Lenten Reflections
LENTEN REFLECTIONS FOR 2025
Each year, Campus Ministry collects Lenten reflections from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University and shares them with the campus community.
Lenten Reflections: March 5 – March 8
Wednesday, March 5 (Ash Wednesday)
Reflection on Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20 & Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
The time is here for the Lenten Season, and I can’t help but think to myself, “What will I give up for the next 40 days, only to resume next Tuesday?” I am the first one to say that making goals for myself can be the most difficult thing to do. Looking forward and seeing the harsh road ahead of discipline for an outcome that I am not sure I would even want at the finish line doesn’t sound as appealing to me as I think. Oftentimes, I can’t even begin to think of goals because I am paralyzed by the thought of the time it will take to accomplish them. Therefore, I look to others to affirm me in my actions. As the scripture says, I will perform righteous deeds so that people may see them; when I give alms, I will blow a trumpet before myself to win the praise of others, and when I pray, I will stand and pray so others may see me.
The mere thought of doing these for others crowds my mind, lying to me that it is the answer. I squint my eyes tightly to remove that from my thought process and just hope I can envision what a clear mindset can be. A Brother mentor of mine recently told me “If all literature related to the Bible were lost and only one verse could remain, it would be the following, “Rend your hearts, not your garments”….. Let’s say that together: Rend your hearts, not your garments.
What does it mean to Rend your heart? It means accepting our faults and God’s forgiveness and restoration of our souls. It means that it is okay if you accidentally scroll on Instagram after you said you were going to fast from it; close the app and start over. Wanted to go for a walk each day of Lent but didn’t go because you were tired? Rest up and lace up your shoes for the next day. Only read 15 pages as opposed to your daily 20 pages that you required for yourself? Close your book and your eyes and return tomorrow. That is what this scripture is asking of us: Accept the struggle that you experience during the next 40 days for “your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Maybe upon reading this reflection, you felt a calling to go forth and spend time with Jesus. As the Gospel of Matthew states, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray in secret, for when your Father sees you, you shall be repaid.
Wishing you all a blessed Lent, and May God guide you on this journey. What commitments have you made for this sacred time? Let us reflect on them together.
Brother Christian Jesus Camacho
Campus Ministry Aide & Coordinator McLaughlin Social Justice Institute
Thursday, March 6
Reflection on Deuteronomy 30:15-20 & Luke 9:22-25
Jesus lays out quite the paradox in today’s Gospel from Luke: if you wish to save your life, you must lose it; if you lose your life for Jesus’s sake, it will be saved. I don’t know about you, but I like my life – I like my family, I like my health, I like my skills and talents, I like my vocation to campus ministry, I like working at CBU (go Bucs!), and I like a whole bunch of other things besides. And yet, Jesus is saying that in order to save my life, I have to lose all of that. Isn’t that a bit extreme?
Yes and no. Jesus isn’t asking me to leave my family or quit my job; that would be pretty drastic. He isn’t calling me to surrender anything in and of itself. However, he is asking me to surrender everything that takes his rightful place in my life. If I care more about health, work, recreation, or even family… something needs to change.
Jesus wants my whole heart, and he wants yours, too. Is Jesus really at the center of your life? If someone looked at your weekly calendar or your bank account, or if someone could read your mind, would they find that you are really the Christian that you say that you are? Do you spend your energy striving to live always as a disciple?
Let me be the first to say that I fail at this. Even though I do ministry professionally, there are times when commitments, responsibilities, and personal pursuits take priority, even though I know that Jesus should be my first thought. Does that mean that I should just continue straying further and further from God and continue letting these obstacles get in the way? No! We have a God who longs to be in a relationship with us, so much so that he took on human flesh, lived a human life, died our death, and miraculously rose to restore and reconcile our relationship with God the loving Father. I am called to metanoia – to conversion – to reemphasize Jesus’s role in my life. You are called to this conversion, too. So, how do we do that practically?
Jesus offers us the antidote to our (sometimes well-intentioned) self-centeredness. “Take up your cross daily and follow me,” he invites us. On this side of heaven, we will never live perfectly. But with God’s grace, we can more and more place Jesus at the center of our lives. We can sacrifice activities and identities – even when they’re good! – to make the proper space for the one who is the Supreme Good. That’s what Lent is all about. Making small changes, picking up our cross each day, to follow Jesus. And with him as the focus, we might be surprised that all of those other priorities fall into place, ready to be used by God, not only for our salvation but for that of those around us.
Joel Kelley
Director, Campus Ministry & Mission
Friday, March 7
Reflection on Isaiah 58:1-9a & Matthew 9:14-15
“This, rather, is the fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke. Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own” (Isaiah 58).
These days, some would call this a political statement. But it is only the prophet Isaiah exhorting us to do what is best for others and doing what is best for ourselves. That is why Isaiah goes on to say “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed.”
Lent gives us the opportunity to serve others and to find our joy in doing so. Altruism does not come naturally, but, once we make it part of our life, we find healing and peace because ultimately we are all in this together.
