Feeding the Hungry

The Gospel for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time shows Jesus's immense capacity to supply the needs of the hungry. While trying to mourn the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, Jesus had withdrawn to what he considered a deserted place, but the crowds found out where he was and when he stepped out of his quiet zone, there they were in "need mode" with their sick and their hands out for healings. Jesus did not get angry or upset, but was moved with pity and not only took care of the infirm, but fed them by blessing and multiplying the five loaves and two fishes.
It seems we too are always besieging Jesus with our requests, for ourselves or others, almost becoming real pests. Yet, he shows us in this Gospel that we can never be pests, he is there for us, and we give him pleasure in coming to him in our need. Yes, it would be very helpful if we matched our prayers of petition with prayers of thanksgiving, but that doesn't seem to bother him. And so, like the crowds that surrounded him, not only will we find a generous Jesus, but also a pattern of treating others who come to us with needs and requests. The patience and compassion of Jesus is the model for us. May we willingly follow his example.
Bro. Rene

Brother George Richard Fontana, F.M.S., R.I.P.

I write today a brief tesimony to a dear friend, Bro. George Fontana, who died on Friday morning, July 29th, after a long, debilitating illness that had all of us puzzled, including the doctors, it seemed. I am happy for George that his long confinement to an existence that was so alien to him has finally ended.
George was only two or three groups ahead of me, but I didn't know him until our halcyon days in Wheeling where our rooms were across the hall from each other at our 7-13th Street residence and we would make each other bend in two with laughter over word-play, puns mostly...funning with punning...or plays on words that would go on and on. We would exchange witty literary delights over the summer while away from each other at courses or summer employ. I still have a folder of "Letters to George" which now will provide a needed connection with the George I remember. When he would appear from Japan or Italy for a Chapter or an Assembly, his first words would always be, "Make me laugh." It wouldn't take long and we'd both be struggling to catch our breath between tales of our mutual exploits or faux-pas with etiquette or language. His tales of his early blunders in Italian still bring a smile. I kept his letters with a reverence, and am happy I did.
Aside from this merry flippancy, George took life seriously, perhaps too seriously, and being principal at the Marist International School in Kobe at the time of the earthquake only added to the burden of personnel issues, and his hated e-mail correspondence, that took much of the pleasure out of him during the scholastic year. No wonder he was thirsting for a laugh when he came home on vacation. His years at Manziana were happy, but whatever his last days at the Generalate entailed, the luster of foreign service began to fade. He entered the hospital almost immediately upon his return to the States last August, and found solace only in his relief from this earthly life and entrance into the life he longed for with God, minus all the gadgets and modern techonological advances that he did not understand, and also loathed as dehumanizing. Yes, we had our fun naming the latest "-od" from the technology shelf, but deep down, he hated them. Well, George, happily you are free from all of that. Pray for us who continue in this valley of ever-increasing technology, and, oh yes, it's your turn to make us laugh.
Bro. Rene

Holding Firm

The Psalmist advises us to "hold firm and take heart." (Ps 27:14). In reflecting on our own weaknesses and shortcomings, this admonition can keep us from discouragement. We have often heard St. Paul's "the things I do not want to do, I do, and those I want to do, I do not." A good description of us. Yet, God not only tells us to hold firm, but often gives us a "sign" that he knows of what we are made, knows those shortcomings, and yet loves us still. We begin to realize that we make him happy despite them and bring delight to him by our efforts to hold fast, or by our simple prayers for mercy and help. A letter from a friend, meeting up with an old friend after a long absence, a phone call, a word from Scripture, all these can be taken as signs of God's delight in us, and enticements to "stay the course." It's in the little things that God speaks. May we not lose faith but "hope in the Lord." (Ps 27: 14).
Bro. Rene

