Sacred Reflections Lent into
March 5 - April 27, 2025
A Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope
Welcome and Prayer
BC High celebrates a Jubilee Year of Hope by praying together as a community of faith for our shared life in God’s kingdom. We invite you to pray with us through this booklet that leads us through the sacred seasons of Lent, Holy Week, and the first moments of the Easter season. As a synodal church, we join our voices together to pray through our distinctive experiences of faith.
A jubilee year, also known as a “holy year, ” is a special year in the life of the church currently celebrated every 25 years. The theme of this Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope ” The year calls Christians to action Pope Francis called for “signs of hope,” including the desire for peace in the world, openness to life and responsible parenthood, and closeness to prisoners, the poor, the sick, the young, the elderly, migrants and people “in difficult situations.” Pope Francis has called on affluent counties to forgive the debts of countries that would never be able to repay them, and address “ecological debt,” which he described as “connected to commercial imbalances with effects on the environment and the disproportionate use of natural resources by certain countries over long periods of time.”
This booklet contains reflections from each of our House communities as we journey through the year ’ s holiest moments Each week, a member from each House relates the significance of Gospel passage from one ’ s own experience. A list of each house and its patron is at the back of this booklet.
We invite you to pray along with us during these sacred times, and, as always, we ask God to bless you, your loved ones, and all who need our prayerful support
God bless you, Fr. John Predmore, SJ
Prayer During our Sacred Season
Loving God, you gave Ignatius and his companions a vision and a mission for the world. Help us to advance his dream during this Jubilee as pilgrims of Hope Send your grace to plant and nurture the seeds of the Gospel so that those seeds may transform humanity according to your divine dream. Help us to collaborate with Your Will as we build a new heaven and a new earth, when the powers of evil are vanquished and your glory shines in the hearts of all. Inspire us to live with Hope with hearts and minds attuned to your compassion and mercy. As we seek your greater glory, help us make the prayer of Ignatius of Loyola our own:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord Amen
President’s Message
As we journey together from the reflective season of Lent into the joyful celebration of Easter, I am filled with profound gratitude for the spirit that unites us as a Jesuit, Catholic community. This sacred time calls us to pause, to reflect on our relationship with God, and to welcome the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection
The spirit of Saint Ignatius of Loyola breathes through the halls and classrooms of BC High, igniting hearts and minds with his timeless wisdom. Saint Ignatius’ teachings are not just echoes of the past, they are a vibrant, guiding force that shapes our community of faith Rooted in the Spiritual Exercises, which were crafted by Ignatius during sacred moments of reflection along the banks of the Cardoner River, we are continuously invited into deeper encounters with God.
Education is more than the growth in knowledge at BC High; it is a faith-filled journey of the heart, mind, and soul Our holistic approach to teaching and learning embodies Ignatius’ value of cura personalis, the care for the whole person. Students are supported by several layers of compassionate care through the House System, the Centers for Human Excellence, and our dynamic CoCurricular Programs. They are encouraged to uncover their unique gifts, cultivate their passions, and rise as leaders shaped by purpose and integrity Here, the threads of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and character formation are woven into the very fabric of our mission..
President’s message, continued
As we walk through the sacred seasons of Lent and Easter, BC High embraces our Ignatian heritage with a variety of Jesuit-inspired ministries and activities We are deeply blessed by the commitment of our students, who, guided by a devoted faculty and staff, foster their God-given talents for the greater good.
May the light of the risen Christ fill your hearts with peace and joy. May the glory of Christ's resurrection inspire us all to live with renewed faith, hope, and love, answering the call to be men and women for and with others
In gratitude and faith,
- Grace Cotter Regan P'12, President
Principal’s Message
Lent is a season of preparation and reflection for the Easter mysteries. It is a most significant period in the church year. Therefore, as a Catholic school centered on Christ, Lent is a particularly important time at BC High. I am thankful to Fr. Predmore for providing the opportunity for members of our BC High community to share their experience I also want to thank those who shared their reflections The sharing of experience is central to Ignatian spirituality and our formation in a Jesuit school. I am certain that the reflections shared here will help guide our own prayer and contemplation during this Lenten season and bring us closer to Christ.
