April 13th, Ms Lauren Rieves: World History/Girls Coach-Athletics Director

April 13, 2022: Wednesday of the Holy Week
Ms Lauren Rieves: World History/Girls Coach-Athletics Director
Is 50:4-9a/Mt 26:14-25
Good morning!
The readings I had for my reflection are Is 50:4-9 & Mt 26:14-25. A line that stood out to me in
the first reading from Isaiah chapter 50 is verse 4, “The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained
tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” I have
known that I wanted to be someone that could encourage people and push them to reach and give
their best. I feel as though God has given me that gift and that is something I do not take lightly.
I love being a teacher and a coach. These are areas in my life where I really see this lived out,
and hopefully one day I look to become President of the United States to help the rest of our
nation. (I hope to receive your votes).
But I also look at this as a challenge every day to understand and examine my own life. I ask
myself, am I utilizing my talents to the best of my ability? Did I serve God in the small moments
of today, by being kind to someone or encouraging others to be the best they can possibly be? I
feel as though there are times where I get this wrong. I feel that to serve God it has to be this
huge or grand occasion. But what God continuously calls us to do is love one another and
encourage one another in a positive way. A Quick note, what I mean by love is, agape love.
Friendship love. Kindness love. This love is what we need to show, because sometimes you are
someone's first encounter with Christ. You are someone's first encounter with Christianity and
Catholicism. What will you show them about God’s love?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote on agape love; because of all the racial injustice going on
in America at the time, and I believe his writing still applies today. He said agape love is, “purely
spontaneous, unmotivated (no strings attached), groundless, and creative. It is the love of God
operating in the human heart” In a world where there are trends of trying to hurt ourselves or
others. In a world where it seems like the right thing to do or the cool thing to do is be negative,
laugh when someone tries to promote positive change, or not utilize our full potential. In a world
where a racial slur or putting others down seems to be the “cool” thing or “right” thing to do. Let
us be the kindness and love of Christ to show to others. Let us be the people that will also allow
others to come to the table and soak in our positivity, kindness, and love. This is when true
change can happen. Positive change can happen. This is when agape love happens. For those that
might not be on board with this or might think that this type of caring act is not possible, I would
like you to look within yourself and figure out why it cannot happen? What in your life is
holding you back from spreading a kind word or even giving your full potential in academics,
athletics, or daily life? I too thought like this once, especially when reading my second reading of
Matthew chapter 26: 14-25.
When reading today’s Scripture passages, I will be honest, I was thinking, “Mr. Ohizu, why did
you give me this reading? Is it me? Am I the drama? Am I like Judas? Well, I do sin and I am not
perfect, but come on, did you have to give me the reading of where Judas is sitting at the table
with the rest of the disciples getting ready to BETRAY Jesus!! GREAT!” After a while of sitting
with this reading and trying to form a connection between the first and second reading it dawned

on me. I should NOT be focusing on the negative. Sorry Judas, but the betrayal of Jesus is
negative to say the least. Instead, I needed to focus on what Jesus did in this moment. Jesus knew
that someone betrayed him. You can gather that he knew WHO would betray him, and yet the
greatest thing that Jesus does is feed Judas.
Jesus fed all of his disciples, but he continued to feed and wash Judas’ feet as well. God gifted
Jesus to us and in turn Jesus continued to show God’s love and mercy towards us. Jesus, even in
those moments where he is awaiting the horrific fate of having to go through his crucifixion,
used his talents, used his kindness to still feed and love others. In a world that focuses on us
dividing against one another. In a world that wants to continually promote negativity and despair.
When there are times where we fail, falter, and feel so far off God’s radar that it might seem like
God is not present or there.
Though there may be times where we feel unloved, unwanted, and pushed to our limits,
remember that Judas ate too. Remember that God will continue to nurture us. Remember that we
can continue to be part of God’s table. Remember that even in your lowest moments you too are
at the table of God, you too have the right to be encouragers of great positive change and even
when we fall remember this, Jesus knew and knows, and Judas ate too.