Healing Touch

There is power to heal in a loving touch.  Words, are not always adequate to express what's in our heart, whereas a wordless touch can "say it all."  In today's Gospel passage, Mark 5:21-43,  the hemorrhaging woman merely touched Jesus' garment with the faith that such contact would bring healing.  It did.  Later, Jesus took the hand of the lifeless daughter of Jairus, ordered her to arise, and she did. The ritual for the sacrament of the sick calls for several anointings: the hands, the feet, the lips, the forehead...several touches....soothing and healing of spirit, if not of body.  Do we realize what healing power we have to give someone in physical or emotional distress the reassurance, the soothing they need?
Bro. Rene

Catholic Schools Week a la Marist

Note:  Apologies are in order for yesterday's absence of the daily slice:  the internet at the Marist Brothers' Center in Esopus, NY was evidently "down" for some unknown reason. 

The Catholic Church in the United States traditionally sets aside a week at the end of January to reinforce and celebrate its commitment to Catholic schools.  Marvelous things are happening in these institutions, despite rising costs and challenges to enrollment. "By their fruits you will know them." So true...It was heartening to meet high school seniors on the Marist Youth Encounter Christ retreat over the past weekend who had been in Catholic Schools from grammar school through high school. The foundation of their faith formation had been laid and at the Marist Youth Encounter Christ, they experienced  more precise definition, explanation and reflection on how this all comes together. Central Catholic offered the same experience earlier in the week to 47 seniors and juniors.
 Marist educators look upon these Encounters as a unique tool to enable our students to more fully integrate the "Marks of a Marist Student" into their lives.  The leaders of these retreats are graduates of Marist schools and show themselves quite naturally as "empowered witnesses, faith-filled disciples, agents of justice, servant leaders, and members of the Marist Family and global community." Central Catholic will be emphasizing these "Marks" during this week by daily reflections on them given by students as part of the closing prayer of the school day. When seeing Marist students and graduates  at "work, and these qualities embedded in them,  one wants to exclaim:  They've "GOT MARIST!"

Wisdom Is More Than Knowledge

Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose memorial we observe today, has been an inspiration for centuries, not only for his knowledge, but also, and more importantly for his wisdom.  He was not afraid to question, to probe and analyze, but integrating his discoveries and insights with "loving prayer and using them for the service of God and neighbor, feeding the hungry of spirit with the bread of truth" (cf. Magnificat, January, p. 380), he calls us to a greater love of God. Theology is not meant to scare us or divert us by searching for deeper understanding, but to lift us to a joyful relationship with God. The noted Catholic author, Flannery O'Connor, read a bit of Thomas every night, saying, "I can personally guarantee that St. Thomas loved God because for the life of me I cannot help loving St. Thomas."  May his intercession help us love God more as he enriches our understanding of him.
Bro. Rene

Cultivating The Seed

A reminder to parents, educators, and all who are in a position to form young people in their faith:  we plant seeds, we water them with love, understanding and good example, and we wait for the seeds to germinate as we do when we plant seeds in our gardens. Then we cultivate, loosen the dirt, pull the weeds and water regularly.  In time the plants grow stronger and bear the fruit or flowers for which they were intended.  In time, with such attentive and loving care, the seeds of faith take root, spring up and blossom.  It can be disconcerting to hear some of the  false notions that are part of this growth, yet patient cultivating and accompaniment eventually pay off.  Faithful prayer for God's grace to "do it's thing" is needed and is a lesson for us.  Without that grace, our efforts are in vain and only cause us frustration.  A "combo" is necessary: trusting, consistent prayer,consistent "presence" and the example, our example, of a living faith, provide the needed formula for the full maturation of the faith of these young people.
Bro. Rene

The Measure of Love

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, "The measure of love is to love without measure."  In today's Gospel passage from St. Mark, Jesus says, "The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.  To the one who has more will be given...." (Mk 4:25), In other words, be generous, "love without measure" and you will be inundated with love.  Be stingy and stingily will you be given.  Does God's immeasurable love hold back because at this time of our lives we are only at  the level of "restricted giving", or, because we are a "work in progress", does he give from the perspective of the whole, finished picture?  It seems that God works the way St. Bernard described..."love without measure." Let that be our goal as well; even though the bar is set higher than we can fully reach, it is a measure that stretches us beyond what we think possible.
Bro. Rene

