During our Lenten Journey, we will be sharing weekly Lenten reflections written by various members of the Dwenger Family. May we all grow closer to Christ during the next 40 days and beyond.
April 10
THE TOMB IS EMPTY
This is the whole message of the season of Easter. Not an empty tomb that His body was stolen away by his disciples as the Jews claim to this day, (Mat. 28:13), but that it was impossible for him to be held by death and the grave, (Acts. 2:24). “For you will not abandon my soul in sheol, nor let your holy one see corruption.”(Ps.16:10). That the tomb is empty does not in itself give a proof of the Resurrection but an important sign for all. Mary of Magdala who saw the stone removed from the tomb did not understand and had to alert the other apostles. John, “the beloved apostle” confirmed with his discovery on entering the tomb that the condition of Jesus’ tomb did not show signs of robbery and was not just ordinary, hence “he saw and believed” (Jn. 20:8). When the disciples returned home, Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. It was while she wept that the Lord Jesus appeared to her and sent her to his apostles with the good news of the Resurrection.
He is risen my brothers and sisters. I believe that everyone in Jesus’ day agreed that the tomb was empty, though some believe his body was stolen by the disciples. But it is hard to reconcile the fact that the disciples who abandoned Jesus and fled in fear when Jesus was arrested would come to the tomb guarded by soldiers, take and hide his corpse and then end up living their lives for Him and dying as martyrs for something they knew was false. The disciples saw and touched him, (1Cor. 15:3-8, Lk.24:36-42). Peter could not be lying, and Paul could not have been a deceiver. Historically they, and many more died for this truth. A man may live for a lie but very few, if any, will die for a lie. Jesus lives. Buddha is dead, Confucius is dead, Mohammed is dead etc. and their followers do not tell us otherwise, but Jesus Christ is alive. To John, on the island of Patmos, in a vision, he said; “I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever” (Rev. 1:17-18). St. Paul also makes the argument for the empty tomb when he talked about our hope of resurrection because Christ died and rose from the dead. “…that Christ died… he was buried; that he was raised on the third day…that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve… last of all… he appeared to me… If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins…. if for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all” (1Cor. 15:3-19).
Because He lives, we have the hope of eternal life. We are the Easter children; Alleluia is our song. Happy Easter!
Father Luke Okoye
BDHS Chaplain
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April 3
God desires us. I remember in college I heard someone say that “God doesn’t need us.” I took it as “God does not really care about us.” I understand it better now. God did not create us out of a need or love us into existence because He needs our love. No. God thought of each one of us and so desired to live with us, that He created us.
Reflecting on the Passion account on Palm Sunday, I am struck anew by Jesus’ thirst on the cross. It wasn’t just satiation of physical thirst that He wanted. Jesus was not just asking for a cup of water. No, it was you. He doesn’t need your love but He sure dies like He could never live without it. The Father couldn’t bear to see us broken in our sin and so lost from His merciful heart. He so desired to be with us that He sent His only Son on a rescue mission. Jesus came to break the chains of sin and bring us back into right relationship with the Father.
In the pinnacle of this rescue mission, we hear the words uttered by Jesus on the cross,
“I thirst.” This was a glimpse of the Father’s heart… He was saying, “I thirst for your happiness, for your love, for you to accept my unconditional love. I thirst to live with you forever. I desire you.” As you find yourself walking the way of the cross this week, hear the Father’s voice saying to you how much He desires you and a relationship with you. Could you then let your heart receive His unconditional love?
Sister Emmanuel Kurtzweg
BDHS Class 2014
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March 27
Keeping in mind and nearing the end of Lent, and also within the midst of our Eucharistic Revival how best can I prepare to join my brothers and sisters at the Feast of the Altar:
Father: forgive me, so that I may live. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, purifying my heart,
strengthening me with your love. Through my Lenten pilgrimage, during these final
days and nights leading up to your son’s death and resurrection help me focus on their meaning in my life.
Open my heart, to recognize your unconditional love by my sharing my vulnerability
with you, bring me closer to the true meaning of the most scandalous trial and
conviction of mankind, and enliven me to the glorious victory of your love. Help me
lord through my temptation and deliver me lord from evil.
Allow me to reach out to you, while you journey into the desert (although never distant)
for you and for me, from the Passion of my heart. Strengthen me, nourish me, feed me Lord during this season, and every day leading me from my desert to the Kingdom of Eternal Love.
Deacon Joe Cochran
BDHS Class 1978
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March 20
“They did not have the light in their hearts which he had in his face.” - St. Augustine
Although the man born blind did not request to be healed, Christ, who “looks into the heart,” knew that he was open and ready to receive that gift. This man’s obedient response to an unexpected encounter with the Light of the World healed his physical blindness. His persistent courage in bearing testimony to Christ before the hostile Pharisees unveiled their stubborn spiritual blindness. Despite seeing such an undeniable miracle, they were too proud to allow the Light of the World to pierce their hearts and transform their lives.
During this week of Laetare Sunday, let us ask Christ to reveal areas in need of transformation within our own hearts. Let us pay close attention to the ways God so patiently draws us closer to Himself and gently heals us. After experiencing His transforming love, we can’t help but respond - like the man born blind - with that gratitude which bears outward witness to our inner healing, made evident through faces that shine with the joy in our hearts.
