April 9, The Resurrection of the Lord

Reflection by Samuel Craft '23, Teresa House

Jn 20:1-9

Gospel Passage:

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

When Simon Peter arrived, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Reflection:

This passage represents how a transcendent God necessitates transcendent faith. When Simon Peter and the other apostle saw that Jesus was not in the tomb, they were shocked, but not in disbelief. Although they had no warning that Jesus would rise from the dead, they trusted his holy plan. Often we find God in the most extreme settings, moments of pure shock, or moments where our feelings are indescribable. God goes beyond reason, and beyond what words can describe. I recently noticed God's transcendence while spending time with my family over Christmas break. Being a part of a family that is endlessly loving and creative surrounds me with an abundance of joy whose vehemence I can only attribute to a higher power

April 16 - Second Sunday of Easter

Reflection by Samantha Delaney, Xavier Head of House Jn 20:19-31

Gospel Passage:

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Reflection:

I think this passage in John depicts one of the most relatable human experiences we face as Christians: doubt. I have felt like Thomas more times than I can count when it comes to my faith. As a science teacher, I constantly ask my students to use data to support their hypotheses. Thomas was able to refute his doubt by physically touching the wounds of Jesus. I used to envy that Jesus gave Thomas such substantial evidence to believe. After reflecting on this passage, I realize that Jesus calls us to reach out and touch his wounds all the time at BC High This is one of the reasons that BC High is such a sacred space He calls us in our encounter with our unhoused neighbors on the St. Louis project, in our conversations with our new friends studying to take their citizenship tests, in our peers or colleagues that are struggling with difficult circumstances at home, and on Kairos when we share our own wounds. During this Easter season, I challenge you to reflect on the ways in which Jesus presents himself to you.