Apostle To The Gentiles

Where would we be without St. Paul?  Today marks the Conversion of St. Paul, a life-time process which began when a bright light and a voice from heaven, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4) interrupted his journey to Damascus where he was going to persecute Christians, and changed his life (and ours) forever.  The man who was going to persecute more Christians, became such an advocate of THE WAY that he converted city after city around the rim of the Mediterranean Sea, and left us with a corpus of letters that makes up the bulk of the New Testament.  He speaks to us today about living only for Christ, finding our strength in him, and emptying ourselves by totally turning our hearts and minds over to him.  "In him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) The blindness Paul experience on the road was lifted and, indeed, he saw clearly after presenting himself to Ananias.  He later accounts that he spent three years delving deeper into the story and mystery of Jesus, but then, there was not stopping him.  His life challenges us to ask Jesus to remove our blindness, turn our lives over to him and boldly proclaim the love and truth that is Jesus.  St. Paul, wake us up, fill us with your zeal, help us to become as fearless as you in our narrow, comfortable circles, and beyond.
Bro. Rene

Still A Man For Our Times

Today the Church honors St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers and Doctor of the Church.  His early life gave no indication that this is how he would be remembered.  His father wanted him to be a lawyer and had even programmed a marriage for him, but Francis secretly desired to become a priest, and ultimately his desire prevailed.  He went through a period of depression, influenced by the Calvinist doctrine of pre-destination that he might be  pre-destined to hell, despite his efforts to live a good life. In desperation, he prayed before a miraculous image of Mary, was able to turn his heart, mind and will over to God, and the depression left him. Today's readings make reference to this stance:  "Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will" (Ps 40: 8a, 9a) quoted in Hebrews 10: 8:  Also along these lines: ":Here are my mother and my brothers. for whoever does the will of God is my brother and my sister and mother." (Mk 3:35).  A major turning point in the spiritual life of anyone seeking the best path of service to God
Francis spent three years preaching in Switzerland, having become the Bishop of Geneva, but forced to live 50 miles away because of the strong Calvinist presence there. He hiked over the mountains, spent nights in the trees, nearly freezing to death, but no results.  So he took to writing and slipping his writings under doors.  Soon, people began writing letters back to him and he diligently answered each with a personal letter. (no copy machines in the 17th century!).  These writings had such an influence, that people finally came to listen to him, and by the time he returned home to France, he had converted 40,000 people, left two classic books on the spiritual life, Treatise on the Love of God, and An Introduction to the Devout Life, both practical manuals for anyone seeking to enhance his or her spiritual growth.  They are still in print and still relevant today. He also advised St. Jane Frances de Chantal and helped her found the Order of the Sisters of the Visitation.  Turning his life completely over to God provided results far afield of his early aspirations.  May his example inspire us to pray likewise:  "Her I am, Lord, I come to do your will."
Bro .Rene

Defense of the Unborn

A volatile issue, to say the least, is the defense of the unborn.  Two sides vie to make their point.  Pope Francis has written in The Joy of the Gospel: "Frequently, as a way of ridiculing the church's effort to defend their lives, attempts are make to present her position as ideological, obscurantist, and conservative.  Yet this defense of unborn life is closely linked to the defense of each and ever other human right.  It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development....Reason alone is sufficient to recognize the inviolable value of each singly human life, but if we also look at the issue from the standpoint of faith, 'every violation of the personal dignity of the human being cries out in vengeance to God and is an offense against the creator of the of the individual'" (Christifideles Laici 37)
To keep a balance we need that compassion and attitude of Jesus who realized that all are capable of sin, but forgiveness is offered to all.  This prayer from Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame might help us find that balance:
Eternal God, Source of all life, you have created us in your own divine image. By the power of the Holy Spirit, your Son became flesh and revealed to us the sanctity of all human life. Grant, we implore you:

Protect all unborn children;
Guide and support all expectant parents;
Comfort the aged, the sick, and the dying;
Strengthen prisoners, especially those awaiting execution, and their victims;
And bring peace to our world, torn apart by war, terrorism, and countless other acts of violence against life.

