Love of Scripture

Whatever the real Jerome was like...for we read that he was sarcastic and crusty at times, he had a real love for the Scriptures and spent the latter part of his life translating them from Hebrew and Greek into the vernacular at the time, Latin.  These Latin Scriptures, the Vulgate, were the norm for centuries until the clamor for translations in the vernaculars of various countries were heard.  Even now, new English translations keep coming out that add to our understanding of the original.  I highly recommend THE MESSAGE, a very readable version by Eugene H. Peterson, available in paperback as the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, or in hardback as the complete Bible.  If you love to reach and pray with Scripture, this translation will feed that love to the point where you won't want to put it down.  Today, in honor of St.Jerome, why don't we spend a bit more time with our favorite passages, and let them sink more deeply into our souls to feed and nourish them and draw us closer to their Divine Author
Bro. Rene

Honoring Three Archangels

We recall the presence of three great archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  Michael, the great "defender in the battle", Gabriel, the messenger, and Raphael, who brings healing.  All three serve to make God more present to us as well as help us on our journey home back to God.  As always, we need them, and it seems now, more than ever.  The forces of evil seem to be everywhere and our boat rocks as we read the daily headlines.  As we gain "more" communication via technology, social media, etc...we seem to be losing face to face contact with others.  Illness, e.g. Ebola continues to plague the human race.  Not only should we use this day to thank these archangels for what they have done, but it would make sense to ask their intercession for these three areas of concern.  We might also consider how we can assist them by resisting the forces of evil and helping others to do so; to be messengers of hope simply by being at peace with ourselves and radiating that peace to others; finally, by being healers by listening and praying for others. Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us.
Bro. Rene
Note:  Yesterday's slice of Daily Bread is evidently lost in cyberspace.  I'll see if I can recover it and send it on.

What Would Monsieur Vincent Do?

As we remember the great man of charity, St. Vincent de Paul, the grave situation in West Africa comes to mind. Thousands have already died from the Ebola "plague" and specific information from Liberia gives us a grim picture of what is happening.
Schools and businesses are closed. People are not allowed to work for fear of contact with the virus, so there is no income. Food prices are skyrocketing, as supplies diminish. The Catholic Hospital in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, had to close because 16 of its staff died, including three Brothers of St. John of God, who run the hospital. Now, even the common illnesses of malaria and measles can't be treated. People live in the fear of "who's next?"
An effort is being made to clean the existing hospital or build another, and to open a training school for nurses. Grants are being sought, but, as always are slow to come. The students of Central Catholic and other Marist Schools are collecting mission money for this cause. as well as to help the hungry receive help to buy food. What would St. Vincent do in this case? May his example and intercession help us find a solution.
Bro. Rene

Cosmas and Damien

Once in awhile the celebrant at Mass will use the first Eucharistic Prayer, which, at one time, was the ONLY one.  Those of us who date back to that time will recall that among the numerous saints invoked, Cosmas and Damien were among them.  Even when heard today, their names stand out, for although Damien is common enough, I don't think we know many people named Cosmas, as intriguing a name as it may be.  And we have to admit that we know little about them.
Here are a few items of interest that might help supplement our knowledge and offer us some inspiration for the day.
They were twins, born in Arabia and educated in Syria as physicians.  They are noted for their pro bono medical service;  yes, they did not charge their patients.  Their charity, compassion and competence won the admiration, not only of the people they treated, but also of the entire community, and brought many to the faith, which they translated to service, a service they gladly offered freely.  They were martyred in the year 283 and were noted for many cures after their deaths, sometimes even appearing to the sick as they cured them. Today they are recognized as the patron saints of physicians (along with St. Luke), and of pharmacists.
Our Marist schools stress service as a requirement, with the hope that these service hours will jump start a life of service.  We might learn from Cosmas and Damien and from our students how to share whatever gifts or resources we have with those in need.

