The Pope of Mercy

At his regular Wednesday Audience yesterday, November 30th, Pope Francis finished (for now) his catechesis on the works of mercy addressing the four thousand people assembled in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall on the final work or mercy, on the last day of the month of the Holy Souls,  burying and praying for the dead.  "Even though the Year of Mercy is over", he said, "let us continue to practice mercy."  He urged us to make prayer for the deceased a regular part of family prayer even  beyond November.  He encouraged comforting the sorrowful,  prayerful visiting of cemeteries and attendance at wakes and funerals as visible acts of this spiritual work of mercy.  Translators gave a summary in at least 10 languages, to make sure everyone understood.
The formal part of the hour-long audience concluded with a papal blessing extended through us to our families and communities (readers, consider yourselves included), and then the Pope spent another hour praying over the sick and handicapped who were wheeled to the front of he hall, and then blessing babies and as many as he could reach as he slowly made his exist up the main aisle.  No hurry, but a sincere attempt to make sure he touched everyone. He is an amazing example of compassion and personal interest in, and care for everyone.  He resembled, as we might imagine Jesus, working his way through the crowds gathered on the hillsides of Galilee.
Let us imitate our Shepherd as best we can, and pray that his health remains strong so that he can continue to teach and show us how to be merciful for many years to come.
Bro. Rene

Tragedy in Colombia

We come to the end of November, the month of the Holy Souls, with 76 more souls to pray for: passengers on a plane carrying soccer players, coaches and reporters to a soccer match in Brazil.  In seconds the dreams of the team shattered and grief descended like a thunderstorm on the five survivors and the families of the deceased.  We cannot imagine or describe what that grief must be like, but we can join with the mourners in prayer for their comfort and the eternal rest of their loved ones.   May St. Andrew, crucified on an X cross, intercede for all; may Mary, "Soother of Sorrows", gently drop her mantle of peace over the mourners, and intercede with her Son for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
Bro. Rene

Simply Seeing

The gift of seeing comes before us today as Jesus reminds us:  "For I say to you, many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, but did not see it...." (cf. Lk 10:24).  We take our sight for granted, and in a society where speed and movement hit us from the internet to the highway, we sometimes fail to SEE what is right in front of us.  How often do we look into the eyes of someone we love and just drink in the beauty of his or her eyes and do so for several minutes, without saying a word.  We did such an "exercise" during one of our sabbatical sessions and all of us found it rewarding and peaceful.  Feelings of admiration arise as the windows of the eyes enable us to see into the soul of the person before us.  Being looked at and accepted as we are arouses  a childlike affection in our hearts.
Doing this with an image of Jesus, such the Prince of Peace by Akiana, (available on Google) is even more powerful as the loving, green eyes of  Jesus invite us into deeper communion with him.  The purpose  of such a prayer is to become like Jesus simply by daily absorption, daily looking at his face.
In this Advent Season, we ask God to " enlighten the eyes of his servants".  In the song by Donavan as the theme for the classic BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON, about the life of St. Francis, we hear:
Brother Wind and Sister Air,
Open eyes to visions pure and fair,
That I may see the glory around me.
I am God's creature,
Of him. I am part.
I feel his love awakening my heart.
Brother Sun and Sister Moon,
Now I can see you
I can hear your tune,
So much in love
With all that I survey.

Thank you Lord, for the gift of sight.  Let me use it to see your beauty in the hearts of others and in all of your creation.
Bro. Rene

"He Was Amazed"

In today's Gospel about the cure of the centurian's servant (Mt 8: 5-11), we read that Jesus was "amazed" at the faith of the Roman which was so deep that he believed Jesus could heal his slave and and from a distance at that!  Don't even come to my house, just say the word from here.!  Yes, amazing.
Do we pray like that?  Is our faith "amazing"?  What if having prayed for months for healing, as in the case of two young men paralyzed in freak accidents over the summer, they are not so far  healed, can I come to know with certainty the love that God has for them and that what he desires and plans for them is for their greater good?  Can I say, "Lord you are answering these prayers in a way that is best for them, even if I can't see it"?
Lord, increase my faith so that like the faith of the centurion, it will amaze you.
Bro. Rene

