Double Slices

A couple of explanations are in order:  1) If Sunday's Slice was full of typos when you received it, it's because I was caught up in the on-line Paul Walker death-crash story which caught my attention before I began to write.  When I finished reading about it, I noticed that there was not much time left, so I typed in haste, making all those typing mistakes.  I did succeed in correcting all, but the version I received still had them.  The archives have the corrected piece of bread.  Then, yesterday, we had a wonderful presentation on BEING MARIST by Br. Tony Leon from Australia.  He kept the entire school captivated for almost an hour.  When he finished, it was too late to cut a slice, so I decided to give two slices today.

A Humble Beginning

The Gospel for Monday recalls the story of the centurion who asked Jesus to cure his servant, and when Jesus offered to go to his house, he replied with the answer we use just before receiving Holy Communion, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed." (Matt 8:  ).  This is the attitude with which we should ideally enter the season of Advent:  one which recognizes our unworthiness for the coming of Jesus into our world, into our hearts, and  on the other hand, the faith that makes all things possible.  Yes, we are as unworthy as the centurion, but the goodness and love of our God are such that he will come, he will heal, he will transform us, if we in humility bow down and ask.
Bro. Rene

The Mission of St. Francis Xavier and Ours...

As Advent is a preparation time for the birth of Jesus, it is also a time to fortify our mission as his disciples.  The memorial of St. Francis Xavier coming this year on the third day of Advent reminds us of this important aspect of Advent and of our role as evangelizers.   For we do not simple want to build a cozy relationship with Jesus for its own sake, but to become stronger in our faith and convictions so as to be able to BE there for others and witness the message of Jesus by the way we live and treat other people.. Sometime we can be unconsciously curt, if not abrasive to others, or simply not present to them when they are speaking to us.  We can let differing opinions and ways of doing things separate us from the person standing before us..  St. Francis left his homeland, family, his dear friend St. Ignatius, and entered new cultures, learned new languages, and won hearts to Jesus by his sincerely love of others and his living out of what he preached.  He did not let differences become roadblocks between himself and the people to whom he ministered.  May he help us today to see how we can evangelize, bring others to Jesus in simple, natural ways, respecting the dignity of all  in our families and workplaces.
Bro. Rene