Waiting

Note:  I will not have access to the internet Saturday and Sunday...Will be back with more slices of bread on Labor Day. 
 
Waiting is not fun, and like the women in today's Gospel, (Mt 25:1-13), our "fuel" supply runs low, even out, and leaves us in the lurch.  But waiting is part of the game...When have we not waited, who has not waited?  What to do while we are waiting?  Bishop Robert Barron sums up a plan nicely:
We are wise in our waiting if we pray on a regular basis; if we educate ourselves in the faith; if we participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist; if we perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; if we become people of love. We are foolish in our waiting if we neglect these things.

Plenty of food for thought today.
Bro .Rene

Staying Awake

Jesus warns us today to "stay awake for we know not the day nor the hour the Lord will come."  (Mt 24: 42). There are many ways to stay awake:  1) make a promise to be somewhere at a certain time, try to keep that promise, and guaranteed, you will stay awake to keep that promise despite the interruptions that make it seemingly impossible.  2) try to access an account on someone else's computer...fight through the verifications that you are not a robot; try to remember passwords and the new verification codes sent to your phone, which you many or many not have with you...you will stay awake...
Seriously, take time at the end of the day to remember two instances when God's love and grace was evident, and say a simple prayer of thanks...Sleep will be easier, and the next morning will find us wide awake.
Bro. Rene

From the Dungeon

Today's Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, formerly The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, recalls not only his death as the result of a seductive dancer and a weak king, but the universal truth that darkness, suffering and injustice are part of life of a prophet, witness, and disciple of Christ.  A look at our history, and our world of today, reveals this pattern over and over again, almost to the point of discouragement.  Yet, the promised Dayspring from on High has come, the Morning Star has risen and gives hope and comfort as we sweat and bear the heat of one who tries to remain faithful. Examples like John and other saints, the example of Jesus himself, bring light to us.  The lesson of hope comes to us today even from the darkness and ambiguity of the dungeon. Let not the Salomes nor the Herods destroy our faith, but let the example of John strengthen it.
Bro .Rene

From Creation to Creator

Today we remember St. Augustine, Bishop, "Doctor of Grace", Searcher, Discoverer, Defender of the Faith.  A day after celebrating the Memorial of his mother, Monica, we give honor to her son, Augustine, the object of her tears, prayers and love.  As brilliant as he was, he wandered intellectually from the real Truth and Beauty he sought, until he was, through God's grace, able to move from what he saw and reverenced in creation, to the Creator himself.  In his classic Confessions, he admits his blindness, and though "late" did he discover the Truth, he gave himself totally to it.  His mother's prayers, grace, God's hand, all worked together to bring about this "miraculous" conversion and give us this great saint, whose life serves as a needed inspiration for us today.
How many of us, our young adults, especially, are searching in the wrong places for the Goodness and Truth for which we hunger and thirst?  We too are taken up with the created and blinded to the Creator.  May Augustine's life help us to keep on searching as well as be ready for the moment whwn Truth and Beauty break through and help us to see clearly and give our total love to the Creator, who is Beauty and Truth.
Bro .Rene

Love's Tears

We reflect on St. Monica  today, who for twenty years prayed and wept for the conversion of her son, Augustine. Her tale has become a classic, with a happy ending to boot, and serves as an example and an encouragement for so many of us who pray for conversions, healing, and forgiveness.  The Collect for St. Monica states that God, who consoles the sorrowful, mercifully accepted her motherly tears, and, as Bishop Robert Barron points out, in a way wept for Augustine through them.  In the hymn, Canticle of the Virgin, composer James Kevin Gray reminds us, "When love has wept, no soul can die." Love's tears come from the core of our being, and make a convincing case to our God, who weeps with us.May we pray persistently, convincingly and patiently for those we love; and may our tears become tears of joy.
Bro .Rene

To Whom Shall We Go?

