Unexpected change

Dear Readers...
Because of the coming snow...I am leaving for NYC today and will be back on Sunday...Not sure about internet access Saturday and Sunday...will try so we don't miss a slice!  If no luck...will be serving again on Monday!
Br. Rene

Against "The Good Guy"

With all that daily comes to light about political battles and conniving, we might think this is  a generation that has degenerated to the lowest level.  However, today's first reading from the Book of Wisdom (1:1a, 12-22). reaffirms the truth that there is nothing new under the sun.  Jeremiah, was subject to evil plotting, and certainly, Jesus, the ultimate "just one" suffered the same fate.
Our Lenten focus begins now to shift from our own praying, fasting and service to others, to Jesus and his upcoming passion and death.  This "Good Guy" will suffer at the hands of the Evil One, but those sufferings and death will be the seed for new life.  In Jesus is our hope; we need to keep this in mind when we read the newspapers and follow the news reports on television.  Jesus overcomes all of this.
Bro. Rene

God's Mercy Breaks Through

Despite our lukewarmness, indifference, lack of effort, laziness, superficial prayers and other imperfections, God's mercy always seems to "break through" to us and assure us that we are still his beloved. There's just no "second chance" for us with God, rather,  it's an infinite number of chances. We need to be reminded of this from time to time before complacency or discouragement creep in and dull our Lenten resolves.  God calls, God waits, God helps, God loves and desires that we reach our full capacity.  God will never leave us to our own mediocrity, but will nudge, push and pull, even shock us into action, or into the trust we lack in his infinite love.  Merciful God, shake me, rattle me, wake me up to your vast mercy which extends far beyond the reaches of our seemingly endless universe.
Bro. Rene

Marist National Day Of Service

As part of the celebration of our 200th anniversary, Marists around the country are devoting this day to service.  Students, faculty, parents, graduates and others who consider themselves Marist, will be involved in some form of community service and prayerful reflection in an attempt to further understand the Marist commitment to "the least favored" and the Christian education of youth.  We will learn by our service and as we serve.  People in need will benefit from this service.  It's a win-win, and no doubt brings a smile to St. Marcellin.  If you cannot be with us in body, please unite with us in prayer for the success of this effort to bring to life our Marist Vision and Purpose in a memorable way. All involved will come together at the end of the school day to gather in a prayer service which will include a video of the day's activities around the USA.  Quite an undertaking,  but fully in line with St. Marcellin's vision of moving young people and ultimately all people to a greater knowledge and love of Jesus through his Mother, Mary.
Bro. Rene

Do You Want To Be Well?

Jesus poses a casual but important question to the man who had spent 38 years waiting for someone to put him into the pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be well?" Because there was no one to put him into the pool for a cure, he had learned to live with his pain.  Jesus took pity on him and cured him. (Cf. Jn 5: 1-8).
We might, as some of the Church Fathers did, look upon the man's infirmity as representing our sinfulness.  Are we content with our repetitious confessions, or do we really "want to be well"?  It won't happen just by wallowing in our weakness, but by seeking REAL help from Jesus. First, however, comes the "desire".  Do we really WANT to be healed?  If so, what are we going to do about it?
Ezechiel's abundant waters. (Ez 47: 1-12)  represent baptism, and surely they have cleansed us from our state of original sin, but they continue to flow via the sacrament of reconciliation and they continue to nourish our on-going healing. As we move through Lent, may we make it a point to "let the rivers flow" freely into our hearts and purify our motives and desire to be well.
Bro. Rene








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All things New

Note: Back from an inspiring day at the University of Notre Dame and an energizing experience of Brotherhood with a heart full of gratitude and wonder at God's goodness (again!)

As we move deeper into Lent, the notion of renewal and new life through faith fortified by the miracles of Jesus inspires us to "ramp up" our efforts to live the three pillars of the season, prayer, fasting and service with a "kick" as a runner enters the final lap of a long race and sprints to the finish line.  Isaiah speaks about this when he lures us with images of the "new creation":  "Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered/ or come to mind./ Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness/ in what I create/;/ For I create Jerusalem to be a joy/ and its people to be a delight;/"   No longer the sound of weeping and crying; vineyards flourishing and people eating  grapes and drinking  wine  (Cf. Is 65: 17-21).
A happy, optimistic picture of what God can do, and what he asks us to join with him in creating.
This weekend while 215 brothers from a multitude of congregations gathered to reflect in their identity and mission, and give each other a "shot in the arm," student delegates from our Marist Schools shared a similar experience of renewal and "what can be" in Esopus, New York in preparation of the World Wide Marist Day of Service coming up on Wednesday.  Power, testimony, Experience, Prayer blended to help these students return to their schools with vigor and zeal to continue the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our Marist Brotherhood and Charism in service to the least favored.  Isaiah's prophecy holds true through our personal renewal and communal efforts. We can make and are making "all things new."
Bro. Rene

