God's Love Is Like Flowing Water

Psalm 42 presents the captivating image of the deer yearning for running streams and compares that longing for the soul's thirsting for God. Simple, direct, true. We might not always acknowledge that God is the object of our desires, especially when we are dealing with an illness whose cure occupies the center of the stage. Yet, like the paralytic in today's Gospel, the desire for a cure can also lead to a spiritual cure, the realization that without God as part of the equation of our life, even a cure will not satisfy our deepest longings. Only God's full occupation of our hearts will satiate us. That usually comes when we cross over "the river", but it is also possible to move closer to that fulfillment even in this life. It is usually a long, gradual journey, though some like St. Therese or St. Stanislas Kostka were blessed with it in their early twenties. We need to let the torrents of God's love flow freely over us and sweep us towards him.
Bro. Rene

Unlikely Pillars

As we recall the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul today, we might take a look at their humble beginnings to realize that "nothing is impossible with God." (Mk 10-27 ). Peter was a fisherman with a temper, an admitted sinner (Depart from me for I am a sinful man), and a three time denier of Jesus. Paul, a Pharisee, was a determined persecutor of early believers who used his education, position and energy to stamp out the sparks of the "new way" before they turned into flames. Two of the most unlikely men upon which to build a church. Yet with their faults and weaknesses...perhaps despite them...the sparks did become flames, burning now for 2,000 years. We might be dismayed on one hand at the problems facing the Church today, and not only the Church but the world. Yet we wake up each day, and move ahead in the faith that if the beginnings were shaky and eventually thrived, this is evidence that it is not the work of people, but of God. May we live in trust that "these days too will pass away" and the promise of Jesus that the gates of hell will not prevail, doing our part to live as sincerely as we can the beliefs that Jesus gave us.
Bro. Rene

Why Are We Terrified?

The sleeping Jesus in the boat is always disconcerting, but even more so when we are in a tempest-tossed turmoil in our own lives: overwhelming numbers of things to do; insufficient income; family members gone astray; a host of "impossible" problems or situations causing a storm within us. And where's Jesus when we need him? Apparently asleep. We panic, but he rebukes us with an edge for our lack of faith and resolves the difficulties. It's amazing how these impossible situations dissolve and remind us that Jesus has always been there, To really learn to keep calm during the storm, we need to repeat the lesson more than once. We might say, "Enough. I'll never doubt again." And we do. Jesus patiently calls us again to a deeper trust, a deeper faith. What storm will arise today? How will we face it? Jesus, remove my terror, calm my fears, give me your peace and assurance.
Bro. Rene

A Prayerful Venture

The God of Surprises has brought us safely to Mexico, Main, to a lovely old farmhouse turned into a welcoming retreat center for the 8 Central girls and four adults who are accompanying them. Surprising also is the availability of Wi-Fi which brings you this little slice of bread. As you read it, we will be heading toward the home of Carol and Merwin, an elderly couple whose home is in much need of repair. We'll do what we can, but we trust that in the spirit of the Visitation, our presence will help repair their spirits and deal with the realities of aging, relinquishment and poverty. The girls are full of energy, optimism and good will, and like Mary, will help them recognize the simple gifts that so many of us take for granted. In our weeklong encounter with them, and with each other, in our listenings and sharings, we hope to encounter Christ, and no doubt come away with much more than we came to give. So far, Christ has been amazingly visible in the few hours we've been here. May you find him yourselves today in the most surprising and unsuspecting places.
Bro. Rene

Plowing Forward

When Jesus said, "No one who set a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind him is fit for the kingdom of God", (Lk 9:62) he was referring to those plows either pulled by an ox or even worse, simply pushed by the plowman.  Hard work demanding enormous concentration.  There might be a touch of hyperbole here as well, for we know that try as we might, whatever the "plow" we are using, there do come times to stop, look back and evaluate before moving on in one direction or another.  Hindsight is part of learning and part of the wisdom gained through experience.  Basically, however, he is right, the notorious "flip-flopping" of politicians is looked upon as a sign of weakness, and certainly, if a Christian flip-flops on moral issues, he or she, indeed, is not fit for the kingdom of God.  This saying of Jesus comes in the context of fidelity, and underscores the need to stay with the plow, even when the ground is rough, dry or hard. We can't say "yes" one moment, and then "no" the next.  Fortitude, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enables us to continue even when we think we are "done."  We don't like "fair-weather friends," and it seems Jesus doesn't either.
Bro. Rene