Be Attentive

St. Paul's advice to the Romans, "...it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand"...is good advice for us as we begin the four weeks of Advent.  Yes, we are preparing for the coming of the Lord in his nativity, his birth at Bethlehem, which has already taken place, and for his Second Coming, at a time we know not, but there are also surprise, unexpected "comings" when people or events nudge us to a deeper level of prayer or service, or from our insensitivity to others, or to receive the grace to desire to walk more fully in the light Jesus' love. Starkly said, "Wake up!"  Open your eyes and ears.  Be Attentive.  Jesus is near at hand; don't miss him.
Bro. Rene

Come, Lord Jesus

As we end the Liturgical year and begin the season of Advent this evening, we will be hearing the Greek plea, "Marana tha," often in the next four weeks.  Yes, Come, Lord!  That we need Jesus as our Savior becomes more and more evident in the face of the false values and false prophets promising us  happiness and satisfaction.  We must not reject the beauty and comfort the material world gives us, for indeed, the clothing on our backs, the cars we drive, the mobile phones we use to communicate with one another have become necessities.  No, as long as we keep the material world in perspective, recognizing that it is there as a tool to enable us to live in peace and harmony with ourselves, one another, and with God, we are giving praise to God the Creator.  When we misuse these gifts,  when we make them into "gods", then, indeed, we need a Savior.  And he has already come. So, today and in  the weeks ahead before Christmas, let us examine our hearts, pray, reflect and make an effort to reach out to others to prepare a fitting welcome for the God who wishes to be with us and share his love with us.
Bro. Rene

The Day After

The day after a big holiday is a challenge.  Fatigue, necessary chores, and "clean up" can force the joy of the celebration into the abyss of "history".  Catching up and moving ahead can blunt the joy of the holiday.  Taking time to remember, to talk to family and friends about it can keep it alive for awhile until we come to the next "big day", and happily, there always seems to be one on the horizon.
So we proceed in our Liturgical Year through the final days of reflection on "the last things" and ready ourselves for a new beginning:  Advent.  Four wonderful weeks of preparation for the Nativity of the Lord.  All have their proper place and all, every second, can be a rich experience.  May we find a way to blend our memories of the past with our experience of the present and anticipation of the future.  God is with us at every moment, each one is holy and enriching.  May we be attentive to what is being GIFTED to us right now!
Bro. Rene

Giving Thanks

For citizens of the United States, the focus of this day is gratitude.  Rightly called Thanksgiving. Day, it gives us the opportunity to gather with family, (indeed, it is the most traveled time of the year), where we first experience God's love and generosity, for a meal dating back to the time of the Pilgirms, who gathered with the Native Americans who had helped them adapt to the life and climate of New England.  It was a time of sharing, joy and gratitude, and so should it be today.  Let differences and divisions cease as we recognize that all is Gift from our Heavenly Father; let peace and confidence replace stress and fear.  Let the words, Happy Thanksgiving mean just that.
Bro. Rene

Remaining Faithful

"Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev 2:10c).  "By your perseverance you will secure your lives." (Lk 21:19).  Needed admonitions for us, nearly two-thousand years after they were written.  It's never been easy to be God's faithful follower, we would like to live up to this ideal, but because of our "wounded human nature," we never reach total fidelity and are forced to be humbled and accept our weakness.  God understands and helps us along the way.  He sent Jesus who gave us himself in the Eucharist so that he could nourish us; he gave it to us because we NEED it.  Pope Francis in "The Joy of the Gospel" tells us:  "the Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak" (#47).  It is offered to us weekly, even daily as God's pledge to be faithful to us.
We will celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA tomorrow...a day set aside to look at the blessings we have received and to give thanks for them.  Despite all the time devoted to the family gathering and meal, how fitting it would be to begin the day with the Eucharist. (Which means THANKSGIVING), to give thanks for our blessings and to ask for the help we need to persevere in our quest to be more and more faithful to our loving God of faithfulness.
Bro. Rene