Finding Healing and Life in LOVE

This morning's selection from the Prophet Hosea is very consoling, especially if we read it in the context of Lent. Hosea tells Israel (us) that it has :"collapsed" through its guilt.  It is "flat out" and has no recourse except to turn to God for forgiveness and receive healing through his love, a love given freely and without limit. Such love brings us the sweetness of dew on the lilies and the strength of a Lebanon cedar. (Cf. Hos 14:2-10).
When one of the Scribes asks Jesus "which is the first of all commandments?" (Mk 12:28). Jesus answers with the Schema, the daily prayer of the Hebrews: to love  God with all one's being, and to love one's neighbor as one's self. Love of God, self and neighbor.  Simply said, but demanding of the "turn" proposed by Hosea. The work of a lifetime, yes, but each day of Lent provides the arena for that "extra effort" to accept and love self where we are today; the same with out neighbor, even the "difficult ones" and God, above all, as we spend time in prayer to discover more about him and allow him to draw our hearts toward him in love. All work together to bring healing to our wounded, weakened nature.
Bro. Rene
(Note:  I will be attending a Symposium on the Brotherhood at the University of Notre Dame on Saturday and will not be able to post another slice of bread until Monday.) 

For Or Against

In our daily conversations or dealings with others, do we show our loyalty and allegiance to Jesus, or do we compromise and find ourselves on that slippery, wishy-washy, gray area on top of the fence, neither for nor against? Jesus says clearly, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  (Lk 11:23).  Not an easy saying, for it demands courage to stand up and OWN the teachings and principles Jesus laid down for us, e.g. love your enemies, forgive those who have wronged you, open your hearts and minds to others, even when you don't agree.  Be willing to listen,  be willing to reach out to those in need,  feed the hungry, shelter the homeless...It takes courage and strength to do what the current mindset of society deems foolish or a waste of time.  Our Lenten "housecleaning" is a time to reflect on our stance.  Are we on that slippery fence, or are we standing firm on the side where Jesus is?  He will help us decide; He will help us take a stand; we merely need to ask him.
Bro. Rene

Teaching The Law

Jesus speaks up in defense of his teachings in today's Gospel, Mt 5:17-19.  He affirms the necessity of the commandments, by saying he has not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. Those "laws" are there to protect and guide, not hinder or stymie our "freedoms".  On the contrary, they make us freer and keep us from unnecessary harm to ourselves and others.  As we know, the great summary of these commands rests in the two great commandments:  love of God and love of neighbor.  Jesus urges us to be teachers of this law, especially by our example.  This is how most, of us, not being teachers in a classroom, teach others, by living a life based on this Great Commandment of love.  May we never tire of repeating this "lesson" on the commandments, for we will indeed by "called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." (Mt 5:19).
Bro. Rene

Forgiveness Is Not Easy

St. Peter faced the same gnawing dilemma we often find ourselves in when it comes to forgiveness.  "How often must I forgive?" (Mt 18:21).  Jesus says "not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Mt 18:22).  Seven meant indefinitely, so seventy times seven stresses the Always and Forever of indefinitely.  Easier said than done.  We find ourselves holding on to the hurt, imprisoned by the memory that won't evaporate, sometimes even hardened and cold toward the offender.  It takes prayer and a decision to "let go" and let God do the healing.  This prayer, often entitled ANYWAY might help:
People are often unreasonable and self-centered—forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives—be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you—be honest anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow—do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough—give your best anyway. In the end, it is between you and God—it was never between you and them, anyway.
Bro. Rene

