A Prayer For One Another

Note:  The slice of daily bread for October 30th appeared on October 31st.  I was on Central Time in San Antonio when I posted it, but my laptop was on Eastern Standard Time so it was too late for the 30th.  The thin slice intended for October 31st appears today, November 1st.  A visitor arrived before I could post it.  So, as an All Saints treat, there are two slices today.

St. Paul's prayer for the Philippians is a good prayer for us to offer for our loved ones:
"And this is my prayer:  that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God." (Phil 1: 9-11)  The increase of knowledge and love and discernment of true values is very much in line with our Marist Mission.   May we thus pray for one another and do all that we can to live this prayer ourselves.
Bro. Rene

Dominus Flevit

On  a hill above the city of Jerusalem stands a church knows as Dominus Flevit, The Lord Wept.  Tradition holds that this is the spot where Jesus uttered the familiar words, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stoned those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling." (Lk 13: 34).
I stood in that church in July of 1977 and can attest to the view of Jerusalem and the Latin inscription on one of the walls of the church.
Today this passage resonates with the troubles still going on in the Middle East and Jerusalem, but could also be applied to the troubles going on within each one of us.  We insist on carrying our burdens and transgressions and ignoring the mercy Jesus extends to us.  If he were willing to forgive those who killed the prophets, how much more is he willing to forgive us?  The image of the hen gathering her young is powerful and reassuring:  Jesus sheds tears for us, not for our sins, but for our unwillingness to accept his mercy and be gathered under those tender wings.  May we set aside our fears or our self-sufficiency and allow the mercy of Jesus to set us free and put us on a new road of inner peace, trust and confidence.
Bro. Rene

The Narrow Gate

As we move toward the conclusion of our liturgical year, the readings begin to focus on the Judgment we will face at the end of our lives.  May we live in such a way, that God recognizes us and does not greet us with the chilling words, "I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers."  (Lk 13: 27)  Jesus tell us that the way to him is through the narrow gate, that is, within the parameters he has set up for us:  love of God, of neighbor, putting God first, others second, and ourselves third.  It is a matter of doing what he wants, not what we want; it is in actions, good actions, not simply empty words.  It means going against natural inclinations, with self- discipline and control, not simply doing what we feel like doing.  Indeed it is clear that not everyone will pass through this narrow gate.  Let us watch, be vigilant, reflect on our actions and relationships with others, and make the changes necessary to fit through this gate.  These days before and during Advent are designed to help us.  Let us take advantage of them.
Bro. Rene

Triple Feast

The Church honors Saints Simon and Jude, apostles today and the Marist World is using this "Montagne Day" to launch its "Montagne Year".  What do they have in common?  Simon, known as the Zealot either for his great zeal, or because he belonged to a sect known as the Zealots before answering the call to follow Jesus, and Jude, famous for resolving hopeless cases and for his short Epistle, became foundation stones for the early church.  They taught, they preached the Word they both heard and experienced.
Jean-Baptiste Montagne, the 17 year old dying lad that St. Marcellin visited on this day in 1816 became the catalyst for the founding of the Little Brothers of Mary.  St. Marcellin was so appalled by JB's lack of knowledge of the faith that he decided then it was time to bring into reality a dream he had of starting a congregation of teaching brothers who would devote their lives to the Christian Education of youth so that the ignorance of the faith he experienced with Jean-Baptiste would never occur again.  He found two young men who agreed to help with this project and two months later moved in to a poor but adequate residence to form the first Marist community. As Jesus called Simon and Jude to follow him, so did Marcellin call these two young men.
This incident sets the theme for the coming year of preparation for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Marist Brothers.  We will be focusing on our mission to make Jesus known and loved and be studying ways to make it more effective for our day and for the next hundred years.  It's a global process and with all those Marist Minds working together, something concrete and effective should emerge, it did on that October day nearly two hundred years ago.  May we all work together and pray together to continue the Marist Mission with the zeal of St. Simon and the hope provided by St. Jude.
Bro. Rene

It's the Striving that Counts

In our attempts to match the unconditional love God showers upon us, we might feel inadequate that our efforts yield little progress.  We don't have the same dedication or zeal, it seems, as the great saints and martyrs who gave so totally of themselves.  We go from day to day, year to year, pretty much the same without great signs and wonders, without great leaps into what we imagine sanctity to be. It is, however, the desire, the striving, the loving we do implement into our daily dealings with others through simple acts of kindness, an encouraging word or e-mail, a phone call, a pat on the back that God sees and embraces.  Though those simple things, love is transmitted, the same unselfish love that God gives to us.  We're doin' OK...for it's the striving that counts
Bro. Rene

Loving God and Neighbor

Note:  Time is short as I rush to make a plane for San Antonio.