Jesus the Healer

The readings today speak of the Harvest with images from Revelation of the. "Grim Reaper" (cf. Rev 14:14-19) and the destruction of the Temple and this world as we know it (Lk 21: 5-11).  Sobering thoughts as we wind down the Liturgical Year and open the door to Advent this coming Sunday.  Jesus, the healer, want to make it clear that the world as we know it will "pass away", be transformed, and the new world of love and complete happiness forever will replace it.  The sufferings we bear now, united to those of Jesus, which "take away the sins of the world," will be no more.
Even now, before the end of time, we can experience some of this healing as we use our sufferings to forge us into ministers of compassion and healing for others.  Our own aches and pains give us real empathy with others, as we too experience the pains and inconveniences caused by physical ailments.  We can be true companions on the journey with the suffering and by our understanding and presence make those sufferings a tad more bearable.  Jesus, the Healer, can work through us.
Bro. Rene

The Presentation of Mary in the Temple

Tradition has it from one of the apocryphal Gospels that Ann and Joachim presented Mary in the Temple, as evidently customary, for a period of service and education. Even though there is no basis in history for this Memorial, it stresses her dedication to God from the beginning; God dwelt in her in a marvelous manner and prepared her for her unique role in God's saving work.
 The Gospel relates the story of the widow presenting her two small coins into the "collection box", causing Jesus to remark at how this small mite meant so much, "more than all the rest." (Lk 21: 3).  When I would visit the homes of the "workers" at the school in Rwanda on a Sunday afternoon, I would be given the ONE folding chair to sit on, while the family sat on the floor, and soon a bottle of Coca Cola "for the American" would arrive.  These poor people stretched their last franc to buy me a coke!  Humbling, yes, and giving a deeper dimension to "thank you", for sure. If God so appreciated the widow's last two coins, how much more did he appreciate the little girl on the steps of the Temple!
We might ask ourselves what we can give today from our own need and poverty to help others appreciate their worth and the love God has for them.
Bro. Rene

Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Not robed in splendor nor housed in a sumptuous palace,  the King of the Universe comes to us in today's Gospel, hanging bruised, battered and bloody, as THE REPARATION made to the Father for our sins, having emptied himself fully that we might receive the fullness of life. (Cf. Lk 23:35-43).  Worthy indeed is this sacrificial lamb "to receive power and divinity, / and wisdom, and strength and honor." (Rev 5:12). This is the Christ whose love compels us to follow him step by step to bring to completion the establishment of his kingdom.
We have been observing the Jubiliee Year of Mercy, which concludes today, so fittingly, for God's mercy and forgiveness are foundation stones of the kingdom. The year has been fruitful, but not enough.  May extend it by living in the Way of Mercy through our love, patience, forgiveness, joy, understanding and compassion as long as we still breathe.
Bro. Rene

God Is Great

A popular Christian "Rock" song blasts over and over, "Our God is an Awesome God."  "Awesome" has been the inword with Teens for a generation, it seems and covers a multitude of situations.  When in doubt, say "awesome" and no one complains.  Such is the limit of language when trying to describe the "Ineffable", as Thomas Aquinas would say, the indescribable.
Tha author of Psalm 135 makes an attempt that has "held up" for thousands of years:
"Praise the Lord, for the lord is good, gracious, great, high above all gods.  Whatever the Lord wills is accomplished, or in the very terse Latin, "Quod voluit, fecit." Zing...right to the heart of the Truth about the Lord whose name stands forever.  (Cf. Ps 135:2-6).  Mystics like Sts. Gertrude the Great,  Mechtild of Magdeburg,  Mechtild of Hackeborn, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, in visions and exctacies experienced "The Incomprehensible" but found no words to adequately describe   God.  We take in and accept the stumbling  words of the. Psalmist and these saints, and lift our hears, yes, in AWE of the God they present to us.
Bro. Rene