Note:  I will be in Mexico, Maine on a service trip with a group of students and teachers from Central Catholic for the next week...Not sure if our lodgings will be wireless equipped.  If you do not receive a slice of daily bread, it's because there is no internet access...Please pray for us that we might keep our noses to our plows this week.  Thank you.

The Power of Entrustment

Entrustment is a word not commonly heard...we're more used to "entitlement", but it's a word that suggests trust, naturally, humility, and abandonment...the letting go of MY WAY.  In today's Gospel, the compassionate centurion approached Jesus to explain the condition of his servant but when Jesus offered to come and cure him, he pushed back saying, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof only say the word and my servant will be healed," (Mt 8:8).  Faith, entrustment, the abandonment of his servant to the mere command of Jesus.  Power.  Jesus healed the servant from that spot.
On the cross, just before dying, Jesus entrusted Mary to John and John to Mary. John, the representative of the human race, was given to Mary's care, as she was to his.  St. Marcellin loved the idea of being entrusted to Mary, and from the beginning entrusted his fledgling group to her, facing trial and difficulty time and time again, confident that his entrustment would resolve the problems.  She never disappointed him.  Simple faith, simple trust.  As we look at the power of entrustment, we wonder why we work ourselves into a dither for what in the end turns out to be nothing. We need a jolt from Mary and the centurion to nail us again and again into the power of entrustment. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, us doubters, now and at the hour of our death. Amen,
Bro. Rene

God's Call

When we hear the phrase, "God's Call", we most likely consider it to mean the call to the priesthood or religious life, for it has been associated with these vocations for years. True, it is a special calling meant, obviously for a few, but it is also a call to each one of us to take anoher step, one, which might involve risk, demand courage, or lead us to a deeper trust and faith.
When the archangel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah announcing the birth of a son, Zechariah hesitated and was struck mute for his disbelief.  In those nine months of silence, he grew and was ready to take the next step, which he did in a simple way by going against family tradition and naming he boy John.
John, in turn, heard God calling him to a solitary life in the desert until the Spirit moved him to start preaching with vigor and conviction to prepare the way for Jesus.  His zeal converted many, but also made enemies which eventually led to his martyrdom.
His life and message to repent, change and be ready for the coming of Jesus bellow down the ages to us today.  What is God calling me to do with this day, with my family, with my co-workers, with my prayer life, with my talents and gifts?  What leap of faith" am I to take today...and tomorrow and the next day?  Whatever it is, hesitation might result in a muteness that stymies the furtherance of the Kingdom of God whereas a willingness, a yes, will produce results far beyond our wildest imaginations. Look what happened to the characters in the birth of the Baptist story,, including Mary. May we answer our calls with their faith, courage and trust.
Bro. Rene

Action

Action is part of our Marist Legacy.  When St. Marcellin encountered the dying Jean-Baptiste Montagne, he didn't lose a minute recruiting two young men to initiate his dream of founding a congregation of brothers to address the pressing need for the religious education of youngsters.
When the French Government outlawed religious congregations and confiscated their property in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the then Superior General, Br. Theophane. courageously moved to disperse a thousand brothers from France to other parts of the world, thus causing the enormous growth of the Marist Brothers as a global congregation.
Br. Florentius in Lawrence, Massachusetts saw the need for a Catholic boys high school and in the midst of the Great Depression opened Central Catholic High School, which continues to grow and flourish 80 years later.
When Jesus said, "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and act on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."  (Mt 7: 24) St. Marcellin and these others have set the pattern of listening to the needs of their times and acting on them.  Their example is our mandate.
Bro. Rene

