I hope you all are enjoying the non-negative degree windchill weather!  Use these days of great warmth and sunshine to look around and thank God for the beauty of His creation.

Last week we came together, not at St. Tom's, but on the hardwood floors of the CoRec for some pickup basketball.  We had an amazing time (destroying the other teams there) and gathering together for some physical activity.  If you would like to do an event like this again, make sure to let us know!

Today at 8:00pm, BCM will be meeting in Newman Hall to listen to a talk on Lent given by our very own Fr. Peter.  This will be a great opportunity to further understand the significance of Lent, and come to realize how you can make real, lasting resolutions, so just like Jesus, you will be born into new life.  There will be time for small group discussions - great for getting to know the men that surround you on a deeper, more personal level so that we can move through Lent with accountability, vulnerability, and availability.  

Also today, continuing the Bacon Boys tradition, we will head over to Mad Mush for some super-sized pizzas.  We will meet in the gathering space after the 5:30pm Daily Mass (around 6:05pm) and head down from there.  You are more than welcome to just meet us at the restaurant too!

ALSOOooo today at 7:00pm, Br. Jacob will be leading a four-week series on the powers of the Holy Spirit which includes and is not limited to lectures, prayer, and group discussions on the foundations of a spiritual life, the sanctifying effects of the Spirit, the Spirits fruits, and what living a life in the Spirit results in.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to us, and of course, Br. Jacob.  Also, a side note that we will be ending our Mad Mush early so that those interested in this course can make it on time!

Just a reminder that all men, regardless of where you are at in your professional life or spiritual journey (Catholic or not) are more than welcome at BCM.  Whether or not you have never been, or this is your first time in a while, you can always find a home here.  

This Friday, we will NOT be going to the St. Francis Perpetual Adoration Chapel because there will be Exalt in the Church at 8:00pm.  Here we gather as a community in front of our Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Holy Eucharist, to adore Him.  There will be time for silent prayer and reflection, as well as time to soak in and sing beautiful praise and worship music.  

As per usual, we will continue our weekly Rosary Walks this upcoming Monday after the 5:30pm Daily Mass (around 6:05pm).  Join us for this 20-minute prayerful walk around campus in which we have the opportunity to pray to Our Blessed Mother on our behalf.  As Father Gabriel Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican states, "Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan".

Weekly Reflection:

Growing up, and even now, I have often viewed Lent as a dry, somber season leading up to the joy of Easter.  After all, Lent is drawn directly from scripture – modeled after the forty days and nights Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, the desert, tempted by Satan.   It doesn’t seem like a pleasant experience.  But why?   Why did Jesus, right after His Baptism, head straight for the desert?  Why not a place of comfort, a nice valley with springs gushing forth?  

Jesus came to this earth to undo and restore what was lost.  He came to fulfill what Adam had failed to do.  Where Adam failed to trust God, Jesus gave everything– His trust, His faith, and ultimately His life.   Jesus, directly after His Baptism, doesn’t begin His public ministry, but suffers in the dryness of a desert.  Adam had everything yet wanted more; Jesus with nothing, knew that He had everything because He had God.  

Jesus is drawn to the dryness in our life.  He comes to us in our hiding, in our pain, and our suffering, and wants to say “I love you.  Everything will be ok just take my hand”.  

During this season of Lent, I am especially drawn to the story of the Woman at the Well.  In John’s Gospel, he recounts that Jesus was tired from His journey, and stopped at a well in Samaria.  I find this hilarious - Jesus, tired?!  He had spent forty days in the desert without food, could He not have just hiked for a couple more miles?  It makes me wonder and think that Jesus wanted to meet the woman of Samaria one-on-one.   His disciples weren’t even present.   He didn’t want a crowd; He just wanted a personal interaction with this suffering woman.  This is incredible!  Jesus pauses His journey to Galilee for this one woman.  She is worth it.  We are worth all of Jesus’ attention.  Not only that, but Jesus met this woman in the heat of the day, at an hour no one else would dare to go.  He entered into her suffering, told her everything about her life, and revealed her the truth: only God can provide the water that truly satisfies.  Amid our own dryness, Christ alone offers us the life-giving water.

Lent is an invitation to lean on Christ – to let go of what we want so we can cling to the One we truly need.  St. Pio of Pietrelcina in his prayer after receiving the Holy Eucharist, writes “I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows.  O, how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile”.  He recognizes the brokenness in his own heart, but more importantly recognizes his need for Christ.  We too can do nothing without Christ.

  

Lent is not about suffering.   Lent is about transformation.  The desert, the dryness, and the droughts in our lives can become the well of eternal life if we turn our eyes to Christ, who suffers with us.  Because from the ashes, new life is born.  Will we let go, and let God take utter control of our lives?

 

Praying for all you guys like always :)

St. Benedict, Pray for Us

- BCM Leaders