St. Rose Philippine Duschesne

As we end our pilgrimage in France today, it is fitting that we honor another stalwart French missionary, much in the vein of our Marist Founders:  St. Rose Philippine Duschesne.  She was a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, founded by Madeleine Sophie Barat, and like Marie-Franciose Perroton, at the age of 49, began life as a missionary in the huge diocese of New Orleans.  She settled in St. Louis, opening schools for the daughters of pioneers, and later a school for Potawatomi girls when she was 71!
From her determination and tireless energy spread over a long life (she died at age 83), we catch a glimpse of her approach to life, which can serve as an inspiration for us not to set limits or think we have done enough.  She wrote: "We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements by a heart that holds back nothing for self."  May we grow daily in love for what we do, and just keep on giving.
Bro. Rene

Jesus Weeps

The Scriptures record only two instances of Jesus weeping:  over the death of his friend, Lazarus, (Jn 11) and over Jerusalem (Lk 19:41).  Anyone who has lost a loved one can easily understand the tears of Jesus for Lazarus, but what level of frustration or sadness provoked the tears for Jerusalem?  He knew the city would reject him and that later it would be destroyed, but above all, Jerusalem had turned it's back on the immense love he offered them and the good that such love opened up to them.  We get a glimpse here of how Jesus longs for our friendship, our willingness to allow him to rule our hearts and follow, as Mary did, a life of faith, trust and love. Earlier in Luke, Jesus compared his love to a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her wings (cf. Lk 23:27-31), a touching and inspiring image. May we turn those bitter tears to tears of joy as we follow Mary, Champagnat and our other Marist Founders who did not run or hold back from the love that Jesus offered them.  They have shown us that the joy that comes from that love outweighs any excuse we might offer to reject it.
Bro. Rene

Faithful Even In Small Matters

Luke's parable of the Ten Coins echoes Matthew's Ten Talents, and except for the gruesome slaughter of those who opposed the king who distributed the coins, it bears the same message:  Take whatever you have and make it double.  Don't hold back or you'll be "cast out."  This is a life-long challenge, for the tendency is to set limits or to procrastinate "for another time".  It's almost as if we believe or hope that in time we'll forget what we've been asked to do and thus won't have to do it.  It's natural to say "I've done my part, I can't or don't need to do any more."  The lesson of the parable is that there is  always more for God never sets limits on his generous and abundant giving.  And, we're not taking just money here, but even the smallest gift we have from a joyful spirit, to the ability to help another realize how loveable he or she is.  What can I do to multiply my "coins" today?
Bro. Rene

Serving With Happiness

The Church offers this Collect, or opening prayer, for the weekday Masses this week:  "Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good."  The Gospel recounts the joy of Zacchaeus whose enthusiasm propelled him to a tree limb to watch Jesus approaching.  Minutes later his joy jumps to another level when he hears Jesus say he MUST eat with him.  St. Albert the Great, whose Memorial we observe today, devoted his entire life and great intellect in joyful service as teacher and preacher.  Passion and fire enlighten our hearts and faces when we give ourselves to persistent service to the All Good God.  Happiness radiates and touches others.  May we find our joy in giving ourselves over to whatever service God will ask of us today.
Bro. Rene

The Gift of Life

Today we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the death of Joseph Cardinal Bernadine, beloved Archbishop of Chicago, who was noted for his understanding, compassion and pastoral sensitivity.  He understood and lived what it means to be a Good Shepherd. Even when his was Archbishop of Cincinnati, he was known for being approachable and human,  but when he came to Chicago, these qualities became futher evident and appreciated.
When all was going well, a former seminarian accused him of sexual abuse, launching a long period of painful investigation and casting the cloud of doubt over his credibility.  The accuser, dying of AIDS, eventually withdrew the accusation, clearing Bernadin who met him and forgave him.
Soon after this, Bernadin learned he had pancreatic cancer, but kept working as long as he could, keeping notes for a book entitled A Gift of Life.  His empathy with the sick and dying where he was in hospice care increased as did his appreciation for the gift of life.  He left us an example of how to accept graciously life on this earth as well as life in the world beyond.  May his example help us to appreciate the gift of life we enjoy as well as to accept the invevitabilty of leaving it behind to enjoy the greater gift of life that comes from being with God.  Let us continue to remember Cardinal Bernadin and all the souls of the Faithful Departed this month of the Holy Souls.
Bro. Rene
Note:  In the nine years since these slices of Daily Bread have been served, we have 80,057 recipients!