By Our Fruit

Jesus, always aware of the lessons that nature gives, reminds us that only good plants bear good fruit. (cf. Mt 7:20) As disciples and sons of Mary, we as Marists have her as our special model of the one who bore good fruit.  "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb", we pray daily in the Hail Mary.  Indeed she brought forth and nourished Jesus himself, the best fruit of our human family.  Like her, then, our call is to continue to bring forth this Good Fruit by making Jesus known and loved, to our families, our colleagues at work, the patient check out staff at the super market...to everyone!  Our welcoming smiles, our small talk, our demonstration of interest in those around us all help us accomplish this mission. Let us have confidence, that the simplest of words or gestures bear effective witness to the Good Fruit.
Bro. Rene

Through the Narrow Gate

Again Jesus proposes a path that seems impossible:  the narrow gate the leads to LIFE! He warns us that it is not for all:  "And those who find it are few." (Mt 7:14).  Evidently it is not the "easy way" of the broad road of self-indulgence that eventually leads to destruction, but it seems to demand a self-sacrifice that is especially difficult in our age of convenience and self-indulgence.  St. Marcellin, himself a seeker of the narrow gate, showed us by his imitation of Mary that bringing forth Jesus to youth demands discipline, and a willingness to go the extra mile.  He himself walked the hills of the Pilat region to show his love and support of the brothers and students in the schools of that area.  His dedication to them along with his own fasting put a burden on his body which eventually led to his early death. 
Today we remember another "Apostle of Youth", St. Aloysius Gonzaga, whose prayers, fasting and service to those suffering with the plague took a huge toll on his life, leading to an early death at the age of 23.
So, does the narrow gate mean that we choose self-destruction in order to pass through it?  Not necessarily, but it does mean, with balance, a life of prayer, sacrifice for the sake of others...including Jesus...and service, which often demands so much that it has a built in way of leading us out of the selfishness and self-centeredness that make it impossible to pass through the narrow gate.
Bro. Rene

Splinters and Beams

We all like making lists, "to do" lists, dream lists, goals, and the list of lists Jesus talks about in our Gospel this morning:  the list of "what's wrong with YOU."  Not me, but YOU!  Long lists, for sure, and for ourselves, a short list.  How blind we are!  Jesus says it rightly:  "You hypocrite, remove the wooden beams from your eye first: then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye." (Mt 7:5).  If we have any question about the size of our beam, we need but ask someone else what he or she sees.  And, once humiliated, we might end up accepting the TRUTH as seen by others, and make adjustments and improvements where necessary.  The same holds true of our neighbor who will benefit from our observations.  It's really about helping each other along the way:  Affirmation and correction. Might hurt a little, but in the end will result in improvement and much shorter lists...on both sides!
Bro. Rene

Do We Confess Jesus as the Messiah?

In response to the question, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answers, "The Christ of God" (Lk 9:20), that is the Anointed  of God, or the Messiah.  This exchange is vital to our lives as Christians, as disciples of Jesus.  Without a clear sense of his identity, we flounder as a ship without a rudder. And if we do acknowledge his central role, then it follows that our weekly (or daily) Mass attendance must be to celebrate Jesus, to rejoice in his special presence, no only in the sacrament of the Eucharist, but in the "sacrament" of each member of the community who is present.  If we confess that he is Lord, then he must, through his teachings and example, draw us closer to our Father.  If we confess that he is our Savior, then we must acknowledge that he has the power to deliver us from the evil that surrounds us and which, unfortunately, we find in our own hearts at times.  He is the Savior of the world, the one who is the answer to the conflicts and divisions which daily make the headlines. If he is our Lord, then he must be the center of our lives, our thoughts and actions and our communities.  Yes...the answer we give to the question, "Who do YOU say that I am?" is the guide and measure of our love and loyalty to the Son of God, the Messiah.
Bro. Rene

With Mary Beside Me

Our African Marist Youth end their gatherings with a catchy little song the capsulizes the place of Mary in our Marist Spirituality.  Since Saturdays are dedicated to her, here is a taste of the song the students at Camp Champagnat learned and sang with the gusto of our African counter-parts:
Refrain:
With Mary beside me all of my life,
I follow in the footsteps of Champagnat.
With Mary beside me all me life,
I go to meet Jesus, my friend.
Verse 1:
You've won me over, Lord
in the stillness of my soul.
With all my heart I say:
"I love you, my Lord."
Verse 2
Responding to the Lord
With a YES throughout your life,
O Mary  show me how
to say my YES today.
Verse 3:
O Father Champagnat,
We have confidence in you
As pilgrims here below
we follow in your steps.
(The melody can be found on google or You Tube.)
Bro. Rene