At the end of the long discourse on the Eucharist in chapter 6 of St. St. John, murmuring, discontent and rejection punctuate this magnificent explanation, it would seem, but not quite. Peter makes the final statement in a positive vein:  "Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of everlasting life.  We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." (Jn 6:69) 
There are many "hard sayings" and demands for believers to accept and follow, but Jesus doesn't wince or back down from them.  He pulls our faith, stretches it, and rewards it with himself.  Who would not want to follow such strength, and at the same time, such tenderness?  When Jesus is at the root of our faith-equation, be it belief in the Eucharist, or Paul's admonitions on marriage, it is Jesus who makes it all possible, all worthwhile.  Dear Jesus, may we come to know and love you for who you are and trust not in our doubts but in the power of your Word.
Bro.Rene

The Call To Integrity

In calling down the Scribes and Pharisees for not practicing what they preached, Jesus also calls us to look at our behavior parents, teachers, co-workers, and neighbors.  Do's and Don'ts come easily from our lips in our attempts to teach or administrate, but a close look in the mirror reveals that we don't always follow through on them in our own lives. Certainly an area for scrutiny, reform and change.
One outstanding example of a man of total integrity is King St. Louis IX of France.  Yes, he reigned in the 13th century, but he remains today a model of faithfulness, compassion, honesty, integrity,  deep faith and justice. His life and practices deserve more research and reflection than we can offer here, but suffice it to say he lived what he preached, having a passion for justice and right judgement, for a faith which brought him to the Holy Land as a crusader, a compassion for the poor which brought them to eat at his own table, and a deep love for Jesus which moved him to tear down his own chapel and build the Sainte Chapelle, noted for its exquisite stained glass windows, to house the relic of Jesus' crown of thorns. He lived as Jesus described as the "greatest among you, your servant" (cf. Mt 23:12). May we live humbly, faithfully and with the integrity of St, Louis of France.
Bro. Rene.

By Word Of Mouth

With technology at our fingertips, it's not hard these days to spread news by word of mouth, ( word of electronic mouth at that!).  In the days of Jesus, word of mouth was perhaps the major means of spreading news.  And so it was that Jesus, baptized by John was seen by Andrew, who told his brother Peter, who told his friend, Philip, who told his friend, Nathanael (whom we identify today as Bartholomew). Word about Jesus traveled fast, but it was only the personal encounter with Jesus that convinced Nathanael that Jesus was the Son of God.  (Jn 1:49).
The lesson for us is that telling others about what we've seen, heard or experienced of those "little miracles" that happen each day (most of the time referred to as "coincidences", but are they?) we can bring others to Christ, or deepen the faith of those who are already believers. It's amazing that how the telling of an incident can trigger a story of a similar incident in the experience of the hearer. In the end, faith is affirmed and we tend to gain confidence in speaking more boldly about the workings of God in our lives.  St. Bartholomew, help us to speak more boldly about our experience of God.
Bro. Rene

Accepting the Invitation

How many invitations do we receive daily to come to the Wedding Feast? Too many to count or even be aware of, so taken us are we with OUR plans and distractions.  Yet God continues to invite, to prod, to entice by countless acts of kindness and favors to us.  It might be good to stop what we are doing when the invitation arrives and give it more than our usual "brush off", at least to say "Thank you but I'm too busy now."  If we hear ourselves saying that over and over, then it's time to take a big break, (a retreat even?) and realign our priorities before we find ourselves "cast out into the darkness."(Mt 22:14)
Bro. Rene

Mary Our Queen

A week after the Solemnity of the Assumption, we celebrate the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary today.  More than a sentimental title, it connotes the "warrior" tradition of Jewish queens, some of whom reigned as Regents for their infant sons, allof whom had some influence, for good or for bad on their future kings.  With Mary, we see that all is positive.  She is Queen because Jesus is King. not vice-versa.  Her role as Queen Mother is to insure as best she can the purpose and future of the Kingdom of her Son. As she brought him into this world and remained by his side, even unto his death, she remains now at the side of her Resurrected Son and Lord, and continues to aid by her prayers and intercession the mission he came to establish. Her role is fidelity,  humility and compassion, as it was when she walked this earth. She is an example, and exemplar of our roles as disciples of Jesus. May we continue to find inspiration and help with our "impossible" cases from the Queen of Heaven, the Queen of Mercy and of Peace.
Bro. Rene

