Monday, MARCH 22, 2010
BREANNA BRADLEY - ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Ps 23:1-6; John 8:12-20

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark!

“Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and your staff give me courage” (Psalm 23:4)

Nothing could have ever prepared me for the sudden death of my best friend. I had just graduated from college, moved into my first apartment, and accepted a position here in the admissions office. The world seemed anything but dark! However, I soon found myself walking through the valley of death as I struggled to understand why my best friend died. Feeling very much alone and afraid, I had nothing else to do but turn to God in this time of sorrow. I began to realize that I was not walking alone – God was carrying me in his arms each slow step of my healing journey. I felt his presence in me every day, giving me the strength and courage to carry on. Despite my sadness and despair, I learned to trust in God’s ever-present comforting arm.
Lord, when I am overwhelmed with sadness, worry, and despair, help me to seek you. Teach me to trust that you will always be by my side, no matter what. Amen.

Tuesday, MARCH 23, 2010
TY PERRY - CENTER FOR STUDENT DIVERSITY
Num 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; John 8:21-30 

Eternal Discovery

“Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the LORD” – Psalm 102:2

Seek God and discover Him and allow His power to work in your life. Without Him all of our efforts turn to ashes and our sunrises into darkest nights. Without Him, life is a meaningless drama with the decisive scenes missing. But with Him we are able to rise from the fatigue of despair to the enthusiasm of hope. With him we are able to rise from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy.

Lord, I pray for peace which represents a sweeter music, a comic melody that is far superior to the discord of war and hatred. Allow us to view the world as you so that we reside in your magnificent light. Amen.

Wednesday, MARCH 24, 2010
ALYSSA HUNTLEY ‘12
Dan 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dan 3:52-56; John 8:31-42

A Hero Forever

“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever” -Daniel 3:52
When we were younger, we all had an adult we looked up to, whether it be a parent, teacher, priest, etc. That person was our hero. We would hang on their every word and be constantly fighting for their attention, talking to them, playing with them and just being around them. Now that we are older, becoming adults ourselves, we can look to God to be our “praiseworthy and exalted” hero forever. We can stretch out our arms to Him, talk to Him, and have no need to fight for His attention, knowing He is always listening. He will save us from the white-hot furnace, forgive us of our transgressions, and be forever worthy of our love. Let us rejoice in God our Father! Let us praise and exalt Him forever!

Lord, help me to better praise you at all times in my life, for your love is forever. Amen.

Thursday, MARCH 25, 2010
JIMMY MORGAN ‘10
Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

The Annunciation

Today’s Gospel reading is one of the most famous and important readings. It describes The Angel Gabriel’s annunciation to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God. This passage is filled with many beautiful things to reflect on and learn from but one of the most important ones is Mary’s resounding “Yes.”
In our lives we need to be willing to accept whatever God has in store for us. However, that does not mean we are rejecting God if we fear what He is saying because at times He wants us to do things that are difficult or undesirable. However, it is the trust in God’s will that should drive us to say yes and live His word.

Lord, give me the courage to say yes as Mary did. Prepare me to be ready to say yes so that I may respond generously and gracefully whenever You ask. Help to me grow deeper in Your love so that I may trust that whatever You ask of me is for Your greater glory. Amen.

Friday, MARCH 26, 2010
CHRIS DARRAGH ‘13
Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; John 10:31-42 

God is on Our Side

“But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.”
It has become a tradition for people to give things up for Lent. In my life I have had many people that have tried to turn me away from the path of Christ. When the Lord is on your side you cannot be defeated by anyone. Although sometimes these things that keep you away from God aren’t as easy to determine. Sometimes these things could even be seen as fun. Lent is a perfect time to practice defeating these demons. During Lent we have the chance to give up something that may be keeping us from growing in God’s grace. Giving up something like chocolate or playing video games although small can be a big step in overcoming attachments. Although things like chocolate or playing video games or whatever it may be can be fun and isn’t outright a sin giving them up can be a big test of will power and help us move on to bigger things like staying away from the people that might cause you to stray from God’s light. When we do give up anything that might be bad for us with the intention of becoming closer to God we will not be able to lose.
Dear God, Help us surrender the pleasures and comforts of our lives in order to become closer to you. Help us keep you by our side when encountering people that will stray us away from you. Amen.

Saturday, MARCH 27, 2010
SARA REAMS ‘13
Ezek 37:21-28; Jer 31:10-13; John 11:45-56

One For All

“But one of them, Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.”-John 11:49-50
Even after years of going to church, and receiving the sacraments, I have trouble understanding Jesus’ sacrifice. I stare at the cross in Pangborn Chapel from time to time and ask Jesus: “Why? Why did you, the Son of God, have to die in order to save the world?” Of course, this question was answered centuries before I asked it. Caiaphas’s statement in the Gospel of John has far more truth than even Caiaphas himself realized. After the fall in the Garden, the gates of heaven closed to humanity. Yet, God did not want to see the world He created, His nation, doomed to a terrible fate. So He sent Jesus, His only Son, because only his death would redeem us, and grant us eternal life. Jesus’ earthly life ended so that our lives could be endless.

Lord Jesus, thank you for laying down your mortal life for the sake of our eternal lives. Help us to further understand and appreciate your sacrifice, and to love you more. Amen.

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
ANTHONY GOLDEN ‘12
Is. 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

The Golden Rule

“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

One thing that stood out when reading this passage was Jesus’ willingness to forgive. This passage reminds us that we should always forgive those who have wronged us. If Jesus was able to face such discrimination, yet still forgive those who hurt him, we can surely forgive those who have wronged us. It’s a lot easier said than done. We’ve all had times where we’ve been hesitant to forgive the one who has wronged or hurt us. We need to try and forgive because even though we’ve all been wronged or hurt, we’ve all hurt or wronged someone else. I know when I hurt someone and apologize, I want to be forgiven. Follow the golden rule. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Forgive those who have hurt you, because you will want to be forgiven when you hurt someone close to you.

Lord, give me the strength to forgive those who I have wronged. And pray for those who I have hurt and that they are hurt no more. Amen.