The two Great commandments bearing on love of God and love of neighbor sum up all of Jesus' teaching and provide a life-long challenge for us.  It's a pattern that begins as a small ripple from a stone thrown into a lake and gradually spreads as far as one can see.  Where is our ripple?  Does it compare with God's unconditional love of us?  With his help, all that bars us from loving totally can be removed.  Dear God, let me begin again and again to love without measure or restraintl
Bro. Rene

Protection in our Weakness

As each day comes to a conclusion and we look back on what transpired, how we behaved, the good things we did, the things that make us cringe, and see that somehow God was present in it all, we realize that without his protection, faithfulness, forgiveness, and strength to find resilience, we would be a sorry lot indeed.  By taking time to reflect on our lives, we see what needs to be done by way of improvement but we also see how present God is, never quitting on us. even when we might want to quit on ourselves.  With his help we can pull it together as we saw in the Central Catholic vs Chelmsford football game last night.  Central was behind 31-21 with 2:44 left to go.  Pretty bleak, but in a rousing three play drive, the Raiders scored, got an onside kick, scored again along with a two point conversion, and won 35-31.  The team never gave up.  Yes, it's a football game, but a real life example of what we can do when we feel overwhelmed or even defeated by our persistent weakness.
It is when we admit our weakness that we are strong, for God's protection against our weakness is always there.
Bro. Rene

Living Worthily of the Call

In a familiar passage from his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul urges us "to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit as you were called to the one hope of your call; one Lord,one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:1-6). Paul's enthusiasm carries him passionately from one idea to another, quoting even a hymn, (one Lord, one faith, one baptism), and lumping everything together till he sums up the perfect pattern for a way of life and for a perfect community.  Each phrase deserves reflection and application to our own situation.  How humble,  gentle and patient  am I in dealing with myself, let alone with others?  Is there division between myself and another person?  If so, what will I do to reconcile with that person?  Do I see God as Father?  Do I allow Jesus to keep me close and give me what I need, or do I stand apart and aloof, thinking I can do it all on my own?  There is much food for thought in today's slice of bread. Let us not swallow it too quickly, but digest it slowly.
Bro. Rene

Able to Accomplish Far More

It's normal to look at our talents and accomplishments and wish that we were capable of far more.  We're told to accept ourselves as we are and not be too hard on ourselves.  True, but even with that advice we still look for more.  St. Paul told the Ephesians that we can do more. be more, accomplish more, not by our own power, but through HIM who "is able to accomplish far  more than all we ask or imagine by the power a work within us." (Eph 3: 20).  St. Marcellin's life is can certainly attest to this, for he might in today's language be considered "an over-achiever."  He accomplished far more than what seemed to be possible for an under-educated farm boy. His legacy spans 80 countries and millions of students educated in the Marist Tradition.
Today's  Saint,  John of Capistrano also attests to the power of God's grace at work within him. Born in 1385, he was trained in civil and church law, but left this career behind to become a Franciscan friar noted for his powerful preaching.  Later the Holy See tapped his talents to handle some delicate diplomatic situations and, most amazingly, at the age of 70 to lead a crusade against the Turks at Belgrade. The campaign was successful under the flag bearing the Holy Name of Jesus and the example of this old man (70 was OLD at that time!), who is now the patron of those who work in the judicial system and of military chaplains.  Americans associate him with the California mission, San Juan de Capistrano, made famous by the return of the swallows every March 19th and the song, When the Swallows Return to Capistrano.  May we never underestimate the power of God that opens the door to unlimited accomplishments.
Bro. Rene

Be Not Afraid

Today as we honor St. John Paul II, we recall the first words he uttered as he addressed the throngs in St. Peter's Square right after his election:  "Be Not Afraid."  He repeated this theme throughout his 28 year papacy, even to his last days.  He had learned to put his total trust in God, and certainly in Mary, our Good Mother, as he grew up in Poland, having lost his mother at an early age, and later his father.  Being so "orphaned" he learned to rely more and more on God and was never disappointed.  He studied for the priesthood secretly, and eventually was made bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope.   What a journey!
We saw his charismatic figure everywhere, from circles of learned theologians and philosophers, to the huge gatherings of young people at the World Youth Days he initiated.  His energy was unstoppable, even after his bullet wound in 1981.  He visited 124 countries, wrote 14 encyclicals, 5 books and canonized 482 saints!
He was an evangelist, defender of life, peacemaker, promoter of authentic human freeddom and friend and inspiration of youth.  St. John Paul..pray for us.
Bro. Rene

Jesus Wants Us!

