Staying Positive

The last day of August. I would guess most of us are in denial that the months of summer vacation for school children and the weeks of vacation for us adults are for the most part over. The refrain, "I can't believe it's over" is being sung at work, in parking lots, at the checkout counter, over the phone, just everywhere. Well, this day, though not the official end of summer, and yes Labor Day Weekend, the last fling, is still to come, poses two choices. I can look back at what DID occur in these three past months, and give thanks for these blessings, or I can lament and drag myself through the day whining over all that I wanted to do and didn't, or over all that still needs to be done. Which one fits with my faith in our loving God and the better plan mapped out for us at the higher level? Have I learned yet to abandon myself to God's will, or am it still a stickler holding on to my own and crying because I didn't get my way.
Yesterday a friend sent me a little story about attitude. A woman looks in the mirror and sees three hairs only, but rather than panicking at the thought of going bald, she says, "Today I'll braid my hair." The next day there are only two hairs, so she decides to part them in the middle. The third day, there is only one, so she chooses a pony tail. The fourth day, there is no hair, and she exclaims in glee, "Yay. Today I don't have to bother fixing my hair!" How am I looking at the last day of August? Lord, keep me positive.
Bro. Rene

Giving

It seems we never can find rest from giving. The daily mail, with half of it (or all of it, frequently) coming from marketing firms representing the poor, religious orders, veterans, or political parties, pushes us to the point of just tearing up and tossing. Local organizations which depend on gifts are being strained beyond what seems humanly possible to sustain and approach us for help. Lazarus House, which now supplies 800 meals daily and 12 tons of food a month, put out a major SOS for donations last Saturday. People seemed to be responding, of course, because it is part of our nature to want to share and give what we can to help those who have less.
That deeply human quality is what prompted St. Marcellin to want to share the treasure or treasures, our faith, with those who have less. His original idea was to take in orphans, especially, and educate them in the faith as well as to give them love, food and shelter. What a generous, giving heart pumped the blood through that man's veins! When we think we've given as much as we can, we might picture him pushing to visit our schools in those mountainous hamlets, even when he was physically exhausted, and later in his life, when he was ill with what today would have been diagnosed as stomach cancer. As his final days approached, he saw to it that his spiritual testament was prepared and then read to the brothers in his presence, weak though it was. Giving to his last breath.
Jesus tells us: "Of love, of thought, of all you have, give, give, give. You are followers of the World's Greatest Giver. Give of time, of personal ease and comfort, of rest, of fame, of healing, of power, of sympathy, of all these and many more. Learn this lesson, and you will become a great power to help others and to do mighty things." ---God Calling, August 30.

The Martyrdom of John the Baptist

The annual Memorial of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist always brings images of Salome, her infamous "dance of the seven veils" and the treacherous revenge of Herodias, King Herod's unlawful wife who suggested the head of John the Baptist on a platter as the fulfillment of Herod's braggadocio promise of half his kingdom as a reward for Salome's dance. Behind this gruesome tale is the persistence of John, who lashed out at the adulterous and incestuous relationship, not fearing the ramifications it would have on him. At first he was imprisoned in the palace dungeon and then came the sword. Herodias thought she had silenced him forever, but two thousand years later the story is still told and the message holds true. God's laws must be obeyed and spokespersons for God, prophets, parents, teachers, must persist in promoting the truth, even if they have to pay for thier message with their lives.
St. Paul later wrote to Timothy, "I charge you in the presence of God and of Chrfistg Jesus, who will judge the living and tghe dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and preaching." (2Tim 4:1-2) And he wrote to the Ephesians, "Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them." (Eph 5:11). As we prepare our hearts and minds for the new school year, these "charges" are reminders to us that persistence, repetition, and strength as well as patience and compassion must be our benchmarks as we guide the young into the ways of Gospel Truth. St. John the Baptist, be on our side. Amen
Bro. Rene