You Will Raise Me Up

The popular communion hymn, "I Am the Bread Bread of Life" sings of Jesus raising us up on the last day, but if we look back at our lives, we will see that there have been multiple "raisings" from all levels, the pits, to the slight "indentations."  We have learned as did the Psalmist that the Lord is our hope and our trust since the days of our youth.  There might have been times when it seemed he was far away, or had totally abandoned us, but then came that moment of resurrection and we came back to life, as it were, better than ever.  In our busyness, we might lose track of God's loving care, hence the need for daily, hourly "coming aside" to rest awhile in his presence.  We wish we could spend more time, and that desire is a wonderful indication that we've "got it."  Perhaps by making a mantra our of the little refrain, "you will raise me up" we can find that nearness and presence that will, indeed, help us to carry on with renewed vigor.  We don't have to wait till our retreat or vacation, or a weekend. We can do it now!
Bro. Rene

A Word of Wisdom

Time does not allow a large slice of bread this morning, but the wisdom contained in this passage from Proverbs should provide a vitamin pill to nourish the soul:
"Two things I ask of you, (Lord), deny them not to me before I die:
1) Put falsehood and lying far from me,/
2) give me neither poverty nor riches;/ provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying,  'Who is the Lord?'
Or being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God."  (Prov. 30: 4-9)
Bro. Rene

Accepting Our Crosses

St. Pio of Pietrelcina,  better known as simply Padre Pio, is probably the most popular saint in Italy after St. Francis of Assisi.  His statues and pictures are everywhere...from pizza parlors to the dashboards of taxis.  His appeal is his simple submission to whatever God asked of him, even to bearing the wounds of Jesus for 50 years.  We often think these wounds are just symbolic, but the bleeding and the pain were real.  People flocked to attend Mass when he was celebrating, so much so that his superiors forbad him to say Mass publicly for awhile.  He accepted all and stands as a model for us who have our own crosses, large or small to bear.  When we think we can't bear them, let us look to Padre Pio for strength, or as he would have it, to Jesus himself.  Let us also ask for the grace to put our crosses in perspective, for compared to the cross Jesus carried, or the heavy crosses others are carrying, ours might seem very small and thus bearable.  If we look upon our crosses as a gift, and thank God for them, we are following in the footsteps of this humble priest.
Bro. Rene

St. Maurice and the Theban Legion

Most of us know little about this horrific tale of slaughter which took place around the year 287 in Switzerland at the order of Emperor Maximian Heruclius.  When Maurice and his six thousand legionnaires refused to offer sacrifice to the gods before an ensuing battle, they were all slaughtered.  We are appalled at the beheadings that we've witnessed at the hands of ISIS, but imagine six thousand men being beheaded or stabbed to death!  How strong must have been their faith!  It is said that Maurice continued to encourage his men to remain faithful until his own death.
We face our own temptations and failures with much less courage than Maurice and his companions.  We let our lives become muddled with self-pity, self-hatred, and despair, especially when we can't seem to change a pattern of behavior, or find a way of living that will give us peace.  We spin ourselves into a deeper rut, further and further away from the loving kindness and forgiveness of God.  We slaughter ourselves with our lack of trust in God.  Through the intercession of St. Maurice and the six thousand members of his Theban Legion, may we find the strength to stand up to the Tempter, and allow Jesus to forgive, heal and save us.
Bro. Rene

Unbounded Generosity

Today's Gospel parable of the landowner who hires workers at different times of the day and pays all equally has raised eyebrows and caused heated discussions since Jesus first presented it.   Why didn't those who worked all day receive more than those who were worked only one hour?  Business logic would certainly stand on their side.  But again, we are not dealing with human logic, but with the "logic" of God which does not always fit into ours.   No one can measure God's generosity; where would we be if he were not abundantly forgiving and generous to us?  What have we done to merit the countless blessings we receive each day?  This parable is not about human justice or just wages, but about the unbounded generosity of God which invites us, challenges us to do likewise.
Bro. Rene

The Church in Korea

The story of the rise of the Catholic Church in Korea is one of those that makes it clear that God is besides us and it is his efforts along with ours that make things work.  Lay people, in the 17th century, not priests and religious, began the process of evangelization in Korea as a result of some literature about Christianity which arrived in the country from Japan.  Soon the small community of initial believers grew and by the time the first missionary priest arrived, it had grown to 4,000. When it had grown to 10,000, it was enough to come to the attention of the government which began a series of persecutions in the 19th century.  Pope Saint John Paul II canonized 98 martyrs during his trip in 1984, among whom were Andrew Kim Tae-gon, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, whose memorial we keep today. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church", wrote Tertullian, a second century theologian,"  and the Church in Korea continues to grow, now numbering 5 million Catholics.  Persecutions continue world-wide without much publicity, and the Church continues to grow.  When we have doubts, we might just look around us and see that God is with us, asking for our love and trust.  From our own little sufferings and inconveniences our faith can and will grow.
Bro. Rene