We are familiar with the image of Jesus knocking at a door with no outside doorknob from the Book of Revelation.  It's a door that must be opened from within; only we can open it.  Today's Gospel from Luke (12:35-38) also uses the image of door as the servants await the return of the master from a wedding.  Jesus knocks, longing for the door of our hearts to open to him so that he might regale us with his present and lavish gifts.  Picture the wedding feast at Cana or the Last Supper:  the joy, the intimacy, the outpouring of his love to prevent embarrassment to the bridegroom and bride, to share his very body and blood as the food of eternal life.  How he takes care of even material needs, and more importantly, those spiritual.  We have the opportunity to feast with Jesus at every Mass we attend, but also in his daily knockings through the people and events that come our way.  How he wishes to share himself and take care of us, to feed us, to draw us into closer union with him.  May our ears and hearts be open to the knockings we hear today, and may we not refuse to open!
Bro. Rene

Not Possessions

As we live through the years to the afternoons and evenings of our lives, we begin finally to realize as Jesus admonished us:  "one's life does not consist of possessions."  Indeed, we "can't take them with us" and the question arises "what do we do with them?"   Sudden death leaves the decision to others, but not everyone can bank on that.  We can focus on what does make us happy...family, healthy relationships, enjoying the good events and people who come into our lives each day.  These are the "possessions" which count.  The more of these we have, the less we will be dependent on the material, and can find the freedom to dispose of them and pass them on to those who could use them. 
Bro. Rene

World Mission Sunday

Collections will be taken up in parishes across the globe to supply funds for the 1,100 parishes considered to be mission parishes.  Pope St. John Paul II set the date for the collection as the second last Sunday in October, but this year it coincides with what would have been the Memorial of the North American Martyrs: St. Isaac Jogues and Companions.  Because Sundays take precedence over feasts and memorials, the Mass for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time is being used. However, their missionary spirit still serves as an example to us.  It is also the day when the Extraordinary Synod on the family ends and Pope Paul VI was beatified.  Pope Paul VI in his encyclical, Evangelium Nuntiandi set the tone for missionary work in a Post Vatican II Church.
With these powerful "mentors" giving impetus to Mission Sunday, we might consider how we can be missionaries ourselves.  The easy way is to donate to the collection, but more than that, can we live more fully the message of Jesus, by professing our faith through kindness, service to the needy, listening to others, forgiving ourselves and others and welcoming all into our circle?  We preach by example, by deed, more powerfully than by words. May we come to see ourselves as this kind of missionary as we take part in our Sunday and weekday activities.  We need to keep reminding ourselves that we too have a mission right here; we don't have to go abroad.
Bro. Rene

St. Luke's Message

The Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist turns our attention to his Gospel and companion work, the Acts of the Apostles.  Tradition and legend combine to reveal Luke, a Gentile convert born in Antioch, a close friend and fellow traveler of St. Paul, a physician and an artist. Taylor Caldwell popularized Luke's story in her memorable novel, Dear and Glorious Physician.
Luke's ability to paint pictures with words is obvious in his close attention to detail and his compassion as a physician is evident in the many stories of mercy and forgiveness. St. John Paul II has dubbed Luke, The Gospel of Mercy.   He alone tells the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, more aptly titled, The Forgiving Father. Luke also makes is a point that Jesus came for ALL, especially the poor.  Readers of his Gospel should be moved to actions that alleviate their plight by sharing time, treasure and talent. 
In the Acts, the power of the Holy Spirit dominates the tale of the missionary efforts of St. Paul and the miraculous spread of Christianity in the Mediterranean basin.  Luke's talent as a narrator not only makes historic facts come alive, but showcases the Holy Spirit to the point that this book is also known as The Gospel of the Holy Spirit.  May our faith find nourishment and strength in the writings of our Dear and Glorious Physician as well as move us to live his message of mercy, forgiveness and the inclusion of ALL.
Bro. Rene

