No Turning Back

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Lk 9:62) Clearly, Jesus tells us that once we have made a commitment to him, nothing must interfere, even the most sacred and revered things like burying a father. Taking this advice word for word, rules in religious life in the past demanded this total adhesion to Jesus. The cloistered life, with nuns behind a grill, now a thing of the past, but in its day, was a vivid enforcement of this principle. How do we interpret and act on it today? Determination, sacrifice, self-discipline can keep us on track. If we say we are going to do something, we do it. When busyness keeps preventing us from praying, we force ourselves to stop and take the time for prayer, trusting that whatever was keeping us busy will eventually get done. Or when prayer itself seems dry and unyielding, un-nourishing, we don't stop praying, but continue "through the desert." The oasis will eventually show up. A Sunday, a sabbath...a perfect time to stop and reflect on how faithful we are to the "plow" God hs given us, and that we have chosen to work. Bro. Rene

Proclaiming the Mission

Today's Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, pillars of the early Church, underscores the truth that the Church is not about personalities, but the mission of proclaiming the Good news that Jesus, the Son of God, became one of us, so that we might become fully realized as children of God, and share in the divine life for all eternity. By his death and resurrection we are saved from our sinfulness, our selfishness our exaggerated sense of importance and independence...from God and one another.  United as the Body of Christ, we continue that Divine Presence in our world, our workplace, communities, our families.  Peter and Paul were men of different gifts and approaches to spreading the mission. Both, however, were dedicated to bringing the Word of God to the nations, faithful to the commission Jesus gave to all of us:  Go, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you." (Mt 28: 19).
Pope Francis certainly seems dedicated to this mission and with the combined energies of Peter and Paul, is using his gifts in that regard as are countless others in Church leadership, and in the pews.  One of my Rwandan students was ordained to the priesthood on this day six years ago, so appropriately, and continues with zeal and boundless energy to fulfill this mission.  Even a class of local youngsters, who were recently baptized at the ages of 8 and 9, have taken seriously their mission to invite their non-baptized friends to receive this sacrament.  A month later they are reporting either "mission accomplished" or "still working on it." Would that we could proceed with such innocent zeal. Perhaps our prayer for today might be to pray for the guts to live the mission ourselves, and not point the finger at those we judge are not! Bro. Rene

We Have the Power

If you noticed an abrupt ending to yesterday's slice of bread and thought something was missing, in addition to the misspelling of St. Alphonsus, you were right. I tried to post an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and did not succeed, but blocked any further ability to complete the text. I apologize. The conclusion should have read: We as Marists have a special devotion to Mary, to whom St. Marcellin referred as our "Ordinary Resource"...our normal source of strength, courage, even material supplies; she is our own Lady of Perpetual Help." Today we reflect on the great gift of freedom of choice that God has given us. We walk daily with the freedom to choose the many options before us, the little and the big...to help someone in need via a donation, visit, call or e-mail; to pray or not to pray, etc. I met some young adults last night who are in process of making some major choices regarding their future in marriage, priesthood or religious life. Some have come to this point after nearly "hitting bottom" because of drug and alcohol addiction. Yet, in full recovery mode now, and on fire with the love of Jesus, they have the strength and power to move ahead in a most positive way. Yes, we have the power, because God's grace is poured out on us in abundance by the minute, by the second. May we join with St. Paul in proclaiming, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13). Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Although not on the universal calendar, today is the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, celebrated especially by the Redemptorists who are the custodians of the revered and familiar icon of Mary, holding a frightened Jesus, as he sees the archangels Gabriel and Michael holding the instruments to be used during his passion and death.  Mary looks out to us, as if to say, "See what my son is willing to do for you; please change your lives in gratitude for his total sacrifice of himself, and please trust in me, his mother and companion through all his sufferings, and yours as well."
The icon dates back to the 12th century, but is known for a fact to have hung in the now destroyed church of San Matteo in Rome, where a new church dedicated to St. Alphonsis Ligouri, founder of the Redemptorists, now stands.