St. Joseph, Husband, Foster Father, Guardian and Model of Faith

St. Joseph is venerated world-wide as Patron of the Universal Church, of laborers, husbands, fathers, and, yes, even those who are looking to sell or buy a house, but amazingly enough, Scripture records not one word of his. He is definitely "the strong, silent type" and thus, notably attractive. In the midst of the confusion surrounding Mary 's unexplained pregnancy, he agonizes over "what to do."  We too often find ourselves in a similar predicament and seek guidance for our next step.  He, evidently, was ready to move at the drop of a hat...to Bethlehem to fulfill the census requirement; to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from harm; back to Nazareth when it was safe to return; to Jerusalem for the annual visit to the Temple. We neither see nor hear any evidence of complaining, but like Mary, we see evidence of that same attitude of "Be it done to me according to YOUR will."  In this repeated act of faith  and trust is his strength and his inspiration.
 "Joe" is a popular name, and certainly St. Joseph is "not your average Joe."  How blessed and happy are they who bear his name.  I asked a young man I met recently what his name was, and he answered, "Joseph."  Not Joe, but Joseph.  There was a special power in that full name, and it showed in his Joseph-like faith and behavior.
Here is a prayer to St. Joseph for Fathers...but suits all of us at the end of the day. Happy St. Joseph Day to all!
Bro. Rene
Saint Joseph look at how I am tired tonight,
But somehow I think that you care;
For being a father and one who works
Are things that both of us share.
It tires a man, yet the heart is high,
For, Patron Saint, it’s all worthwhile.
Its rich reward is a loving wife,
And joyous light in a child’s smile.
O, father, worker, bear with me,
Help me, Saint Joseph, to do my best,
To love and protect my family
‘Til work shall cease and heaven is rest.

Why Do I Believe?

After her enlightening and inspiring conversation with Jesus, the Samaritan Woman from Sychar runs into town to tell her friends about this man she supposes to the the Messiah.  She explains that he told her everything about her life, although he was a complete stranger.  Curious, the people go out to the well to see for themselves. So taken with him are they, that they invite him to stay for two days and "many more began to believe in him because of HIS word," not HERS. cf. Jn 4: 41-42) Their faith came from meeting him directly and listening to him.  Can I say the same?
Bro. Rene

The Need For God

Admitting our weakness is difficult, when being in charge of our lives, being self-motivated, "having it all together" are the proposed norms and goals of a mature adult.  Where does weakness fit in to this?
Despite our best efforts, we seem to come up with a shortfall or often find ourselves in a "desert".  A desert of fatigue, when ugly behaviors surface; a desert of overwork and over-extension, which blur our vision or cause us to be more forgetful than normal; a desert of dislike or rash judgment of others, which makes us isolate ourselves from them.  The desert could be as wide and expansive as the universe, it we look at it through the telescope of honest eyes.
Rather than be discouraged by what we find, we might look upon our desert as a call to throw ourselves into the merciful arms of God, facing, admitting our need for him, as did the youngest son in today's parable of The Prodigal Son.  He had reached the limit of his self-sufficiency, finding that it only left him eating the pods which were the fodder of the pigs he was tending.  Hie decline and fall from the independence he thought would bring him happiness led him to the arms of his loving, forgiving father, who embraced him with the love and forgiveness that alone would give him true peace and happiness.  May we not fear or shy away from our weakness, but see it as an invitation to let God counterbalance it with his love and mercy.  "Only in God will my soul be a rest, from him alone comes my salvation." (cf. Ps 62:5)
Bro. Rene

St. Patrick the Evangelizer

Americans have made St. Patrick's Day a day of parades, dinners, and excuses for "the wearin' of the green"...a seemingly Hoorah for being Irish...leaving St. Patrick as simply the name for all this expended enthusiasm.  St. Patrick was a bishop, astute in dealing with the opponents of his teachings, clever in his approach to evangelizing Ireland, deeply prayerful, and totally focused on his role as bishop, teacher, pastor and powerful evangelizer.  If he were at a St. Patrick's Day party, he would have a good time, mingle with everyone and by his presence and example, make the other guests aware that all of this was possible because of a "higher power", God.  If we are to celebrate St. Patrick fittingly today, may we by our loving and alive presence, help raise consciousness of the God who is alive, loving and zealous in his desire to show his love to us and  for us to know and love him.
Bro Rene

The Face of Lazarus

Two men are contrasted in today's Gospel:  the unnamed rich man, and the poor man, Lazarus. The rich man dresses in purple as a sign of his wealth and power; Lazarus is in rags, covered with sores licked by dogs.  Two could not be more opposite.  Yet, it is the poor man who enjoys eternal bliss in the bosom of Abraham, and the rich man is reduced to a beggar, pleading for a drop of water to slake his thirst.  Externals do not always reveal the whole truth.
So it is with the homeless or penniless who wander the streets of our cities or who find meals and shelter with such agencies as Lazarus House (fittingly named) or Core Unum (One Heart) who serve the Lazaruses of Lawrence, Massachusetts.  Other cities have their counterparts.  These agencies see beyond the faces standing before them, welcome them, feed, clothe and shelter them as brothers and sisters.  We might seek to imitate their way of looking at people and see them as contemporary Larzaruses.  Not a bad project for Lent and beyond.
Bro. Rene