Brother Alan Parham, FSC (‘94)
Director of Vocation Promotion at Christian Brothers of the Midwest
Saturday, March 8
Reflection on Isaiah 58:9b-14 & Luke 5:27-32
In Jesus’ day, the Roman Empire had seized control of the nation of Israel. Among other policies they imposed, one particularly unjust practice was the collection of taxes. The money collected did not go to underwrite services for the people who paid the taxes – the Jewish people. Instead, the money went to support further conquests of the Roman Empire. Unfair and oppressive, this system forced the Jewish people to foot the bill for their own oppression and military occupiers.
What was uniquely egregious about the fellows who collected the taxes was that they were Jewish. Accepting a Roman tax collector position was an easy income, and these fellows went for it. There may have been numerous reasons, perhaps even somewhat justified (they lost their homes in a bad storm or their crops in a terrible draught), but still – this amounted to treason against their own people.
And on top of all that, the process for collecting the taxes was itself horribly unjust – amounting to a kind of profiteering. It was awful! In light of all that, it is no surprise that tax collectors were despised by their own people.
But here Jesus is sitting down at the table with these culprits. Why? What was he thinking? Exactly the question the Pharisees and scribes were asking.
The answer, of course, is stunning: Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, not exclude them or punish them, but forgive them, reconcile with them, and offer them a pathway to redemption and wholeness. “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do,” says Jesus, “I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” Here, Jesus reveals just who God is: infinite and unbounded love itself, infinite and unbounded mercy!
This is great hope for us as we begin Lent – a season of repentance and growth in gospel living. We all have aspects of our lives that we might need to reconsider, behaviors that may need to be changed, relationships that may need healing, habits that may need to be broken and new, healthier ones adopted.
This is all possible precisely because of what Jesus reveals in his relationship with these tax collectors: God’s mercy knows no limit. Change is always possible because of the great mercy of God whose grace is always there moving us forward, giving us strength, making us whole again. All we need to do is ask.
Reverend Dr. R. Bruce Cinquegrani
Assistant Professor, Chaplain, Department of Religion & Philosophy
Lenten Reflections: March 9-15
Sunday, March 9
First Sunday of Lent
Reflection on Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Romans 10:8-13 & Luke 4:1-13
As you journey through your college career, the readings from Deuteronomy, Romans, and Luke offer wisdom on faith, identity, and perseverance. In Deuteronomy 26:4-10, the Israelites are called to remember their history and give thanks for God’s guidance. This passage reminds us that no matter where we come from, gratitude and reflection on our past can ground us as we step into new experiences. College is a time of transition, and just as the Israelites acknowledged God’s presence in their journey, we, too, can find strength in remembering the people, values, and traditions that have shaped us.
Romans 10:8-13 emphasizes the power of faith and inclusivity, stating that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This message extends beyond a single faith tradition, encouraging all of us to seek deeper meaning and connection. In a diverse college environment, we are invited to explore our beliefs, engage in conversations with those of different faiths, and recognize the shared human desire for truth, love, and belonging. This passage reassures us that we are not alone—whether through faith, friendships, or community, we are supported as we navigate this new chapter.
Luke 4:1-13 recounts Jesus’ time of testing in the wilderness, where he resists temptation and remains faithful to his purpose. Similarly, college presents challenges that test our values, discipline, and sense of self. There may be moments of doubt, pressure, or struggle, but this passage encourages us to stay true to what we believe and who we are becoming. As you face academic, social, and personal trials, remember that challenges are opportunities for growth. Lean on your faith, your support system, and the lessons you’ve carried with you. In doing so, you will emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to embrace the journey ahead.
Brother Patrick Conway, FSC, Ed.D.
Director, Lasallian Institute for the Formation of Teachers (LIFT)
Director, McLaughlin Social Justice Institute (MSJI)
Monday, March 10
Reflection on Leviticus 19:1-21 & 1-18 & Matthew 25:31-46
Life takes its toll on us at the times when we least expect it to. When we are in the flow of things, we get pushed off of our track and set into this weird mindset of eagerness and uncomfortability. We look for someone to blame and we look for something to blame. The moment someone did something wrong to us in the past 24-hours bears the brunt of all of our current problems. Does this sound like I am talking to you because I kind of am! Believe me, I am also speaking to myself because I am guilty of this as I imagine we all are as well.
The book of Leviticus has a special verse that sticks out to us for how we treat our community members. Although we may not be tied together through union or any other form of companionship, we are tied together in this wonderful world. Leviticus 19:17-18 says “You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. . . take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Pointing to us and reminding us that whatever we may say to our neighbor, we are saying to ourselves.
As we move towards the Gospel reading for the day, we take our emotions that we hold towards our community members and we care for them, we love them; We give them drinks, we give them clothes, we care for them and we visit them (by the way, have you checked in on your elder community members?) all out of the kindness of our hearts; Not because we wish to be acknowledged; but because it is the right thing to do. We are rewarded by the words of Jesus for our actions, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me”. Doesn’t it bring your own emotions into tears of gladness, knowing that the Lord has placed these burdens on you just to care for your community member, only to realize that it is Jesus you are caring for?
It is okay to say Sorry when it feels uncomfortable to do so; Jesus is listening.