10th Anniversary

Today, the Marist Brothers' Province of the United States of America celebrates its tenth anniversary.  The province is the result of the merger of the Province of Esopus and the Province of Poughkeepsie into a single province under the patronage of the Holy Family. The formal closing of the two provinces and the establishment of a single province took place at its first Provincial Chapter and Convocation at Marist College in 2003. Revitalization and growth were the hoped-for fruits of the merger and today, despite the death of many brothers, the closings of communities and ministries since then, there are signs of hope and revitalization emerging from every corner of the province.
Our schools have become more Marist, and their Catholic Identity more visible.  The incorporation of more and more lay colleagues into the life of the province and the spirituality of St. Marcellin guarantees the future of the Marist Mission in ministries even where brothers are no longer present.  The recent Foundation Stones week in Esopus indicated that the life of a brother is appealing and worth investigating (at least) to young men just entering college. Our retreat house property in Esopus, is becoming ever increasingly, a pulsating center of renewal and of our Marist heritage and spirituality.  Our novitiate located there will have three postulants in September.
This second generation of post-Vatican II Catholics, as a young man said to me last night, can step back and view the Cburch with more objectivity.  Seriously considering a vocation to De Lasalle Christian Brothers himself, he said that discovering Jesus has helped him understand the vocation better and how fulfilling it can be.  He is a sophomore at Notre Dame, but is on the right path.
The brotherhood is a very viable and exciting way to spend one's life, loved and supported by community and energized to give ALL to making Jesus known and loved.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it seems that more and more are beginning to see and accept this call.  The next ten years will witness new membership and bring us closer to the goals envisioned ten years ago.  Praise the Lord!
Bro. Rene

E-Z Pass

There's no denying the ease and advantages of using an E-Z Pass, but I learned on the trip to Canada, it is not eternal.  It has a battery life of 8 or so years; it is a scary thing when lights flash or you are told to call E-Z Pass.  But, true to its name, it gave me an "easy pass" to a new transponder and forgiveness for the tolls I "crashed."  It reminded me that in life, there are days of smooth sailing, then an unforeseen storm, and an eventual calm resolution.  The call to E-Z Pass limited my time to write, but just this thought might provide some nourishment for today.
Bro. Rene

Angels Without Wings

Without realizing it, we take on the role of angel, God's messenger, God's guardian and protector, when we help someone by our prayers, even from a great distance, or when we hold the hand of someone who is suffering physically, emotionally or spiritually, of simple by our presence, when we are THERE. We cannot measure the impact of a simple gesture, or word, smile, or look. And so it was last evening for Dr. Antoine Kanamugire, one of my Rwandan scholars who came to LaRoche College in 2000, at a celebration of 14 years of study and graduation with a diploma in psychiatry. In a moving talk he thanked all who had helped him bring his dream to reality and concluded with this beautiful song he composed:
I've seen an angel, and angel with no wings,
sitting next to me,
holding my hand,
telling me I can,
No matter what I thought,
No matter what I felt,
No matter what I said.
When time was hard,
When hope was gone,
I heard the voice of an angel
telling me to believe,
a hand helping me to stand.
One of Antoine's teachers shared with me the story of his wife's terminal illness, when he and his family were angels to her simply by holding her hand.
And this morning, an e-mail from a friend who is moving and taking on a new job, reminded me of the power of prayer to support and link us together, and be the angel without wings for him.
I write this in Canada, where today's feast of St. John the Baptist is a national holiday. St. John, not only was an angel without wings for Jesus, but is also for Canadians today, who can enjoy a warm summer day with their families. Not only are we wingless angels but they are all around us. Are we aware of them? Do we thank them?
Bro. Rene

Who Is Jesus for Me?

I was ready to apologize for not sending a slice of bread yesterday, and lo and behold, I found what I had written giving me a chance to retry publishing it. I hope it appears on your screen today...a day late.... Day Old Bread, is still a bargain!

Today, we face the question, "But who do you say that I am?" (Lk 919) Would that there was a a website, www.whodoyousaythatIam.com, to help us answer this vital question, but it is really a matter of our personal faith...In this "Year of Faith" we have been asked to ponder this question a discover the answer deep within us. Our communities, our Church, need to answer it honestly if we are to continue the mission begun by Jesus. We are faced with challenges, indifference, bias, and subtle forms of persecution as the world around us seeks to water down the message, dissolve long-standing tradition and crush the faith of our fathers. Can we say with Peter, "The Christ of God."? (Lk 9:20). If so, what does that mean for us? Is that belief visible in our words and actions? Do we see ourselves as God's anointed bringing the good news of salvation to a hungry and distracted world? Let us take time during the day to ponder with Mary, Who is Jesus for me?
Bro. Rene