Drinking the Cup

When Salome, the mother of James and John, asked Jesus to place them at his right hand when he established his kingdom, he in turn asked, "Can you drink the chalice that I'm going to drink?" (Mt 20: 22).  They said they could, and Jesus told them they would.  Little did they know then that it would be the chalice of suffering, and for James, death.
Sometimes our blind enthusiasm moves us to make statements and promises whose scope and impact we cannot foresee.  Can we, do we want to hold to our word?  This second week of Lent might shed a ray of reality on our proposed Lenten "project". Is what we chose to do realistic? Helpful?  Our constant template and overriding concern should be whether or not we are eliminating obstacles to our goal of a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus.  Are these prayers, sacrifices and good works helping us to serve and not be served, to "give our lives as a ransom for others?" (cf. Mt 20:28)? As the weeks of Lent proceed, may we stop frequently to reflect on and evaluate our progress. Are we drinking the cup, or are we choking on it?
Bro  Rene

Preaching and Practicing.

A stinging condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees, and of anyone: "They preach but do not practice." (cf. Mt 23: 4).  Another translation has it: "Their words are bold, but their deeds are few."
God forbid that anyone say this about us...yet, if we examine ourselves closely and honestly, we see that we are guilty of the same behavior. Discouraging, frustrating, humiliating, yes, but also the door to healing, if we can admit it and go to Jesus for help.  Jesus did not  place a priority on the forgiveness of sins for nothing.  He knew what was in us, and knew how easily we could slide into self-deception and arrogance. It is up to us, especially during this Lenten season, to seek his forgiveness and his help to amend our behavior and keep us humble and aware of our weakness.  We cannot remain sinless without him.  The "Jesus Prayer" is a good place to start.:  "Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,  have mercy on me a sinner."  It bears frequent repetition, and must come from the heart.
Bro. Rene

"Into The Breach"

In the new feature film, St. Ignatius of Loyola, the young feisty Captain de Loyola orders his men to pass through a breach in their fortress walls to face the enemy head on.  They are overwhelmed by their French opponents and Ignatius receives a severe leg injury that gives him a limp the rest of his life.  One could easily judge him as foolhardy for his move into the breach, but in hindsight, it proved the step that eventually led to his conversion and the founding of the Society of Jesus, which, in imitation of its leader, is noted for "entering the breach" time and time again since its beginning in 1540. Those of us who have made the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius know well the challenge to go where we dare not, if indeed we discern it to be God's call.  What may be considered foolish or "irrelevant" by others, in God's sight is just the opposite, helping us to understand better the paradoxical teachings in today's Gospel:  Stop judging and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.  for the measure with which you will measure will in return be measured out to you. (Lk 6:36-38).
Bro. Rene

Seeking Transformation

Winter, at times, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, can be dark, cold, and depressing:  A sunny day from time to time lifts our spirits and helps us through the next series of clouds and storms.  Already on this second Sunday of Lent the liturgy gives us a ray of sunshine, a hope, a promise of things to come. Jesus is transfigured:  "his face shone like the sun and is clothes became white as light."(Mt 17:2)  The three disciples did not quite understand what was happening even when Jesus explained it to them as they descended from the mountain.  Only after the Resurrection, did this vision become clear.  It was a sign to strengthen their faith in view of the passion and death to come.
It serves us the same way and encourages us to hope for our own transformation as well as the transformation of our world, and our universe.  Physically our planet is covered with multiple areas of beauty and, as astronomers probe the universe, vast, immeasurable regions of beauty beyond imagination unfold. What will all this be like when all this is "transfigured"?  What will WE be like? Gone our physical defects, our inner shadows and gloomy distrust, our hesitancy, our paralysis, our keeping under covers our full potential.  May we take some time today to let our imaginations run loose and stir our hearts to hope and the actions which will help bring about this transformation.  Let us make Jesus the center of our universe; he is the one who can make our pipe dreams reality.
Bro. Rene

