgy