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Campus Ministry Reflections
In Dante’s Inferno, part one of his epic poem The Divine Comedy, hell is described as a place of eternal winter and isolation. Hmmm? Sound familiar? What a year it has been since we first started to realize the scope and threat of this seemingly interminable pandemic. And what a winter it has been, shivering in subzero temperatures and buried under a thick blanket of snow and ice. For many, this past year and especially this winter has been a little slice of “hell on earth.” But the good news is: Lent starts next week! Can you sense my sarcasm? I mean, what a fitting way to start Lent given the year we have had, right? But really, this is good news. Lent, like Advent, is in its own way a season of renewed perspective and hope. And through it all, we remember that somewhere underneath all this snow and beyond this pandemic there is life waiting to bud forth once again. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that three in ten U.S. adults said that the pandemic had strengthened their faith, and four in ten said that it had drawn their families closer together. Is there not some little sign of hope in this? As we begin our Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Resurrection, we cannot turn a blind eye to the ongoing reality of the pandemic and, try as we might, we cannot ignore the bitter cold. And yet, I would propose that each of us center on that latent life, both physical and spiritual, that is waiting to emerge. What can we do now to welcome and cultivate that hidden life, even in the depths of our winter? Perhaps the answer to that question can be the beginning of any Lenten program or observance we may adopt for ourselves starting this Wednesday. There will be many and various opportunities offered through Campus Ministry for just this kind of spiritual growth throughout Lent, so be sure to check them out in this bulletin. Stay warm and God bless! -- Fr. Thom
Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence FASTING: Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - only partaking in one full meal. Two other smaller meals (not equaling a full meal) and liquids are permitted. ABSTINENCE: Catholics over 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not eggs, milk, or condiments made from animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do this penance is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard; if health reasons or the ability to do one's work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply.
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowls
Don't forget to pick up a CRS Rice Bowl in the Gathering Space on Ash Wednesday!
This week Jess Mendenhall joins Fr. Thom & Meg! They discuss the nostalgia of Davis Hall and all about the pranks that Fr. Thom observed and participated in during seminary. Meg & Jess share about how they have made their faith their own.
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry? Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen? EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.