Foundation Stones

For a week in Esopus, NY nine young men, recent graduates of Marist schools in Chicago, Brownsville, Tx, Roselle, NJ,Briarwood, NY, and the Bronx have been exploring the call to our Marist Brotherhood, our way of life, and its foundational roots in the Gospel and in the life of St. Marcellin Champagnat. They have experienced communal prayer, communal life, the customs and traditions which make us Marist, and lots of manual work, which was always part of St. Marcellin's own life and method of determining the sincerity of aspirants to the Little Brothers of Mary. Today, the young men will leave having made new friends and having experienced what it might mean for them to become a brother. The foundation stones have been laid, next the rest of the building.
It is a Saturday, traditionally dedicated to Mary, so we put these men and their futures into her hands as well as in the hands of St. Marcellin and three other great saints who led heroic lives, even to the point of martyrdom for two of them: Sts. Paulinus of Nola, bishop of that city; John Fisher and Thomas More, who stood against the wishes of King Henry VIII and lost their heads in return for their fidelity to the teachings of the Church. As St. Thomas More put it, "I die as the king's good servant, but God's first". May the example of these holy men inspire ours to put God's will ahead of theirs, for truly, "we need brothers!"
Bro. Rene

The Longest Day

The northern hemisphere will enjoy 15 hours and 18 minutes of daylight today, the longest day, and the first official day of summer.  And at this writing it is truly and bright and beautiful day.  Jesus comments that "the lamp of the body is the eye.  If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light." (Mt 6:22).  A sound eye, in addition to being a healthy eye, is one that sees goodness and beauty everywhere, even in the shadows which haunt the human condition.  This is also the Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the young Jesuit priest of the early 17th century, whose innocence of life is acclaimed by the Church and held up to us as an approach to life to be emulated.  St. Alysius died the age of 23 from the plague, which he contracted while caring for its victims, fearlessly and innocently putting himself in harms way.  His eyes filled his body with the light even of the suffering.  One wonders if such an innocent approach to life is possible today.  No need to wonder. It is.
Last night I attended the weekly gathering of a group about 20 young adults called "The Pure in Heart" at St. Clement's Church in Boston where we participated in Mass, prayed the rosary, spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, listened to an inspiring talk on St. Anthony of (Lisbon) and Padua, and took part in group discussions based on the talk.  Some were going through some very hard times, others seemed as innocent as St. Aloysius, but all were striving for the eyes to behold the light within and around them.  It was a very uplifting and encouraging experience to be with young adults who love being Catholic and are trying their best to live their faith, thus being light for the world.  The Longest Day will pass in 24 hours and days will begin to get shorter, but the eyes and hearts of these young men and women will extend the light of Christ into a prolonged Longest Day of faith and vitality for the Church.
Bro. Rene

Babbling

"Jesus said to his disciples: "in praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them.  Your Father knows what you need befofe you ask him." (Mt 6:7).  Then he goes on to outline the basic things upon which we should base our prayer, which has come to be known as "The Lord's Prayer" or simply, the "Our Father."  So often, it seems that we do babble on like the pagans, trying to remember everyone we've promised to pray for, or repeating over and over the same words because we are thinking of something else.  Jesus was trying to help us simplify our prayer, and yet his very own suggestion has become, for many of us, a rote recitation with no connection of heart or mind with what comes out of our mouths.  We need to slow down, even stop, and ponder, as Mary did, one phrase at a time, not just for a few seconds, but for a major part of our prayer time, and then repeat that phrase as a "mini-prayer" throughout the day.  Just the words, Our Father, can carry us through a fruitful prayer time.  We need not have many thoughts about it babbling in our brains, but we do need to absorb and digest the profound implications behind those two words by just sitting with them, just resting in them.  And so on, with "hallowed by thy name", "thy kingdom come"....There are seven petitions in the Our Father...enough for a week's prayer.  At this slow pace, no one will have grounds to accuse us of babbling, and, more importantly, we will have drawn closer to Our Father and our brothers and sisters and have prayed for them as we promised.
Bro. Rene

