Mr J Alumni Reflections

Mr J's Spring 2025 Reflection: "For God so Loved"

Dear Friends,

I know I’ve said this before, but I’m never quite sure where time goes. We’re already nearing the beginning of March, which also brings the beginning of the Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Some Junior High students stopped by my office this week to visit. One of the boys asked when our next Mass would be. I told him it would be our Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5, the beginning of Lent. He looked at me, shook his head and said, “Lent. Advent was more fun!”

I guess he’s right. Lent is hard! It’s so easy to think about the manger; it’s quite another thing to think about the cross. The truth is, however, that the manger would lose its meaning without the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) 

In writing these reflections, I always look back over the years at other things I’ve written to gain inspiration or ideas. Years ago, I found something I had written for a Reconciliation Service back in the mid-90’s, something that truly speaks of the amazing love that our God has for each of us and of the greatest sign of that love in the sending of His Son. I thought I would share it again here, hoping that it will also speak to each of you:

“My children, I have loved you from the first moment when the universe fell from my fingertips. I have been with you at all times, as I am now. The sign for which you look has been given. My only Son came into this world to show you that I am with you in joy and in sorrow, in victory and in disappointment, in pain and in love. He came so that the eyes of those blinded by fear and hurt might be opened; that those imprisoned by hatred and anger might be set free; that those lost in the darkness of depression and worry might be guided into the light of peace. The sign has been given . . . no greater sign could ever be. In this sign, you will truly conquer, finding the power to transform and to change, turning away from those things that divide and separate . . . those things that cause hurt and pain . . . those things that keep you from me and from each other. The sign for which you look has been given!”

As I write this, I’m just putting some final touches on our Ash Wednesday Mass, thinking about the journey we will begin on that day, a journey which begins with ashes and leads to a cross of wood on a lonely hillside. The journey will lead us through a joyful welcome with palms and a last supper; a sorrowful prayer in the garden and to Good Friday . . . but we are not left there. We will be taken to an empty tomb and to the glory of the Resurrection. Life is not easy and definitely holds its share of “Good Fridays,” but we are never left there! For every Good Friday, there is an Easter Sunday that follows!  As true believers, we know . . . “For God so loved the world . . . ” For God so loves us!

I pray that our God who loves us and holds us and all of our tomorrows be with each of you, that you may be strong and faithful and faith-filled in what can be a difficult and challenging world. Always know how greatly you are loved and remembered in thought and in prayer, forever thankful for you and for all the ways your lives have touched mine.

Love and Prayers,

Mike  J

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Mr J's Fall 2024 Reflection

For Mr. J’s fall reflection, we wanted to share with you the beautiful prayer he wrote and read at his 50 Year Celebration Mass.

A Prayer of Thanks, by Mike Jeremiah

In Celebration of 50 Years

My God and Father,
As I come before You on this day,
I give thanks that You called me here . . .
here to this place that has been my home
for so many years.
Most of all, I’m thankful that I listened to You,
because You know that there were times,
yes, I know, and times still today,
that I fail to listen as I hurry through life.
So many years, Lord,
so many blessings . . . so much to remember . . .
so much to be thankful for.
I remember all those from these years:
Those faithful and dedicated people
with whom I worked . . . those who shared
the same mission of touching hearts and lives,
responding to Your call to make a difference.
Those in my classroom or in a main lodge on retreat . . .
those in peer ministry or in a support group,
or those just needing someone to listen.
I attempted to guide them, teaching them about You, Lord . . .
to trust in You and in Your love for each of them,
to know that You are with them always.
I have been so blessed, Lord, to walk beside them on this journey . . .
to laugh together as we experienced so many good times;
to cry together as we made our way through the difficult ones.
I have been so blessed, Lord,
to be with them in moments of joy,
to be beside them at times of trial and loss,
to simply love them, Lord,
attempting to be a reflection
of the great love that You have for them.
Some of those from my past, the young and the old,
have completed their journeys in this world,
some long before their time,
so loved and dearly missed.
I remember them with love, Lord,
for all that they continue to mean to me.
They are at home with You, Lord, in Your Kingdom
where we are meant to be.
The moments and the memories and the people
who have helped to shape my past
are always with me, a part of all that I am.
So, on this day, Lord,
as I remember the past and look to the future,
I give thanks for all that has been,
and I look forward to all that will be.
I give thanks for all those who are with me today,
the young and the old who add
meaning and purpose and value and worth
to my days.
I give thanks for memories and for moments,
for people and for blessings,
for Your faithfulness and love.
I have been and continue to be . . . thankful.