Brother Christian Jesus Camacho
Campus Ministry Aide & Coordinator McLaughlin Social Justice Institute
Tuesday, March 11
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Reflection on Isaiah 55:10-11 & Matthew 6:7-15
In Isaiah 55:10-11, we are reminded that the word of the Lord is never empty. Just as rain and snow nourish the earth, God’s word sustains and strengthens us. It fills us with what we need to endure each day, providing guidance, comfort, and renewal. His words are not just spoken—they are reliable, transformative, and purposeful, accomplishing exactly what He intends. This passage challenged me, “am I truly relying on the Lord to sustain and strengthen me, or am I trying to figure it all out myself?”
Psalm 34 reassures us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Even in moments when we feel unworthy, overwhelmed, or inadequate, God is nearby. He does not wait for us to have everything figured out—He meets us where we are, in our weakness and suffering. His presence is constant, even when we struggle to feel it. This passage makes me wonder, “Is God, the ultimate comforter, the thing I run to when I am feeling hurt?”
The Gospel from Matthew 6:7-15 brings us to Jesus’ teaching on prayer—the words we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. But this prayer is not simply a script to recite; it is a model for how we are called to approach God. Jesus teaches us to pray with sincerity, trusting fully in God’s provision and approaching Him with reverence, dependence, and an open heart. This passage challenges me to be more authentic in my prayer life, laying it all on the table before God in surrender.
As a sophomore in college, I often feel overwhelmed. The pressure to maintain my GPA, uphold leadership responsibilities, work enough hours, plan for internships, and research graduate programs can feel like too much to carry. During these worldly pressures, I often forget about the peace that the Lord freely offers. I get so caught up in trying to figure everything out on my own that I neglect the very things that ground me—reading Scripture, journaling, and spending time in prayer. When stress builds, it’s easy to feel isolated, believing no one truly understands. But Psalm 34 reminds me that the Lord hears me, fights my battles for me, and remains close to me. His word is always enough.
Lent is an invitation to return to that truth—to rest in the certainty of God’s presence, to trust in the provision of His word, and to lean into the power of prayer. May we all take this season to open our hearts, knowing that He is always nearby. Today as we reflect on these scriptures, I challenge you to consider times where you have felt overwhelmed or brokenhearted and reflect on how you felt God’s presence.
Rachel Johnson (‘27)
Psychology Major
Wednesday, March 12
Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
Reflection on Jonah 3:1-10 & 1-18 & Luke 11:29-32
Wednesdays are always a powerful day for me. We’ve completed 2 days and we have 2 days ahead of us. When we sit back and reflect, we do not have to be burdened with what could’ve been; we can appreciate how we can make the final 2 days of the work week free and fulfilling. However, what’s the use of counting down to the weekend? Is it because we are not working our daily routine? When Saturday comes around, aren’t you itching to get back to your routine of class at 9:00am, Mass at 12:00pm, lunch at 12:45 pm, and dinner at 5:00 pm?
When we say we are in the Holy Presence of God, how exactly are we going forth and respecting our environment that he is present in? Watching Netflix and eating snacks may not be the most feasible way that we honor His presence among us; what are some ways you can do so?
Meditation brings us to the full front of our faith; We become face-to-face with God in silence and in darkness. When we close our eyes, we see nothing, and we increase the usage of our senses, such as hearing, smelling, and touching. We let our minds run and run for the first 2-minutes and then we are in touch with God’s presence. As the Gospel of Luke states, “and there is something greater than Solomon here . . . and there is something greater than Jonah here,” reminding us that the Lord’s presence, His gifts that he comes bearing is great amongst us; We close our eyes so that we may imagine what can be greater amongst us.
“When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out”. One of my favorite young poets, Miles Carter, said, “ If there’s a heaven, give them a show. Let them find themselves enamored by the path you’ve chosen to follow; show them what it means to be alive”. Turn away from the evil way and show those that you love/loved what it means to be alive; have them become enamored by the path you’ve chosen and continue to struggle with during this Lenten season.
Brother Christian Jesus Camacho
Campus Ministry Aide & Coordinator McLaughlin Social Justice Institute
Thursday, March 13
Thursday of the First Week in Lent
Reflection on Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 & Matthew 7:7-12
This passage from the Gospel of Matthew always reminds me of a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Giorgio Vasari. As an undergraduate, I studied abroad one summer in Florence, Italy. Inside one of the city’s most famous buildings, the Palazzo Vecchio (or “Old Palace”), is a painting by Vasari that mysteriously contains the Latin phrase Cerca trova—which translates to “Seek and ye shall find”—subtly hidden within the artwork. The inclusion of this phrase has puzzled art critics for centuries, much like it bewildered undergraduate Colby, who would often visit the painting in the afternoons after class.
“Seek and ye shall find” is central to today’s Gospel reading. I’m always amused (and, honestly, a bit disgusted) by the contemporary phenomenon of “manifesting”—the idea that we can think something into existence. Even some of my fellow psychologists espouse manifesting, but I believe many people mistakenly conflate it with seek and ye shall find. We cannot simply think or wish something into reality.
However, there is something to be said for meeting God halfway. The Wise Men would never have experienced Epiphany had they not journeyed to Bethlehem. We are not called to passively wait for God to find us—true epiphany involves effort.
Sometimes, though, we don’t have a roadmap—or, in the case of the Wise Men, a star to guide our way. The other day, I saw a car with a bumper sticker that read, “Not all who wander are lost.” This quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring has taken on a free-spirited, almost hippy-ish connotation, but I think its message applies to this Gospel passage and our Lenten journeys. Like the Wise Men, we are wandering through the desert for the next 40 days—but we are not lost. We wander with purpose.