More Than Many Sparrows

Jesus reminds us that we are so precious in the eyes of the Father that he who cares for the sparrows knows us also, even to the number of hairs on our head. He admonishes us not to be afraid for we are worth more than many sparrows.  Yet, sadly,  this same perception of the value of human life is not shared by everyone and in this country alone, 4,000 unborn children are aborted each day! Since 1973, 56 million babies have been terminated untimely before or after birth, this latter being even more shocking and inhuman than the "ordinary" abortion.
Thank God, there are people standing up to fight for the lives of these innocent children.  Last night the Pregnancy Care Center held its annual fund raising and awareness raising banquet and for sure, the value of life at all stages became apparent.  The Center counsels hundreds of people who are questioning giving birth to or aborting the child they have begotten.  The story of one of these cases was highlighted by the presence of the little boy who was "saved" through prayer and the love his mother and father received from the staff.  125 little children came into this world last year alone because of the care their parents experienced at the Center.
The keynote speaker, Jill Stanek, RN, who fought the battle against abortion on the hospital where she worked, showed us what courage and conviction can do, even when coming from one person.
Not physically martyred as was St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose Memorial it is today, but with the same fortitude and conviction she stood her course in defense of the value of life, even to the point of sacrificing her job; she sees with the eyes of God that we are worth more than many sparrows.  Can we have that same vision?  Prayers for the work of the Center, a visit and tour, volunteering, and financial aid can help preserve future lives.
Bro. Rene

For The Love of Jesus

Often we hear the phrase, "For the love of God" or "For the love of Jesus" followed by something like, "Will you keep your mouth shut?" or "Will you do as I say?"  The phrase is one of exasperation and strong emphasis, appealing to one of the most profound realities we can experience, the love of God.
Taken literally and in another context, it explains why St. Margaret Mary Alacoque or St. Hedwig, whose Memorials we keep today, did what they did.  The young St. Margaret Mary loved Jesus so much that she spent hours in prayer with him, to the point where he appeared to her with his heart exposed in flames on his breast to show how much he loved her (us).  This is the now familiar Sacred Heart of Jesus image.  Not only did he want to SHOW his love, but he proposed 12 promises that flowed from this love, one of which being the practice of attending Mass for nine consecutive First Fridays with the guarantee of a happy death.
St. Hedwig loved God so much that even as the mother of seven, and wife of Henry, Duke of Bavaria, she practiced penances along with her prayers, walking barefoot to Mass daily in any kind of weather.  founding monasteries, and later, after Henry's death, joining the one where one of her daughters was Abbess.  She had the gift of miracles even while alive, and more so after her death.
We all have the power to love within us, but for various reasons keep I there instead of letting it out to the public as did these two saints.  Perhaps their example will help us today to take the wrappers off our love, and let it work miracles.
Bro. Rene

Perspective

Keeping things in perspective.  This is not the usual thought that comes to mind when we talk about St. Teresa of Avila, whose Memorial we observe today; it is usually her love and joy of contemplation.  True, she is a Doctor of the Church for her writings on prayer, but she also was a very practical woman, who set up 16 monasteries under her reformed Rule.  This doesn't happen by sitting in the chapel, though, deep prayer is probably the most effective means of "getting things done", for it helps keep things in perspective.  We realize that what we are doing is God's work, not ours;  we remind ourselves that we are laboring out of love for God, not love of ourselves or the desire for popularity, or to leave a hefty legacy for future generations to brag about.  Deep prayer helps us find strength when our own doubts and weaknesses are overwhelming us, and we feel that we cannot continue.  St. Teresa experienced much opposition, detraction and criticism, that would have made the ordinary person give up.  But no, not her, for her focus was on God, the God with whom she could argue and blame for having so few friends because he treated them so roughly.  She kept things in perspective and her example invites us to do the same.
Bro. Rene

Outward VS Inward Behaviors

When Jesus admonished the Pharisee about observing external rituals such as the washing of feet of the cleansing of the cups and dishes, while inside lurked plunder and evil, he could easily be speaking to each one of us.  How amazing it is what shadows hide within us and now and then come out to the open!  Instead of wasting time being appalled at them, it would be good to pray for God's mercy on us and for the situations or people who might have been involved in our bad thoughts.  Even these can be a grace, for God builds the rungs of our ladder to him with both our strengths and weaknesses, the good and the bad.
Bro. Rene

