Reflection for Sunday March 31, 2024 

​Sunday Gospel: Jn 20:1-9

This Easter Sunday's Gospel comes from the Gospel of John. This is the story of Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and another unnamed disciple who discovered Jesus' empty tomb the Sunday after Jesus was crucified. Simon Peter and the other disciple went into the tomb to discover the burial cloths there. The other disciple saw the cloths and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. This Gospel reading may be one of the most memorable and impactful readings in the Church calendar. The message we receive is that seeing is not always believing. Simon Peter and the other disciple were both told that Jesus had been removed from the tomb and they both saw the burial cloths folded in the tomb, but just one of them believed that Christ had risen from the dead. We are all called to be like the other disciple and recognize the power  of God through Jesus in the Resurrection. 

This week's reflection is by Eve, Merion Mercy Academy class of 2025

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Reflection for Sunday March 3, 2024

Sunday Gospel: Jn 2:13-25

In this Gospel, Jesus goes to the Temple in Jerusalem, as the Passover is nearing. He is shocked to see that the Temple has become a marketplace. “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace,” he declares, overturning the merchants’ tables.

This passage has a lot to say about how we sometimes seek happiness in things other than God. Our culture today is very materialistic, and sometimes we seek to fulfill our desire for happiness with goods. Sometimes we get so caught up in today’s messages of excess and materialism that we forget where our happiness should truly lie— with God! At the end of the day, our hearts will never be satisfied with earthly things. We are called to continue seeking Christ and striving for Heaven. This Lent, how can you prioritize placing your happiness in God?

This week's reflection is by Cait, Little Flower High School class of 2025

Reflection for Sunday March 10, 2024 

​ Sunday Gospel: Jn 3:14-21 

In this week's gospel, it begins with a quote from Jesus to Nicodemus,” Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” After this, it goes into a description of how Jesus, the Son of God, was brought into the world to bring us light in a world where even some prefer evil and darkness. This gospel is extremely applicable to today's society, where you can see the good in many, but the hints of darkness in others. The others will tempt you with the darkness and their disbelief in God, but you have to stay in the light. To even help those who are shrouded in darkness, to bring them into the light with you. As a highschool student, I personally see many in darkness these days, and I try to help those I can to bring them into the light with me. What is God inviting you to bring into the light this Lent?

This week's reflection is by Penny, Springfield Township class of 2026.

Reflection for Sunday March 17, 2024 

Sunday Gospel: Jn 12:20-33

In this Sunday’s passage, Jesus speaks to a small gathering of his followers at the Passover Feast. He speaks of the upcoming challenge that soon He will have to face: sacrificing Himself so that humanity may have eternal life. The passage reveals Jesus’ human side, and reminds us that this was never an easy prophecy for the Savior to fulfill. Despite the immense pressure of His fears, Jesus’ love for us allows Him to do the Lord’s will.
    As Christians, God often gives us challenges that we may avoid because we fear that it is too difficult to fulfill them. The reality is, as Jesus explains with the analogy of wheat in the passage, without hardships in life, there is truly no room for growth, and the Lord knows this. To grow in our relationships with God, we must trust in Him to guide us through any obstacles placed on our path to eternal life. What is a challenge in your life you have been reluctant to face?

This week's reflection is by Finn, St. Joseph's Prep class of 2027⁠

Reflection for Sunday March 24, 2024 

Sunday Gospel: Mk 15:1-39

This week’s excerpt, the Passion, from the Gospel of Mark recounts the story of Jesus’ condemnation, torture, and death. On His journey to Golgotha, the hill where He was crucified, He grew physically weak, so the soldiers pulled Simon of Cyrene from the crowd to help Jesus carry His cross. This is a representation of how God sends us help to carry our own crosses in our day to day lives. God was watching His son and knew He could not continue on His own. We can find this same heavenly aid in our own lives, if we look for it. Usually God works in subtle ways, so this week I challenge you to find God’s assistance in your life and thank Him. It is important to pray not only for help, but for thanks as well.

This week's reflection is by Matteo, St. Joseph's Prep class of 2027