Unfailing Care

This comes for a very hot and muggy Miami Beach, Florida, and almost didn't make it since I had to use a new path to enter the blogsite from down here, which took me a long time because of a very slow internet day. Thanks be to God persistence paid off.
In the past week and a half, I have come into contact with so much brokeness, so much suffering, so many paths and ways of life alien to what we would consider the Christian norm, that it has brought me to my knees and to a deeper level of trust in God and God's unfailing care. The human condition is far from perfect, and most people seem to trudge through the mud of our human nature with more or less attention to God and his loving way as outlined in the commandments and in the message of Jesus. Despite this devience, God always stays faithful, gently leading, gently prodding, always loving. It is amazing to see how much diversity of behavior he loves and accepts. I find it a call to me to be as open to loving all, no matter who or where they are, as God does. When we come face to face with God, who is Love, the questions will be how much did you love, how much did you trust, how much did you seek to love me in my creatures? How non-judgemental were you? Did you leave the judging to me? Did your love support others, did it reflect my love for all of you? Thanks be to God that he doesn't judge us as quickly as we judge others.
Lord, help us all in OUR weaknesses, and have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Saints Joachim and Anne

For years July 26th was a special Marist day, for it was the date on which the postulants took the habit and the novices pronounced their first vows. For many Marists today, this feast day, once the feast of St. Anne, patroness of the American province, marks their anniversary of entrance into the congregation. In 1959, the date for taking the habit and first vows was changed to August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption.
Little is known of the lives of Joachim and Anne, other than the tradition that they were the parents of Mary. We surmise that they raised their daughter in full accord with the traditional ways of Judaism, and thus reinforced her holiness already well in place as the result of her Immaculate Conception and future Motherhood of God. They remain models for today's families as their home was a school for holiness, that is a home where love of each other and love of God, shown by family prayer, living the Scriptures and weekly worship were non-negotiables. They send out a call to families and Marist communities to put God at the center of life and activity and to stand firm against the encroachment of materialism and secular values and attitudes. May they help us draw closer to Mary their daughter and her Son, Jesus.
Bro. Rene
Note that for the next week, slices of Daily Bread may appear only sporadically. I'll do my best, but am at the mercy of my host in Bal Harbour, Florida.

St. James the Greater

St. James, the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John, was beheaded at the order of Herod Agrippa in the year 43 or 44 A.D. Little did this former fisherman, who accepted the invitation to leave his fishing nets and family business, abandoning his father on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and following Jesus with fidelity and enthusiasm ever imagine that he would be the first of the Twelve to shed his blood for the faith. He took the words of Jesus to preach the Good News seriously and was so notably active in Jerusalem, that like Jesus himself, he was seen as a threat to Judaism and thus had to be eliminated. Like Stephen's death, the blood of this second martyr became the seed of faith which grew stronger in the Jerusalem community.
Taking the mission of evangelization seriously and living it actively and visibly might not take such a dramatic turn, but it should entail some suffering. For despite it's positive and satisfying tenets to those who believe, or who are seeking the Truth, the Christian message poses an unwelcome threat to the values of "the world." Yesterday, we heard about "the pearl of great price" (Mt 13: 46 ) at the Gospel. So many have mistaken false pearls for the real pearl, and have sunk their treasure into these. They don't want to hear about the REAL pearl and ignore the invitation to sell all to purchase it, or militantly degrade those who offer it. The lesson of James is that this pearl is worth even our own lives. "May his profession of faith give us courage and his prayers bring us strength." (Opening Prayer for the Mass in honor of St. James).
Bro. Rene

All Things Work for Good

My apologies for failing to inform you all that I was going to be away this past week with no access to a computer. When I finished the last entry, I barely had time to post it and forgot to include a little PS. In case this happens again this week, I will be away from Wednesday until next Monday, but might have occasional access to a computer.