May our community bear witness to a seamless culture of life and so value the dignity and worth of every human being, from conception until natural death. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Bro. Rene

Headlining Marches

Media coverage of yesterday's Marches of Defiance globally and nationally dominated the newspapers and TV news programs and, no doubt, will be discussed ad nauseam the days to come. On Friday, the 27th, the 43rd March for Life will take place in Washington DC to promote respect for life, all human life, from natural conception to natural death, in response to the Supreme Court Decision in the Roe vs Wade case on January 22, 1973.  Will this march make headlines?  Judging from the past several years, it will barely be acknowledged, and if so, in largely diminished estimates.
It's not "progressive," not chic...not studded with Hollywood celebrities. No just thousands of people of all ages, many of whom in their teens and twenties, who believe in the sanctity of LIFE.
In today's Gospel, we read about the reaction of Jesus to the arrest of John the Baptist. "From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (Mat 4:17) He called Simon and Andrew, James and John  to leave their nets and follow him,  He taught in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people." (Mt 4:23).  Jesus has passed this mission on to us. May we not renege but be bold in our living out.  proclaiming and headlining the truth, and thus bring healing to our fractured world.
Bro. Rene

Crazy For Us

The hit musical of the early Nineties, CRAZY FOR YOU, with its comedy and romance barely leaves a dent in what it means for Jesus to be crazy for us.  Becoming human, "emptying himself, becoming a slave," (cf. Phil 2: 6-8) and giving his life for us by dying on the cross, are causes enough for having "his head examined," but further, his teachings of loving enemies and all people, forgiving those who hurt us, and his tireless curing of the sick, so much so that he barely had time to eat (cf. Mk 3: 20) put him "over the top" and move his family to say, "He is out of his mind." (Mk 3:21).  In these big ways and in the small ways that things inexplicably "fall into place" for us, he shows us his unfathomable, unconditional love, day after day.  His love is so extreme that indeed, how else can we explain it except by saying his is CRAZY FOR US?

Br. Rene

What Is My Call?

Our Gospel passage for today describes the call of the Twelve, a varied group, not the most likely to succeed, if a vote among their peers were to be taken, but somehow fitting into the plan of Jesus for the continuation of his mission once he returned to his Father's right hand. (cf. Mk 3:13-19). One would betray him, and one who would lead them and with the Power of the Holy Spirit with them, they would launch a community of believers numbering billions across the face of the earth. Before their encounter with Jesus, they had their lives, their jobs, their place in their villages.  There was nothing extraordinary about them.  Yet, how all that changed once they were singled out and called to follow Jesus.
We see this pattern over and over again in the lives of the saints, such as St. Marcellin Champagnat or Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, whose University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, is known throughout the world as an outstanding Catholic University.
Young Basil Moreau had no idea that when he became a priest he would found a Congregation of Priests, Sisters and Brothers; Marcellin Champagnat, a lad who dropped out of school and struggled with his studies, certainly had no idea that his work would lead to a global ministry in education.
None of us, has yet, a knowledge of the full extent of our lives and influence on others.  We await with open hearts, ears and arms to fulfill what God calls us to do, even some simple thing today, such as listening to another.
Bro. Rene

Swarming Crowds

With headlines hyping tomorrow's inaugural swearing in, parade and festivities, images of swarming crowds flood our imaginations.  In today's brief Gospel passage, (Mk 3:7-12) we read of large numbers of people swarming around Jesus seeking cures.  Not that these crowds were near what Washington will host, but enough to cause Jesus to ask for a boat to pull him away from the crushing crowd. Enthusiasm for the message of Jesus, or simply the overpowering desire for physical healing?
We can't blame these crowds:  wouldn't we do the same for a "quick fix" as opposed to endless visits to doctors, tests, and long recoveries from surgeries or the long wait for medicines to take effect?
If we can transpose a bit of this "push" toward a spiritual goal of a closer relationship with Jesus, with becoming more like him in attitude and action, we will have made great progress.  As we watch the swarming crowds on TV tomorrow, may we see ourselves pressing toward Jesus for the spiritual "medicine" and "fix" for which we long for deep in our hearts.
Bro. Rene