Cerca trova.
Dr. Colby D. Taylor
Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences
Friday, March 14
Friday of the First Week of Lent
Reflection on Ezekiel 18:21-28 & Matthew 5:20-26
“Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?”
What does it mean to live? God says that he rejoices in the life one receives from acting virtuously, but no one dies in the conventional sense from sin.
Life is complex. It feels long – unbearably so, sometimes. Most can agree that living in the world we do now brings a lot of heartbreak. Pursuing virtue can seem like a lost cause among so much greed, fear, and confusion.
Lao Tzu says, “The things of this world exist, they are; you can’t refuse them. To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.” (Tao Te Ching #2)
We can’t change the world that we live in. We cannot refuse it, either. What we can do is create a world in ourselves that generates goodness. Perhaps the Life God rejoices in here is not the state of being alive, but rather living in a way that creates life, that creates a state of flourishing that does not seek to own or to keep, but simply to Be – that helps others Be.
Michal Kennell
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Saturday, March 15
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Reflection on Deuteronomy 26:16-19 & Matthew 5:43-48
When I teach squirmy three-to-five-year-olds in church, I help them focus their attention by giving three commands. With a big smile, I lean toward them and pantomime as I speak, “Faces forward! Hands folded! Mouths zipped!”
Moses said something similar in today’s lesson, “Hearken to the Lord’s voice” (Deuteronomy 26:16).
Since my audience clamors to participate, my teaching includes singing. The youngsters already know this favorite, “Jesus Loves Me.” Its lyrics give foundational truths like “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
My squirmers square their shoulders with this phrase, “Little ones to him belong,” and listening adults identify with this proven statement, “he is strong.”
I have found this beloved song brings smiles and fosters self-confidence. It reinforces a biblical truth from today’s lesson, “Happy/Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1).
Jesus likewise knew he was loved by his Father. After his baptism, a voice from heaven affirmed him by saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Because he knew he was loved, Jesus, therefore, could teach his disciples how to be children of their heavenly Father (Matthew 5:45). His life, lived among his disciples over the next three years, exemplified how he fulfilled the commands he gave them that are recounted in today’s lesson (Matthew 5:43-48).
Gospel stories document how he loved his enemies even when calling them hypocrites (Matthew 23:13, 15, 23, 27); prayed for his persecutors from the cross (Luke 23:34); and associated with tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-13).
Subsequent verses of “Jesus Loves Me” continue teaching. In verse 2, children learn that Jesus died so “heaven’s gate could open wide” and that his death “will wash away my sin” and “let his little child come in.”
While singing verse 3, my loud warblers easily imagine Jesus “taking children on his knee” and hear his welcoming words, “Let them come to me.” I hope my young charges will remember “Jesus Loves Me” and know the deep love of Jesus throughout their lives. That love, I can attest, only gets sweeter and sweeter.
Dr. Robin Gallaher Branch
Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion and Philosophy
Sunday, March 16
Second Sunday of Lent
Reflection on Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17—4:1 & Luke 9:28b-36
The sky is quite beautiful; A spiritual connection to us, wouldn’t you say? We dictate our actions off of its behavior. If it rains, we do not plan to have a picnic outside. If the sun is beaming in the sky, maybe we won’t close our curtains, get comfortable under the covers, and expect to get our 8 hours of sleep (although some of us have blackout curtains and there is no shame here!). Are you a night owl or a morning person? I tend to find I’ve become both; I have no idea how. The book of Genesis and the Gospel of Luke includes 2 instances where the sky above Abram, Peter, John, and James had impacted the effects of their interaction with the divine.
Abram hears the good news of his descendants receiving the land upon which he brings five animals, but he experiences the deep and terrifying darkness that swallows his environment. Peter, John, and James went up to the mountain to Pray with Jesus and were encountered by Moses and Elijah conversing with Jesus. Not knowing what was to come next, they trusted their faith and went forth and entered the cloud that cast a shadow over them. Thus, a voice came forth and told them that Jesus was the Chosen Son.
Abram, Peter, John, and James were filled with a terrifying presence they fought against with their faith; Psalm 27:1, 7-8 states, “ The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” When you find yourself in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty, look to the sky above, our spiritual clocks, and believe that the Lord is your light and your salvation. What is there to be afraid of? What is there to lose? The Lord will cast his shadow amongst you and protect you from any dangers that may come across your body. Being one with your environment and embracing the Lord’s holy presence is imperative.
Brother Christian Jesus Camacho
Campus Ministry Aide & Coordinator McLaughlin Social Justice Institute
Lenten Reflections: March 17 – March 22
Monday, March 17
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Reflection on Daniel 9:4b-10 & Luke 6:36-38
In a culture overcrowded with lawyers, today’s Gospel message is challenging yet refreshing. Every mistake does not have to be handled in a punitive way. Of course, some errors have dire consequences, but in our day-to-day interactions, much can be resolved with a simple apology and forgiveness. Having reached the final quarter of my life, acquired wisdom and experience have taught me that kindness is more powerful than anger, composure is more productive than impatience, and embracing our differences does more to enlighten than it does to divide.
A fellow Christian Brother eulogizing his father said, “My dad could never understand why everyone didn’t think like he and God did.”