When St. Paul says, "We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose," (Rm 8:28) he is assuming, he is asking for a huge leap of faith. All things? Even sickness, memory loss, misunderstandings, forclosures, evictions, wars, massive killings in Norway? All things? The question has been asked for centuries; St. Marcellin dealt with it in the "Terrible Year" of 1826, when he was ill, vocations were not coming, morale was low, money was owed, and Fr. Courveille, who had caused all kinds of problems at the Hermitage, had to be dismissed. St. Marcellin's faith was strengthened by all of this and by spring of 1827, his health was better, postulants arrived and someone offered to pay his debts. He held on in faith and as in westerns of old, "the cavalry appeared over the hill sounding the trumpet of rescue." So often in our lives that mysterious relief comes, almost as a reward for our faith, it seems, and we can look back saying that what seemed unbearable, of beyond our comprehension, was really part of a plan that ultimately worked for a good that we could not see at the time. On this sabbath day, may we find encouragement by looking back at our past "crises" and their resolutions, and be assured that indeed "all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."
Bro. Rene

Our Family

When Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were wishing to speak with him, he asked the questions, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" His answer is both startling and comforting: Pointing to his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenlyFather is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Mt 46: 50)
Family spirit has always been one of the key components of Marist spirituality, and we see that it is a tradition firmly rooted in the Gospel. To be family with Jesus is to do the will of our Father. To be part of the Marist family, is also to do the will of the Father, to see Mary as our Good Mother, Jesus as our brother, and ALL with whom we come into contact as our brothers and sisters, particularly "the least favored." To be part of the Marist family is to be willing to lay down our lives for these brothers and sisters, in big and small ways...to re-locate in foreign lands as missionaries, or to spend extra time with a student needing help; to send a get-well card to a friend, or to visit the elderly, or serve food in a local soup kitchen. It is to welcome those who come to our door or into our lives, in what may be a random meeting, but which could be a turning point in their lives and ours. It is a readiness to treat everyone as family, to treat everyone as we would our brother, Jesus.
Bro. Rene

A Parish That Is Pouring Out Living Water

So often the "reward" for an extra effort comes unsought and fills the soul with hope and joy. Such was my experience at the four Masses at St. Mary's Parish in Westfield, MA over the weekend. I spoke about the Marist Missions worldwide, asking more for prayers for our missionairies and the success of their efforts to make Jesus known and loved, than for financial help. The latter came in abundance, but even more astounding was seeing the church relatively full at all the Masses and the young families with children ranging from pre-First Communion, to seniors in high school. The 7:00 AM Mass was served by two boys who will be seniors! They were wide awake, excellent servers, and very open and friendly. What a reversal of the teenage image! People who had just been on a missionary trip to Tanzania, or others who had actually been in Rwanda right after the Genocide...as Doctors Without Borders, of Peace Corps Workers, told me their stories after Mass. I even met the sister of one of the brothers in my group!
It was gratifying to see an American Parish where the people seemed to love to come to Mass, and were involved in all kinds of parish ministries. The pastor and his assistant were ideal parish priests. There is a grammar school (with some sisters!) as well as a high school. The 1885 Church has been renovated and is an architectural gem, most condusive to prayer and worship. And there is a very active Hispanic community, mostly Puerto Rican, whose warmth and joy demonstrated what power lies in our Faith. They prayed over me and our Marist Missions after Mass, and I could almost feel grace pouring through me to our brothers in Bangladesh, Africa, Indonesia, etc. This morning this piece of Scripture seemed totally apropos: I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground,/ and streams upon the dry land;/ I will pour out my spirit upon your offsrping,/ and my blessing upon your descendants./ They shall spring up amid the verdure/ like poplars beside the flowing waters." (Is 44:3-4)
Bro. Rene