- Adam Lewis P'28, ’30 Principal
March 5 - Ash Wednesday
Ted Hamelin ‘27, King House
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Gospel Passage:
Jesus said to his disciples: When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you to win the praise of others.
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. "
Reflection:
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that focusing on their own relationship with God requires intentionality. He discourages the public display of our spiritual practices and encourages us to reflect on our own intentions. It is not the words we say in prayer themselves, such as the Hail Mary or the Our Father, but the sincerity and thought behind the prayer. I like to use the term “empty prayer ” - for what is the value of prayer if said without intention?
In my own life, it was only recently that I realized this, thanks to this Gospel reading. I had often thought that prayer time was supposed to be a couple rehearsed prayers that I would say before bed However, I have come to see that is not what prayer is. Prayer is a time to connect with God in a fully authentic way. This season of Lent offers us a perfect opportunity to reassess our connection with God. I encourage you to find moments throughout your day, whether in the morning, during a free period, or before bed, to be present where you are and be intentional in your prayer. Whether you are praying for someone specific, a group of people, or simply sharing your thoughts and experiences with God make it meaningful. Take the time to slow down and reflect. If you find yourself succeeding in growing your relationship with God, don’t try to attain recognition for it. Simply appreciate the newly found closeness you have with God In doing so, you will deepen your relationship with Him in a more authentic way.
March 9, First Sunday of Lent
Reflection by Jake Spinale ’28, Gonzaga House
Luke 4:1-13
Gospel Passage:
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, one does not live on bread alone.”
Reflection:
Reflecting on Luke 4:1-13, the temptation of Jesus in the desert we see a lesson about the need to resist temptation in our lives. When the devil tempted Jesus to turn a stone into bread, it wasn't just a test of his power, but it was also a challenge to his understanding of what truly sustains life. Jesus' response, "One does not live on bread alone," tells me that you cannot live with no spiritual connection with God You need God to be present in your life to live out a peaceful fulfilled life. By Jesus' example in his life, we can try to have a balanced life that lives up to God’s values, which can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. This also reminds of the importance of resisting temptation and focusing on what God calls us to do in our lives, which is to spread the word of the Lord and to always praise Him. Just like Jesus was tempted by the devil, we also face our own temptations that challenge our faith and this can remind us to look beyond our desires in our life and focus on being faithful human beings. This is a message that can relate to all Christians, and especially during the season of Lent, which is when we are called to reflect on our relationship with God and to make changes in our lives.
March 16 - Second Sunday of Lent
Reflection by Ben Merriam ’27, Romero House Luke 9:28-36
Gospel Passage:
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Reflection:
The Transfiguration of Jesus is not just the most evident demonstration of Jesus’ High Christology; it can also teach the reader that they are called to live in a heavenly manner and not an earthly one Upon seeing the transfigured images of Jesus, standing with Moses, and Elijah, Peter responds, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Luke 9:33b). However, the scripture goes on to say that Peter “did not know what he was saying” (Luke 9:33c).
Peter was focused on making tents for the three heavenly figures to stay on earth. Peter's intentions, as are the readers’ intentions at many points, are set on earthly customs. However, this is not what should be taken away from the passage. By saying that Peter “did not know what he was saying,” Luke points to the fact that Jesus’ real home is in heaven. Luke indirectly tells the reader that they should be focused upon heavenly affairs, not earthly ones The disciples, including Peter, did not realize what they were seeing in front of them and what they were called to be. As the modern-day disciples, the reader is called to focus on storing up treasures in heaven and not here on earth. Although the reader may struggle and lose their viewpoint like Peter did on this one occasion, they must remember that they are on a continuous journey to heaven, one that is not easy At the end of the day, the belief that the reader should hold is that the earthly life is not permanent, whereas the heavenly life is eternal.
