Preaching the Truth in Darkness: Caldwell Campus Ministry

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022821.cfm The focus of this Sunday’s Gospel is the Transfiguration of Jesus. In it, there is a statement that reads “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him”. When reading this, one’s first thoughts would be that Peter, James, and John were being told to follow Jesus’ commands. However, my thoughts when reading this made me think of something I often reflect on: listening to and following God’s plan for each of us.  Every one of us is on a journey to fulfill God’s will and live out His word in the hope we will be united with Him in heaven, but we are each on our own individual paths in doing so. At times, though, it can be easy to stray from the path. We can be faced with difficult choices, pain and loss, and moments where we find ourselves questioning our faith and God, Himself. In looking back at my own faith journey, I strayed from the path when I was a teenager and continued to for almost five years before finding my way

Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022721.cfm It’s not a secret that we live in a divided country right now, we even live in a divided church. We seem so intent on believing that we have the perfect translation of how to live Christianity on this earth and we are quick to demonize those whose thinking might vary from ours. It is easy to always and only spend time with our “neighbors” and to have conversations with those who will always agree with us, but Jesus calls us to something different in our Gospel today. “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…” It is easy to love those who love us, to love those who pray like us, or those who live like us. As the Gospel tells us, everyone else does the same. What makes you different as a Christian? As people of faith we are invited to reach out to our enemies, to listen with attentive ears and open hearts,

 Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022621.cfm “Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” What is it that Jesus is saying to us in this Gospel passage from Matthew?  It appears clear He is calling each of us to reconcile with our brother/sister – to make right the wrong that has been done or perceived to have occurred.  We find Him encouraging us to show mercy to all – not just those who are close to us, viz., our family or friends, but beyond to those with whom we interact at work and/or socially. He calls us to forgive – not always easy to do; but is extremely essential.  If we are to truly be followers of Jesus, we, too, must live out the gospel message.    But, beyond this Jesus speaks of the Judge and the justice to b

Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022521.cfm In today’s first reading Esther invites us to put our trust in God and to be attentive to the cry of others. Queen Esther had resources and access to everything; she had power and favor. However, she knew that her true power and deliverance remained with God. In spite of her wealth her heart was troubled, her joy was compromised as she watched the suffering of her people. She was broken.  She knew that only God had the substance she needed to restore her joy and make her whole again.  How many times have we encountered circumstances where we felt helpless, and upset with no idea where to turn? Anxiety, depression, and sadness are vivid in our society due to the current health, economic, and political unrest.  We are facing serious challenges.  The world is in turmoil.  Our normal life has been disrupted and we are experiencing anguish. Esther’s faith guided her to take bold action. She remembered the teaching of

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022421.cfm “A heart contrite & humbled, O God, you will not spurn.” (Psalm 51:17b) NIV  As we entered the Lenten season, a week ago, we were signed with ashes placed on our foreheads as a reminder to us, and to those who see us, to recognize our sinfulness and to enter into the season of repentance.  We were also admonished to “rend our hearts, not our garments.” (Joel 2:13a)  Today, we are reminded, once again, that a “heart contrite & humbled” God will not spurn/despise/scorn.  Lent is all about getting our hearts in order.  This Psalm ties together the reading from Jonah with the reading from Luke. Jonah reluctantly went about his God-given task of preaching repentance to the people of Nineveh (Gentiles, NOT God’s chosen people).  Their king believed in Jonah’s message and decreed that he and ALL the people & their livestock would undergo the fast. His logic: “Who knows? God may again repent and turn from his

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022321.cfm Interesting that the reading starts with a referral to “snow” - I don’t think I’ve ever heard this passage. I’m a snow skier and love winter -- this would have been memorable. In 2021, its natural beauty has blessed us for several weeks now bringing back memories of when it was cold all winter long. Can you imagine the snow returning to the heavens? Something out of a sci-fi movie. . . .”So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void,  but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” . . . Let us take a moment in these early days of Lent to listen to His word, think about how we can do his will and take some action even in a small way so that His message is not returned as void, undeliverable, unread or remains sitting in our spam or draft folder. From all their distress, God rescues the just. Two phrases are speaking to me.  . . . “I sought the LORD, and he answered