Our Ladyof Mount Carmel

This memorial was initiated by the Carmelite Order to commemorate the giving of the brown scapular to St. Simon Stock in 1251. The scapular, two pieces of brown wool with a cloth likeness of Mary on one side united by a brown cord, is customarily given to first communicants by a priest authorized to bestow it along with the spiritual benefits promised to St. Simon and all who would wear it. The grace of a happy death is one of the major benefits, but comes with the proviso that the bearer of the scapular attempt to live the Christian Life to the best of his or her ability, thus not relying on the scapular as a good luck charm.
The Carmelite Order originated on the hills behind what is now Haifa in Israel. One gets a spectatuclar view of the Mediterranean and is reminded of the small cloud Elijah saw as he prayed for rain while the priests of Baal in vain danced, prayed, and offered sacrifices so that Baal might win the competition for the mightiest and true God. The early Carmelites were hermits who inhabited the caves on Mount Carmel, but eventually bonded together in community under one roof. Carmelites to this day lead a strongly contemplative life, while at the same time actively give retreats, parish missions and run schools. As Marists this memorial has a special appeal to us, for it is yet another occasion to celebrate with Mary our Good Mother, this time stressing her love of contemplative prayer, the prayer of pondering. Perhaps we might find some exra time to ponder in our imaginations what we might see if we looked out over the Mediterranean Sea from our own Mount Carmels.
Bro. Rene
P.S. I will not be able to provide a slice of bread on Sunday as I will be giving talks on the missions at St. Mary's Parish in Westfield, MA...another one of Mary's special places. Back on Monday.

"Good Future"

When St. Francis prayed over a young infant named John who was seriously ill, he had a vision of the wonders this child would work as an adult, and exclaimend. "Buona ventura", Good future. That name superseded the child's baptismal name, and he became known from then on as Bonaventure, St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan theologian, philsopher, and minister general of the Order of Friars Minor. As the major superior, he achieved a balance between the extreme life of poverty that was the hallmark of St. Francis, and the materialistic reaction of his successor, Elias.
Don't we wish that someone would pray over us, even this morning, that we might have a glimpse of the "good fortune" that may lie ahead for us as the day progresses...or even as the future unfolds. Not so lucky. No, again we take each step, each small step, one at a time, in faith and watch with amazement what God has in mind for us. Sometimes God's reasoning is not so clear.
Yesterday, when leaving the St. Monica parking lot after Mass, which was completely empty, I looked over at the passenger seat to see if my phone was on, thinking that since no one else was in the lot, I had clear sailing. At that instant I heard a clunk, and realized I had hit the foundation of one of the parking lot lights. How does one drive into a light pole? And why, why of all days, when the lease on the car was up? I still don't have an answer, but trust that there'sa silver lining there somewhere. Faith and trust...always the same story. How life moves on.
Bro. Rene

When Faith Matters

No matter what century the pillars of faith lived, there is a common thread which holds universally true and defies the limits of time. A young Mohawk girl, Kateri Tekakwitha, born in 1656 near Auriesville, NY, heard the "blackrobes" speak and was converted as a teenager. She had been disfigured by small pox as a four year old, and was forced into a life of seclusion, being raised by an aunt and uncle because her own mother had died of small pox. To openly become a Catholic at that time meant further ostracism, even punishment. She bravely continued a life of prayer and penance, seeking the courage to be baptized, and ever growing in her love of Jesus. She was baptized at the age of twenty, and as she suspected all along, could not continue to live in her village, but made an arduous trek to a Catholic village near Montreal. She loved Mass so much that she would arrive at the church at 4:30 am to prepare for it, and when she finally made her first communion, the walk to Mass meant even more to her. Her life of charity toward the sick and elderly won the admiration and love of the people. Her exemplary life ended at the age of twenty-four, the same age as St. Theresa of Lisieux. To both these women, the life of faith is what really mattered to them and they lived it to the full in their short lives, both receiving recognition by the Church for their sanctity. Miraculously, Kateri's pock-marked face was totally cleared up when she died. She was made Blessed in 1980, and is the object of hope and prayer that she become the first Native American saint. Struggle, hardship, rejection and great love strengthen faith, when it is seen as a precious gift and something not to be taken for granted.
May Blessed Kateri help us in our lukewarmness, in our busyness, in our distractedness to learn that faith is what really matters.
Bro. Rene