Hurricane Blessings

The East Coast is bunkering down as Irene passes. Closings abound and common sense might dictate a total "stay-at-home" day. Electricity might be off as well. What to do without cable? Think of the apostles in the boat when the winds threatened to capsize them. They went to the sleeping Jesus both pleading for help and chiding him for his non-chalance. He arose and calmed the storm and in turn chided them for their lack of faith. This could be a day of panic or a day of peaceful faith-building. Time to actually meditate on today's rich readings, time to talk to Jesus, as well as to the family. Time to sit quietly and absorb the blessings that come with cancellations. We who have lived more than fifty years know hurricanes...damage, disruption, the works, yes, but somehow we pick up and move ahead with new tales to tell. In other words, we will survive.
Here is a brief synopsis of the readings and their citations so that you might find them in your Bible: Jeremiah 26: 7-9. The key word here is duped. "You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped." How many times did it seem that God has "conned" us into doing things his way or doing what he wants. Jeremiah did not want to be a prophet, but when he resisted, the Word burned like fire in his bosom and he had to speak. When has God "duped" us? How many times...you'll find MOST of the time. And did it work out?
Paul to the Romans, 12: 1-2, short but to the point: "...offer your bodies in sacrifice...do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." What do I need to purge from my life in order to renew my Christian life? Even if it's just one thing, it's a step forward.
And in the Gospel: Matthew 16: 21-37: Peter misses the point and gets "yelled at." Again, God's ways are not our ways, indeed they demand that we take up our cross and follow Jesus. Lots to consider here. Do we try to tell God what is best? We all have crosses, we all try to escape them. What is God asking us today?
As we sit tight today, let us count the blessings Irene is giving us and grow in our Christian life.
Bro. Rene

St. Monica

"In quietness and in confidence, shall be your strength," wrote Isaiah the Prophet (Is 30:15). Monica, mother of Augustine, later bishop of Hippo, noted theologian and Doctor of the Church, put these words into practice. For twenty years she quietly and fervently prayed for the conversion of her son, followed him to Italy, even when he secretly left to avoid her, and finally was happily confronted with his announcement in Milan that he wanted to be baptized. Her mission on earth accomplished, she died soon after on their way back to Tagaste in Northern Africa, saying, "There was one reason and one alone, why I wished to remain a little longer in this life, and that was to see you a Catholic Christian before I died. God has granted my wish....What is left for me to do in this world?"
Her story has been repeated through the centuries by parents who lament the paths chosen by their children, whether it be away from the active practice of the faith, or into the fast life of alcohol and drugs, or the pursuit of material goods and self-centered pleasure. It seems these days there is no family that is in some way affected by this growing phenomenon. It might not be family, but friends, and if we look closely, it might even be ourselves who have strayed. Monica's persistence, stands as a model and reminder that Isaiah's assuring words still hold true. St, Monica, pray for me and those whom I hold closely in my heart that they may see the light as did your son, Augustine. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Our Global Marist Family

Whether it is the excitement of the Marist International Youth Festival, World Youth Day itself, with many Marist students from across the globe participating, or the hundreth anniversary of the presence of Marist Brothers in Recife, Brazil, or locally, the tribute to Timothy J. Buckley of the first Central Catholic class of 1939, a beloved and local citizen who began his long journey in the public eye as a paper boy and model for the famous Eagle-Tribune newsboy sign, or the recent naming of Ryan Kearney, CCHS grad to the U-Mass Lowell Hall of fame for his outstanding pitching career, the Marist story always seems to be one of hope and resurrection. With the rash of "super-hero" films this summer, we might include ourselves in this valiant gallery of characters who overcome impossible odds and conquer evil with good. These super heroes always have modest beginnings, and, indeed, as with Captain America, apparently no chance at all of ever reaching their most simple goals, not unlike Marcellin Champagnat who could have easily been characterized in his first grade class, and even in the seminary for that matter, as "The Most Unlikely To Succeed." But like the comic book heroes, he did succeed, and the entire world in big and small ways continues to be affected by his example and determination. Let's not pooh-pooh what we consider our meager contribution, but rather see it as part of a larger, global effort with continues to have a lasting impact.
Bro. Rene