Celebrating Our Discovery

Every institution, every group, every person, needs to STOP at some point to reflect on its origins, its development, its goals and its future. It is an energizing and salutary thing to do, humbling as well.
The recent 50th anniversary reunion at Marist College was just that for me.  Little did we know when we received our diplomas on June 6, 1964, what would unfold in the next 50 years.  It was marvelous to look back, give thanks, and humbly acknowledge how God's grace had used each one of us to bring about some good in our world that was not there in  1964.
So too, as a nation, we pause to celebrate our discovery and the doors that opened for the world because of the courage and conviction of the leader of the explorers who sailed from Spain in 1492 over uncharted waters seeking a route to India.  Even with "mistakes" blunders, weaknesses associated with being human much good has resulted from the discovery of "the new world."  We who benefit from the legacy we inherited have an obligation to respect what we have, share it with others, as we have done so far, and foster the awareness that all of this is GIFT, which leads us to humble gratitude.  May we not take for granted what we enjoy nor feel entitled to it, but treat it with reverence and gratitude.  That's what today is for, not for business as usual nor Columbus Day sales.
Bro. Rene

Hospitiality

 Note:  I'm attending my 50th reunion at Marist College and lost track of time this morning, so Sunday's slice of bread appears today, on Monday. as a bonus along with the slice for Columbus Day.

Hospitality in the Near East is still a very special quality with the people of that region.   We read about it in Genesis when the three visitors visit Abraham.  I experienced it when I was in the Holy Land in 1977.  Our taxi driver invited us to his home, seated us in the living room and soon his wife and daughters brought out tea and the most delicious and sweet grapes I've ever had.  All I could think of was "the land flowing with milk and honey."  Another man we stumbled upon near Jericho invited us to tea which he prepared while telling us about his family.  He changed his clothes and served us a delicious mint tea, the likes of which I have not had since.
The readings today speak of this hospitality: Isaiah talks of the mountain top where "the Lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples/ a feast of rich food and choice wines,/ juicy rich food and pure, choice wines."(Is 25 : 6)  Paul tells us that God will provide whatever you need,  and Jesus gives us the parable of the wedding feast, where hospitality overflows.  (Mt 22:1-14).
To refuse any such hospitality is considered a huge insult, or to appear without the proper garment, was worthy of expulsion from the wedding feast.
Our role then is to accept God's daily invitation to his table, to his feast, to whatever he wishes  to give us and enjoy it for it gives him great pleasure to treat us from his magnanimous heart.  We must also remember to be clothed properly, that is with, as Paul admonishes the Colossians, with humility, meekness and patience.
Bro. Rene

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

We've heard the adage, "Action speak louder than words," since we were children, but somehow its significance gets lost in our hustle and bustle.  We say we love all, we trust beyond measure, we want to put others first and ourselves last...etc,,,yet when it comes down to it, we all can feel the guilt of not living up to our inner declarations, and our actions betray embarrassing flaws.   Even the great saints, being human, did not always measure up to their self-projected images.  Asking God for help  with this, looking carefully at the lives of Jesus and Mary, we can find the models we need to follow.
Since Saturdays are dedicated to Mary, may we spend some time thinking about the events in her life that we know, as few as they are, and finding there a pattern we can adopt.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners NOW and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Bro. Rene

God Our Healer

Note:  With colds circulating as the season changes, and stories of people suffering from cancer or mourning the loss of a friend or family member, the following prayer might help us all find the healing we seek and need, in the Source of all Healing:  God himself.

O God, our Healer and our Good, you sent your Son to cure the world's sickness by taking upon himself the burden of its guilt.  Heal the diseased vision which causes us to mistake evil for good; heal the sickened mind which causes us to mistake selfishness for love; heal the unhealthy habits which we have made our own, that we may stand before you, whole in body, soul and spirit, to sing your praise for ever with all the saints, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We might add that every unexpected "intervention" in our day's plan, the dim news we dread to hear, the disappointment of a failed goal, or just the sluggishness that comes with a cold, is a means God is using to help us remember who we are as vulnerable, dependent creatures.  With such a realization comes humility and empathy as well as the vision to see that what we "suffer" has a purpose, and is usually less, than others are suffering.  All becomes relative, and we gladly will take back our complaints and deal with our own little pains.
Bro. Rene

The Call to Martyrdom

 Note:  Since we have almost as many readers in France as we do in the USA 72-87, and 46 in Russia, I'm directing today's slice of  bread to them.