Fasting

The practice of fasting goes far back into the Hebrew Scriptures, when the prophets fasted in addition to their prayers.  Jesus himself fasted, and advised his disciples that some demons could be expelled only by prayer and fasting. (Mt. 17:21).  For the past 32 years, since her first apparition at Medjugorje, Mary has been advocating fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays:  a fast, if possible on bread and water alone.  Fr. Slavko Barbaric, then spiritual advisor of the visionaries, now deceased,  tells us that fasting is a means to bring us closer to Jesus and Mary, to grow in understanding of the poor and hungry of the world as well as to appreciate what we have as gifts for the journey, which are to be shared with those who have less.  It is also helps subdue our passions and cleanse us of bad habits.  When the stomach growls, the spirit reaches to heaven for strength and sustinence. Jesus tells us also not to look gloomy when fasting, but to "anoint your head, and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to the Father who sees what is hidden and will repay you."  (Mt. 6: 18).  There are so many needs in the world for prayers that the call to fast comes as a tangible way to add grit to those prayers. This being a Wednesday, might be the day to begin this holy practice.
Bro. Rene

Come to Me

In our desire to accomplish good and effective things each day, we often forget that we might accomplish more if somehow we "lived apart" with Jesus and went out to serve at his direct command.  Jesus has invited us in the familiar and beloved words:  "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Mt 11: 28-30). Can we accept, can we live this invitation in our busy, too many "things to do" world?  There is always a deadline, we are always running behind, rarely can we just sit and be with Jesus.  Yet, can we afford not to BE with our best friend, with the One who knows and loves us beyond our wildest imagination?  We've heard the slogan, Less is More...less "things to do", more time with Jesus, more effective results.  And "if at first we don't succeed, let us try, try again."  It's worth it and it works.
Bro. Rene

The Jesus Challenge

Jesus speaks strongly and without compromise when he urges us to "turn the other cheek to walk the extra mile or give to whoever asks." (Mt. 5:38-42).  Just as I was about to being cutting this slice of bread, didn't I get one of those endearing political calls asking for a donation, and when I agreed, asking for additional amount, so that for sure my conservative donation was forced to become more extravagant than originally intended.  I had to fight the temptation to throw the phone through the window, or kick myself for not saying NO.  Yet, these intrusions are what Jesus is talking about...of course, more in terms of those who are really in need, whose name is Legion. In any era of human history, we can find people in need.  Travel to a foreign country and armies of children with hands out-held besiege us. What would Jesus do?  He gave what he could:  healing, forgiveness, teaching, words of comfort and encouragement.  St. Marcellin kept an open heart along with an open door to accommodate whoever came for help.  St. Francis survived by begging and welcomed beggars into his community.  Giving, in some way shape or form is the lot, the vocation, of a disciple of Jesus.  Let us pray for the calm and serenity, not to blow up when approached, but in some way show that the example and words of Jesus can turn our hearts of stone into hearts of compassionate flesh.
Bro. Rene

Our Father

Father's Day stirs up a lot of memories as well as family celebrations and gifts, as "the man of the house" receives a place of honor in gratitude for the support, guidance, example and love he provides.  His role is modeled after God the Father whose creative love has brought forth all that we have and are.  His acceptance of all his children, his willingness to forgive time after time, his compassion, his tenderness, his patience as he  guides and corrects us, and his loving care cannot be measured. When a father lives these qualities as best he can, he, along with his wife, provide the template for their children to follow.  Parents might think that their efforts sometimes fall on deaf ears, but the in-depth experience we enjoyed at Camp Champagnat for the past three days showed how well both the student leaders and student campers have taken to heart what they have learned at home.  One of the brothers up from New York commented to me how impressed he was with the polite and courteous behavior of the entire Central contingent during their meals.  I was impressed at how these students expressed their faith so naturally.  We don't often see these "fruits" of the upbringing or teaching we work so hard at giving our children, but indeed it works.  So, not only do we say hats off to dad's in a special way (having done so for mom's a little more than a month ago), but let us also say a big thanks to our Father in heaven for being the creator and supreme model of Fatherhood.
Bro. Rene