Marist International Youth Festival

As news coverage of the World Youth Day in Madrid subsides, I want to highlight an event in Spain which preceded the four days in Madrid but which did not receive world press coverage. 400 Marist youths from 18 Provinces and one District attended the Marist International Youth Festival from August 10th until August 13th. They gathered in four different locations so that there would be the opportunity for them to get to know each other in a smaller setting, but then came together at our school in Buitrago de Lozoya for the conclusion of the festival. Excitement and enthusiasm ran high as students from Canada had the opportunity to meet students from war-torn Cote D'Ivoire, for example. It didn't take long for communication to be established through common symbols and dramatic presentations. The theme of the conference was BELIVIN'...Be Living, Be alive, Believe! Naturally, the students discovered many familiar Marist elements among each other which helped them to bond even closer. Vocations as well as how to spread the Marist message were explored and the conference ended on a pledge to live that mission as well as to gather again in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro before the next World Youth Day. The Festival was a vibrant testimony of the vitalityof our Marist Spirituality and Message of making Jesus known and loved, especially to the least favored under the patronage of Mary. How pleased St. Marcellin must be.
Bro. Rene

St. Bartholomew

Little is actually known of St. Bartholomew, thought to be the Nathaniel whose telling vocation story appears in St. John's Gospel, but what is said of him there serves as an inspiration for all Marists. Jesus compliments him upon first meeting him referring to him as a "true Israelite in whom there is no duplicity" (Jn 1:47). Older translations used the word "guile" which carries the notion of deceitfulness and cunning a bit more strongly. Guilessness reminds me of our own Marist virtue of simplicity, which comes from the root word meaning "fold" as a fold in cloth. Simplicity is one fold, duplicity is two folds. It is in that second fold, hidden at first from view, that the cunning and deceit lodge. With simplicity, "what you see is what you get". Nathaniel responded honestly and without guile, asking immediately, "How did you know me?" (Jn 1:48), and later from the heart acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. (Jn 1:49). How free he was, how himself he was. No wonder Jesus admired him from the moment he noticed him under the fig tree. (cf Jn 1: 48). When we meet people like that, and, thank God, there are many around, we feel confident, "safe" and at-ease. It is for this reason that St. Marcellin stressed this virtue with the brothers in order that they might be more effective in their dealings with the students and with each other. St. Bartholomew, empty me of my duplicity and help me find the path of simplicity. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Faith Filled Disciples

Colleges and high schools are preparing to receive students over the next few days and weeks. Some of our Marist Schools, i.e. Marist Chicago and St. Joseph's in Browsville, Texas have already begun. Locally at Central Catholic we will present our new teachers with two days of orientation beginning today. It's hard to believe that our vacation is over "already" as we all keep saying, and equally hard to pull ourselves from vacation mode to work mode. It's not that we don't love what we are doing, but it's just the knowledge that for the next nine to ten months, school can and will overpower our lives, consuming almost every minute.
Our theme at Central Catholic for this year is appropriately, "Faith Filled Disciples." Today we will look at the lives of the two men whose faith made our school possible, St. Marcellin and Br. Florentius, and find inspiration and guidelines on how to grow in our own faith so that it will inform and influence the way we deal with each other and educate our students. It's an on-going process, as we see even in the lives of the first disciples and apostles. A three-year training period, of ups and downs, and if we look specifically at Peter, BIG ups and BIG downs! Even an eleventh hour denial, not once but three times. Yet Jesus continued to have faith in him, forgave him and called him to love and leadership among the rest. That magnanimous gesture is most reassuring, for none of us "has it all together" as our "downs" seem to dominate our "ups" and we find that truly "our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Ps 124:8)God stands besides us reminding us, as the song goes, "I am here standing right beside you. Here am I." Without his presence, we'd be stuck in our "downs" but like Peter, we can feel him lifting us up from the waters. It is at those moments when we know we are faith-filled disciples.
Bro. Rene

