Lent 2018: Reflections from Current and Former Volunteers 2018 Lenten Reflection Guide | Page 5

W orking with highschoolers is difficult, to say the least. For
the first few months of my service year at Cristo Rey Boston High
School, I struggled to connect with the students. I was ignored, yelled
at, pushed away. I felt defeated and emotionally drained. In some
ways, I think I felt a lot like the disciples in today’s Gospel. I felt called
to serve these students, but at the same time, I was unaware of the
distress and trouble I would have to go through. Following Jesus’
proclamation of his death and resurrection, Peter, James, and John are
perplexed and dismayed, for they expected their mission to be one of
comfort, ease, and glory, not one of suffering, agony, and ultimately
Christ’s death.
In a similar way, I was dismayed by my first few months at Cristo Rey.
Yet, I remained open, willing to hear the stories of my students. I
reached out to kids in the hallway, coached soccer, and chaperoned
extracurricular events. Moments outside of the classroom eased the
tension between me and the students. I do not know if I can point to
one specific moment, but over time, I witnessed the transfiguration. I
began to see the students differently. As I grew in relationship with my
students, I saw God in them. The students transfigured before me and I
recognized the imago dei within each one.
In the Transfiguration of the Lord, we are challenged to risk suffering
out of love. We are reminded to listen to Christ, even if we are afraid.
We are all called to be disciples that carry the cross in anticipation of the
resurrection.
Mark 9:2-10
“This is my beloved Son.
Listen to him.”
~ prayer ~
During this Lenten season, consider reaching out to someone who is different
than you. Perhaps it is a person experiencing homelessness, a person of a different
faith tradition, or a person new to your faith community. Challenge yourself to be
uncomfortable, disturbed, and moved. Take the time to hear their story in all their
joys and sorrows. Often we think of service as a means of providing something for
someone; however, accompaniment and listening are just as meaningful forms of
service. Loving, all-embracing God,
we thank you for the gift this
Lenten season to ponder
on the mystery of Christ’s
life, death, and resurrection.
Help us to listen and become
aware of your call to be
transfigured into disciples
of love, compassion, and
empathy. Offer us the grace
to trust in you in times of
suffering, the courage to risk
suffering out of love, and the
patience to sit in the mystery
of your promise.
About the Author: Justin Hoch, Notre Dame Mission Volunteers alum We ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Focus on:
Social Justice
The Transfiguration calls us to be touched and moved by experiences outside of
ourselves. In our own lives, moments of encounter with the other shake us, move
us, stun us to see the other as loved and worthy of dignity. However, in this witness,
we can often become paralyzed and unaware of how to respond. Nonetheless, the
encounter requires action. We must use our moments of encounter to be fully trans-
figured, to come down from the mountain and be agents of social change.
Service Suggestion
Originally from Indiana, Justin Hoch graduated from Loyola University Chicago
with a degree in Theology. After graduation, Justin worked in campus ministry at
St. Joseph’s University, and then, spent a year of service at Cristo Rey Boston High
School working as a teacher’s assistant. He is currently pursuing graduate studies at
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.