While we can’t “corner” God, God is in our corner.
Lent affords us the opportunity to raise our awareness as to how we deal with others. In our lifelong journey with fellow sinners and a few saints, God reaches out to each of us in a unique, but loving way.
Brother Chris Englert, FSC (’77)
Interim President
Tuesday, March 18
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Reflection on Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 & Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus seems to love paradoxes, doesn’t he? “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Throughout the Lenten season, Jesus challenges the world’s way of proceeding. The world says that to be known is to be important, and to be recognized is to be valuable; to be hidden would be insignificant. If you don’t believe me, check out social media. It screams, Look at my dog! Look at my lunch! Check out my vacation! I got a promotion! Don’t you wish you had my life?! These posts reinforce the idea that the post-er is an Important Person.
In flaunting ourselves on social media (or in other places), we can fall into the temptation of believing that those attributes or achievements luxuries make us worth more than others. This fascination with social import is nothing new; in today’s Gospel from Matthew, we find the first-century equivalent: widened phylacteries and titles connoting power used as a way to enforce one’s superiority. This isn’t much different than our name-brand outfits and name-dropping connections. These dramatic, external signs remind others they are dealing with an Important Person (i.e. us).
Contrastingly, Jesus – in his counter-cultural way – invites us to instead become unimportant, unassuming persons. He encourages us not to seek out accolades, expensive clothing, or titles that exercise power over others. Rather, he calls us to humility, to live life exactly as who we are before God. And who is that exactly? We are nothing more, and nothing less, than God’s beloved daughter, God’s beloved son. We do not need to be an Important Person in the eyes of the world because we are already important enough that God might send Jesus to walk our walk, talk our talk, die our death, and restore us to relationship with our loving Father.
In this Lenten season, let’s worry about ourselves less. Let’s be okay not being an Important Person for a day. Instead, let’s concern ourselves with doing good as the First Reading reminds us: redressing the wronged, hearing the orphan’s plea, defending the widow, and other such endeavors. While those pursuits might not be as post-worthy (or resume-worthy) as other activities, they are offered to us by God as ways to “learn to do good.” Jesus says, “the greatest among you must be your servant,” and he served in the most notable way of all. And he is an Important Person.
Joel Kelley
Director, Campus Ministry & Mission
Wednesday, March 19
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reflection on 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Trust, Service, and Community
During Lent, we reflect on God’s call in our lives. In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph faces uncertainty but chooses faith, embracing God’s plan with courage. His response mirrors key Lasallian values of faith, service, and community.
Faith in God’s Providence
Joseph trusted God even when the future seemed unclear. As Lasallians, we are called to see God in all things and trust in His guidance, especially in difficult times. This Lent, we ask: Do we believe God is working through our challenges?
Service Through Compassion
Joseph’s choice to stand by Mary was a selfless act of love. In our Lasallian mission, we serve the poor and marginalized. Lent invites us to reflect: Are we responding to God’s call to serve others, even when it requires sacrifice?
Building Community
Joseph’s acceptance of Mary and Jesus created a family of love. Lasallians are called to foster inclusive communities where all are valued. This Lent, let’s ask: Are we building trust, respect, and care in our workplaces and relationships?
Living the Call
Joseph didn’t just listen—he acted. Faith demands action. As Lasallians, we are called to live out God’s invitations daily.
Prayer
Loving God,
Help us trust You, serve with love, and build communities of faith.
May this Lent transform us into true disciples,
committed to faith, service, and community.
Amen.
Ron Brandon
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Thursday, March 20
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Reflection on Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Luke 16:19-31
As we continue our Lenten journey, today’s reading reminds us of the deep contrast between placing our trust in the fleeting strength of the world and anchoring our hope in the Lord. The prophet Jeremiah paints a vivid image: those who rely solely on human power are like barren bushes in the desert, struggling to survive. But those who trust in God are like trees planted by water, resilient and fruitful even in times of drought.
At a university rooted in faith and the Lasallian tradition, we are called to nurture the kind of trust that does not waver with circumstances. As students, faculty, and staff, we all experience moments of challenge—times of uncertainty, stress, or disappointment. It is in these moments that we must ask ourselves: Where do we place our trust? Are we relying only on our own strength, or do we turn to God as our source of hope?
Lent is an invitation to realign our hearts, to stretch our roots toward the living waters of God’s presence. When we do, we will not only endure difficulties but continue to bear fruit—offering love, wisdom, and encouragement to those around us.
May we take this season to deepen our trust in the Lord, knowing that He alone sustains us.
N. Ryan Flickinger
Vice President of Advancement & Alumni
Friday, March 21
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Reflection on Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a & Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Both the Old Testament Reading and the Gospel reading for the day speak to envy and greed. In the Old Testament, we see the story of Joseph and his relationship with his brothers, simply because he is considered the “favorite child” by his father, Israel. The brothers are so jealous of his perceived favoritism that they sell him to Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
In the Gospel, we read of the parable of the vineyard owner. After giving the workers the land to produce a crop, the workers are filled with greed and envy, seeking ways to protect property and wealth. In an effort to protect such material things, death becomes the solution.