Loving Jesus

The Italians (and many others) of New York City celebrate the Memorial of St. Januarius (San Gennaro) with a procession, music, food, and much festivity.  He was the Bishop of Benevento during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, remembered for the last and one of the most widespread of the Roman persecutions. San Gennaro and his companions were to be devoured by wild beasts, but they refused touch them, so authorities had them beheaded.  A vial of the saint's congealed blood has liquified on this day and other days significant in his life, for centuries with no scientific explanation.  He is the patron saint of Naples.
His life inspires us to love Jesus with our whole being, not in the abstract, but in the people who are parts of our lives.  God shows us his love through them, and we show our love of him through our love of others.  It's very real, it's very concrete, not just words. May our blood flow warm and loving in the planned and unplanned events of this day.
Bro. Rene

I Am What I Am

As much as he loved the people of Corinth, Paul had to defend himself against the contentious situations and challenges they threw up against him.  When his authority was questioned, now mind you, Paul was the one who brought the faith to them and established the Christian Community there, he reminded them of the truth that he delivered to them and that, yes, he was once a persecutor of the believers in Jesus, but "by the grace of God, I am what I am".  and that grace has not been ineffective.  (1 Cor 15:10)
How many times in our own lives have we been questioned or challenged, or even in our own minds, has our "past" arisen in our imaginations and given us the feeling of unworthiness?  It is then that we must take the stance of St. Paul:  "by the grace of God I am what I am."  We sing of Amazing Grace, and truly it is...for it transforms, energizes and turns darkness into light.  May we never falter because of the opinion of others, or our own self-doubt.  No, grace makes all things possible:  a persecutor into an apostle, a sinner into a saint.
Bro. Rene  

Love Never Fails

Last night before going to bed I received an e-mail describing the latest incursion of ISIS into a city in Iraq where they began systematic beheading of children.  This morning there is news of their most recent video with severe threats to the United States and stating that the War is just beginning.  At Mass we heard the famous passage from 1 Corinthians 12 about love.  It is worth picking up the Bible to read it today in light the the hate that increases every day.  Jesus surely wishes us to experience peace in our hearts and to be at peace with our neighbor.  When we've had a hard day, we know what a gesture of love can do to pick us up and set us on course today.   May we go out of our way today to show love to others, and pray that the love that never fails will resolve the tense situation in the Near East, and stop the concerted efforts of ISIS to convert by killing the innocent, especially children.
Bro. Rene

Persecution

The Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian in 253 and 258 remind us of the Roman persecutions, but alas, persecution did not stop with the Fall of the Roman Empire.  A shattering and enlightening letter from the "Blue Marists" in Aleppo, reveals that indeed, Christians in Syria and Iraq are being persecuted today by atrocities that match those of the Romans.  The "rebellion", "war", "events" of the past three years have worn the people out, as well as having killed nearly 200,000 people: not only Christians, but Muslims as well, the culprits being the "rebels" once supported by the West, but now "out of the closet" as ISIS (ISIL) our newest enemy.  Our Marist Brothers and lay collaborators, known as the "Blue Marists" are still able to operate, but are serving a fast diminishing population as Christians is opting to its their homeland for all parts of the globe.  The people do not want to bring up their children in a land where shelling goes one daily, where water and electricity are severely limited, where there is no work, and where the threat of death for being Catholic is mounting to the point it reached in Mosul.  In a few years, states the letter, when the final column of refugees leaves Aleppo, it will be a thin line of people who held on longer than others, only to take the same road they did:  to leave Syria and start over elsewhere.   It is ironic that this was the cradle of Christianity, where Paul and his companions preached and converted with such success; ironic, sad, and a testimony to a lack of courage to face up to the enemy.  May our Blue Marists stand as a witness to the faith, to the courage the world lacks, and at least merit our prayers.
Bro. Rene