Sr. Isaac Marie, OP (Class of 2008)
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March 13
Growing up on a farm near Roanoke, IN, our family used well water to bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and drink. Dug deep into the ground, the well and cistern made
farm-life possible. Years later, after moving away and then returning to the house we grew up in, what had been a familiar well-water taste had become undrinkable. How did we ever refresh ourselves with the rusty, smelly stuff? Now, with sophisticated water filters and readily available bottled water, that kind of unpurified water is a thing of the past, at least here for most of us in Indiana. That is not the case in other parts of the world, even in parts of our nation, where access to good water is either an expensive dream or increasingly at risk.
When Jesus met the woman at the well, he offered her good water of a different sort. Not what could be drawn from the ground. Not what was naturally fresh or even filtered. No, the water he promised teemed with life, it was alive, it was living water, it was the inflow of eternal life, the Holy Spirit (Jn 4:10, Martin & Wright, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: The Gospel of John, p.83).
This Lent, for what sort of water do we thirst? Do we seek to fill ourselves with unholy spirits or the Holy Spirit? What ascetical disciplines are we using to turn ourselves towards the Easter spring that flows not from under the earth but from heaven? An emptying through “offering up” makes little sense if an awashing in eternal life is not its goal.
Deacon Daniel Avila (‘76)
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March 6
Matthew 17: 1-9
“His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” This is how Matthew recounts the glory of Jesus when he reveals himself on the mountain of the Transfiguration – and yet this description is still lacking. Jesus is even greater than the brightest stars of the sky.
Currently, the estimate of scientists is that our universe contains 200 sextillion stars (that’s 2 with 23 zeros behind it!). In comparison, there are only 7.5 sextillion grains of sand on planet earth. And Jesus is greater than the stars. He is the one who created them and holds them in existence.
He shows Peter, James, and John a mere glimmer of his glory on the Mount of the Transfiguration so that all of us would know that Jesus is greater than anything in this created world – including suffering and death. Jesus showed his disciples his glory so they would be fortified against despair when they were soon to see him crucified and killed. The same is true for us. Jesus is greater than any of us can imagine. He is greater than our sin and shame. He is greater than death and despair. And he is worthy of our ever-greater faith and trust.
Fr. Brian Isenbarger ‘08
Parochial Vicar
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
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February 27
What are your bars/barriers that keep you from being holy?
For this First Sunday of Lent, as Christ was tempted in the desert, we, too, will be tempted in our Lenten desert!
How will I nourish that seed that was planted at Baptism? How do I grow closer to my Lord as His son, His daughter? How to grow closer to God and neighbor?
The Catholic Church urges three ways to grow in grace and ‘prepare us to experience the Lord’s Passion and Cross with faith, hope, and love, and thus arrive at the Resurrection, ‘says Our Holy Father Francis in his Lenten message. They are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
In prayer, can I check what I keep bringing up in the Confessional? Can I start there? Turn off distractions and tune into silence, so we can listen to Jesus. Can we listen to Jesus in the Word of God, during the Mass or study the daily Bible readings? Am I living the ‘best’ in my state of life, single, or married (can I pray as couple?) It’s important for all to grow in holiness, as we are all called to be saints!
Next, is fasting, as Fr. Patrick Hake, who does prison ministry, urged all the staff of BD at this week’s retreat, to fast from what imprisons us! “What are my bars that imprison me?” What sins do I keep confessing? What holds me back from holiness? Is it too much alcohol, overeating, gossip, or another unhealthy attachment? Let’s form new healthy habits! One option is participating in OLGH, Catholics in Recovery meetings that review the coming Sunday’s readings on Monday evenings at 7pm at Our Lady or beginning Wed., 3/1 at 7pm at Redeemer Radio. Women can call Cathy at 2660-385-3409 or men can call Dick at 260-413-2499 for more information.
And then finally, almsgiving – how can I give of my time (that which is most precious to me) to someone in need? Could it be visiting with elders at the nursing home; helping at a Soup Kitchen, turning off the TV to open the Bible, family adoration time, or couples’ prayer?
Let’s be ready for constant battle, let’s grow in holiness; let’s grow in joy of the Lord.
He assures us through St. Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13
Nancy Yorke,
Service Coordinator
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February 22 - Ash Wednesday
Lent is a difficult time, it's a dry time of the year. That’s the point. There is so much growth, so much opportunity when we enter into this desert of lent. This difficult time shows us just how dependent we are on our things, on food and drink. When we place ourselves in a place of fasting, when we place ourselves in difficult situations, we are able to take an honest look at ourselves. Following the first commandment, having no other false gods, when your stomach is not full, when you are unable to distract yourself with your TV and phone, what becomes your priority? Is God your center or is it food and comfort? This Lent can be a great time of purification, a time to get away from these false idols and place before us the one and only one who can save. May we all enter into the desert with Jesus, fasting, doing penances, and draw your comfort and strength, not on the things of the world, but on Christ.
God Bless,
Fr. Michael Ammer
Bishop Dwenger Co-Chaplain
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