Our Withered Hands and Souls

Jesus is again under the scrutiny of the Pharisees who observe him closely in order to catch him in an infraction of the Law, as a man with a withered hand is brought to his attention.  Yes, of course he cures the man, the Sabbath notwithstanding, and yes, the Pharisees, in their hardness of heart, take offense at his deliberate disregard for the law for the greater good, "immediately [taking] counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death." (Mk 3:6), with, apparently, no regard for the need of the cured man nor his joy.
It's easy to chide or even contemn the Pharisees, but, as always, we must look at ourselves first.  Have the events of the past year "hardened" and "withered" our hearts and souls?  Have the violence, physical and verbal, on the world's stages and political podiums seeped into our souls, made us intolerant and separated us, at least temporarily from those whose opinions differ from ours?  Do we find ourselves less charitable to those in need, citing our past record of having gone "beyond the call of duty" to help others, and now needing a "break"? Have we callously discarded those daily mailed requests for feeding the hungry and poor of the country or world?  How much in need are we of Jesus for healing our withered hands and souls before we proceed too far into this new year?  Jesus, you who defied the LAW to cure on the Sabbath, only you can heal my withered hands and soul. Hear my prayer and do so now!
Bro. Rene

Leaving All

Another year has gone by and again we come to the Memorial of St. Antony of the Desert, Abbot.  His life ever poses a challenge to us as he took the Gospel literally, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."(Mt 19:21).  Follow, he did, gradually moving deeper and deeper into the desert for the solitude and seclusion he craved in order to be united to God as much as possible on earth.  His radical lifestyle of prayer, work and fasting attracted others, so he, despite his wishes, became the guide and mentor for hundreds of others who sought God as much as he did.  He became their Abbot, Father, their leader and spiritual guide and is looked upon as the father of western monasticism.  His sayings touched Benedict of Nursia  and still hold an influence on those who seek deeper communion with God. St. Athanasius wrote of him: "Anthony was not known for his writings nor for his worldly wisdom, nor for any art, but simply for his reverence toward God."  May we in some way, in our own circumstances find a way to show such reverence to God and to our neighbor.
Bro. Rene

Learning Through Obedience

The Letter to the Hebrews underlines the connection between obedience and suffering:  "he [Jesus] learned obedience from what he suffered, and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." (Heb 1:10). There's no getting around it:  there is pain in this life, there is opposition, there is controversy, but there is also obedience:  obedience to a higher call, a "higher power", a dream.  All of this comes to a head in Jesus, but it was also exemplified in the life and crusade of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is honored by a national holiday in the United States today.  In trying to focus on respect and equality of all peoples, he suffered threats, verbal and physical attacks and eventually, death.  He followed the path walked by Jesus and only after his death was his message implemented, at least to a degree, with many more dreams and miles to go.
Our own footsteps along this path similarly require more pain, more learning, more obedience.  Jesus reached the high bar and assures us that the path of suffering and obedience is the path to redemption, our own, and that of our society. May we not give up, but grow stronger in our faith and conviction with each day, with each step of the way.
Bro. Rene

Called To Be Holy

It will be 52 years ago this year that the Second Vatican Council resounded with its many shifts and insights into what it means to be a Christian Catholic. The Church, the world, still reverberates with them;  we are still absorbing them and working toward implementing them.  One of them, "the universal call to holiness," has opened a door that affects every one of us.  It's not just priests, sisters and brothers who are called to be saints, but each one of us as well.
 Our readings today emphasize this call.  St. Paul addresses his first letter to the Corinthians,'to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours...."(1 Cor 1:2),  Followers of Jesus are to be, as Isaiah writes, "a light to the nations,/ that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Is 49: 6). How do we become holy, how are we to be light?  John the Baptist points to Jesus:  "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (Jn 1: 29). John recognized in Jesus the one who takes away our sins and makes holiness possible, for is not holiness based upon an absence of sin?  We do not cleanse ourselves, but Jesus lifts our sins from our shoulders when we ask him to do so, when we seek this will all of our heart, when we die to our selfishness and put our lives at God's disposal.  Today, may we heed our call and act upon it.
Bro. Rene

A Two-edged Sword

"The word of God is living and effective, sharper than a two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." (Heb 4:12). These words could be frightening or consoling:  we could imagine "Big Brother" scrutinizing every word or action, GOD SEES YOU, or yes, the God who knows the far reaches of our endless universe, also knows and sees the goodness that lies deep within me even better than I do, so that, being on "my side," he encourages me to "confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Heb 4:16).  Not to fear this two-edged sword, but to see it as a defense weapon that enables me to carry on with life knowing that I have an ally who sees me to the core of my being and is able not only to sympathize with my weakness but also to strengthen my goodness. Lord, you know me, you know when I sit and when I stand; nothing is hidden from you, I walk, then, with joyful confidence to carry out the day's tasks with you within me and beside me.
Bro. Rene