Today is the  Memorial of St. Denis and Companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius, who were martyred in Paris in the year 258.  St. Denis was one of the Bishops sent to Gaul as a missionary and settled on
Ile de la Cite, the island in the center of the Seine River.  After a few years of preaching, these men were martyred on a hill now called Montmatre  (Mountain of Martyrs) outside of what was then the city,  and their bodies thrown into the river.  Their story was made popular by St. Gregory of Tours in the sixth century.  Eventually St. Denis was named the patron of France, and the saint to be invoked against frenzy, strife, headaches, hydrophobia rabies and possession by the devil.
With the Faith in France and Russia suffering from the effects of secularism, materialism and other pressures, the example of these martyrs offers some encouragement not to yield to these challenges.
The Faith in both countries has had its ups and downs over the centuries, including our own.  St. Marcellin Champagnat took up the gauntlet after the French Revolution when ignorance of the Faith was rampant and the Church was almost reduced to ashes.  Yet, from those ashes arose a strong teaching order which has influenced the lives of millions of young people and adults over the past 200 years.  In Russia, atheistic communism forced the Church into near suppression, but the Faith among people remained strong and is on the rise.   May we continue to encourage each other and fortify each other to accept even the call to martyrdom in order that the Faith might continue and grow.
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of the Rosary

Note.  Yesterday I had an unexpected extended stay in the hospital, so I had not access to a computer. I want to comment on the Rosary today, nevertheless,

Perhaps one of the most familiar, popular and powerful prayers that Catholics treasure, is the Rosary.  Not only does it contain the beloved Hail Mary and the Lord' Prayer...that Jesus himself taught us, but its mysteries take us day after day into the life of Jesus.  The more familiar with his life, the more we come to know and love him.  Today's Gospel give us Luke's short but powerful version of the Our Father:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.  (Lk 11: 2-4)
We recite the Our  Father six times in the course of the five decade rosary, so much so, that it can easily become rote.  This version from Luke gets us to its core and might make us appreciate it more. Indeed, a slow praying of the rosary during this month of October, dedicated to the Holy Rosary, might help us appreciate all of its elements from the 150 Ave's (Hail Marys) to the 15 mysteries.  If we haven't started to do anything special with the rosary this month, this might be a way of allowing it to help us grown in faith and trust.
Bro. Rene

Respect Life Month

October has traditionally been "The Month of the Holy Rosary", but with the changes in attitude toward life over the last 50 years, it has also become Respect Life Month.  We have to single out a special intention now for something that was always done and taken for granted.  We've seen how with the widespread acceptance of contraception and abortion, there has followed, for some, a disrespect for life at all stages, particularly old age.  Teen suicide and among veterans is on the increase, alarmingly so.  The handicapped and mentally ill are marginalized. 
At the same time, there are strong and popular movements to fight cancer, and lately, ALS.  So, all is not totally lost, thanks be to God.   Our prayers and our participation in these movements can help turn the tide, as well as living well and to the full ourselves.  If we respect our own gift of life, we can help others respect theirs.
Bro. Rene

Consolation and Challenge

The image of the vineyard presented in the reading from Isaiah 5: 1-7 and the Gospel, Matthew 21:33-43, shows us a loving landowner  who did all he could to make his vineyard the best.  It had all it needed to produce the finest grapes, and in turn, the finest wine.  However, the vineyard in Isaiah's parable yielded wild grapes, and the tenants who ran the vineyard in Jesus's story, beat off the landowners servants, and even slew his son.  Both vineyards failed to yield the anticipated crops.
The vineyard is the kingdom of God, and even beyond that each individual soul which builds up that kingdom. God is the landowner, or "soul owner", if you will, who offers every opportunity and help for the soul to grown and ripen to full maturity. It is consoling to realize how passionately God wants us to reach our full potential. However, if the soul does not yield its expected crop or turns against the landowner, which it so often does,  then it will be rejected.  The challenge is to take the unique gifts we have been given, not simply bask in them complacently,  but to cultivate them, work at them and  put them into action, so that we will bear "fruit that will last."
Bro. Rene