God's Surprises

When the Baron de Chantal was killed in a hunting accident, his widow, now known as St. Jane Frances de Chantal, raised their children as a single mother and through her motherly care and the workings of the Holy Spirit, her spiritual life took major and surprising turns. She used her talents, time and treasure to help the sick and the elderly, and under the guidance of her spiritual director, St. Francis de Sales, not only became a nun, but founded an Order, The Sisters of the Visitation. Originally she fought against cloister and any particular habit, because she wanted her Sisters to be able visit the sick and poor in their homes, much like the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Blessed Mother Teresa do today. Ironically, the Church would not give approval of the Order, unless the sisters were cloistered. St. Jane complied and education then became the main focus of their ministry. The need for education was there and many women, widows included joined St. Jane, who in her lifetime founded 85 convents.
Again we see that surpise is the order of the day, and the words of Jesus, "not my will but yours be done" (Mt 26:39), take us on paths we never dreamed possible. Each one of us can tell similar tales; it is good to reflect on our journeys, especailly when BIG surprises come our way, to see that the pattern always includes the grace and means to accomplish what God asks.
May the example of St. Jane be our inspiration for today's surprises.
Bro. Rene
I'll be attending the PhD graduation of one of my Rwandan students on Saturday and will be on retreat at St. Anselm Abbey from August 14-22. There will be no new slices of Daily Bread until August 23rd. Will pray for all of you.
Bro. Rene

St. Clare

Today's Memorial of St. Clare, friend of St. Francis, and Foundress of the Poor Clares, makes us stop and think about the place of material goods in our lives. After his conversion from the life of an amorous and fun-loving soldier, Francesco Bernadone saw wealth and material goods in a new and unfavorable light. He infuriated his father by throwing out expensive materials to the poor saying, "Throw it all away. What good will it do you?" Clare was smitten by this notion and begged to become a follower of St. Francis, a favor granted. She and her followers lived by the motto, "Will will provide." To this day, the Poor Clares own nothing and depend on gifts from others for their survival; this abandonment to Divine Providence enables them to devote their total attention to the praise and worship of God through the prayer of contemplation. It is a radical way of life, but one that inspires us who are so quick to accumulate "junk" or to save beyond reason every piece of string "in case I need it," as we justify our insanity. Having spent our days going through what I've accumulated, I'm embarrased, appalled, overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" that was tucked away in my bedroom, not, for sure, the simple monk's cell! We need some things, and as long as they do not interfere with our love of God and neighbor, and serve as a means of improving the quality of our life and ministry, they can be looked upon as "instruments", or "tools" but as soon as I become their slave, then I'm in trouble. St. Clare, give us a sense of detachment from material goods that we might more freely attach ourselves to our Divine Master. Amen.

Courageous Men of Faith

St. Lawrence, whose feast is celebrated today, was a deacon whose ministry under Pope Sixtus II was to distribute wisely money from the community of Rome to help the poor. Many agencies continue this work in all parts of the world. At one point, when he was asked by the Prefect of Rome, to display the treasures of the Church, and assembled as many poor people as he could muster and presented them to the Prefect. Infuriated, the Prefect then gave Lawrence his last assignment: the gridiron. The famous line, "Turn me over now, this side is done" said in jest, demonstrates his courage and conviction.
While not as intense or dramatic, as Deacon Lawrence, our own Brother Lawrence, one of the early brothers, displays the kind of courage and steadfastness that is within our reach. His ministry was to the children of the mountain villages surrounding LaValla, and he would pack his sack with potatoes for himself and whatever he could find as treats for the children, walk the paths ringing his bell, and gathering these youngsters for their catechism lesson. Alone, but not alone, he spread the Word and brought Jesus to them. No gridirion, but consistency, perseverance and selflessness, also demonstrating courage and conviction. May the example of the dual Lawrences inspire us in little ways to live today with an extra ounce of these virtues.
Bro. Rene

"Grace Under Pressure"