Healing

Interestingly enough, today's theme comes to us on the dreaded "Friday the 13th".  Nothing to fear from this superstition, however, but everything to gain as we see Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered to him through the roof for a cure.  Jesus not only healed the man but forgave his sins, and as proof, told him to pick up his mat and walk home. No question here about the power Jesus had to forgive sins as well as to heal the sick. (Cf. Mk 2: 1-12).
Today, fittingly, is also the Memorial of St. Hilary of Poitiers, France, who accepted the Faith in his 30's and was acclaimed Bishop of Poitiers by the people. Besides being one of the 35 saints who are Doctors of the Church, he is the patron of the ill.  (We are not sure of the reason for this.)
It seems we are always being asked to pray for someone undergoing surgery or suffering from some illness, so this Gospel and St. Hilary stand as reminders that the power of God, working through our prayers as well as the hands of the doctors, can bring about the sought-after healing.  Let us, then,  be generous and persistent in our prayers for all the sick as well as for those particular people who have requested our prayers.
Bro. Rene

Reaching Out For Help And To Help

St. Mark give us the story of a leper who approached Jesus, begging for a cure.  Jesus was moved with pity and said, "I will do it.  Be made clean." (Mk 1:41) (Two memorable words in Latin:"Volo, Mundare."--good to repeat often, especially when we are helping others).  The direct approach of the leper moved Jesus to pity. May it move us to ACTION.
We celebrate as well, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first Canadian Saint, a missionary from France, who when 20 was touched by a glance from a statue of Mary that changed her life.  She became a Sister of Notre Dame and later traveled to Canada to tend to the children of the colonists in "New France." Quickly realizing that cloistered life would not help serve the children, both of the colonists and natives, she worked to establish a non-cloistered group of sisters, which became the Congregation of Notre Dame. She founded schools and established several communities to help children learn both spiritual truths and practical skills.  She and her sisters reached out beyond the confines of the cloister to help, to be of service.
Following her example, we might look for ways we can extend ourselves beyond the normal confines of our daily routine in order to provide help where it is needed.
Bro Rene

Why He Came

After curing Peter's mother-in-law, Jesus spent the evening curing all the sick and possessed that the townspeople brought to him.  With a only a short night's  sleep, he rose early to be alone in a deserted place to pray, but Simon and others found him told him that people were looking for him.  He responded, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.  For this purpose have I come." (Mk 1: 38).  Preach he did, also driving out demons and healing the sick.  How his love moved him to raise people from the dust of disease and demon-possession, self-disgust, fear, ingratitude and selfishness.
His love continues to reach us and lift us out of that same dust. May we allow him to pick us up in a binding embrace and fuse our hearts with his so that his love will cast out our fears and problems and fill us with his own life, love and happiness.  He knows us through and through, even in that awful place between the proverbial frying pan and fire where there seems to be no human solution, except to turn to him and let him do what he came to do: fill us with his love and save us from all evil.
Bro. Rene

Teaching With Authority

We begin Ordinary Time with an extraordinary tale of Jesus as he began his public ministry.  He taught in the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath and astonished the people with his teaching, "for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." (Mk 1: 21).  He even drove an unclean spirit out of a man in the presence of all.  "All were amazed" as this time  he acted "with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." (Mk 1: 27)  Because of this authority, his fame spread throughout Galilee.  A good beginning but one which eventually led to a clash with another authority, that of the Scribes and Pharisees. 
His boldness in speaking and acting the way he did came from an understanding and appreciation of his identity as God's Son and the embracing of his mission to speak in God's behalf, not simply as an ambassador, but as God himself.  He raised the bar high for us, his followers, and there have been myriads who have striven to carry on his mission by daring to speak with his authority.  The Church's mission, guaranteed by the presence of the Holy Spirit, continues to preach with authority, not always popular, but faithful to the truth, 2000 years after Jesus.  May we stand firm in our convictions, our actions and words to continue this witness to the Authority of God.
Bro. Rene

