Author: Francis Xavier

On the last day of our 2023 Novena of Grace, Fr. Gary Smith, SJ, deftly weaves scripture, story, and imagery in a beautiful reflection to light our path forward.

From fireflies lighting up the night in New York to Sudanese refugees carrying kerosene lamps and singing him home through the Ugandan bush, Fr. Gary recounts the evocative memories that spoke to him of our Novena theme. 

We also become light to other people, and other people become lights to us, Fr. Gary says, like the sex worker who lived in darkness but who found a safe space in the shelter where Fr. Gary worked — and friendship with him. Two years later, he officiated her wedding. 

But most importantly, Fr. Gary finds light in the Eucharist — in Christ, the light of the world, who brings God’s light to each one of us.

Listen to his beautiful reflection, and may his words help you see the light shining the way forward on your path as our Novena draws to a close.

Greg Carpinello begins his reflection today by describing the experience of being in the darkness: at its root, it a complete and utter powerlessness. And yet Greg says he believes that before we can find the light, we have to learn to be comfortable in the darkness.

Today’s first reading paints a picture of what this darkness looks like for Esther as she was “seized with mortal anguish” and “lay prostrate upon the ground.”

Greg thought that he knew darkness in its various forms (heartbreak, loss, disappointment) until in 2017, he experienced a “slow, building ocean wave of overwhelm” crashing across his life. When he was able to embrace his own “Queen Esther moment” of darkness, Greg found that his faith gave him a way back to the light.

Hear Greg’s linking his own wandering through the darkness to the Gospel call to “ask, seek, knock” — a countercultural message in a time of self-sufficiency and control.

Irene Powch shares her story today, as a first-generation immigrant from Ukraine and a young woman who thrived in academia, but also as one who had to go into the wilderness to truly find her call.

“God always has a seat at the table waiting for us,” Irene says. For her, it took wandering across Alaska, Guatemala, and returning home to New York to find her seat in her career, in her faith, and in her family heritage.

If God is the light that shines in the darkness, Irene says, “What matters to God is a pure, sincere, open heart, not a pedigree.”

Listen to Irene’s story, and consider how it asks you to reflect on the places where you are meant to amplify God’s light.

Jean Madden tells stories from her secondary career as a music-thanatologist, in which she plays the harp at the bedside of those who are sick and dying. The music she plays, which is based on sacred texts, can ease suffering and bring beauty and meaning to those in great pain.

Although not all patients welcome Jean and her five-foot-tall harp, she shares one story of an experience in which she found hope as one who is accustomed to giving peace and hope, not necessarily receiving it herself.

In this instance, she played the harp for a patriarchal figure who was preparing to transition to hospice care at home. The music seemed to bring some relief to the family members, but the moment especially moved Jean, who felt the Spirit at work.

Hear Jean’s experience of a sacred moment in which she felt that she was bringing light into the lives of those who were experiencing darkness.

Hannah Megan today shared a glimpse into her life as a Jesuit Volunteer, and how the Scripture readings for February 27 have deepened her reflections about the “interruption” in the regular course of her life that she has chosen by living in community, embracing service and simplicity.

When we are inconvenienced or find that giving doesn’t come instinctively, as it too often can seem it happens these days, Hannah says, how can we bear God’s light?

She quotes C.S. Lewis: “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love [them].”

Listen to Hannah’s wandering through her thoughts and experiences as she surfaces as one ready to bear God’s light and love to others. As the righteous followers in Matthew’s gospel say, “Lord, when did we see you?”

Today, Fr. San Mai, SJ, shares about a different kind of “home run” that he learned about during his days working in Silicon Valley: a good job, abundant income, and the status and lifestyle that came with that title.

As Bruce Springsteen says, “Everyone has a hungry heart,” whether what we hunger for is a perfect body or a perfect spouse or a perfect career or a perfect spouse.

But, Fr. San asks, what are we willing to sacrifice to get what we want? Do we trust that God loves us and will satisfy our hunger if God doesn’t give us that “home run”?

Listen to his reflection to learn his insights about hunger, desire, and what Jesus teaches us when we can make space to hear it.

On Saturday evening, February 25, Linda Kaiel gave a wide-ranging reflection, reminding us that light can be found in surprising corners. She shared “out of the mouths of babes” stories, retold her experience working with the Missionaries of Charity sisters in India, and looks at the words that Isaiah speaks through a contemporary lens.

In the Isaiah text, God cries out, “Hineni” (“Here I am”), calling us out of darkness and into light.

This call today is for us to bear that light, says Linda, “to advocate for others, actively satisfy the afflicted, remove oppression, to bestow bread on the hungry, nurture our planet, insist on affordable housing… What relationships can each of us initiate and/or nurture to be co-creators of that ‘future filled with hope?'”

On the morning of Saturday, February 25, Tara Ludwig shared a moving and personal reflection of her own experience of chronic pain — and how everything changed for her when she began to see her injured nerves as an experience of redemptive suffering.

“There’s the hope — we will suffer, but it’s beyond our understanding to fully comprehend how God will use that suffering for the greater good.”

Sit with Tara and her pain, and you may come away with a sense that the crosses that you bear may bring light to dark places — and may transform you in doing so. 

After a day of postponement due to snowy roads in Portland, the 2023 Novena of Grace kicked off on Friday, February 24 with a beautiful reflection by Fr. Jack Krouse, SJ.

Fr. Jack reminded us of St. Francis Xavier’s unwavering hope as he journeyed as one of the greatest Jesuit missionaries that we have ever known. Listen, and let Fr. Jack’s words inspire you to carry your own flame of hope in your heart during this Novena and beyond.

Note: The audio recording failed for the first portion of our Mass livestream, including part of Fr. Jack’s reflection. Parish staff re-recorded his reflection in full later that day, and you can watch that 12-minute video by clicking here.