Jesus

In our search for a simple and powerful prayer that can slide off our lips, be silently whispered in our longing hearts, or heal our wounded egos, the name of Jesus emerges as a direct, easy and powerful prayer. It brings us Into his presence and unlocks his loving compassion, the strength of his personality, his unfailing forgiveness and encouragement. When we might be feeling lonely, he fills the void; when we are tempted, he gently prods us toward the right choice; when anger rises, he dispels it and calms us down. The more we repeat this Holy Name, the stronger our love for him grows; the more we grow to be one with him.
Bro. Rene

Give Thanks For the Little Things

Note: Surprisingly, there is internet access at the Log Cabin at Camp Marist where for the last hour I've been trying to get to this post. I think I'm set...at least for today...It's been so long that I used this I-Pad for Bro. Rene's Daily Bread that I was not allowed to continue until I verified that it was truly I who was writing. Good to know that my security is so well supervised.

All of which leads me to realize how little things make up our days and how infrequently we recognize them as gifts and give thanks for them. The weather was ideal yesterday, the students and have fully entered into this experience, toasted marshmallows and s'mores 'round a roaring bonfire ended the day....blessed sleep for more than the usual 6 an 1/2 hours...a true gift...all of these things lead me to a prayer of deep gratitude. What's going on in your life that warrants a big THANK YOU to our loving and fantastically generous God?
Bro. Rene

Praying in Secret, Doing Good Quietly

Note:  I'll be away at Camp Champagnat, (Camp Marist in Effingham, NH) where it's difficult to find internet access...I'll try to send out the usual slice of bread, but if it doesn't appear, you know why.

It would seem that our Marist Spirituality finds its roots in Matthew 6: 1-6. 16-18 where Jesus tells his followers to give and pray in secret.  This gospel passage is read on Ash Wednesday as we prepare for the six-week purification and training period  when we are urged to pray, fast and give alms before Easter.  Now at mid-year we read the same gospel to use as a measure of how much has "stuck" as a result of our Lenten efforts.  We might renew these efforts with a deliberate concentration on the hidden nature of our prayers and good deeds.  The long days of summer give us the opportunity for early or late prayer in the quietness of our homes, or even a perpetual adoration chapel in our parish...or somewhere outdoors...with Nature providing us the sanctuary where God's beauty and power are present.  Such "hidden moments" can feed and refresh our souls and enable us to find the desire and will to extend our good works, quietly, without fanfare, and certainly without gloomy faces.  It's summer, let us smile and let the "sunshine" of our deeds light up the faces of those around us.
Bro. Rene

Love Your Enemies

Today's passage from the Sermon the Mount continues the theme of loving everyone.  Jesus poses an enormous challenge:  "'You have heard it said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say to your, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father...." (Mt 5: 43-44)  Echoing in our Marist ears is the injunction of St. Marcellin:  "To educate the children, you must love them all, and love them all equally,"  "Enemies" included:  those rascals, disturbers, "spoiled brats", contentious, disrespectful students....  It's hard enough to find love for the terrorists who are making headlines around the world, most recently in Orlando, Florida, but how about those "enemies"  who are part of our lives,  with whom we work, who are always on the opposite side, who automatically, it seems, say black when you say white?  Or who never show up on time, if even at all, after making an appointment?  Do we grit our teeth and just bear it, or do we stop, reflect and see that they too are God's children whom he loves? In so doing, we can diffuse our anger and gradually come to love them as Jesus does.  Yes, a big step, but again Philippians 4 :13 "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."
Bro. Rene