Many of us reading this entry have access to more material goods and comforts than any of our elders or ancestors could ever have imagined. We live in an age of abundance in a well-to-do society.   But there are also many who suffer privation. Perhaps you know someone who lives with hunger or has medical needs that can not be met due to a lack of funds, or for other reasons. Psalm 23, the responsorial psalm for today, juxtaposes this want with the generosity of the Lord.   Early in the psalm, there are several references to the threats: “want”, “dark valley”, “evil”, and “foes”. The Lord, the Shepherd, counters these threats with abundant consolations. The theme of the vigilant shepherd in Psalm 23 is a balm in this pandemic-weary world. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” There is no need to fear the darkness of this world or the Covid-19 virus. The Great Shepherd watches over us and supplies all of our needs. And lest we suspect that the images in the psalm

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022121.cfm  “Show me your ways, Lord,  teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4-9 In the first reading, we are introduced to the covenant that God establishes with Noah after a massive flood destroys a majority of the world. God establishes a new beginning for us all. He paints a beautiful rainbow in the sky as a symbol of his gift of a new beginning. Noah is offered divine friendship with God and all its creatures for generations to come. I remember when I was a little girl and my father, Andrew, found recovery through the Grace of God, and Alcoholics Anonymous. It was not only a new beginning for him but for us, and generations to follow. At his passing, we spoke of the miracle of his forty-five years clean and sober. Clearly, this was a blessing to us all and God’s grace.  Years later my first child, a son, struggled with addiction. My father gave him his original version of the “Big Book.” When my son Matthew, went to rehab, my

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022021.cfm   In today's first reading, the lord is asking us to not worry but to take action in helping one another. If we give one another a helping hand we can be stronger together and in your good deeds and in helping the lord you will be rewarded and given the light you have been looking for in yourself. However, this will most likely not happen overnight, this will take time and it will be a building process that is like rebuilding a building. It begins with building a foundation, layers that form a solid structure to be firm, strong, and stable. This is the true foundation of a human person that we are all encouraged to build.  In our psalm for today, "Teach me your way, O lord, that I may walk in your faith."  The Psalm is a clear way of how we should pray to the Lord. Call out to Him, ask Him to help you in your times of trouble. Next, we are encouraged to ask for forgiveness because we are not perfect

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021921.cfm  This reading may bring up two fundamental questions: Why to fast and How to fast? Let us start with answering the question: Why to fast? Eating is a normal part of life. Restricting food intake or abstaining from eating is a disruption of  everyday life. That disruption can lead to two important results:  1) refocusing our attention, shifting that focus from "same old same old" to God, and  2) making us experience our own physical vulnerability more keenly which leads us to more clearly recognize our dependence on God.   The recognition of our dependence on God brings forth fruits of unexpected spiritual beauty. Feeling our dependence brings us closer to Him, so much so that we can feel His presence.  In His life-giving presence our souls start to heal: we begin to recognize our mistakes that may have hurt ourselves or others. Naturally, we become sad and regret those wrongs (mourning and repentance). I

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021821.cfm Looking back...  Did we pray only when we needed to?  Did we pray only when we were lost?  Did we pray at all when we found ourselves? Or did we forget God?  Did we get angry at God when we disobeyed and had to face the consequences? Did we take the time to thank God today and every day?  Did we take the time aside from our schedules to talk to God?  Dear God,  Help me to find You even during times of hope and prosperity. During times when things seem to go my way, let me remember that I have commandments to follow in order to lead a prosperous life. No money or fame will take away from the necessities of faith. If I disobey, help me to find my way back. I affirm that a life with you is a life that's safe and fulfilled. Instill in me an abundance of hope that I may continue in your path and not try to be my own god. That I may hope for brighter days, and a more optimistic outlook, even when all else around me

Today's Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021721.cfm In the first reading, we see in God a willingness to accept and embrace us, regardless of our failings. How wonderful it would be if we could see in each other this same Mercy and Justice? Especially in today’s world, overflowing with rancor as it is, we are called to return to God’s loving embrace, as individuals and as a community, so that we might embrace His Guidance and Wisdom and Mercy and begin to live our lives as He desires. This reading speaks directly to our Core Values - Respect, Integrity. Community, and Justice - and how we might use these as building blocks for all of us to construct better lives. The responsorial psalm, “Be Merciful O Lord, for we have Sinned" calls out to us, recognizing our human frailty, to return to God’s call and once again feel the embrace of His loving warmth. Every minute of every day we have the opportunity to stop and say, “Thank you, Lord, for your warmth and loving