In everyday life, our world becomes distorted by wealth, jealousy, and greed. We want the best homes and cars; we want the recognition and praise that is showered on others; and we are motivated by a desire to “get ahead,” no matter the cost. It may not always be intentional; however, as humans, we fall into the trap of comparison.
As a handicapped individual, I am guilty of falling into the “comparison” game. I look around and see so many people who seemingly have it easier than I do. They stand without struggle, tie shoes without difficulty, drive without needing assistance, or get ready each day without the helpful hand of another person – and if I’m honest, I am envious. I want days without struggle as a fight for independence.
Have you ever been jealous of a friend, family member, or complete stranger? Maybe they were recognized for an award, earned a higher grade on an assignment, or received a promotion at work. You want to be happy for them, but your immediate reaction is to wonder why they were recognized and not you.
When I find myself falling into the trap of comparison, I try to recall this simple reminder:
CONTINUING
ON
MY
PATH
ALWAYS
RECALLING EMPATHY
During this Lenten season, I commit to follow GOD’s path for me and be thankful for the path he has designed for ME. I seek daily not to compare myself to others or to assume that my path will look like that of anyone else. Too, as I travel God’s path for me, I seek to be empathic to my neighbor – seeking to understand and uplift others. May it be so for you as well.
May we remember that as we are walking God’s path for our lives this Lent, we are to be the cornerstone on which others can build; rather than the voice of comparison, which tears things apart.
Wilson Phillips (‘08)
Administrative Coordinator for Student Affairs
Saturday, March 22
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Reflection on Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 & Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
I recently helped with a First Communion Retreat. We also reviewed the Sacrament of Reconciliation (sometimes called Confession) with the children. One of the more effective ways to do this is to read the Gospel story of the Prodigal Son (which I prefer to call the Waiting Father). So important to notice how the young man repented and returned to his father, who was only waiting and hoping for him to return. But then what happens? The father throws a party because “My son was dead, but now he is alive. He was lost but now has been found.” Later, when the children are coached and invited to act out the story, it becomes a joyful teaching activity.
We, too, are called to be like children during Lent. The story is not just about Confession, but very much about the joy of recognizing our need for repentance and renewal; in other words, it is very much about why we celebrate Lent in the first place. And perhaps we can have a party to recognize that. Why wait till Easter?
Brother Alan Parham, FSC (‘94)
Director of Vocation Promotion at Christian Brothers of the Midwest
Lenten Reflections: March 23 – March 28
Sunday, March 23
Third Sunday of Lent
Reflection on Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 & Luke 13:1-9
Being open to God’s call, even when we don’t fully understand it, is especially important in the time of Lent. In Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, Moses was not out looking for a divine mission—he was just tending his sheep when God spoke to him through the burning bush. That reminds me that sometimes, the moments that shape our lives are the ones we least expect. God calls us, even when we feel unprepared or unwilling. All He asks of us is to trust Him. The Psalm emphasizes not hardening our hearts when we hear His voice. The reading resonates with me because it is easy to ignore or push away God. It makes me wonder—how often do I fail to recognize His voice? Am I too caught up in my own plans to recognize His guidance? In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, it reminded me how easy it is to take my blessings for granted and lose sight of my faith in God. Paul’s words serve as a wake-up call, urging me to examine how I’m living and where I may have strayed. However, Lent is a chance for me to reflect within myself and take meaningful actions to grow closer to God.”
José L. Hernandez (’25)
Engineering Major
Monday, March 24
Third Monday of Lent
Reflection on 2 Kings 5:1-15ab & Luke 4:24-30
In 2 Kings 5:1-15, Naaman, a powerful general, initially struggles with the simplicity of the solution offered by the prophet Elisha. Elisha instructs him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman’s initial reaction was disbelief. He expected something more dramatic, more fitting to his status. His pride and expectations stand in the way of accepting a simple act that would bring him healing. Just like Naaman, we often imagine that the path to healing or resolution must be complicated or grand. We expect dramatic answers, but sometimes, the humblest acts are what lead us to the transformation we seek.
Naaman’s story challenges us to examine our own approach to healing and growth. We live in a world that often values grandeur and spectacle, but Naaman’s healing teaches us that God’s ways are often humble and simple. Healing doesn’t always require grand gestures or monumental actions; sometimes, it’s in the small, seemingly insignificant moments where transformation takes place. God’s invitation often calls us to humility and trust, not to our own expectations or sense of pride.
Naaman had to let go of his preconceptions about how healing should happen, and in doing so, he experienced not just physical restoration but also a change in his heart. His healing was not just in his body but also in his spirit, as he learned to trust in something greater than himself. This reminds us that real transformation comes when we humble ourselves, surrender our control, and trust in the simple yet powerful ways God chooses to work in our lives.
So, like Naaman, we, too, are invited to let go of our pride and expectations. We are reminded that the path to healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, may not be what we envision. But when we follow God’s invitation, however simple it may seem, we open ourselves up to true transformation.
Joselyn Alvarez (‘25)
Business Major
Tuesday, March 25
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Reflection on Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10 & Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
This scripture talks about the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. In these verses, angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to the Son of the Most High. At first, Mary is a bit skeptical and asks the angel how that will be possible since she is a virgin. The angel replies by telling her the Holy Spirit will come onto her and that even her relative, Elizabeth will give birth at her old age. He then tells her that no word from God will ever fail. This scripture can help many understand the love God has for us as it demonstrates the personal blessings God gives us even through challenges and by giving us Jesus and his teachings.