A Call To Realism

The theme of a tumultuous world continues in today's Gospel, but rather than being discouraged or frightened at the situation Jesus described, which undeniably can be applied to our times, let us look upon it as a call to realism...to accepting things as they are.  We are indeed still deeply involved in major cultural and political changes, not to mention a religious crisis hitting Christianity like an earthquake.  Rather than frighten us, they should push us to seek Jesus as our light and strength as we try to respond to the needs of our times in an intelligent, responsible and bold way.
Again referring back to the Marist Founders, they did not bury their heads in sand, but attacked their realities head-on.  Franciose  Perroton, founder of the Marist Missionary Sisters, heard God's call to be a missionary and answered it at age 49, boarding a ship without any money to pay for the trip and sailed several months until reaching Wallis Island in the South Pacific.  The ship could not get close enough to land, so the native people waded out and carried her to shore on their shoulders.  The king ordered a little house for her on the shore and she lived there for 8 years, a quiet, prayerful presence.  Eventually more women came from Lyon and some of the local women joined her but it wasn't until 1932, long after the deaths of Franciose and the other 10 Pioneers, that the group was given pontifical recognition.  Today there are 441 sisters on three continents whose work is the work of Mary:  to make Jesus known and loved.
God is still calling; he never stops. Are there people chewing on this daily slice of bread who also have the courage and generosity of Franciose Perreton to face today's realities and do something about them?  People are searching; the time is ripe. Pray for courage for yourself  or for others  to take up the challenge to help others find THE WAY.
Bro. Rene

Tumultuous Times

Reading headlines in our country and around the world, or listening to "analysts" trying to predict the future or make sense of what happened in the US elections, one gets the overwhelming impression that these are tumultuous times, to say the least.  Yet tumult is not new to our planet. Ben Sirah and other bililical writers experienced the same thing.
Our recent delving into the history of the Society of Mary reveals an era of revolution after revolution, widespread poverty and ignorance.  One wonders who could have had any kind of hope in such times.  Yet, Ben Sirach reminds us to "Consider the generations long past and see:/ has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?....Has anyone called upon him and been ignored?  For the Lord is compassionate and merciful; forgives sins and saves in time of trouble." (Sir 2:9-11),
So it was with St. Marcellin and Sister Jeanne Marie Chavoin, founder of the Marist Sisters.  They faced the tumult of their era and obstacle after obstacle, and their work remains today, thriving yet across the globe.  No, this is not a time for despair, but for enormous hope and trust in our God who hears and knows our sighing and stands by us to keep up from harm.  Let us again renew and pledge our trust in him.
Bro. Rene

Jour du Souvenir

November 11th in France is a holiday known as Le Jour de Souvenir, or Le Jour de l'Armistice:   banks are closed and parades held as the nation remembers the Armistice signed at the 11th hour of  the 11th day of the 11th month, 1919.  Honor is paid to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier buried beneath the Arche de Triomphe in Paris.
Much the same takes place in the United States on what is now called Veterans Day in order to include those who have died in all wars, not just The War to end All Wars.  People wear paper poppies to commemorate the fields of poppies that sprung up where the fighting took place and the lime spilt on the fields encouraged the growth of these blood red flowers.
98 years from the Armistice, violence, warfare even more insidious that the brutality of the four years when millions were slaughtered still take place.  War has definitely proved it is not the solution to conflict.  The teachings of Jesus about forgiveness and love neighbor and loveof enemies 2000 years later have not been seriously heeded either.  Until they are, there will be no lasting Armistice.
Our Lady, Queen  of Peace, help us to establish a lasting peace among all peoples, and may God grant eternal rest to all who have given their lives for their countries.
Bro. Rene