Loving Our Enemies

Jesus rocks the boat when he emphatically states: "But I say to you. love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust." (Mt 5:44-45).  We might ask first of all, "Who is my enemy?"  Could it only be someone who is "out to get me", who has wronged me, whom I simply dislike for no rational reason, someone who has hurt my family, my country, or could it also be that shadow within, my perfectionism, my self-doubt, my anxiety, my fear, my mistrust?  Jesus says love those enemies as the Father who knows everyone's inner workings finds them lovable. Love my weaknesses, my shadows...yes, for in weakness God's strength compensates. May my Lenten reflections, prayers, penances and alms giving expand my capacity to love, to love all, even my "enemies."
Bro. Rene

God Forgets Our Sins

Centuries ago, the prophet Ezechiel wrote:  "None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced." (Ez 18: 22).  A little known story of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Sister who had visions of the Sacred Heart, corroborates this verse.  When questioned about the visions by the bishop of her diocese, he asked her to "prove" she was seeing Jesus by telling the bishop what he had said in his last confession.  St. Margaret Mary presented Jesus with the question, and his reply was, "I don't remember."  Once a sin is confessed Jesus lets it go.
As we consider our sinfulness during Lent and perhaps plan to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, we might find encouragement to fulfill this plan, knowing that our sins will not be held against us, they will actually be forgotten.
Bro. Rene

Authentic Prayer

Our focus today is turned to prayer in both readings presented in the Lectionary for Thursday of the First Week of Lent.  We see Queen Esther preparing for her unannounced audience with the King to plead for her people.  She would be breaking the rule of entering without permission and she would be asking the king to spare her people, putting herself in danger of execution.  Yet, she and her handmaidens fasted and prayed prostrate for a whole day (an exaggeration???), and humbling herself before God and reminding him of his omnipotence, received the help she sought to make her case and win it.
So often we give up when our prayer is not immediately answered.  During Lent, when we have stepped up our prayer life, and answers seem far away, we might be tempted to wonder why we are "wasting our time...and God's"  Well, the answer is, keep praying.  God hears.  Ask and you shall receive."  (Mt 7:7).  Jesus is not lying, he will grant our prayer. Let's not give up!
Bro. Rene

The "Sign of Jonah"

Jesus was annoyed at the demand for a "sign", especially when he stood before them, taught with authority and worked miracles.  What more would people need?  So he refused, saying that no sign would be given other than the "sign of Jonah". The Ninevites, as badly in need of conversion as they were, saw and accepted the "sign of Jonah" and repented, the sign being Jonah's change of heart after trying to escape from his mission, and turning around to fulfill it.  A clear sign of the power of God working in him and a verification of that power's capacity to work in anyone.  Yet, many of the Jews could not recognize this power standing right before their eyes.
So too with us...The Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Lenten devotions, the special services offered in our churches during Lent...all stand before us, yet we sometimes ignore them, looking for what?  Something more spectacular?  Do we have to be swallowed up by a large fish to wake up?
What are the signs right before us, within our grasp?  What is blinding us from seeing them or paralyzing us from responding to them?
Bro. Rene

The Way To Pray

Part of the challenging Sermon on the Mount, is The Lord's Prayer, a succinct, direct and simple example of what our prayer should be. Jesus cautions against babbling on or multiplying words, but rather focuses our attention on the two prongs of the Greatest Commandments:  Love of God and love of neighbor. We honor, acknowledge and submit ourselves as creatures to our Creator, and then we address our daily needs of bread, forgiveness and defense against the temptations that would lead us to harm.  We might not babble when we pray this prayer, but instead we rattle through it so fast that there is little connection to our brains and hearts.  It might be good during Lent to pray it phrase by phrase, slowly so that it can sink into our consciousness and take root.  Isaiah reminds us that God's word does not return to him void, but achieves the end for which it was uttered. (cf. Is 55:11), and St. John tells that if we ask anything according to God's will, he hears us and it is ours. (cf. 1 Jn 5:14).  Our prayers should not be empty words, but should come from the heart with confidence and trust.
Bro. Rene

God Is The Judge

Two very challenging readings face us today:  An elaboration on the commandments from Leviticus, 19: 1-2, 11-18, and Matthew 25: 31-46.  Worth more than a peek but rather some serious reflection. Leviticus dares us to be "holy for I, the Lord, your God, am holy, " (Lv 19:1) and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Lv 19: 18).  Matthew tells us who our neighbor is and how to love him.  We might shy away from loving our enemies, or defrauders, prisoners, convicts, street people, but God alone is the one who sees into their hearts and knows them better than we.  He alone is the one to make the decision on who are the sheep and who are the goats.
Bro. Rene