Adopted Children of God

The Advent/Christmas cycle of the Liturgical Year concludes today with the Feast of The Baptism of the Lord.  The end is the beginning, a startling beginning, for the "Voice" reveals who Jesus is:  "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Mt 3:17),  Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days, ends his 30 year "private" life and emerges to begin his 3 year "public" life. That voice echoes through the centuries and applies even to us, for in our own baptisms, we are made sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  No doubt, during those 40 days, Jesus heard that voice over and over again, and in the years ahead, when he would pray through the night, that powerful witness would enable him to continue his arduous ministry and move forward toward the climax of his passion, death and resurrection.
This voice is there to help us as well with our daily life, our daily duties, our fatigue, our aches and pains, our frustrations and anxieties.  We need to remind ourselves frequently that we are God's children and come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this relationship.  It's not just words, it's reality.  It is a grace, a gift, that lifts us to a new level and enables us to do far more than we ever imagined.
Can a parent ever forsake a child?  Can a parent not always seek what is best for that child?  So too with our Father...in his eyes nothing is too good for his children, for each one of us.
Bro. Rene

Our Secret Longings

We admire the Wise Men for their inquisitiveness and determination to follow the Star which, they had learned, would lead them to a new born king. The art world abounds in depictions of this trio; plays, operas, movies never tire of recounting this fascinating story. Thank you, St. Matthew!  And in the cathedral in Cologne, Germany, three caskets commemorate Caspar, Balthazar and Melchior, so real have them become in our culture.
As we ponder this intriguing tale, we might look into our own hearts to see if our curiosity, our longing to find the King is as strong as it was for these men. What secret or overt longings propel us each day to find the King and give him our worship, our gifts, not of frankincense, myrrh and gold, but of ourselves?  Can we, as the Magi, sacrifice "our" time for prayer, service, or to help an annoying neighbor or colleague?  Can we find our King in those who irritate us, or who make impossible demands on us? In addition to looking up at the Star, this would be a good day to look inside and see if we can find the light that comes from Christ and satisfies our secret and deepest longings.
Bro. Rene

Mary at Cana

On the eve of the Epiphany and two days before the Baptism of the Lord, we find ourselves at the Wedding Feast at Cana. The Church looks at the "Manifestation", Ephiphany, of Jesus in this trio of events:  the adoration of the Magi, the Baptism by John and the First Sign given at Cana. All point to who Jesus is and to his mission.  Interestingly enough, Jesus is propelled into his ministry by his observant mother who notices the depletion of the wine at the wedding, gives a gentle hint to her Son to do something about it, and, in spite of his apparent rebuff, gives the command to the stewards, "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn 2:5).  Jesus acts, the sign is given and so begins a series of signs that reveal who he is.
Mary speaks to us also with this same command: Do whatever we hear him saying to us, don't hold back,  allow who we are to become apparent to others.  Follow HIS direction, not ours.  It is our Epiphany too, daily, hourly...whenever the opportunity arises.  Let us not hesitate in heeding our Mother's directive.
Bro. Rene

Two Humble Men

Today's brief Gospel recounts the words of John the Baptist, "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals." (Mk 1:7). John knew his role and gladly pointed to the One who was to succeed him.  We also celebrate the memorial of St. Andre Bessette, "The Miracle Man of Montreal" whose humble life as a doorkeeper, barber and healer still inspires us as we see how God uses the humble to do his work.  Born sickly, orphaned at the age of 12 and admitted to the Congregation of the Holy Cross with reservations about how he would serve in a teaching congregation, he was grateful for whatever graces he received. When his prayers for healing were miraculously answered, he attributed the cures to St. Joseph, to whom he had a special devotion, which eventually led to the construction of the large basilica, the Oratory of St. Joseph, atop Mont Royale in Montreal, where 2 million pilgrims come each year.  Small and frail in stature, yet he lived to the age of 91, dying on January 6th, 1937.
Both John and he remind us of the potential we have, if we humbly submit ourselves to God's plan and service.  St. John the Baptist and St. Andre, pray for us that the Holy Spirit who worked so effectively in you, will do the same in us.
Bro. rene