The Beloved St. Anthony

Certainly one of the most popular saints, up there with St. Francis, called upon by all, not just Catholics, to find those missing keys, glasses, and even money, St. Anthony of Padua was also a very effective preacher, noted for his gentle style, soothing voice and challenging message.  He converted thousands of heretics, addressed abuses in the Church, such as simony, and brought back even more thousands to the practice of their faith.  He became known as the "Wonder Worker" due to the miracles he wrought and still continues today.  Born in Lisbon, Portugal and a member of the Clerks Regular, he arrived in Italy as the result of a shipwreck and was drawn to the newly founded Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans, especially when he learned that five of them had been martyred while trying to convert Muslims in Northern Africa.  Eventually he met St. Francis, and became a Franciscan.  Having only insignificant tasks to do for the community at first, it was only be the failure of a scheduled preacher to show up that he took to the pulpit as his replacement, and won the approval  not only the congregation gathered in the Church, but of the Franciscans, so much so, that St. Francis commissioned him to use his education to teach the Friars and preach throughout Italy.  Hence, he is thought of by most to be Italian, but he is claimed by both Portugal and Italy.  Today, novenas, parades and feasts will be held in Italian sections of cities, such as Boston and even New York.  We often hear the suggestion, "Pray to St. Anthony."  Even today, I'm praying to him for a friend who is having an interview for a job.  We pray to him because he "gets the job done."  No wonder he is so popular!
Bro. Rene
I will be at Camp Champagnat in Ossippee, NH till Saturday, so I'm not sure if I'll have access to a computer.  This might be the last slice of bread for a few days. If the bread box is empty over the next few days, just pray to St. Anthony for the spiritual food you need.

Serving the Least Favored

Since the beginning of  Marist schools, serving the "least favored" has always been a central part of our mission.  Most of the time it refers to the materially poor, but it can also be extended to those who suffer from neglect, learning disabilities, or who are somehow on the fringes of society.  Who deals with the young people that more and more fill our prisons or whose deviant behavior causes jaws to drop?  Such is the case emerging in Rwanda where five students have been apprehended for setting the three fires at the Byimana School of Science.  Some of them have admitted to the deed saying that wanted their parents to know that it was not a safe place so they would put them in another school.  The first instinct is to clap them in jail where they would not only be secure, but would have plenty of time to reflect on the misery and expense they have caused.  But what would the Marist response be?   Evidently these children, ages 14-16, and their families need help in some of the basic truths or respect for others, in communication.  Patience and willingness to sort through what must be a tangle of mixed messages and false ideas is needed, along with firmness and compassion.  No one ever said that serving the "least favored" would be easy, and in this day and age, it seems to be becoming more and more complex.  Yet, we cannot give up....St. Marcellin was noted for great patience and great confidence in the power of  love.  We cannot fall short of his example.
Bro. Rene

Being Chosen

Each day we arise from our beds and fall into our familiar patterns, sometimes not even thinking of what we are doing, occasionally forgetting to do something that was not in our routine.  Rarely do we think of ourselves as being "chosen", nor this day "special".  For the most part, we look upon it as just another like all the rest that have come and gone. St. Paul, however, reminds us that we have been chosen for a purpose, for a mission:  "In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intentions of his will. (Eph. 1:11)., and St. Peter continues the theme:  "You are a 'chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises' of him who calls you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pt 2: 9).  Being chosen, being destined, phrases that made more sense to me this morning as I read an e-mail from my Godson, Ryan, who is a medevac pilot in Afghanistan.  While he was away from his base camp for a bit of assigned R & R in another location,  his tent was hit with mortar shells,  two of his co-pilots were wounded and had to return to the States for treatment. He questions why he was spared.   He further reflects that if he makes it safely to December, when his tour in Afghanistan will be completed, it must be for a purpose. What is that purpose?  He searches for it. In his circumstances, when safety, life and death are starkly on the line, how poignant is that search?  When getting out of bed or going to bed and not knowing when a mortar will fall, making every moment a gift, one has to wonder what purpose does God have in mind?  For all of us, the question is equally important and each day, one to be treasured and used well in announcing the praises of the God who has chosen us as light and salt bearers.
Bro. Rene

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."  (Mt 5: 1). Why did Jesus make this the first of the ten beatitudes?  Perhaps because it is the foundation for all the others, for without a clear idea of God's generosity and our dependence on him, the other beatitudes are unreachable;  they flow from the acceptance of our basic emptiness.  When we fully realize that ALL is gift, then we are ready to face grief, to be merciful, to be righteous, to be pure of heart, to be peacemakers and even to suffer persecution. To fully integrate the beatitudes into our lives, we need to "BE brothers" (or sisters) as our Superior General, Br. Emili Turu,  put it in a recent interview.  The emphasis is on BEING, which cannot happen unless we are "mystics", contemplatives, that is people of prayer, even in the midst of our busyness.  Living the beatitudes, we become prophets; prophets are mystics, mystics are prophets...that is, people who bring the God dimension to all they do and to all whom they encounter, says Br. Emili (and many other spiritual writers). So, today let us focus on our basic poverty..."naked came we into this world, naked shall we leave it". The things we have, the talents we've developed, are here for our use to build up the Kingdom of God.  We've heard over and over again, "You can't take it with you," so by all means let us thank God for what we have and share it willingly and generously and thus grow gradually into the other beatitudes."Blessed are the poor in spirit."  Lord make me poor in spirit.
Bro. Rene