Making The Impossible, Possible

"For men, this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." (Mt 19:26). Jesus was speaking of the difficulty we face when we cling to riches or other substitutes for God.  We all face "the eye of the needle" (a narrow passage in ancient Jerusalem) and as defeatists we claim victory of the eye over us.  But Jesus says, no, there is a way...God's way, God's grace.  Where do I stand at this moment, blocked by my disbelief, by my possessions, fears, anxieties?  Or will I allow God to slick me down with the oil of his grace to enable me to pass through "the impossible eye of the needle?"
Bro .Rene

The "Honey-Sweet Doctor"

After learning what would be required to gain eternal life, and to be fully perfect, the rich young man turned away sad, for he was far too attached to his possessions to sell them and give to proceeds to the poor (cf. Mt 19: 22).  Some, however, were able to make that choice, one of them being a young man now known as St. Bernard of Clairvaux. A handsome, talented, man who loved life, gradually felt an attraction to a way of life opposite from the way he had been living. This attraction grew and brought him to the monastery of Citeaux, a newly founded establishment where the Rule of St. Benedict was strictly observed.  Many of his friends had tried to dissuade him from making such a move, but his discussion led 31 of his friends to enter with him. Later he was asked to begin another Cistercian Monastery in the "Valley of Wormwood" which later became the "Valley of Light", Clairvaux.  His learning and ability to preach earned him the title of Father of the Church, the last Father in the Western Church, and the nickname, "the Honey Sweet Doctor", for his sweet and smooth eloquence and for his bee-hives!.  The beloved prayer, the Memorare, so fundamental in our Marist Prayer Life,  is attributed to him. May others who are discerniing God's call be inspired by St. Bernard to take that step as he did and find the joy and peace he discovered.
Bro. Rene

A Word Of Wisdom: Rest

After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, the Hebrews must have rejoiced at the Third Commandment prescribing one day of REST, the Sabbath Day, one out of the seven day week.  Physically, psychologically, and spiritually,  this commandment makes abundant good sense, but how many of us actually take time off to observe it and thus nourish our souls?  In the First Reading for today's Mass, we read from Proverbs:  "Let whoever is simple turn in here;/ to the one food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!/ Forsake all foolishness that you may live;/ advance in the way of understanding." (Prov 9:6). We might see a reference to the Eucharist, but also to the food and wine of rest...of allowing the body and mind a chance to recharge simply by doing "nothing" or by taking extra time to reflect on who God is, his almighty power to create beauty in the planet, the universe, in the people we love, and in the gifts with which he has blessed us personally. A time to allow feelings of gratitude and humility to surface; a time to feel the joy that lies deep within us, the joy that only he can give.  Take time to drink deeply and eat heartily of this Sabbath fare.
Bro. Rene 

A Matter of the Heart

The First Reading today from the prophet, Ezekiel (18: 1-10, 13b,30-32) boils down to the creation of a new heart, rather than rule-keeping.  Yes, rules are necessary to set boundaries, but  the heart is "the heart of the matter". It's what is written on the heart, it's what stems from the heart that bears witness to our sincerity in attempting to keep the rules.  We will always fail at pure rule keeping...only God is perfect, but the love that prompts us to love and  serve God and neighbor, to treat all with respect, to forgive, to bear patiently the daily tests and interruptions...this is what stands up in the end, this is what God sees when he looks at us through the eyes of his love.
Bro. Rene

All Good Things Take Work

A missionary overseas knows that time, flexibility, letting go of habits, patience and lots of hard work eventually with the hearts of the people. Walking into an new employment,  starting a new business, moving on to a doctoral program, building a solid marriage, all take the same things.  Rarely, if ever, does success come easy. Our push-button, remote controlled,  throw away society tends to make us forget this.  As we start out this day, let us be joyful, confident, and eager to make it a success, but let's not forget that hard work must be part of it, if we are to go to bed saying, "Yes, this was a good day, a successful day.  Thank you, Lord.."
Bro Rene

Infinite Forgiveness

Again, Peter comes to our aid.  His question, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?" (Mt 18:2),  provides an answer from Jesus that we would not have given. " "Seventy seven times" (Mt 18:3), translated:  Endless times, Infinite times.  A big order for us who so easily hold grudges, or have a hard time forgiving...especially within families:  grandchildren doing the "unthinkable", fights over inheritances, all too common.  The answer is to remember God's loving forgiveness of us who do not deserve the blessings we enjoy as gifts from the merciful Father of our.
Bro. Rene 