The Kingdom of God is Among You

As the readings towards the end of the liturgical year focus on the last judgement and the end of the world, we might find them frightening and negative.  However we can't forget that as in today's Gospel Jesus said, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.'" (Lk 17: 20-21).
Yesterday, as we drove a good distance further and further into the Haute Loire region to the hamlet of Le Rosey, just outside of the city of Marlhes, where St. Marcellin was born, baptized and spent the first 15 years of his life, it amazed me to think of how God chose this remote place, this boy, one of ten children, to be a saint and the founder of a congregation of religious brothers who have effectively been spreading the Kingdom of God for 200 years to millions of children.  It is assuring to know that our God ever chooses the poor and lowly to do astounding things so that people cannot brag about themselves, but have to admit, "This is God's work' I could never have done it myself."  Who knows the next place of person that God's grace or call may "strike".  It could be your or I.  Yes, the Kingdom of God is among us...let us be open to do our part to make it grow.
Bro. Rene

Temples of the Spirit

Today we celebrate the. Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope's official Church built on the site of the palace of Constantine who turned it into the first basilica in Rome.  It was dedicated to "Our Savior", but when it was rebuilt centuries later, it was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Today's Feast reminds us of the importance of "worship spaces", recalling Solomon's Temple where the Jews believed God was especially present.  Jesus's referred to himself as the Temple and continues his Presence among us in the Eucharist.  St. Paul reminds us that we are Temples of the Holy Spirit because of our Baptism.  In turn, we are to reverence our bodies as we would a sacred building, and also reverence the presence of the Holy Spirit in one another.  If we truly did this, how different our relations with each other would be, how different the world would be.  Let's begin today by praising and thanking God for the privilege of housing his his Spirit in ourselves and in our neighbor.
Bro. Rene

From Our Roots

This slice of Daily Bread comes from Notre Dame de L'Hermitage, the "Mother House" of The Little Brothers of Mary built in one year by St. Marcellin, twenty young brothers and four professionals using pick axes and wheelbarrows.  Recent renovations, which have keep the spirit of the original building while making it "user friendly" to contemporary pilgrims, took two and a half years with a large team of workers and the latest modern equipment.  One has to marvel at the contrast.  But even more, one cannot help but marvel at being in the simple room where St. Marcellin lived, wrote hundreds of letters to his "Little Brothers", prayed, suffered through his illness in 1826, and eventually died on June 6, 1840, the Saturday before Pentecost.  His desire was to die on a Saturday (dedicated to Mary), and, like so many of his other wishes, was granted.  To walk up the flight of stairs he used daily; to feel his determination as he and the brothers carved their way into a cliff to build a five-story building; to see the clothes he wore, his confessional, and to hear the tender words of his letters and last will and testament, is to touch and be touched by our roots that can only lead to greater love of him, Jesus and Mary, and to greater dedication to his mission to make Jesus known and loved.  His presence is here in a unique way and is rubbing off on us who have gathered from three continents, and through these humble words and our presence "back home" will rub off on generations to come.  Thank you, St. Marcellin for welcoming us home and rekindling the fire that forged us into your service so many years ago. May that fire burn more brightly than ever before.
Bro. Rene

Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees

Again another comparison to the mustard seed stands before us in today's Gospel (Lk 17:1-6).  Looking at my faith where it is now, is it even as big as the tiny mustard seed?  What am I doing with it?  Can I increase it?  How?  Is it visible in my actions? Do I share it, as weak it might seem?  Asking for an increase is a start.  Reading and praying over the Gospels and reading a good book on a saint is another way.  Somewhere, there's a mulberry tree challenging us to cast it into the sea,  and all it takes is the faith the size of  a mustard seed.  Lord I do believe, help my unbelief!
Bro. Rene

God of the Living

As we draw to the end of the Liturgial year, the Chuch reflects on the life to come.  In the second century before Christ, the notion of life after death had gained momentum and had become accepted in some circles.  It is one of the few things Jesus shared in common with the Pharisees, and explains further as he refutes the question of the Sadducees around the question of seven husbands for one wife in the world to come. For one thing, Jesus recognized the "hook" in the question, for the Sadducees did not believe in life after death.  Then he says that in the life to come, all will be different: there will be no marriage and the "children of God" will be like angels. (Cf. Lk 20: 36)
This might give us pause to ask, "What will life-after death be like?" St. Paul told the Corinthians that "no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what Do has prepared for those who love him."  (1Cor. 2:9). We can imagine, but we cannot know until we get there, but we are assured that "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living;l because to him they are all alive." (Lk 20:38) We trust his word and live with faith in the promise of everlasting life.
Bro. Rene