A Child's Joyful Trust

One of the Marist virtues is simplicity, and part of it includes that joyful trust displayed by children. Picture a child in a crowd of strangers, hands in tow with his father and mother. No fear, totaly security. As the child gets older and wants to learn how to dive from a diving board, his parents or older brothers and sisters encourage him or her to jump, get the feel, over and over again until that dreaded moment when head first the plunge is taken. Fear is overcome by the presence of these stronger forces, these loving people.
Our trust takes on these joyfilled, confident proportions when we realize how much of a loving Father our God is. Disappointments, changes in plans and circumstances, even deaths may rock us for a bit, but that loving, stong hand is always there to give us security and stability. We move ahead from one stage to another, discovering that whatever disappointed us, whatever change occured, led to something even better than we had planned. Jesus rejoiced at one point:
"I give praise to you, Father, lord of heaven and eartrh, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revelaed them to the childlike." (Mt 11: 25). Let us lay aside our "wisdom" and "learnedness" and allow the inner child to be our guide.
Bro. Rene

American Patriotism

In the days after World War II, whenever the flag would appear on screen or on public display, it was met with wild enthusiasm, even cheering. It was a symbol of a country we loved, for which we had sacrificed lives, and which had been victorious in a hard-fought global war. It was a symbol of patriotism. A similar enthusiasm for the flag appeared after 9/11...flags on cars, buildings, windows, porches, everywhere. It was a symbol of a nation untied, under fire, but determined again, not to yield to tyranny. That enthusiasm has waned a bit, but yesterday's Eagle-Tribune front page story, "Changed Men" reinkindled for me that love of country, that pride, that assurance, that there is out there, amidst all the gadgets and material goods imaginable, a generation of young patriots, ready to sacrifice their lives, fight in Iraq or Afghanistan, interrupt their educations, take huge chances at not finding work upon their return from service and giving meaning to the flag as the symbol of a strong, determined nation dedicated to liberty and justice for all. Despite our flaws, that ideal still motivates and inspires. And these young men, are reassuring signs to the rest of us, that the corruption in Washington, the bickering of politicians, and the diminishment of moral standards, do not signal the end of the Republic. Not when men and women such as these stand tall and ready to defend our basic inalianable rights. Thank you, you 18, 19, 20 and 20+ year olds for reminding an older generation that there is indeed another generation growing up.
Bro. Rene

Saint Benedict

The Church honors St. Benedict who was born in 480 A.D., just after the Fall of the Roman Empire, and died 543, a long time ago, and yet his message of attentive listening and obedience to the voice of God rings loud and clear, 1500+ years later. He begins his famous Rule, which was the backbone of the monasticism that Christianized Europe, preserved the learning of the centuries, and has led countless men and women to sanctity, with the simple injunction: "Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart". Listening carefully, something we in our noisy cluttered lives have a hard time doing...and attend to them with the ear of your heart, that is not just intellectual assent, but deep, total commitment from the heart...another strange anomoly in our moder era. Commitment? From the heart? Yet how effective. How humbling, how instructive in leading us to the obedience to God's will that makes us whole. In our Marist Contitutions we read in article 45: "Our practice of gospel obedience is the way we express our freedom nd our availability for the Church's mission. It makes us strong despite our weakness. It is our way of denouncing the striving for and abuse of power, and the ideologies which violate human rights or make personal autonomy an absolute. In so doing, we proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the obedient servant." It all begins with listening. Benedict hit the nail on the head. May it penetrate our hearts and change our approach to this day's tasks...to the life tasks ahead we have been asked to accept.
Bro. Rene

The Power of the Word

Funny how we are never satisfied...always finding fault, always wanting the change things. It's too hot, too muggy, too cold. Want to lose weight, want to gain muscle, want peace and quiet, want more time, never enough time... On and on goes the list. Jesus gives us a hint to finding the ultimate satisfaction (in him) through the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. The same seed falls to the ground, but the results are different. Not the fault of the seed, as Jesus explains, but of the location in which it falls. The first location lacks understanding, and is soon choked by distractions provided by the Evil One. The second lacks depth and withers away in the face of trial. The seed among thorns chokes on the false promises of wealth, and fame totally contrary to its purpose. Only when the seed falls on deep and fertile understanding does it bear fruit. In a sense, it has to be given permission to crack open and send out roots and stalks. God grants us the freedom to accept or reject his Word, which comes to us in Scripture, the Eucharist and in our daily contact with others. It is a powerful freedom, a scary freedom, but when exercised in harmony with his will, it bears fruit that will last and fruit that satisfies the longings of our restless hearts.
Bro. Rene