A Special Marist Day

In 1954 when Pope Pius XII proclaimed as an article of faith that at the end of her life, Mary, Mother of God, was taken up bodily to heaven, he was reiterating a long-standing belief dating back to the early church and assuring Christians in the post-WWII era, when doubt about our destiny was in question, that "Yes, there is a better life to come.  Mary is already there sharing it with Jesus...so hold fast to this belief, no matter what is going on around you."  Even more relevant is this message today, when once stable structures and values are teetering and the search to fill "that void" yields only more emptiness.
Mary's role was (and is) to bring the Son of God to us.  She did so physically in Bethlehem, but continues to do so today by calling his disciples to live more totally and fully as Jesus taught us. As Marist, particularly Marist Brothers who concsecrated themselves to this mission as Marist Brothers, Priests,  Sisters and committed Lay Marists, we help Mary live out her role.  For those of us who took the Marist Habit and Vows on this day, may we not only make a verbal renewal of our vows, but indeed, may we stive with greater zeal to live them.  ALL TO JESUS THROUGH MARY, ALL TO MARY FOR JESUS!
Bro. Rene

The Greatest

When the disciples approached Jesus with the question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?" (Mt 18:1), they must have been surprised when Jesus called to a child and placed it before them and answered that the person who humbles himself like a little child is the greatest. Children are dependent, trusting, forgiving, and always seem to emerge from a "crisis" with joy and eagerness for the next event.
This "purity of heart", the open-mindedness, this willingness to forget and move ahead was evident in the decision of Maximilian Kolbe, whose memorial we celebrate today,  to offer his life in place of a fellow prisoner  in Aucshwitz. His choice "was like a powerful shaft of light in the darkness of the camp giving the others hope, new life and strength", according to survivor Jerzy Bielecki. Our choices, our gifts may not be as dramatic, but even the smallest gesture of pure, innocence and kindness can make the sun shine on a cloudy day and place us among those childlike Greatests.
Bro. Rene.

Paying His Taxes

In an attempt to trap Jesus, the collectors of the Temple Tax asked if Jesus had paid his tax.  Kings don't tax their sons, so Jesus, Son of God, to whom the Temple was dedicated, was under no obligation to pay a tax, but so as not to scandalize and to maintain good relations with the collectors and the people, he paid it. (cf. Mt 17:22-27).
His example shows us that there are times when we are under no obligation, for a greater good, we might be asked to step outside the world of obligation and comply to a demand or request.  When in doubt, thinking of Jesus in this instance will help and fortify us to act in a similar way.  It's in these small things that we can make a bigger difference than we think.
Bro. Rene

The Power Of Faith

Jesus, seen and known as "the son of Joseph and Mary" (Jn 6: 41)  astounded his listeners by the claim that he came down from heaven,  that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life,  that he is "the bread of life." and  whoever eats of this bread, his flesh, will live forever. (cf. Jn 6: 48-51)  Pretty outrageous statements for the son of a carpenter! To accept them demands a huge "leap of faith", and hence the realization that faith is not a glib motion of the tongue, but a powerful movement of mind and heart, of the total person to risk this leap.  No room for "What if's?" or any hesitation.  It's the classic, "all or nothing."  We might think of this as we approach our altars today to receive this gift and reaffirm our faith...Yes, Lord, I do believe that this is the bread of life that has come down from heaven and is your flesh given for the life of the world, for my life!
Bro. Rene

St. Clare, The Antidote For Faithlessness

Today's Gospel provides a scenario we face time and time again, although perhaps not as dramatic...A possessed boy's father begs the disciples to drive out the demon and they can't.  Jesus tells them it's because of their lack of faith. (Mt 17; 20) One translation reads, "Because of your lack of trust." How often do we find our prayers unanswered for the same reason?
St. Clare, on the other hand, is the example of unshakeable trust. She wanted to live as St  Francis and his Friars, and did, receiving on her deathbed, the official approval from Rome of complete poverty, the ownership of nothing, no lands, no buildings, nothing  Her motto was Deus Providebit, God will provide. The Poor Clares continue to live this way today.  Perhaps this is too extreme for most of us, but we can find a place where we need to fit somewhere near this ideal.  Yes, where we NEED to fit...without trust, faith, we cannot find room for God, we cannot find happiness. St. Clare, help us to live in complete trust as you did.
Bro. Rene