Antonio Aleman (’25)
Biology Major
Wednesday, March 26
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Reflection on Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 & Matthew 5:17-19
This reading reminds me of a very important element of our relationship as humanity with God, that is the ultimate free will he has placed upon us. In the reading, we are told of people God has called upon, but they reject him. God does not force us to love him because that is not the true form of love. He instead calls to us and provides us with his unconditional love. He invites us to obey him and prosper, but some choose to disobey him and oppose him by stiffening their hearts instead of opening them up to invite him in. This reading has a special place in Lent because it is during this time that we are reminded to repent. We are able to do this because of God’s unconditional Love, no matter what we have done or failed to do we are called to repent and rejoin God in his eternal Mercy. By having this universal free will and experiencing the bad, we can enjoy the goodness in life so much more. Sometimes we too turn our backs to God without knowing it, we might neglect our religious life or sin against our brothers and sisters. But it is important to remember that despite all our mistakes, God will always receive us with open arms as long as we repent and genuinely feel bad for what we have done.
Erik Daniel Velazquez Velazquez (‘26)
Business Major
Thursday, March 27
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Reflection on: Jeremiah 7:23-28 & Luke 11:14-23
We live in a world of instant gratification, instant solutions, and instant results. We have created preferences for ourselves regarding how we would like things done. In short, we want them done now, and we want them done the way we want. This way of life, this culture, has made us love control. We get to control almost anything in our lives nowadays, and that control can tend to bleed into our relationship with God. I know it can be with me. I don’t know about you, but I can demand things from God without even realizing it. Though these are not the words I am using, if I am not careful, my desire for control can make my prayers sound like this.
“God, I want your help, but I want it done my way.” “God, I want something from you, and I need you to fit this box I have created for you in my head.” “I am asking something,g but I will only listen to what I want to hear.”
We see this same sentiment lived out in our scripture passages today.
In our first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah and how God’s people ignored His commands and turned their faces away from God. Their hardness of heart took over, and they were not open to what God was speaking to them.
In our Gospel, Jesus was performing miracles and driving out demons, yet he was questioned and accused of being something he was not. Jesus was doing something that the people of his time did not expect him to. Jesus did not fit in the box they had created for him.
We can’t turn away from God, demand things, or have our relationship with God the same way we want our relationship with our Uber Eats order. We have to go to God with our prayers but also a willingness. A willingness to hand over control and trust. When we turn to God, let us harden not our hearts; let us listen to God.
For God has a purpose for each one of us, a call. As we come to Him in prayer, we begin to hear His voice and trust in Him. May we be ever faithful to God as He is ever faithful to us. Let us live our Lent in a way that makes us go to God with open hearts, not just open arms. That we receive whatever God has in store for us so that we may grow in every way God has called us to grow.
Joseph “Joey” Preston
Major Gifts Officer, Advancement & Alumni
Friday, March 28
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Reflection on Hosea 14:2-10 & Mark 12:28-34
Mark 12:28-34 starts with a teacher “of the law” asking Jesus which commandment is the most important of all. By pointing out that the teacher taught law made me realize that viewing the commandments as just laws one must follow to make it into heaven will not suffice, for the bigger goal is missing, which is building a relationship with God. It is important to remember that faith is not just about external practices but our devotion to God and how we treat our neighbor. Here is what Jesus answered to the teacher of law: “ ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Reading these words reminded me of the importance of love and commitment to God, for they are the core of accepting and implementing all the other commitments.
During this time of lent it is important to reflect on ourselves and our spiritual health. Just like the reading said, loving God with all your soul, mind, and strength is the most important thing of all. For he doesn’t want halfway love, nobody does, he wants us to give ourselves to him for he is our creator. We are given these 40 days to repent and reflect, with the ultimate goal of building our relationship with God and having our actions back up our faith. This reading was a great reminder of the importance of loving God, for that’s the start of following his teachings and loving his creations.
Lucia Montes (’25)
Student, Business
Lenten Reflections: March 29 – April 3
Saturday, March 29
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Reflection on Hosea 6:1-6 & Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This is what our world needed then and needs today – more HUMILITY! Why is it that everyone wants to be right – to say the right thing, to do the right thing, to think the right way? And if someone disagrees with me, they are WRONG because I am RIGHT! Why do we judge people so harshly if they think or act differently than we do? We live today in a society that has a lot of trouble with being humble, like the Pharisee, doing all the proper things but not for the right reasons, and looking down and judging others as inferior.
We live in such a polarized society today, especially along political lines. We are deeply divided as a people and as a nation. I was visiting my sister this past weekend and before we knew it, we were into some political discussion. Finally, we decided, no more political talk! We all agreed. But four times in the next ten minutes, we had to cry out “STOP” because our conversations had become political again and we were back judging and debating and trying to prove we were RIGHT and they were wrong. There was no HUMILITY or stopping to think that the other person has a point – and that we might be wrong.
Help us, Lord, to be conscious of the times we may be WRONG and practice some humility in the midst of our discussion by truly listening to the other person rather than judging them wrong. Help us, Lord, to become more HUMBLE people!