Take Nothing For Granted

A soaking rain watered grass and gardens last night in some areas of Massachusetts and the weather forecasters promise sunshine this afternoon until Tuesday evening, with a possiblity of showers. Indeed, as I write, the sun is beginning to shine. A familiar pattern of wet and dry, warmth and growth. Family stories, local and national news contain their allotment of similar ups and downs, ins and outs. It's all part of the pattern of life, all too often taken for granted, and in some cases leading even to discouragement. Sitting quietly a looking at grass and flowers, noticing them as we drive here and there, can make us aware of how God reveals himself in these little things, these patterns of creation that can be lost in our hurry to get things done or go from one place to another. A few days in Whispering Pines, North Carolina, where the speed limit ranges from 20-35 miles per hour, where horns and sirens are not allowed, gave me again the picture of how tranquil life can be when we slow down and listen to the "whisper" of creation, of God's gentle reminder, "Here I am. Notice me. Don't take anything for granted. It's all part of me. All good, all beautiful, if you look with eyes to see and ears to hear."
Bro. Rene

The Fifth of July

With fireworks banging away and the sky filled with color as I write the night of the 4th, what happens on the 5th of July? Do we forget the joyful celebrations of our independence, the prayers, the music, the memories, the memorials? Perhaps this can be a day of thanksgiving, for there is so much for which to be grateful. We declared ourselves free 235 years ago, and have had to work hard, even fight, to keep opposing forces from destroying our legacy. May we treasure what we celebrate and with trust in God and with every effort to maintain our own honesty and integrity, do our part to insure the future of our country as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
Let us do the same for our Church, plagued by its own sinfulness and wrinkles, but still the chosen vessel of grace to the world. We tend to overlook the GOOD that is done daily in our Catholic Hospitals, social agencies, and schools, and by the countless "good priests" who continue to administer the sacraments, not to mention the enormous good that is done by vowed and lay Marists and others. Let the fireworks fly for the goodness that we so often overlook.
Bro. Rene
I will not be able to slice any bread until Saturday morning.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

A rare combination occurs today, The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the First Friday of July. First Friday devotions, Mass and Holy Communion for nine First Fridays resulted from the devotion to the Sacred Heart promoted by St. Claude de la Colombiere based on the revelations of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Paray-le-Moniale in Southern France in 1673. The love of Jesus is displayed by the burning heart visible on his breast. No words can really describe that love; poets refer to it as "love that never fails,/Sun that never dims,/Beauty that never pales; St. John says, "In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins." (1 Jn 4: 10) If follows then, that "if God so loved us, we also must love one another." (1 Jn 4: 11).
What beautiful thoughts with which to begin the month of July with Independence day celebrations, fireworks and family barbecues a few days away, and family vacations slated for many in the weeks ahead. It is a time of rest and relaxation, of "repairing whatever in us is weary or broken" and for reviving our drooping spirits. As Fr. Peter John Cameron prays, "Let this be a graced time of recollection and rejuvenation, of deeper self-awareness, and eager self-giving. May it be an occasion of refreshment and reinvigoration--a time to reclaim friendship with Jesus Christ, who is our Lord now and forever. Amen." (Magnificat, July, page 15)
Bro. Rene
P.S. I will be taking such a vacation so don't look for any Bread except for July 5, until July 9th.
Let the 4th of July be a time to remember our ideals, values, love of country, and those who are serving here and overseas to preserve what we hold sacred and undeniable as written in our Constitution.