March 17 - Saint Patrick’s Day, Patron of Boston
Maureen Oates P ’21, ’24, ’28, Shields Center for Innovation, Day House
Reading: Lorica of St Patrick
Reading: Lorica of St. Patrick
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
Reflection:
The word is translated as breastplate, a means of protection for warriors in ancient times. So too, it’s incantations are meant to summon protection through Christ. This prayer invokes Christ to be present in every moment and in all experiences. It is this protection that St. Patrick would have needed in his journey of conversion. It is an incantation that gives us comfort in the challenges of daily life
The also encourages us to see Christ present in every person and in even the most fundamental interactions – thinking, speaking, seeing and hearing. This has its roots in Celtic spirituality. The Celtic faith is anchored in the tenet that we don’t ever make this journey on our own -that many have gone before us and many will come after, walking the paths that we walk today What a wonderful image to think that every person you touch during this walk of life, brings Christ to their interaction with you. Lastly, there is the call to arise today through strength, a strength that comes from the Trinity, through the Oneness of the Creator. This aligns with the Celtic tenet of living out the Gospel in community with our God and with others. God is ever present in our lives, working through us and those we interact with, so we are never alone May that bring you strength as you continue along your Lenten journey Lorica Lorica
March 19 - St. Joseph’s Solemnity
Trisha Kupsc, P’05, Ignatian Identity and Formation, Miki House
Matthew 13:16-17
Gospel Passage
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Reflection:
When I think of St Joseph, this passage stands out because it brings me to think back to my time when my children attended parochial school at St Francis Xavier School in Weymouth. The school principal was a wonderful nun from the order of the Sisters of St Joseph, Sister Teresa Veseys, SJ. That was really my first true introduction to learning of St Joseph. Sister Teresa’s faith, guidance, care and love for the school, children, parents, and the whole community, was remarkable. Always towards the profound love of God and neighbor without distinction She would always see, hear, and share the good with all within the school I try each day to carry this with me; although not always easy, I keep trying each day.
I would be remiss if I did not mention a favorite thing of mine on the Feast Day of St Joseph is to enjoy my favorite Italian pastry…. zeppole. They are an Italian tradition to have on St Joseph’s Day, celebrating St Joseph It is my absolute favorite and look forward to each year My favorite zeppole are those that are filled with either custard or ricotta and always and only, are filled with Amarena cherries.
March 23 - Third Sunday of Lent
Reflection by Paddy Lewis ’30, Arrupe Division
Luke 13: 6-9
Gospel Passage:
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’
Reflection:
The parable that Jesus is telling us here can be difficult to understand. In this parable the gardener was told to chop down the tree because it was not bearing fruit, but the gardener said “wait, give me time to try and help produce fruit.” It asks the question “ am I bearing good fruit?” Which is another way of asking am I being a good person in daily life? Am I being honest? Am I being kind? Am I being selfless?” And if we ’ re not “bearing good fruit,” we should repent and change our ways
I feel like this parable relates to a time in my life when I had to repent and change my own ways. There was a time in my old school when I was assigned to a project with a good friend of mine, but I noticed that he had been off lately I wasn’t sure whether I should check in with him or not because I didn’t want to seem nosey
So, I decided to just do the project and not be nosey. The project was finally finished, and we were ready to present. The teacher called me and my friend up. But when we started to present, I recognized that we were missing two slides. Then all of a sudden, my friend looked at me in anger I finally remembered that I was supposed to add the slides My friend walked away in anger and was super mad at me He started to be mean to me by calling me dumb, even when I was trying to say sorry to him He kept going. He didn’t talk to me after that for close to a year.
I decided to be patient and wait for him to accept my apology. I waited, and waited, when on the last day of school, he came up to me He said to me, “Paddy, I’m sorry about being mean to you and calling you names It’s just when we were assigned partners on the first week of school, I was not unhappy, I was actually very happy It’s just that my grandma died right before it. Then I realized he was not mad at me, but he was sad and in pain. I had to repent for assuming that he was angry with me and for not trying to understand what he was going through at the time.
I felt like the lesson I learned was part of “bearing good fruit” is to try and understand what someone is going through and to show empathy for others
March 25 - Annunciation of the Lord
Don Bazile ‘25, Miki House
Luke 1:26-38
Gospel Passage
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. "
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.