Empahty

Empathy and compassion...gifts we'd all like to have in abundance to be a presence of comfort and support in a world so fraught with pain and sorrow. How many wakes and funerals have we attended in just the last two weeks? How many have asked for prayers for this one of that who has recently been diagnosed with cancer or some other serious illness? How many parents watch in frustration as their children make bad choices? How many teens and college students "stress out over course work or peer pressure? The list is endless. Today we are reminded that Mary, the Mother of Sorrows is there fully empathetic and compassionate, for indeed there is no sorrow like the sorrow she bore time and time again as she mothered her only Son from infancy to the foot of the cross. The pain in her face as she held his lifeless body in her lap and then watched the stone close over his tomb says it all. So, she knows what we are bearing, she is there for us. That's why we pray to her daily, "pray for us now and at the hour of our death"; this last, especially, when we do not know what frame of mind we'll be in. She gives strength to us as she did to Jesus..the strength that only a mother can give. May we be aware of it today, thank her for it, and be graced to extend it to others in need.
Bro. Rene

Sign Of Love

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  In the time of Jesus, the cross was a sign of infamy and ignominy, equal to the electric chair in our day, for it was the instrument of putting criminals to death. On Good Friday, we looked at the cross in this light, the vehicle that God chose for the salvation of our souls.  But our Feast today takes a different view, summed up in the famous passage in John 3:16:  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life. The cross is the sing of God's complete, total, and unselfish love for US!  There is not greater love than to lay down one's life for another.  (Jn 15:13).  Today is the Feast of God's love.  How we should basque in it, revel in it, rejoice in it, thank him for it, mold our lives in it and share it with others.  This is the love feast that every liturgy celebrates but to which we pay special attention today.
Interestingly enough, St. Marcellin, a man with a great, loving heart that knew no bounds, taught us that love is the basis of solid education:  "To teach the children well, love them, and love them all equally."  "Every time I see children, I want to tell them how much God loves them."  Let us do the same, not only with children, but with adults, with all whom we meet today.
Bro. Rene

Out Of The Store of Goodness

"A good person, out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good..." (Lk 6: 45 ). It is the goodness in our hearts that brings joy to others, enables us to be filled with joy when we experience someone else's enthusiasm, success, or joy. The goodness that flows from us can make the Handshake of Peace at Mass a moment of joy for others; visiting the sick and just letting our goodness flow out of our inner storehouse can bring about more healing that the medicine the sick person is taking. We can't measure the power of our inner goodness. May it influence and color all that we do today.
Bro. Rene

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Two great names in our Catholic tradition: Jesus and Mary. Both have Memorials dedicated to them. Today is Mary's. George M. Cohan called Mary "A Grand Old Name", and surely it is. There is a power to it that we invoke daily when we ask her to pray for us "now and at the hour of our death." She has shown us the way to Jesus: by submitting her will to God's and has made frequent "visits" back to us through her many apparitions to the "lowly" reminding us to keep faithful to prayer, penance and the teachings of her Son. To her "do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to her do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears." "Never was it known that anyone who fled to her was left unaided." In the compelling words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, "In dangers, in straits, in perplexity, call upon Mary. Let her name be always in your mouth and in your heart." May we focus on her throughout this day, simply and lovingly repeating her name at every spare moment.
Bro. Rene

"Love your Enemies"

Ironically, the Gospel for today, 9/11, contains the command, "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  To the person  who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.  Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Lk 6: 27-31 )  How hard to carry out these words in view of the memory of this day 13 years ago, the recent atrocities in Iraq, and the plan for air strikes in Syria! Echoing Jesus, Pope Francis has said over and over again: "violence is not the way to end violence."  These "solutions" go against our core instincts and against what we perceive as the reality that "you cannot deal rationally with these people.  They are evil, they are monsters. We've got to treat them the way they treat us. It's the only language they understand." However, we've seen the "War on Terrorism" continue, if not escalate, over the past decade plus, and the prediction is that it will never end.  Destroy ISIL (ISIS) and another group will pop up. War does not seem to be the answer, as hard as it is even to say this.    Could it be that the approach Jesus suggests could actually be the one that succeeds?  Who will be the leader to broker such a deal? Where do we begin?  At this moment, we seem powerless to change the mood and mentality begging for strong retaliation, but we can begin with our relations with one another.
Jesus always resorts to love, for he is Love.  In our dealings with one another today, especially, let us make that extra effort to love all, be more forgiving and accepting and try, at least in our own circles, to put the words of Jesus into practice. see  if they work, and pray that they will have a ripple effect that will reach as far as the powers above us.
Bro. Rene

The Beatitudes In Contemporary English

Today's Gospel presents us with Luke's version of the Beatitudes. To help us better appreciate them, here they are in a contemporary English translation:
God will bless you people who are poor.
His kingdom belongs to you!
God ill bless
you hungry people.
You will have plenty to eat!
God will bless you people
who are crying.
You will laugh!
God will bless you when others hate you and won't have anything to do with you. God will bless you when people insult you and say cruel things about you, all because you are a follower of the Son of Man. Long ago you own people did these same things to the prophets. So when this happens to you be happy and jump for joy! You will have a great reared in heaven. (Lk 6: 20-26)

Read and pray over these with love and peace; let them sink in and refresh you.
Bro. Rene

Praying Before We Serve

Note:  A phone call prevented me from publishing this on Tuesday.  Not sure if I will have internet access tomorrow...so this might be all there is on Wednesday.