The Lliving Grains

Yes, the grain of wheat, or any seed, must "die" in order for the plant to grow, produce fruit or flowers, and eventually new seed to produce the next generation.  It's the cycle of life.  In families, generations come and go, each leaving their mark on the future generations.  Each have their moments of "dying" and producing anew.  In our spiritual lives, we have such moments as well:  of letting go of habits or behaviors that are obstacles to the production of "fruit that will last."  Death and Resurrection.  It's the cycle of life.  May we not lament too much  the death element in the cycle, but focus on the life that results.  Focus on the living seed, the living grains,  the fruit or flower that will feed us now and produce the seed for the future.
Bro. Rene

A Variety Of Gifts

In a brief passage from ! Corinthians, (12:7-11), St. Paul reminds us that not all have the same gifts, but that there are a variety of them, and all work together to build up the kingdom of God.  The key is to recognize our gifts and be happy with them, realizing that envy over the gifts others have, blinds us to the power of our own.  When we recognize and accept our gifts, we allow them to become instruments of good and beacons of light to others.
Such an attitude allowed St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) to declare, :I believe the lord has called me on behalf of the people."  as she, like so many others was put to death by the Nazis.Her gift was her life.  How can our lives be gifts for others?
Bro Rene

Dominic on Fire

Fire and light are associated with St. Dominic,whose memorial we observe today. Before he was born, his mother had a vision that her son would set the world on fire like a dog running about with a torch in its mouth,  and she saw a star above his head when he was baptized.. When Dominic's vocation became clear, that in order to defeat the heretics of his day, he had to live simply, prayerfully and teach with great fervor and conviction what he had learned in prayer.  The formula worked and the heretics were held at bay, if not totally defeated.  The Order of Preachers continues this tradition of austerity, prayer and study to give substance to its preaching and teaching.  As such, young men are joining in large numbers in order to again bring light and fire to our world, so clouded in darkness.  Not all are called to join the Dominicans, but each one of us can grow in our faith by simple living, prayer, and living what we learn in prayer and study.  Our actions can be more eloquent than our words.
Bro. Rene

Peter's Request

Note...this comes as part of a double slice of bread...I'm at Camp Marist in Ossipee, New Hampshire, and had hoped to post  it after the morning prayer and daily announcements, but the program started late and took longer than I had been told, so I missed the posting deadline.  The rest of the day also took a different turn other than planned (as always).  God continues to teach me, even at 78:  His way is always different and always the BEST!

The Gospel recounts the appearance of Jesus walking on water and Peter's request to walk with him.Matt 14: 22-36).  Just stop for a moment and ask yourself if you would ask for such a favor, even if you saw Jesus walking on water. What ever possessed Peter to ask for such a "favor'?  Most of us, except the most daring, would not even consider it.  Evidently Peter had second thoughts, and began to sink, as would be expected...Yet, everything happens for a purpose. and here Jesus uses Peter's impetuousness to as the occasion for a lesson in Faith and Trust.  We don't ask to walk on water, but we do make some preposterous requests at times, and then flounder on our own ridiculousness and want to pull back. Jesus says to us as he did to Peter, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt 14: 32).  Makes us wonder about our prayers, our requests, so often laced with doubt or hesitation...Jesus never stops repeating the lesson, so let's pray that someday we might learn!
Bro. Rene

Seeing The Real Jesus

Todays' Feast of the Transfiguration brings us to Mount Tabor with Peter, James and John, who for a brief time were given a vision of the Real Jesus, aglow in resplendent light, with snow white garments, flanked by Elijah and Moses and affirmed by a voice from a cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." (Mk 9: 8). Awestruck, the apostolic trio fell to the ground. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus told them to keep the vision to themselves until he had risen from the dead.  No doubt they did not grasp its significance until then
It is now our turn to seek and understand it's significance in the light of the Resurrection and 2000 years of reflection on it.  The Divinity of Jesus was so revealed to enable us to realize that Jesus is no mere man or teacher, but the Son of God.  Belief in him is essential and the base of all we are and do.  Seeing and believing in the Divine Son of God, and acting as he did, enables us to become more like him, and as the Fathers say, to become Divine ourselves..."Silently from Tabor's splendor, the Savior begs: 'Become what you behold!'"  (Magnificat, August, p. 85)
Bro Rene

