Marquette Today

Campus News and Events

Please note that campus gatherings are currently limited due to COVID-19. See respective capacities for indoor, outdoor, religious and political events. Submit events for approval at marquette.edu/event-services.

For more coronavirus information and regular updates, visit marquette.edu/coronavirus.

Menu

  • Campus News
    • Top News for Students
    • Top News for Faculty & Staff
    • Magazines at Marquette
    • Campus Alerts
  • Archives
  • Submit news
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Contacts
  • @MarquetteToday
  • University Calendar
  • Topics
    • Community Engagement
    • Diversity
    • Innovation
    • Master Planning
    • Marquette Momentum
    • Research
    • Strategic Planning
  • February 27, 2021

Fifth week of Lent reflection: Jesus as a light

April 10, 2019

By Derrick Witherington, assistant director of Campus Ministry for Liturgical Programs

For five weeks of Lent, we have been preparing to celebrate the most important week of the entire liturgical year: Holy Week. This Sunday, we celebrate Palm Sunday and begin to walk with Jesus in the final stage of His journey to the cross and resurrection. It’s only fitting that our reflection this week focuses on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion in Luke 23:1-49.

In Luke’s account of these events, we can see nearly every variety of human dysfunction on display – lies, slander, mob rule, unjust conviction, as well as verbal, physical and emotional abuse.

Yet during this rampant brokenness, what strikes me most is that we still find moments of beauty and light. Jesus comforts the women He meets as He makes his way toward Calvary. Jesus promises the repentant thief that he is to join Him in paradise.

I believe the message here is that in moments of utter darkness, confusion and rejection, we all not only can find moments of light and beauty, we also have the freedom to make and enable these things to truly shine forth.

After everything that Jesus went through between the evening of Holy Thursday and the afternoon of Good Friday, I think nobody would have blamed Him if He would have turned completely inward in those final moments.

Nobody would have blamed Jesus if He had not even noticed the women who were weeping for him – or paid attention to the words coming from the fellow condemned men hanging on His left and on right. Yet during what must have been incredible physical and emotional pain, Jesus still manages to turn outward in compassion to the people and situations around Him.

We all have personal struggles, pains and questions. Life sometimes might strike us as being a very cruel and lonely place in the wake of a terrible exam, failed relationship or uncertainty regarding what the future will bring.

One of the many lessons of Jesus’ passion is that even in the darkest moments, the way to get through it is by pushing ourselves – to continue to be ambassadors of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. As followers of Christ, we are not guaranteed constant comfort, but we are guaranteed the promise of resurrection and new life, rising out of the ashes and debris of the messes in which we sometimes find ourselves.

As we enter Holy Week, let us pray for the grace to always remember that we are called to spread God’s compassion and mercy, even if we find ourselves in dark moments. When we do this, we are faithfully following the example of Jesus – from the cold darkness of the cross to the radiant brightness of the resurrection.

Filed Under: For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News

More news

Celebrate Women’s History Month this March; registration now open for events

February 26, 2021

Marquette Literacy Review submissions due March 16

February 26, 2021

‘What is Being Learned in K-12 Education in this Difficult Year?’ is March 2 

February 26, 2021

Virtual Soup with Substance: ‘Pro-Life Feminism’ is March 3

February 26, 2021

Marquette Theatre to present ‘Silent Sky,’ March 12-21 

February 26, 2021

Next Mental Health Day for students is March 10; volunteer to help coordinate programming

February 26, 2021

Mental Health Day for students is March 10; sign up for various ‘staycation’ programming

February 26, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination update: State of Wisconsin will begin offering vaccine to next priority group March 1

February 25, 2021

Marquette receives positive evaluation after participating in 2019-20 Mission Priority Examen

February 25, 2021

Board of Trustees approves spring groundbreaking for new home for Marquette Business and innovation leadership programs

February 25, 2021

Wisconsin ‘FoodShare’ grocery assistance program available to eligible students

February 24, 2021

Nominate faculty for the Core Curriculum Teaching Excellence Award

February 24, 2021

Faber Center to host ‘Pathways to Fuller Living’ series, Tuesdays in March

February 24, 2021

Registration for March GROW classes now open

February 24, 2021

‘The Education Preparedness Program: Reimagining the University’s Role in Decarceration’ is March 3

February 24, 2021

More news

Quick Links

  • Faculty/Staff News
  • Student News
  • Magazines at Marquette

Featured Stories

DREAMers Supprt Committee

DREAMers Supprt Committee

After becoming a permanent committee in 2019, the group actively advocates for undocumented students and provides support resources on campus 

A Reflection on Black History Month

A Reflection on Black History Month

By Dr. William Welburn, vice president for inclusive excellence

Remembering Dr. Joe Daniels

Remembering Dr. Joe Daniels

One year since the dean’s passing, Marquette community continues to reflect on his life and legacy

Read more featured stories.

Human Resources News

Registration for March GROW classes now open

Registration now open for spring, summer GROW classes

EAP offering two virtual sessions focused on self-care, Feb. 10 and 12

Research

Center for Peacemaking grants available for faculty and staff; apply by March 1

Faculty and staff grants: December 2020

Faculty and staff grants: November 2020

Awards & Accomplishments

Interdisciplinary faculty team receives 2021 Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award

Marquette to confer honorary degrees on Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J., and Sister Josephe Marie Flynn, SSND

Center for Peacemaking grants available for faculty and staff; apply by March 1

Marquette UniversityCopyright 2019 by Marquette University
MARQUETTE.EDU // CONTACTS // A TO Z