Ernest Hemingway described courage as "grace under pressure." Grace means gift, and pressure we all know: deadlines, job expectations, our own self-imposed expectations, financial pressures, especially acute these days, on and on. Many of us might remember the pressure cooker that was somewhat the stove top equivalent of today's convection oven or perhaps microwave: it cooked meat or vegetables very fast and left them tender and juicy. The food inside responded under pressure and yielded its best.
Today is the memorial of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, born Edith Stein who became a convert from Judaism to Catholicism and later a Carmelite nun. This at the time of the Nazi rise to power and its brutal campaign to eliminate all Jews. Edith and her sister were taken to Auchwitz where they died in the gas chamber. It took courage for a person to convert from Judaism to Catholicism in those days more than now, and even more courage under the pressure of the persecution, to remain firm in the faith until death. In our own Marist history, over two hundred brothers were martyred in Spain during the Civil war in 1936, displaying the same courage under pressure.
There's a lesson for us here, that under whatever pressures we exist, if we look at them as "gift" we can grow more, "cook faster" than when things are smooth and "going our way".
Bro. Rene

"Bring To Others What You Contemplate"

St. Dominic, the dynamic preacher of the early 13th century, whose Order of Preachers is still effectively evanglizing, chose the motto, "Bring to others what you contemplate", for his followers. The Dominicans stress contemplation and study as the foundation of their teaching, but others, like St. Marcellin and St. John Mary Vianney, were also effective preachers because their simple but powerful sermons were based on a life of prayer and contemplation in action. People saw in them what they heard them say. We might not have the same propensity for deep theological study as St. Dominic, but we all are capable in the most simple ways to "walk our talk" and thus be effective preachers as well. Radiating truth and sincerity, we can be instruments of hope and peace by our genuine efforts to live what we've heard from other spiritual leaders or read in the Bible or other spiritual books. When as a young curate, St. Marcellin organized a clean-up and repair day for the parish church, and got out there with his hammer and tools himself, he won the hearts of the parishoners by these mundane actions that came so natural to him. In being "who we are" we touch others more convincingly than by what we say. May our times of prayer bring us the message that will overflow into our everyday interactions. Thus we too will be living out the motto of the Dominicans.
Bro. Rene

It Is Good For Us To Be Here

Not knowing exactly what was happening as Peter watched with amazement the transfiguration of Jesus...face glowing like the sun, garments white as snow, and conversing with Moses and Elijah, Peter did know that it was a "good space", the place to be and not to leave, suggesting that three tents be erected. Such a place would certainly satisfy the hungry heart, but that event happened only once, as a means of fortifying faith and preparing the disciples for the horrors of the passion and death, to which Jesus alluded on the way down from the mountain.
Occasionally there are "highs" in our lives, and we have a similar experience of "bliss", such as at the end of a retreat, or an exceptionally fantastic vacation, and a desire that the moment not end, but then "reality" strikes, sometimes in brutal contrast to the experience we've just had. Can we say then "It is good for us (me) to be here"? Can we say at ANY moment, "It is good for me to be here"? God is present in each moment, so that would make each daily event a Tabor event, if we see with the eyes of faith. Let us pray with the disciples today to see events cast in the light of the presence of Jesus, as transformative events, as fortifying reminders that Jesus is with us in the most mundane of occurrences we encounter each day. Let us be able to pray, "Lord this is good. It is good for me to be here. Amen.
Bro. Rene
I will be attending the 45th reunion of the Wheeling Central Catholic class of 1966, so I will not be delivering another slice of Daily Bread until Monday. Have a wonderful weekend...a Tabor weekend!

The Dedication of St. Mary Major

Also known as Our Lady of the Snows, today's optional memorial commemorates the dedication of the oldest church in Rome in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Legend has it that in the mid-fourth century, Mary appeared to a man named John, asking him to erect a church in her honor. Snow miraculously appeared in summer outlining the location and size of the basilica. Since it was dedicated during the reign of Pope Liberius, it was known as the Liberian Basilica. After the Council of Ephesus in 431, when Mary was declared the Mother of God, Theotokos, Pope Sixtus III enlarged and enhanced the basilica and dedicated it to Mary around the year 435. It later became known as St. Mary Major because of its antiquity and is one of the four major basilicas in Rome. It houses a crib, thought to have been the manger in which Jesus was laid after his birth.
According to the Visionaries of Medjugorje, today is the true birthday of Mary. As Marists, we give a central place to her in our hearts and spirituality. Her messages in her appearances over the centuries have always contained strong requests for prayer and union with her Son. United in spirit with each other and with the Church who honors her today through this memorial, let us dedicate ourselves to a more fervent prayer and liturgical life and a deeper union with Mary and Jesus.
Bro. Rene