Loving All

St. Francis of Assisi, whom we remember today, appeals to people of all faiths because of his universal love for all of creation from flowers, to animals, to people.  He is God's messenger of love and peace.  He attracted thousands of followers in his own life time, and today continues to inspire men and women to follow in his footsteps.  Yet, we don't all have to be consecrated religious to be "Franciscans." We need only to offer a kind word in the face of a negative comment, or to show respect and care for all who come into our lives, seeing in them, Jesus himself.  We are all God's creatures, but it takes a special eye, an eye full of grace, to see them as such.  May we as the lyrics of the song, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, by Donovan, guide us:  "I am God's creature, of him I am part./  I feel his love awakening my heart."  With a heart filled with love, may we see with a different light and act with renewed tenderness and compassion towards all.
Bro. Rene

First Friday

Whatever happened to the strong emphasis on "making the nine First Fridays?", that is, attending Mass for nine consecutive Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The practice had its origin in the 12 promises made to St. Mary Alacoque in the 17th century by Jesus; one of the promises was guaranteed salvation to those who fulfilled this practice.  With Vatican II came a change in attitude, shifting more to praying the Scriptures, serving the poor, and integrating Mass into our prayer lives as best we can.  So the urgency of "making the nine First Fridays" diminished, and it seems that today they come and go without notice. 
Yet, we at Central Catholic continue the practice as best we can,  and this morning a good number of parents, faculty and students attended.  It was a good way to start this day and an opportunity to find rest for our souls and pray for the deceased members of our Central Catholic Family.
 Without resorting to the "magical" effect of making the First Fridays, it might be time for a return to a voluntary effort to attend Mass on the First, or any Friday, to commemorate the death of Jesus on a Friday, and to restore a sense of gratitude for the sacrificial death of Jesus for our salvation.  And if not on Fridays, then the First Saturday, dedicated in a special way to Mary, might serve this purpose, in addition to honoring her and the part that she plays in our salvation.
Bro. Rene

Standing Besides Us

, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him or her to life,” wrote St. Basil.  It seems that ON EAGLES WINGS has become standard at funerals, so we are more and more accustomed to singing (or hearing) the verse from Psalm 91 referring to guardian angels:  "For to his angels, he's given a command/ to guard you in all of  your ways,/ Upon their hands they shall bear you up/ lest you dash your foot against a stone." (Ps 91: 12).
 As we celebrate our Guardian Angels today, thanking them for their protection and guidance, and being the messenger from God who assures us of his loving care by assigning a personal protector to each one of us, we have the assurance of Scripture and one (at least) of the Church Fathers that their presence is real. The have names, they know us and anticipate our comings, goings, and even help us make the right decisions or help things to "fall into place" for us.   How many times has an accident been averted in some inexplicable way by a moment's  hesitation in pulling onto an interstate, or at a stop sign, when some car comes barreling out of nowhere.  Who caused that life-saving hesitation?  "That's my angel, for sure," I say and pray, "Thank you! "
 For all the times we haven't acknowledged our Guardian Angel or given thanks, let's make a special effort to do so today.
Bro. Rene

Doing Little Things With Great Love

St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, was a Carmelite Nun for only 9 years and died at the age of 24.  Entering the convent at the age of 15 by special permission, she found a regimen whose routine might be considered unexciting, but her approach to the routine tasks of prayer, gardening, laundering done mostly in silence except for brief periods of  recreation, fostered a way of life that is now known as "The Little Way."  What she did, even to dozing during prayer, and toward the end of her life, suffering from tuberculosis, she did with great love.  That was the secret to making what might appear "dull", fruitful and in the end, productive of sanctity. 
Most of us don't live on the cusp of exhilarating adventure, but in the rut of routine.  St. Therese's "little way" can make our day full of opportunities to grow in love if we do what we do with "great love."  Mother Teresa of Calcutta said the same thing when asked about her "futile" dealings with the dying.  It's an attitude, a giving of self and the love that matters, not the actual deed. St. Therese, whose life behind monastic walls made little impact while she was alive, but bore much fruit, and many miracles after her death.  Having never left the convent, she is the patron of missionaries, pilots, the ill and florists.  What impact can we have today, if we approach our duties, our work, our tasks with "great love"?
Bro. Rene