Love,
Your son,
Mike

Read more about the celebratory Mass held on Sunday, Aug. 25 in honor of Mike J.'s 50 years of service at BSM.

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A New Year Reflection

January 2024

Dear Friends,

It was the middle of December, and the year was 2023 . . . that’s right, only a few weeks ago. Life was just a little stressful, as I’m sure it was for most of you. That’s the sad thing about this time of year: It’s such a beautiful season, but most of us don’t slow down to take the time to truly enjoy it.

I was in the midst of putting some final touches to our Closing Advent Mass and our Christmas assembly. I’m sure that many of you remember the special Mass, ugly Christmas sweaters and all, and the fun Christmas assembly which followed - complete with Santa Will on the floor scrubber!  The Mass was good to go, as was the Christmas program, but I thought it would be a nice touch to have Jake Mahler ’03, math teacher and drama department director, do a special song.

When I suggested it to him, he said, “Let’s do a song together!” I agreed, and we both went to work, thinking of a song. Jake texted and emailed a few suggestions which I really loved, and I kept saying, “I’ll get in touch and we can practice.” Well, the week passed and soon it was Tuesday morning.  I told Jake I would meet him later in his office to finally practice.  I honestly had not thought of options other than those proposed by Jake, but I suggested “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”  That would be our song. 

The Christmas assembly was amazing! I think the best part was how much the kids really got into it. The Little Knights kicked it off, followed by a special performance by “The Commodores,” a men’s a cappella group with Kris Vance from our maintenance department as a member. The orchestra, band, choir and Red Knotes followed, performing beautifully, and then it was our turn. I introduced Jake who then introduced me. What followed was one of the strangest experiences I’ve had. I began singing. As I looked out over the Great Hall, I saw not only the faces of the kids who were there on that morning, but in my heart, I saw the faces of so many kids over so many years who gathered in this Great Hall . . . it honestly brought tears to my eyes, thinking of all of you.

I guess there was a reason why that song came to mind . . . for me it was a reminder of how very blessed my life has been because I’ve had the opportunity to know and love and work with each of you. The beautiful thing about BSM is that, regardless of the miles and the years and the time that might separate us, we truly are together.  We never make this journey alone; we travel with each other and with our God by our side.

As we enter into this new year, I pray that 2024 will hold countless blessings for each of you. I am forever thankful for you, my faithful friends, always in my thoughts and in my prayers. May God bless and keep you in His care.

Love and Prayers,
Mike J

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A Father’s Love

October 2023

Dear Friends,

As I work on this first reflection of the year, we are not only preparing to celebrate Homecoming Week 2023, but we are also in the midst of celebrating our 50th Anniversary as Benilde-St. Margaret’s . . . so many years, so many amazing memories. As I personally reflect on my 49 years here at BSM, with hopes of celebrating my 50th next year, I do so in thanks for all of you who have shared these years with me and who have touched and made a difference in my life in so many ways. I have been and continue to be so very blessed. With that in mind, I’d like to share a reflection based on a passage from the First Letter of John that has always been one of my favorites.

“See what love the Father has bestowed on us 

that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are.”

1 John 3:1

 

Many times, I’ve had the opportunity to watch my friend, a BSM alum, play with his little daughter. She is 2 1/2 years old, and she loves her Daddy very much. The neatest thing about her, and all little kids, is that she allows herself to be loved by her Daddy. When she sees him coming, she runs to him and throws her arms around his legs and simply says, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” She just wants to be held and to be loved and to know that she is safe in his care. Even when she’s laughed so much from tickling that she can hardly breathe, when the mad tickler stops, she says, “Tickle more, Daddy!” Not once have I heard her say, “Daddy, I want more toys.” or “Daddy, give me this or give me that.” She simply loves being in the presence of her Daddy . . . she allows herself to be loved.

If only our relationship with our Father could be like that . . . if, instead of asking for this or for that, we could simply place ourselves in His Presence and allow ourselves to be loved, to know always and forever that we are safe in His care. What a difference that would make in our days and in our lives. Life is busy and hectic and filled with so many distractions. I pray that we can all find opportunities to simply spend time in the Presence of our God, never forgetting that we are His children, regardless of age. In fact, the older I get, the more I truly feel like a child of the Father. May we always keep that child alive in our hearts. 

So, my dear alums, children of God, as we begin another school year and celebrate our 50th Anniversary, I close this first reflection with a very special “Thank You!” to each of you for remaining such an important part of all that is Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Always know how greatly you are loved and remembered in thought and in prayer. May you simply allow yourselves to be loved by your Father . . . to be open to all that our God has to offer. 

Love and Prayers,
Mike J