Healing the Brokenhearted

The Cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, was ordained in 1815, a year before St. Marcellin and the founders of the Society of Mary. Like St. Marcellin, he was not a top rank scholar, but rather a man of a simple and strong faith. The stories of his hours in the confessional, 16-18 hours a day, his ability to "read souls", his simple but inspiring sermons, his poverty, his miracles even while alive, such as multiplying the flour and potatoes in the pantry of the orphanage connected to the parish, and his bouts with the devil, are legendary. There is no question of why he is a saint.
The Entrance Antiphon for his Mass comes from Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of God is upon me; he has anointed me. He sent me to bring good news to the poor, and to heal the broken-hearted." It sums up the mission of this humble parish priest and touches on the "secret of his success", his immense love of God that grew as a result of the presence of the Spirit of God in his life. He composed a prayer in which he ardently expresses his love of God, "I love you O my God and desire heaven only to have the blessing of loving you perfectly....I want to tell you with each breath how much I love you." In another place he wrote, "to love God with our whole mind is to think of him often (the Presence of God), and to make it our principal study to know him well."
His whole being was offered to God as a sacrifice of love, and thus made him a most effective instrument of healing for penitents and all who came to him for advice or blessing. St. John Mary Vianney, pray for us.
Bro. Rene

Growing in Faith

A renowned spiritual writer of the early 20th century, Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P., presents a challenging blueprint for the hunger we experience to grow more deeply into our faith. "Faith has to be regarded as the revelation to us of the meaning of life, the understanding of life, the effects of life. I shall never become interested in religion until I have come to see that I must make it personal to myself--chew it, digest it, form our of it the sinews of my spiritual being." Faith is not merely an intellectual assent to a proposition we cannot understand, yet believe. It must be part of the fabric of our living, our actions, our thinking. When we pray, for example, "thy will be done, thy kingdom come, etc." do we connect it to the advice of Jesus that states, "If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father, for where two or three are gathered together in my sight, there am I in the midstof them." (Mt 18: 19-20)? This level of faith brings us to the barganing table with Abraham who argued with God against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, or with the Canaanite woman who would not take no for an answer and humbly reminded Jesus about the dogs eating the scraps from their masters' tables. (cf. Mt 15: 21-28). Do we imagine that God enjoys a good discussion, a good back and forth, and delights from time to time to do OUR will?
Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief.
Bro. Rene

St. Peter Julian Eymard

This energetic man with a vision and mission was a member of the Marist Fathers from 1840 (the year of St. Marcellin's death) until 1856, teaching in the seminary and even serving as provincial. His immense devotion to the Eucharist moved him to suggest that perpetual adoration become part of the rule for the Marist Fathers. When he was unable to gain support for this idea, he asked to be dispensed from his Marist vows, and began a new congregation, now known as the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, in which perpetual adoration is part of the way of life of these priests. He was also instrumental in the formation of an order of nuns, the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, and a lay association, known as the Aggregates of the Blessed Sacrament. Founding congregations at a time when traces of Jansenism (an extremely harsh approach to spirituality, stressing our sinfulness and unworthiness, and condemned as a heresy) took courage. Frequent reception of Holy Communion was not sanctioned, but Eymard encouraged it, as the fruit of the hours spend in prayer and adoration before the Holy Sacrament. He also saw the extension of such devotion to works of charity and mercy, and made a special effort to reach out to the poor and needy.
The Blessed Sacrament Fathers still administer the parish of St. Jean Baptiste in Manhattan where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24 hours a day. It was in this parish that the Marist Brothers established their first school in New York in the 1890's, at first a grammar school, and then by an announcement made by the pastor without consulation with the brothers, a high school known for years as St. Anne's Academy. In 1957 St. Anne's became Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens, and today the Queen Anne Apartments occupy the land where St. Anne's Academy stood.
This piece of Marist history might well encourage us to a greater appreciation of the gift of the Eucharist, more frequent reception of it, and participation in adoration, as well as serve as a reminder that true devotion bears fruit in action.
Bro. Rene