Today's (Tuesday's) Gospel (Lk 6:12-19), relates how Jesus chose the Twelve and healed the multitude that had gathered at the foot of the mountain.  Luke tells us that "Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God." (Lk 6: 12).  I keep being reminded of the need to pray, and try to be consistent, even when no "answers" come, which, these days is infrequently.  The persistence is important as I am reminded time and time again.  Just yesterday, a graduate  for whom I've been praying for six years appeared in my office...the result of my prayers and his goodness so apparent, it was as if God were saying, "Never quit, never give up.  I hear your prayers and will answer them."  Every time I've tried to "spend the whole night in prayer," I end up falling asleep.  Don't know how Jesus did it; perhaps because of  his stamina, or his greater connection with his Father, but the important thing is that he prayed before he made major moves or cured folks.  So too should we, and not give up, even if we can't spend the whole night in prayer. God takes whatever we can do.
Bro. Rene

Mary's Birthday

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is given special honor in the Melkite Rite as well as in the Roman Rite. For Marists, it reminds us of the plan of God, which is usually beyond our understanding at first, but then unfolds making a lot of sense.  St. Paul wrote to the Romans:  "We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28).  Little did Anne and Joachim realize that this late-life child would bear such marvelous fruit.  Little did Joseph know when he first heard of Mary's pregnancy that the child in her womb was the Sun of Justice, who brought salvation to the world.  He groped with the news as a problem, and was called to a deeper faith; 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Mt 1: 20).   Little do we know how things in our own lives, at first unpleasant or distasteful, turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to us.  As we celebrate Mary (and Joseph) today, let us ask for the faith and courage that inspired them to fulfill God's plan.
Bro. Rene

Gratitude For A Man of Faith and Love

Yesterday morning at 10:30 am,  another good Marist Brother, John Bantz, entered into eternal rest after a vigorous and valiant battle with cancer. Once a boxer, his fighting spirit and desire to beat the Big C led him on a path of much physical suffering, as well as the suffering which comes when hope and faith go through their own ups and downs.  One day it seems likely that you will win and the next day, so much weakness sets in that the end seems inevitable, and actually desired.  Then a good day comes and hope returns.  Finally comes the day when acceptance sets in and all that we learned in our early catechism days makes more sense than ever:  that "we were created to know, love and serve God in this world, and be happy with him in the next."  So, John, in his final days was able to speak about his own death, plan his funeral and wait for the moment to enter the embrace of the Lord he had served so faithfully for 55 years as a Marist Brother.  May his life and final journey be an inspiration to us who continue walking this planet, and may he be instrumental in helping others accept the invitation to follow in his footsteps as Marist Brothers.   Thank you, John, for a life or quiet service, commons sense leadership, strong faith and gentle love,  May you now at last rest in peace.
Bro. Rene

The Wonder of New Birth

The birthing of a child, yes, with labor and pain, nevertheless results in a beautiful new life.  Joy replaces the pain and wonder never ceases as the days and months unfold the miracle of new life.
So it is as Mary brings forth Jesus constantly to us, helping us to discover the new life he gave us by his life and calling us into a deeper participation into it.  If we would but let him "be born" in us daily, through the events, even the trying ones, (no pain, no gain), we could share the joys that come to new parents...and better deal with the demands life places on us as they do with the feeding, changing, crying and screaming, the interrupted sleep...all that goes with parenthood.  Three cheers for motherhood...human and spiritual.
Bro. Rene