Dealing With Temptation

Appropriately, the First Sunday of Lent presents us with "The Temptations in the Desert" (Mt 4: 1-11). Like Jesus, as we begin our 40 days seeking God's plan for us, a clearer picture of who we are, or a closer relationship with Jesus, we most likely will be tempted in one way or another.  Often these temptations are based on FEAR and What If's? The devil knows how to infiltrate and even crack our resolves.  "Oh, this is too much, What if I can't keep it up for 40 days?  I'll cut back...Sunday isn't Lent, so I can indulge in what I have given up...just for the day...Who am I to presume such and such?  Is is just pride that's motivating me?" Etc.  All kinds of fear-filled thoughts come surging into our minds and hearts as if a dam had burst.
The Devil approached Jesus directly and cunningly, focusing on needs and questions Jesus faced:  hunger. mission, identity. He does the same with us. How did Jesus handle these temptations?  He heard them through,remained calm and, basing himself on Scripture, definitively and categorically refuted them.
We might take a hint from this:  remain calm, rely on Scripture and fire back.  If you need help with the proper Scriptures, Google Bible Verses to Overcome Temptation, and you'll find ample ammunition. No one escapes temptations but with God, everyone can resist them.
Bro. Rene

Calling Us to A deeper Relationship

One of the purposes of Lent is to draw closer to Jesus.  Today's Gospel finds Levi sitting at his tax collector's table surrounded by money, but when he heard Jesus say, "Follow me." (Lk 5:27) , he left all to answer the invitation. This meant leaving his job and a whole way of life. To initiate this new life, he threw a huge banquet for his friends, other tax collectors. The observant Pharisees and their scribes criticized Jesus for eating and drinking with them but Jesus reminded them that he had come for these, rather than for the righteous.
Who is righteous?  Are we not all sinners in need of forgiveness and healing?  Are we not still far from the ideal personal relationship we desire?  This Gospel is for us.  May we respond with the readiness and  willingness of Levi to alter our way of life to answer the call to become closer friends with Jesus.
Bro. Rene

True Fasting

Besides being the spokespersons for God, Prophets SCOLD from time to time.  Isaiah is noted for his direct and clear descriptions of what God's people are doing:  "Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,/ and drive all your laborers./ Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,/ striking with wicked claw." (Is 58: 3b-4). Yes, even today if we look at our own fasting, we might find it disconnected from our actions.  We might give up that delicious double bacon cheeseburger, but fail to respond to the call for food for the local food pantry.  Our fasting can be routine and mechanical and not connected at all to our heart.  No, indeed, fasting is meant to open the heart, to sensitize it to the needs of others.  The hunger we feel should remind us of the thousands of hungry in the local community and move us to share what we have to help them.
Isaiah is clear on what real fasting is:
releasing those bound unjustly
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless.  (Is 58: 6-7)

Lord, as I abstain from meat and measure the amount of  food I eat, open my heart to help those in need.
Bro. Rene

Our Daly Cross

A day into Lent and Jesus reminds us that "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." (Lk 9: 23-24). Some of these crosses are heavier than others; some insert themselves unexpectedly, as in a sudden death of a loved one because of a heart attack or automobile accident, or a diagnosis of cancer at a routine check up.  Others, we can choose to impose upon ourselves, as in giving up something we like to eat, drink or do for the six weeks of Lent.  Those of us with heavier crosses might consider offering up the extra weight for someone we know who is even worse off than we.  In all instances, however, we need to remember that our cross will not bear fruit unless it is connected with the cross of Jesus.  We unite our suffering our efforts, with the cross of Jesus.  This is what sanctifies them, makes them holy, and effective instruments in achieving the deeper relationship with Jesus we seek during Lent:  His cross becomes our cross and like Simon of Cyrene, we bear it together.
Bro. Rene

Interruptions

Ash Wednesday begins a six weeks interruption in our comfortable routines.  God intervenes with the invitation to pray, fast and give alms in preparation for the great Celebration of Easter...the Resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of ours.  The Church community welcomes new members as (in the Northern Hemisphere) Spring breaks through the dullness of winter with new and vibrant life. By our stepped up efforts during these 40 days, we allow God to intervene with His good news, His plan for us; our praying, fasting and alms-giving, we trust, will make us more receptive to these interruptions and help us to know Jesus better and love him more.  We might look upon this seasons as a nuisance:  meatless Fridays, penances and sacrifices, but as with physical therapy, the end result is worth far more than the pain endured. If we approach this season with love, and ask Mary to lead us to Jesus, we will be more disposed to welcome the big and little interruptions that will inevitably be part of Lent.
Bro. Rene