Turn The Other Cheek

Providentially, the Gospel for today, the memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, the finder of lost objects and a global favorite, is the passage where Jesus urges us to "turn the other cheek."  " You have heard it said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to other one to him as well." (Mt 5: 38-39). This is an especially hard saying in the light of the recent Orlando Massacre.  Yet it stands out as key in our Jubilee Year of Mercy.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, rightly observed that taking an eye for an eye leaves both blind. Our anger is provoked at this senseless slaughter and the desire for vengeance we experience almost matches the perverted thinking that apparently motivated the shooter. We need to stop, let our anger settle, and reflect on the place of forgiveness and mercy even in this extreme situation.  These words of St. Anthony might help put things in perspective.  Looking at the cross he wrote:  "Christ who is your life is hanging before you, so that you may look at the cross as in a mirror.  There you will be able to know how mortal were your wounds, that no medicine other than the Blood of the Son of God could heal.... Nowhere other than looking  himself in the mirror of the cross can man better understand how much he is worth."  Christ died for me and for all, even for this killer.
May the Lord have mercy on us all.
Bro. Rene

Forgiveness

In today's Gospel, Jesus demonstrates the enormous scope of his ability to love, receive love and forgive. The sinful woman who washes his feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, kissed them tenderly and anointed them with precious ointment receives scorn and derision from the host, Simon the Pharisee, but not from Jesus.  Rather, he allows her to express her love unashamedly and find forgiveness and peace from the heart of Jesus. As Jesus chides Simon for not offering him a kiss, oil to anoint himself and  water for him to wash his feet, he explains that "her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love." (Lk 7:47). We assume that he forgives Simon too.
We find assurance in this scene that whatever sins we have committed will receive this forgiveness if we demonstrate our love.  We also find a challenge to show this kind of understanding and forgiveness to those who offend us in big or little ways.   We don't all think alike, we are sometimes unaware of how we offend others, as they are when they unconsciously offend or upset us.  Jesus calls us to have a loving, accepting, patient heart which offers forgiveness to all, even to the Simons in our lives.
Bro. Rene

Give Without Counting the Cost

Today as we remember St. Barnabas, faithful companion of St. Paul, we read from St. Matthew's gospel, the words of Jesus to the Twelve in preparation for their missionary efforts, and for all of us. (cf. Mt 10:7-13). Just a few powerful verses, enough to guide us and challenge us for our lifetime, the kicker being, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." (Mt 10: 8), a reminder that we are only stewards of whatever we have, for it all comes from God as a free gift, and so, we are to give it away freely, not cling to it as if we are entitled to it.  It's hard enough to do this with our things, but even harder when it comes to our time, our own plans and our own will.  We might easily share a few dollars with the needy, but please, don't ask me to spend "MY" time with them! Don't we all fall into this kind of thinking?  Praying over this short passage will show us that, yes there is a balance to be maintained, but Jesus asks us not to set limits even when we are tired.  We can go that extra mile, and in so doing, we often are surprised at where the energy comes from, and we are even more surprised when the time finally comes for us to rest and we see that God was with us all the time and now provides for our needs...in ways that show he doesn't count the cost either
Bro. Rene

Shock and Awe

As we begin each day  there is a longing for God, conscious or unconscious.  The Psalmist states it directly: "I long to see your face, O Lord." (Ps 27:8b).  We might, like Elijah, expect to find that face in all but the wrong places. He saw it, not in the earthquake nor fire, but in the tiny whisper of the wind. (1 Kgs 19: 13). There is no doubt that in quiet pondering and listening as Mary did, the face, the plan of the Lord becomes visible and brings consolation to our souls and we are in awe at how simple it is to find and experience God. 
But also, as in today's Gospel,at times we need to be shocked into God's presence, God's plan. (cf.  Mt 5:27-32)  Jesus  uses hyperbole, exaggeration, suggesting the cutting off of limbs or the gouging out of eyes in order to startle us into avoiding sin and staying on the path that allows us to see God.  Powerful language, but needed to awaken us from our complacency or from our misguided straying.
Let us join with the Psalmist in this simple prayer to keep us alert: 
Have pity on me, and answer me.
Your presence, O Lord, I seek
Hide not your face from me. (Ps 27
Bro. Rene