Reflection:
Reading this scripture instills hope and reiterates a central message conveyed throughout the Bible, that God will never fail. Mary, a poor virgin, was told she was going to give birth to the Messiah, the son of God. An angel came down and told her this, and she only asked once, “How will this be?” She never doubted and immediately solidified herself as a servant of the Lord and walked within the faith knowing that God is intentional and will never fail. It takes a tremendous amount of faith and courage to follow God when he says that something will happen that is impossible, but nothing is impossible for God and we must remember that The God we serve is purposeful, and instead of seeking out a woman who had riches and was born into luxury, he sought out this woman who was characterized by her righteousness Even in our situations where it seems like life will not change, where it looks as if the world is against us, we must remember we serve a kind, loving, God, who has never failed us and never will.
March 30 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
Reflection by Jacob Adams ‘26, Xavier House Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Gospel Passage:
He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"
Reflection:
This passage reminds me of how many amazing friends I've met through BC High, and how much I've grown through knowing them. People come from all over Massachusetts to attend BC High, all coming with different backgrounds and traditions. The way that BC High men bond through their differences is part of why my experience here has been so special. To learn different cultures and be outside of my comfort zone is when I've grown as a person the most.
April 6 – Fifth Sunday of Lent
Reflections by Ned DeGraan ‘25, Pro House
John 8:1-11
Gospel Passage:
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
So, he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
Reflection:
Jesus calls us to forgive and to have mercy on those who fall into sin. In this passage, the scribes and Pharisees seek to publicly shame the woman who committed adultery, but Jesus does not partake Instead, he graciously offers her a second chance by telling her to sin no more At some point in our lives, we invariably stray from what God has in mind for us, yet we are never beyond the reach of his reckless love. During this Lenten season, we too should strive to embrace Jesus’ spirit of forgiveness when it comes to those who have wronged us. We all have sinned, so it only makes sense to show love and mercy to those around us when they too make mistakes
April 13, Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Luis Melgar, Theology Teacher, Bowman House
Luke 22:14-23:56
Gospel Passage:
Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Pilate, who questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so. " And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?" But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man ' s blood. Look to it yourselves."
And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.
“My God my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Reflection:
So goes the responsorial Psalm for today I don’t always have the courage to ask this question directly to God although I feel this a lot in the midst of these precarious times. I struggle to share my frustrations, angst and confusion about the many happenings in the world. These feelings are often suppressed and rarely come up in my conversations with God I think to myself, “Surely, God is not causing this I don’t need to bring that up to God today I’ll share this other thing instead ” Perhaps this reveals more about my Christology and image of God, but today’s readings invite me to expand that image and learn from the One who knows of the human experience, Jesus.
April 17, Holy Thursday -
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Reflection by Liam O’Connor ‘27, Bowman House
John 13:1-15
Gospel Passage:
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. So, during supper, he rose and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Reflection:
This passage from John is a reminder of Christ’s humility and love. As Jesus prepares for his Passion, he chooses to serve his disciples in the humblest way by washing their feet. This act is not just about physical cleansing but a deeper call to love and serve others selflessly Jesus, the Master and Teacher, does what a servant would do, showing that true leadership is rooted in humility During Lent, we are invited to follow his example, setting aside pride and embracing a spirit of service. Just as Christ washed the feet of his followers, we are called to care for those around us, especially the marginalized. His love is not just words but action he loves his own "to the end," even unto death. This season calls us to reflect on whether we are truly living out Christ’s model of love Are we willing to serve without seeking recognition? Are we ready to humble ourselves for the sake of others? As we journey through Lent, may we open our hearts to love as Christ did, with humility and selflessness.
April 18, Good Friday
Reflection by Elias Bezzerides ‘28, Faber House
John 18:1-19:42
Gospel Passage:
So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”
Reflection:
Something really caught my eye when I first read this passage The Chief priest of the Jews told Pilate that Jesus said he was the King of the Jews They implied that he was not the king of the Jews because they didn’t want the Jews to be targeted because of Jesus. Everybody was turning away from Jesus to not be associated with him. Jesus understands that all of this is God’s plan and how everyone will be forgiven when he follows the plan and mission. He is accepting his pain and death for everyone ' s health and life In the end of the passage it talks about how Jesus made sure everything was in place and prepared before he was ready to die for humankind. As we go into this exciting season of Easter, let us step back and prepare. Prepare your mind and soul for this joyous reunion and forgiveness of sins. Understand that it is natural to sin but it is our job to take a step back, confess, and love whole-heartedly. Prepare like Jesus did on the cross, understanding that we don’t need to be perfect to be with God, we just need to be accepting God into our hearts and doing all for him, with him, and in him God’s love and forgiveness is infinite and so we prepare by bringing him into our heart and soul and letting him guide us through our lives.