Offering out Bodies in Prayer

An explanation is in order for the absence of Daily Slices on Friday and Saturday.  I prepared a piece on Friday regarding the Sacred Heart, but an error occurred and I could not publish it.  On Saturday, I could not even access the blog nor my yahoo account at all.  I hope this attempt succeeds.

On Friday and Saturday we celebrated two feasts which graphically portray the love of Jesus and Mary for us in the Solemnnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose images of Jesus and Mary with their hearts visible outside their bodies are familiar to all Catholics. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque described her vision of Jesus with his heart thus exposed and artists matched the image by placing the heart of Mary on her bosom. 
Catholics love tangibles in their prayer and worship, hence the sign of the cross, bowing, genuflecting, folded hands in prayer, or hands crossed upon the chest, incorporate the body in actions which serve as aids to prayer and worship.  The use of statues, mosaics, paintings, incense, stained glass windows, palms, crudifixes etc. help us in the act of raising our minds and hearts to God.  Popular author of the 40's and 50's, Caryll Houselander, suggests that we can even make a prayer of our bodies themselves as a "total act of love for the world, a searching contemplation of Christ by offering our bodies as a sacrifice for mankind."  Such an offering "needs no sweet meditation, no eloquence of words, no sensible fervor.  It can be made in aridity, weariness, dullness, bordedom, pain, in temptation, in any circumstances at all, by anyone."  What a simple prayer this can be, what a simple gift to match the love of the hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Bro. Rene

St. Marcellin's Legacy

On this 173rd anniversary of the death of Marcellin Champagnat, we look at the impact of his life, vision and faith still have on the world.  We are now in 80 countries working in close concert with lay people who in ever increasing numbers are integrating the Marist virtues of humility, simplicity and modesty into their lives and implementing the Marist mission of making Jesus known and loved to all, but especially to "the least favored."  The years since his death have witnessed movements and changes that he never envisioned: expulsion from France, the slaughter of hundreds of brothers in Spain during the civil war, the closing of schools and communities, too numerous to count, and even currently to the disruption of life at the Byimana Science School in Rwanda, which, after three suspicious fires, continues to operate "like a refugee camp", as Br. Alphonse, the director describes it:  Tents serving as the refectory and dorms, soldiers on guard, and prisoners in bright orange uniforms helping with the rebuilding of the burnt buildings.  Marcellin would be pitching right in there with them.  The pattern continues from the early days at LaValla till now:  broad dreams, even larger faith, little to work with, yet marvels emerging from hard work and undogged determination.  Never wealthy, never wanting, following the directive of Mary:  "Do whatever he tells you."  (John 2:5).   Marcellin stressed the presence of God; we know it is with us, and so is his.  Thank you, St. Marcellin, our Founder, Model, and Father/Brother.
Bro. Rene

Summertime

 The haunting melody and comforting lyrics of this Gershwin classic from Porgy and Bess can be taken at a deeper level.  With these lengthening days, summer heat and rain, there can be opportunities early in the morning when the sun is rising or just over the horizon...or in the quiet of the evening or when a shower makes us change our plans... to take a 20 minute "break" with God.  Time to appreciate the past day, night, morning...to reflect on the gifts we have receive in just the last 24 hours...to just be quiet and connect with God.  One of the growing problems of our era is "isolation", "disconnect,"  because we are so busy...one event literally running into the next.  We need a "space bar" on the keyboard of our life or we'll be "texting" ourselves into depression and not know why.  But this won't happen if we take time to realize that "the livin' is easy" if we so make it; if we take time to watch the fish jumpin' or notice the flowers and trees.  Our "daddy"  (Abba, Father)  is RICH for sure...and our Mother Mary is beautiful. No need for worry or tears...not with them standing by to help us reach the sky of our hopes and dreams...Such solitude is the anti-dote for isolation.  Take a moment now to BE with these lyrics,  recall the familiar and soothing melody of Summertime.  Use this song over and over in the course of the summer
 Bro. Rene

Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Oh, Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky

But 'til that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mammy standing by.