Brother Thomas Sullivan, FSC
Director of the Brothers Community, Adjunct Instructor, Department of Biology
Sunday, March 30
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Reflection on Joshua 5:9a, 10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 & Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
We are delivered! Our readings today focus on the idea of returning to where we had started and not the same person we were when we had left. The Hebrews returned to the Promised Land with the abolishment of the harsh realities that came upon them. They trusted in something greater to be able to grow from the afflictions that affect their own being. In the idea of returning to our roots but in a stronger nature of faith, we must then call back to our act of reconciliation to the Lord; As Christ gave us the message of reconciliation, so shall we take it to our friends and family to bring them into the Promised Land with us.
Yes, that is correct, our friends and family; Whether we are on speaking terms with them or not, when we enter those pearly gates, we are 1. We are challenged by the scripture to forgive; A reminder of how this whole Lenten Season is about. As Jesus stands in the desert for 40 days, can we imagine his thoughts? Not a cellphone in sight, not a book to calm the noise in our minds, or a TV Show to live vicariously through. Going through these 40 days, we may have sacrificed something we wish to hold off; will we return to it after Lent has concluded? That is a question I ask you to take into consideration today!
As we journey to the final 18 days of our Lenten Journey, let’s focus on what the season is all about: Forgiveness. It is difficult to hold our phones to our ears and forgive those loved ones who have done us wrong, but as the scripture states, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Offer this moment to Jesus, and he will provide comfort and growth to deliver us from our discomfort.
Brother Christian Jesus Camacho
Campus Ministry Aide & Coordinator, McLaughlin Social Justice Institute
Monday, March 31
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reflection on Isaiah 65:17-21 & John 4:43-54
In today’s Gospel reading at Mass, a royal official from Capernaum heard that Jesus had returned to Cana (where He turned water into wine). The official’s son was near death, and the official asked Jesus to come and cure his son. Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The father had faith in Jesus, and as he returned home, His servants met him on the way. They told the official that his son lived at the very hour Jesus had told the father.
At times our faith may falter, but as we pray during the season of Lent, let us think of the faith of the official and pray to Jesus for an increase in faith as we work to bring ourselves closer to God.
Brother Joel B. Baumeyer
Professor Emeritus, Mathematics
Tuesday, April 1
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reflection on Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 & John 5:1-16
In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks a very important question: “Do you want to be well?” This is more than just a story of healing. Jesus asks the same of us: “Do you want to be well?” The question for us goes beyond our physical limitations, though that too is important. It is a good question for Lent. Do we want to be better people after Lent? Do we want to be well in every sense of the word? That means we must trust Him and take action in our lives: “Rise. Take up your mat and walk.”
I was once living alone in a new city and having a difficult time adjusting. I slipped into serious self-pity. One night after work, I was having a rough time. I was in a perverse mood! I decided to go for a walk even though it was cold and foggy that October night. I stepped into a small, minute market and bought something to read. I made a terrible choice, choosing a book on the occult (an indication of how low I had sunk). As I walked back to my place, I saw a sign in the fog: “Aunt Chalupa’s.” I realized I had not eaten supper. So, I went in and had a nice Mexican dinner. After eating, I felt a little better.
I headed back to my place and decided to read the book I had bought. After a few pages, I was appalled! It was junk and certainly not what I needed to lift me out of my negative state. Out of frustration, I threw the book at my bed, where my Bible was sitting, having been unread for days. The book hit the Bible and fell open to the book of Psalms. I picked up the Bible and began to read one Psalm after another. I was amazed at how well each Psalm addressed my mood.
Yes, I did want to be well and not stuck in self-pity. And, in picking up the Bible, I picked up my mat and walked.
Brother Alan Parham, FSC (‘94)
Director of Vocation Promotion at Christian Brothers of the Midwest
Wednesday, April 2
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reflection on Isaiah 49: 8-15 & John 5: 17-30
Jesus says: I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not see my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. As I reflect on this passage, the thought that comes to me is the profound relationship that Jesus has with His Father, not my will but the Father’s will be done. AWESOME! Can I say, NOT MY WILL, BUT GOD’S WILL BE DONE? (Fruit for thought). In everyday life, let us say, YES TO GOD’S WILL!
Amen!
P.S. Take time with your Campus Minister or Spiritual Director to come to an understanding of God’s Will in your life.
Br. Rob Veselsky, FSC
Former CBU Campus Minister (2004-2011) & Vocation Minister for the Midwest District
Thursday, April 3
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reflection on Exodus 32:7-14 & John 5:31-47
One way to describe eternal life is to exist in the presence of God…the presence of love…for all time. Our greatest experience in this life and eternal life is love. And to be in love for all eternity is the greatest experience. To believe in God, to believe in Christ, to believe in the Holy Spirit, is to believe in love and to live a life of love. When I get joy and fulfillment from knowing you, serving you, being with you, giving to you, receiving from you, having faith in you, suffering with you, hoping the best for you…I am in love with you. Nothing can surpass the joy of that experience. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are that love and offer it to us. We have the freedom to accept or to reject that love, that eternal life. Lent is a good time to consider accepting that gift of love, of eternal life.
Prayer: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, may I accept Your offer of love this holy Lent and live each day of Lent accepting that love and then sharing it with others all my days.
Amen.
Brother Joel McGraw, FSC (’68)
Retired, Director of CBHS Community