First Be Reconciled

Of all the challenges Jesus poses to us, his admonition to first be reconciled with our brother (or sister) before offering our gifts, (Mt 5:20-26) is one of the hardest.  We can spend hours volunteering to visit the elderly, bring food and clothing to those who have less, run marathons for charity, fast weekly, attend Mass daily, but if there is still "something" between ourselves and someone else that is "not right" and should be "taken care of", we find all kinds of excuses to avoid saying anything and just gloss over it as if it doesn't exist.  It takes courage, trust and grace that come with prayer in order to make the move to smooth things out. If we do, then will freedom and peace fill our hearts and we can offer our gift without shame.
Bro. Rene

The Lord Is God

Today's reading from the First Book of Kings tells the dramatic story of the Prophet Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal over whose god could ignite the altar of sacrifice. With all their hooting and dancing, there was no response from Baal, but when Elijah called on God after dowsing the altar with water, fire came and consumed everything, even the stones. The people reacted by shouting, "The Lord is God."  (1 Kgs18:39)  We probably would have done the same, for the "spectacular" evokes equally spectacular and enthusiastic responses.
But rarely does the spectacular occur as part of our every day life.  Really?  When Jesus, in today's gospel admonishes us to obey and teach the commandments, he is asking something so spectacular that it merits being called "greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt 5:10).  Perhaps it's time we recognize this and act on it.
As Marists, we are called and dedicated to making Jesus known and loved, which is a way of covering all the commandments. Especially in today's increasingly secular and materialistic world, such a mission is spectacular and if done well, will cause our "students" to affirm with that same loud enthusiasm, "The Lord is God."

Shining the Light

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. (Mt 5:14). An invitation and a challenge.  How, when we are stressed or fatigued, besieged on all sides with bad news, distracted beyond reason with enticing stories on the internet, how do we let his light shine?
In speaking of mercy, Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote: "Unless we those something up, nothing will come down; unless there is an action, there can never be a reaction; unless we give, it shall not be given to us; unless we love, not be loved; unless we pardon evil, our evil shall no be forgiven; unless we are merciful to others, God cannot be merciful to us." (quoted in Magnificat, June, p, 90).  To continue this eloquent quote, we might add, perhaps less eloquently, unless we cast off the bushel basket of fatigue, stress and distraction, our light cannot shine.  If we prefer that darkness prevail, we allow ourselves to succumb to these pressures. If we think of those who need our light, we will find the strength that comes from Jesus to let it shine, for it is really his light, not ours that ic effective.
Bro. Rene

Champagnat Day

On this day in 1840 at the age of 51, Father Marcellin Champagnat died peacefully surrounded by his brothers who had been praying and keeping vigil as faithful sons of a loving father.  It was a sad day, but it had been coming for some time.  Marcellin had left them a spiritual last will and testament which was read publicly on May 18th, two days before his birthday and his decline continued until June 6th.  Br. Francois had already been elected as the Superior of the brothers.  He was competent and devoted totally to the mission initiated by Marcellin, so the young congregation thrived under his leadership.
Today we honor St. Marcellin Champagnat and strive with ever increasing energy, as we approach the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Little Brothers of Mary, to bring new life to our mission of making Jesus known and loved.  It is fitting then, that today in Esopus, NY 20 young adults will gather for a week in a program called Foundation Stones, to learn more about our Marist beginnings, spirituality and mission.  Let us join with them and the thousands of Marists...brothers and lay Marists...around the world in prayers of gratitude and let us all work to deepen our Marist commitment to make Jesus known and loved.  All to Jesus through Mary.
Bro. Rene

Sharing Pain and Sorrow

Again and again, Jesus calls us to let him dig deeper into our hearts and mold them after his own.  In this morning's Gospel from Luke 7:11-17 we see his tender reaction to the widow of Nain who is weeping in the funeral procession of her only son.  If we were there would we shy away with the excuse that, yes this is tragic, but I have enough problems of my own and can't be bothered with another?  Or, like Jesus, would we offer what condolence we could?  In the case of Jesus, his heart, filled always with the joy that came from his closeness to his Father, is not only able to absorb the widow's grief by his profound empathy, but he also has the power to turn that grief into joy by raising the son from the dead and giving him back to his mother. What compassion, what sensitivity, what love!  We may not be able to restore the dead to life, but we can share the joy in our hearts that comes from our relationship with our Father, and show compassion , sensitivity and love. We can lift the burden of those who suffer illness or who are in mourning.  Most often our presence is enough; it doesn't have to be words.  Grief and pain find healing in the presence of one who cares.
Bro. Rene