Never Doubt

When Jesus called Philip to follow him, he left all and followed right away, but when Philip told Nathanael, he questioned the call, and the caller, saying, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1: 46).  Jesus described him as a man without duplicity (cf. Jn 1:47), so we take it that his question was sincere.  Jesus told him that he saw him under a fig tree and he immediately exclaims that he is the Son of God, the King of Israel (Jn 1:49)...quite a jump, but again his openness and sincerity.
We might question from time to time circumstances that we tumble into, not fully understanding God's plan, but the example of Nathanael, convinces us not to doubt, but accept.
Today's saint, John Neumann is another example of a man whose plans didn't exactly go his way, but like Nathanael, he found even more than he first anticipated.  He was refused ordination in his native Bohemia since the diocese had a surfeit of priests, but coming to America with his gift for languages and his steadfast spirit, he became a Redemptorist missionary, bishop of Philadelphia and founder of the Catholic School System, all before the age of 48, when he died suddenly. He might have wondered what God had in mind when he had to leave Bohemia to fulfill his desire for the priesthood, but as with Nathanael, it worked out better than he ever anticipated. Let's follow in their footsteps as much as we can.
Bro. Rene

The Holy Name of Jesus

The Church celebrates two Memorials today, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint, and foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St Joseph and the Catholic School system, and The Holy Name of Jesus. Since we are still in the Christmas Season, we will focus on the Holy Name.
In Hebrew culture, the name of someone reflects the essence of that person, who he or she is.  It is, then, the most powerful name of all, that of the Son of God, our Savior, Yeshua in Hebrew.  Jesus himself refers to its power when he says, "Whatever you ask in my name I will do." (Jn 14:13). Richard Rolle de Hampole, an English mystic, hermit and writer of  early 14th century England beautifully describes what the name can do:  "If you think the name 'Jesus' continually, it purges our sin and kindles hour heart; it clarifies your soul; it removes anger and does away with slowness.  I wounds in love and fulfills charity.  It chases the devil away and puts out dread. It opens heaven, and makes you a contemplative.  It puts all vices and phantoms out from the lover."  St. Paul writes:  "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend,/ of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,/ and every tongue confess/ that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10-11).  May we repeat this holy name reverently often today as our simple yet most powerful prayer.
Bro. Rene

Our Faithful God

As we move another day into our New Year and the Third Marist Century and leave the week-long (perhaps even longer) celebrations, family gatherings and generally uplifted spirits behind, we take a look at God's promise of endless love.  Deuteronomy 7: 6-8a, 9 remind  us that we are holy, chosen and especially his own.  He has set his heart on us and chosen us and will remain faithful to us. We need to hear this again and again as we can so easily be side-tracked by concerns in our families, worries about jobs and income, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by our inability to keep up with what we consider "things that must be done".  A frozen computer screen, a jammed printer, for example, can rob us of hours of "productive time" and cause frustration and anxiety as we push what we had planned further into the day, or into tomorrow, adding extra "musts" to an already crowded schedule.
We need to be aware, as we were so much during Advent, that Emmanuel, God is with us, even in these "small" things, and that the most important piece, his faithful love, will help us get through what HE sees as important for us.  Constantly praying for the grace to "let go", to trust and to bask in his love is what really matters.  Our God is a Faithful God; let that be the foundational attitude we carry during this day and all the days of 2017.  Thank you, God, for your Fidelity and Love.
Bro .Rene

Happy 200th!

Today, the Marist Brothers of the Schools around the world are celebrating the 200th anniversary of their founding on January 2, 1817 in LaValla sur Gier, France.  The young Father Marcellin Champagnat welcomed Jean-Marie Granjon and Jean-Baptiste Audras into a modest house he had purchased and renovated with borrowed money to begin implementing his dream of a congregation of brothers to instruct young people in the Catholic Faith. From this telling moment, and despite many obstacles and apparent "disasters" this little congregation has now become global, with schools and apostolates in over 80 countries.  From these first two members to over 3,400, the congregation looks forward to greater growth with the incorporation of "Lay Marists" into our schools and communities. The mission remains the same:  to make Jesus known and loved" with the added dimension of putting a Marial Face on the Church.  St. Marcellin held Mary as his model in faith and action and considered her the first superior of the Congregation..  Today, more emphasis and reliance is being put on Mary and there is renewed fervor and dedication to her as Mother and educator of Jesus. In imitating her faith, obedience to God's will and motherly nurturing and compassion, the future looks brighter than ever for the Congregation and the Church.  Let us join today with the thousands of Marists around the world who are celebrating and giving thanks for this dynamic gift to the Church.
Bro. Rene