A Simple Thought

1989 was celebrated as Champagnat Year since it was the bi-centenary of this birth.  A booklet about him was compiled as one of the means of commemorating him.  It is fitting that we keep him in mind today, two days before we celebrate his feast day on June 6th. On June 4th,  he received the Eucharist for the last time, a sacrament he loved and found as the source of his strength.  The booklet recalls that "one of the greatest secrets of his success as a parish priest and founder was his simplicity.  He had not illusions about his own limitations, put on no airs, and realized that whatever he had and and whatever he accomplished with what he had was God's gift."  No doubt that in his thanksgiving after holy communion, he reflected on this basic truth, that all is gift. We might consider incorporating into our post-communion thanksgiving, a prayer thanking God for gifting us with himself and the means to accomplish the work he has entrusted to us, and asking for the simplicity that will help us use those gifts more effectively.
Bro. Rene

A Slice of Contrasts

News is reaching the Marist World today of a THIRD fire at the Science School in Byimana, Rwanda, which has now lost a dormitory for young students, a dining hall, chapel, and in this latest conflagration, the senior dormitory.  The second fire just two weeks ago aroused the suspicion of arson, and this third fire seems to confirm it, yet at this early point there is no absolute proof.  Because the trimester is almost over, tents will be set up as dormitories and students will sleep on mattresses on the ground.  Some of these students have lost a second set of bedding, suitcases full of clothing, books and other personal items. Needless to say students and faculty are dizzy, not just from the smoke, but from the on-going disruption of their lives.  The old question from the long-ago radio program, THE SHADOW, comes to mind: "What evil lurks in the heart of man?"  Answer:  "The Shadow knows".   I hope he can find this culprit so that he can be brought to justice.
In contrast, on the other side of the globe, a moving story shows what goodness is also present in the heart of man.  Treat yourself to this tale that will balance off the events happening in Byimana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=C6f_FvZpm3g
Bro. Rene

Honoring and Living the Eucharist

The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ draws our attention to the great gift of the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. In this sacrament, profess our belief  in the Real Presence of Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine; we again participate in the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, "This is my body ...this is my blood"; we partake of this nourishment and we experience the closest union possible with Jesus, on this side of heaven.  Processions often follow after Mass so that all may reverence this holy sacrament.  This year, at 10:00 am we are encouraged to join Pope Francis in a special holy hour of adoration which will take place at 5 pm, Rome time.  If we cannot do it at  this time, we can at least in some way join in spirit in this prayer being celebrated by the universal church in the sanctuary of our hearts.  We might thank Jesus for this great gift and ask for a deeper appreciation of it so that we might allow ourselves to become bread broken for others. One concrete way of doing this would be to invite those who have fallen away from active practice of their faith to look into the reasons for this slippage, and re-evaluate their stance.  Our prayers for them and the way we live our lives might be the triggers for them to return to full communion with the faith into which they were baptized.  Jesus Christ Savior, you live in me and in others, let me honor you by seeing your presence in myself and others, and be an instrument in deepening their love for you.
Bro.  Rene

The End Is the Beginning

Commencement excercises make the headlines daily as students from high school and college take the next step. There is a twinge of sadness and nostalgia as these relatively carefree years come to an end, but as repeatedly stated at these exercises, this step is really a beginning.  So much more is yet to come, we pray for all, and at least, for most.  They enter a world of violence as seen in the massacres of Christians in Nigeria by Muslims, or the wars raging in Syria and Afghanistan...yet the quality of the students I have seen portends for great hope and real change in the future.  Two Eagle Scouts received their Eagle pins last night and by their lives already, have demonstrated what good solid families can bring forth. What they received at home, bolstered by their churches, schools and scouts has resulted in such good young men that only good will flow forth from their lives.  By holding these young men to the principles of the scout oath and law, scout leaders have contributed to the formation of good Christians and good citizens...also the goal of a Marist education.  It's reasurring to see that St. Marcellin's dream is being reinforced from all sides.  Graduates and Eagle Scouts leave behind the groups that helped form them, but will carry this formation into their future families and into society as a whole.  We have much for which to thank God.
Bro. Rene