In Mary's Immaculate Heart

Following the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, "The memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a celebration of the complex visceral relationship of Mary with her Son's work of salvation: from the Incarnation, to his death and Resurrection, to the gift of the HolySpirit."(Directory on Popular piety and the Liturgy #74).  With Mary, we ponder in our hearts what it meant for her to carry the Son of God in her womb, to feel his heart beating with hers for nine months, then to watch the guests from angels, to shepherds, to Magi at his birth, to the anxiety of the flight to and life in Egypt, to the fright of the loss of  the 12 year old Jesus for those agonizing days, to his departure for his ministry, to his passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, to the descent of the Holy Spirit, to the years of her quiet nurturing of the early church, till her dormition and Assumption into heaven, where as Mother of the Church, she continues to nurture and mother us.  What goes on in that heart that has been such a close part of all of this?  A pure mother's love that is, perhaps, the closest we know to God's love.  Thank you, Mother for your love, for sharing your Son with us so unselfishly.  Teach us to love as you do and help us to make Jesus known and loved.  May we give all to you for Jesus.
Bro. Rene

Returning Love for Love

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which, unfortunately gets lost in our busy world.  We all love Fridays as the last day of the work week and the doorway to "our" weekend. Today is a special Friday, a First Friday and this honoring day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who through his words to St. Margaret Mary, initiated the devotion of the "Nine First Fridays."  Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Order of the Holy Cross, says this:  "The purpose of the feast of the Sacred Heard is really about returning love for love."  The exposed heart of Jesus shows us the totality of his love for us, and as we remember, that his heart was pierced after he died on the cross, therefore the wound never heals.  His heart is open all the time to let his love flow to us and receive our love for him.  May our hearts be filled with his love and may they overflow with love and joy.
Bro. Rene

Not Far

What did Jesus mean when he told the scribe that he "was not far from the kingdom of God"? ( Mk 12:34). The man had just agreed with Jesus who told him that to love God and neighbor fulfilled the requirements for entrance to eternal life, so what more would bring him closer and even into this special kingdom?  Perhaps Jesus was intimating that the Kingdom of God is not a plateau where everything is flat and easy, but in reality is a mountain which demands a step-by-step effort in which LOVE grows, for the Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Love, where love prevails, where love reigns.  In that love is forgiveness, mercy, trust, total abandonment. Since love is boundless, and grows daily, we can never say, "I've reached it, the journey is over."  No, not until our life on this planet is over, and who's to say love doesn't continue to grow "on the other side?"   Faithfulness to weekly Mass and daily prayer are two steps that cannot be neglected; love of all, friend and those we find difficult to love, also move us toward this "perfect love", to which Jesus was alluding.  What can I do today to bring me closer to the Kingdom of God?
Bro. Rene

Month of the Sacred Heart

With trees fully clothed in their summer green and flowers blooming in gardens that still need weeding, the Rogers and Hammerstein classic from CAROUSEL, "June Is Busting Out All Over" might be dancing in our heads and obliterating the reality that June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.  Indeed, Friday is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart when we focus on the love  of Jesus so immense and burning, that he bared his heart for us to see how it pulsates endlessly for us.  With this being the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Sacred heart has even more meaning and deserves a more central place in our prayer than usual.  Do our hearts burn with compassion, forgiveness, mercy and joy?  Do our trust and confidence match the trust and confidence the Sacred Heart has in us? Do we acknowledge and thank Jesus for his mercy?   Do we find our strength in him, and fortified by his love, do we offer our love to all?  May we use this summery month to "put the breaks on" our ordinary fast-pace and  deepen our closeness to Jesus by pondering, as Mary did, the ways and events that have shown Jesus' love and mercy and modify our behavior to match them.
Bro. Rene