Honoring The Mother of God

Today marks the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome, on a location said to have been designated by the strange appearance of SNOW...This day is also known as Our Lady of the Snows...The basilica has been enhanced over the centuries and is one of the four major basilicas in Rome. Since the feast falls on a Sunday, it will not be observed this year...Yet devotion to Mary brought thousands of people to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts yesterday for the annual Encuentro Latino, a pilgrmage for Latinos speakers. The Mass honored Mary, the Most Blessed Virgin, before this crowd of faithful believers who had traveled from far and wide.  To see their faith, their hunger for the Bread of Life, which Jesus offers in today's Gospel (Jn 6: 24-35) was inspiring and reassuring.  As always, Mary brought these pilgrims, who came to honor her, to her Son.  Whether in Rome or Stockbridge or in local parishes, Mary continues to invite believers, drifters, and searchers to her Son's table.  For this we give her honor and thanks...
Bro. Rene

A Model of Simplicity and Dedication

St. John Marie Vianney, spent 40 years as the pastor of the village of Ars, a remote place where he was sent because he was such a poor student as a seminarian and where he would not cause any trouble. Though he struggled with Latin, he had a keen sense of right and wrong and the gift to read hearts.  The people of Ars had drifted from their faith, but seeing the fervor of their pastor, his prayerfulness, his fastings and outreach to them, they realized they had a saint among them and mended their ways...His reputation in the confessional reached all over France and Europe and people flocked to Ars, keeping the Cure in the confessional 16 hours a day in the summertime.  Even on his deathbed, he heard confessions and gave absolution.
His simple life and his zeal for souls remain an outstanding model for parish priests and for all of us. Discouragement, fatigue and onslaughts of the Evil One made him at time want to run away from Ars, but God intervened and he returned to continue his arduous ministry. He is an example of how God uses the weak, those despised by the world, and  the tempted to work marvels that can only be attributed to him. May the Cure of Ars be an inspiration to us as we face our own inconveniences and trials.  St. John Marie Vianney, pray for us!
Bro. Rene.

Unwelcome Prophets

We sometimes wonder if Jesus were preaching and teaching in our present world, would he have an audience, or would he be rejected as he was in his own "native place"? (cf. Mt 13:54-58).  The people then came up with excuses ranging from family connections to questions about his "credentials" .  :"Where did he get all this?"  Skepticism, excuses to avoid listening to the Truth prevailed then and, no doubt would still be present today.  Seems to be the way we are made.  Unfortunately, Jesus could not do much because of their lack of faith...and would be in the same predicament today.  But let's not just look at our world, but start with ourselves.  Do we listen attentively and act on what we hear, or do we, find excuses or reasons not to?  And when we try, even in our woundedness,  to be faithful witnesses or prophets, will we continue to speak out to an unwelcoming audience?
Bro. Rene

Old Things and New

Not quite sure if Jesus was talking about this when he said, "Then every Scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom bot the new and the old." (Mt 13:52).  Yesterday, August 1st, was a day of bringing out the old and setting it up anew, for the Sheridan Street community in Lawrence, MA.  With the help of friends we placed the statue of St. Joseph, which had adored the Marist Property in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts for at least 50 years, presiding over the garden on a large pedestal, on a new pedestal facing the back door of the residence.  Painted like new, the white statue gleams in the sun, reminding all that the child he holds in his arms is the Light of the World.  It is like having a piece of the Kingdom of God in our own back yard.  Thanks to all involved in this move to preserve a piece of Marist history and inspire generations to come.
Bro. Rene

My Pearl of Great Price

What is my treasure?  What is my Pearl of Great Price?  What is so worthwhile in my life that I would sell all that I have to keep it? Is it my health?  My family? My friends? My relationship with Jesus? All of these are precious, priceless, actually. This morning's Gospel (Mt 13:44-46), as brief as it is, might give us pause and force us to look at what we take so much for granted.  We could lose them in an instant. They are GIFTS!  Might we take stock of our treasure and our pearls this day, thank God for them, and work to keep them in the forefront of our thoughts...to treasure them in our hearts.
Bro. Rene