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

It doesn't seem possible that Mother Teresa has been dead for 17 years.  She was such a household figure, and still is, that we hardly think that it has been that long, but it was on this date in 1997 that she entered eternal rest.  Her life still stands as an example of faith as well as of service to "the least favored": the dying poor who were totally abandoned to die in the streets of Calcutta.  She not only had to respond to "the call within a call"...that is, to leave the first congregation of which she was a member, to do this work which eventually led to the founding of the Missionary Sisters of Charity, which also has a branch for brothers and a branch for priests, but  we learned after her death that she did all of this while experiencing a "dryness" in prayer... a loss of the sense of the presence of God.  There's where her faith shines.  Pure faith, no consolations, no "feel good" tablet to encourage her.  She plowed ahead through "the desert", left a legacy that continues to thrive and stands tall as an example to us who are so prone to discouragement or self-pity.  Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Not The Cookie Cutter Effect

Today at Central Catholic High School, we welcomed the class of 2018...the numbers are staggering...371 students, graduating in four years when the world and all of us will be older.  We trust that these young people will be wiser, as we ourselves pursue increased wisdom.  Looking back at what can happen in this four year period is a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and truly the wisdom of God is wiser than ours.  Each student is different and comes in at a different level of maturity.  It never ceases to amaze us how the clown or the trouble maker turns around, behaviors change, and  how well on the road to adulthood, with a firm foundation in values they leave us.  It makes us realize that each of us is not shaped by the same cookie cutter, for if we were all the same, how bland would be our world, but the values we cherish, hold dear and essential take root in individuals who incorporate them according to who they are.  What joy in diversity, like looking at a field of wildflowers, all different plants and colors, yet all beautiful, individually and as a whole.
Praise God for calling us to help shape each individual and bring out the best and most beautiful in each of them.
Bro. Rene

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Born in Rome in 540, the son of a senator, Gregory was chosen to be chief magistrate of the city at the age of 35, an indication of his leadership skills.  He later renounced all his wealth and power and became a Benedictine monk, but was later elected Pope, now known as one of the four great Doctors of the Western Church and one of the two Popes referred to as "Great".  He focused on reforming the clergy, especially the bishops and is remembered for his contributions to the liturgy, notably, Gregorian chant.
The Entrance antiphon for his Mass today reads"  "Blessed Gregory, raised upon the throne of Peter,/ sought always the beauty of the Lord/ and lived in celebration of that love."  Not many of us will sit on the throne of Peter, but we can all seek the beauty of the Lord, not only in buildings or landscapes, but in the faces of the people who are part of or come into our lives.  Living in joyful celebration of this beauty and the LOVE which created it, should reflect on our own faces and behavior.  It is sad to hear someone say that after being away from the Church, when tried to come back, he was met with dour faces and unwelcoming indifference.  Not the way Pope St. Gregory would be at the doorway of the Church.  May we put a smile on our faces today and a spark of joy in our interactions with others.
Bro. Rene

Who Is In Control?

We like to think that we can lay out our day, with a time for this and time for that, but at the end of the day, we see how muddled the plan ended up.  Yes, we might have gotten some things done, but so many others are pushed to "tomorrow", a tomorrow that comes weeks later, or never comes.  Rather than allow living in such incompleteness to frustrate us, we might just look at it this way:  God is in charge, his plan is better than any we can devise.  He is committed to protect and guide us.  We need only give him a loving heart and a grateful spirit and he will work indescribable wonders in and through us.  As Mary said, ""Yes, I see it all now:  I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve./ Let it be with me just as you say." (Lk 1:38) --The Message  And the world has never been the same since.
Bro. Rene

The Call to Work

Americans pause this Labor Day holiday to enjoy family time, but also to reflect on the gift of work. First of all, to have the health and skills to work is a blessing.  Yes, we train, we work hard at being able to work, but in the end, it is a blessing, more noticeable when we hear of illness that has taken people from their jobs.  In an economy which is still precarious, it is a blessing to have work.  So many have experienced losing their jobs, watching age-old, rock solid businesses just melt away.
But above all, work is a command from God..."by the sweat of your brow"...(see Genesis 3:19).  Jesus himself came to do the "work" of his father as so often mentioned in the Gospel of John,  And in today's Gospel from Luke (4:16-30), he gives us his "job description":  "to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to he blind, let the oppressed go free and proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."  (Lk 4: 18-19).  Jesus lifts work to the dignity of service to the Father, a call to all of us to realize that there is a holiness in work, one which can be buried under stress which then makes work a drudgery.  Perhaps our reflections today might help us regain this outlook and help us to approach our jobs with joy, loving them, and finding pleasure, satisfaction and fun in them.
Bro. Rene