April 19, Holy Saturday
Reflection by William MacKerron ’25, Teresa House
Jn 18:1 19:42
Gospel Passage:
They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.
Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
Reflection:
Yesterday was a day of great sorrow, for it marks the death of Jesus Christ. Tomorrow will be a day of great joy, as we are reminded of the promise of salvation granted by God. Today is a day of mourning and Acceptance, we are given time to think and reflect on ourselves and what has happened, to process our week of struggles, and to look forward to the days to come, and the promise of salvation that brings. As Jesus lays in the tomb, with the promise of salvation so near, we should take this time, with the acceptance of what has come to pass, to slow down and try to look at the ways God has been active in helping us, in whatever way He can
20, The Resurrection of the Lord
Reflection by Joseph Leach ‘25, Judge House
John 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:
Mary Magdala and the disciples in this passage were struggling to have faith and believe that Jesus would resurrect because they desired something tangible as proof This passage made me think of my faith as it is a great reminder of staying true to beliefs and having faith even when life brings its most difficult moments. When I go through hardships, I sometimes find it difficult to have faith in the Lord, and thinking how could this happen to me and why would God cause something like this? After reading this passage, I try to remind myself that God has a plan for me and it reminds me of a quote I heard, “God gives its toughest battles to its toughest soldiers.” Despite not being able to see the evidence I seek of God, I know that God is present and in all things which serves as a reminder to keep faith
April 22 – The Founding of the Society of
Reflection by
Victhor Faria ‘26, Ciszek House
The Formula of the Institute:
"Whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God beneath the banner of the cross in our society, which we desire to be designated by the name of Jesus, and to serve the Lord alone and the Church, his spouse, under the Roman pontiff, the vicar of Christ on earth, should, after a solemn vow of perpetual chastity, poverty and obedience, keep what follows in mind. He is a member of a Society founded chiefly for this purpose:
to strive especially for the defense and propagation of the faith and for the progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine, by means of public preaching, lectures, and any other ministration whatsoever of the word of God and further by means of the Spiritual Exercises, the education of children and unlettered persons in Christianity and the spiritual consolation of Christ's faithful through hearing confessions and administering the other sacraments.
Moreover, he should show himself ready to reconcile the estranged, compassionately assist and serve those who are in prisons or hospitals and, indeed, to perform any other works of charity, according to what will seem expedient for the glory of God and the common good."
Reflection:
Reading this passage, I feel both challenged and inspired. I remember the Jesuits’ call to selflessness and devotion which reminds me that true leadership is not about recognition but about impact. It truly makes me ask myself if I am doing enough for others I can infer from this passage that faith is not just belief, it is action It also makes me realize that I may not take vows of poverty, chastity, or obedience, but I want to live with the same spirit of dedication as the Jesuits live by. Whether it’s through leadership, listening, or small moments of encouragement, I see how service takes many forms. Offering my time, compassion, and effort for others is how I hope to reflect this mission. A mission of love, service, and something greater than myself.
April 27 - Second Sunday of Easter
Reflection by Thomas Feeney ’25, Bowman 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:
This Gospel reading describes when Jesus appeared to his disciples and passed on the Holy Spirit to them This is also when the sacrament of confession was given to us However, one of the disciples, Thomas, didn’t believe the others, and saw the holes in Jesus’s hands from the nails. Being the first time they are seeing Jesus since he was crucified on the cross, I’m sure they were confused and even afraid, but the way Jesus greeted them
“Peace be with you ” shows how much of an impact his words and actions have. When he showed his hands, they immediately knew it was him and had zero doubt about it except, of course, the disciple known as Doubting Thomas. To me, we all have doubt. Whether that be in an everyday interaction with our friends, or a meaningful conversation at dinner time. One example is a few years ago at my public school. I was going through a very hard time I stuck close to God, which is the most important relationship I can have, and I worked through it Since I came to BC High, I have significantly improved and am much happier all together