Lavishly He Gives to the Poor

There's a lot of "money talk" in today's readings.  St. Paul tells the Philippians that he knows how to live in "humble circumstances" as well as in lavish; Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters, God  and mammon.  We must choose one. (Cf. Lk 16: 12).  The Psalmist that God gives lavishly to the poor. (Ps 112: 8a).  Where does today's disciple of Jesus stand?  In the same place as always.  With hard earned wealth comes the responsibility of using it properly:  keeping it from replacing God, and sharing it with those who have less.  If God, the Creator can lavish his gifts upon the poor,  so much more do we, who are only stewards of wealth have the duty to help those who have less, despite their efforts to work, earn, or be self-sufficient.  At times a kind sharing can be just the link that puts them in a position to take care of themselves.  My we be sensitive to how and where we can help.
Bro. Rene

Deciding For Christ

The reprehensible steward in today's Gospel (Lk 16:1-8) has one redeeming quality amongst a list of negatives:  When push came to shove, he was decisive and took immediate action.  Jesus commends him for his prudence, and, although not condoning his innate cunning, offers him as an example to be admired: in our case, to make a decision for Christ.  Too often we can be wish-washy, "lukewarm" and thus even more disappointing than one who is out rightly dishonest.  Our choice should be clear, definite and timely.  With Mary's example, of attentiveness and sensitivity, we can be the ones who notice that "they have no wine", that something is bothering a family member, friend of colleague, and instead of allowing the situation to get worse, step in and do what we can to help...even if it's just listening or bringing it to the attention of Jesus who is the One who can really do something about it.
Let's not hesitate, but move in trust, as Mary did.
Bro. Rene

Rejoicing Over the Lost

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel passage that "there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Lk 15:10).  We might know the feeling when someone we know comes back from treatment for an addiction and remains clean and straight, or when a friend or family member returns to active practice of the faith.  Happiness at such a retur can cause us to want to dance,  shout for joy or, like the "Prodigal Father," throw a party.  Such is the joy of finding the lost sheep or the lost coin.  Such is the joy promised to us.  Such is the challenge as well, to help those who may be temporarily "lost", not to give up on them, but, thinking positiviely, continue our prayers for them and outreach to them.
Bro. Rene

Pathfinders

The Universal Church commemorates All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) today, a necessary time to remember and pray for the pathfinders and guides in our lives who have brought us to the place on our journeys where we find ourselves today:  Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, friends, and for some of us, younger people, even our children, who in some way have made us aware of what life is really about and taught us what really matters. There is a wisdom to setting aside a day such as today for reflection and for gratitude, as well as for imploring their assistance as we make our ways forward.  In many countries of Europe, this is the day for visiting cemeteries and decorating graves with chrysanthemums. Some of these departed might still be detained for complete purification before seeing God face to face, and for them we pray as well.  The Church encourages Mass attendance today and has set aide the whole month of November to pray for our beloved deceased.  It is a fitting time to do so as the Liturgical year winds down with reflection on the "Last Things", death, judgement, heaven, hell,  and in the Northern Hemisphere, even the hours of daylight are shorter.  Let us pray that our  deceased relatives and friends pass to a place of light and peace, and that their prayers and example help us to do so as well when our times comes.

Bro. Rene 

Saints Alive!

More than just an expression of astonishment, "Saints Alive" can help us remember that we are surrounded by saints, good people at all stages of spiritual growth.  "God doesn't make junk" as the banner saying goes, so all of his creation is good, even if at various stages of development.  Honoring All Saints today is just that, those officially canonized and recognized as being in heaven, and all those who walk with us, sharing wisdom, experiences, joy, failures, hardships, disappointments, mistakes, and efforts to keep moving forward.  The wheat grows with the weeds, and even they can provide good for the field.  Let us praise and thank God for surrounding us with such goodness and let us pledge to keep moving toward that "perfect version of ourselves" that God has planted in each one of us.  Happy Feast Day!
Bro. Rene