Bringing Joy

Today's beautiful Feast centers on the meeting of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.  Mary went with haste to be on hand to help her with the new baby as well as to bring the good news of her own pregnancy.  Elizabeth immediately recognizes how special this occasion is as she greets Mary with "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk 1:42).  She felt her baby jump for joy in her womb and Mary responds with her joyful Magnificat:   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior...." (Lk 1:46). Joy permeates the scene and inspires us to be recognizers of the presence of Jesus and the bearers of joy  This is not just the joy of motherhood, as great as that is, but the joy of salvation, for indeed the child in Mary's womb is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Mary's joy is to be the bearer of salvation for all of us, she rejoices because she is "our gate of heaven." As Marists we too, by word and example, allow Jesus to pass from us to others and serve as the "welcome gate" to joy in this life and the life to come.
Bro. Rene

The Patient Love of Jesus

In today's Gospel Passage taken from the prayer Jesus said for his followers towards the end of the Last Supper Jn 17:1-11a) we get a glimpse of the tender-hearted Jesus who acknowledges that his mission is fast approaching its end on earth and the after the days of suffering and death, he will return to the Right Hand of the Father, leaving behind the friends he loves and who love him. He prays that they may live and work in unity with each other and with him,  As painful as it will be, he must move ahead with the PLAN, but he does all he can to soften the blow of separation.
We might tend to forget this tender side of Jesus, whose love looks at every detail in our lives and offers support and comfort.  We might kick ourselves because we find it so hard to attend daily Mass, or are often late, but we don't realize how Jesus sees our effort, our desire, and is pleased with just that.  We fret more about our lateness than he does.  May we come to see with the eyes of Jesus and feel his patient love, and not let our frustrations (not his) keep us from being at peace.
Bro. Rene

Trouble Conquered

Fittingly, today we hear the assuring words of Jesus, "In the world you will have trouble, but take, courage, I have conquered the world." (Jn 16:33) when in the United States we take time to honor those who have given life or limb to defeat the "trouble" that on a global scale always seems to emerge despite negotiations and combat.  It seems that our only hope is in the conquest of Jesus over evil; we know this as a fact as testified by the Resurrection, but the actual fulfillment of that victory seems to drag on forever.  Our human nature fails to live up to the reality of the Resurrection; God's patience is endless, so we live in the hope that someday we'll experience a life free of trouble. It may come at the end of time, or in the next life, but it will come.   Our part is to do the best we can to comply with the good news Jesus has given us and make a peaceful and  trouble-free world happen.  God be merciful and help us.
And may we offer a prayer of gratitude for all who have so far given the ultimate sacrifice for that end.
Bro. Rene

Gathered With Mary

The Ascension, celebrated today in many dioceses, or the 7th Sunday of Easter, elsewhere, leaves us with a group of bewildered disciples who are forced to face the unknown in their world without the physical presence of the master and teacher.  What do they do?  They return to a familiar place, the Upper Room, and, as Jesus had instructed them, pray for the Holy Spirit and WAIT.  Gathered around Mary, the "Bride of the Holy Spirit," they find security in her presence and in the presence of one another.  We can imagine their trust growing as they contemplate the past three years and see the pattern that Jesus gradually unfolded before them.  His words begin to make more sense as they discuss them and pray over them.  Mary's calm and soothing presence reassures them and helps the waiting become more tolerable.  Impatience settles into peace, into readiness.
So too we WAIT for so many things, the date of a surgery, the return of a family member in the military or away at school, for the repair man to fix the broken dishwasher.  We might use these times as did the Apostles: to be with Mary, reflect over the many good things that have brought us to this point in our lives, and to become more aware and grateful for the presence of the Holy Spirit, especially the Spirit's gift of peace.
Bro. Rene

The Prayer of Petition

Most of us are very familiar with intercessory prayer...for some, the easiest, for we recognize enormous needs in the word and in our own lives. The words of Jesus offer us encouragement to pursue our requests:  "Amen, amen, I say to  you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.  Until now you have not asked anything in my name; as and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete." (Jn 16:23b-24). Yet, often the answer WE want does not come, or comes much later than we anticipated.  We have grown impatient in the meantime, or have let doubt overtake us. The purpose of prayer is not to get OUR WAY, but to grow in love and trust in God.  Most often, if not always, HIS ways, HIS answers, are far better than what we thought would be the "perfect" or "right" answer. And yet sometimes we do get an encouraging positive response to our liking as a sign that yes, God does hear our prayers and at least this time, our wills are in happy concert. However, let us remain steadfast in our practice of intercessory prayer and look more to growing closer to God in faith and love than in "having it MY WAY"
Bro .Rene

A Joyful Preacher

Appropriately on this day after the Ascension, we remember St. Philip Neri who, with the love of God infused into his heart (expanding his chest cavity!) set about to re-evangelize 16th century Rome.  He faced a city filled with depression and corruption after a horrific sacking and years of spiritual neglect.  How did one man hope to "make a difference'?  He began simply by talking to people on the streets, usually joking with them with his good sense of humor, and after ordination, preaching and hearing confessions.  He was gifted with ecstasy which would occur during Mass.  People would leave after the Lamb of God was sung and return two hours later, after his ecstatic trance to receive Holy Communion.  He founded the Oratory, a congregation of men who lived the Evangelical Counsels without taking vows; St. Francis de Sales was a member. Philip's life of penance and asceticism was balanced by his notable humor, radiating his great faith and his love of God.  He is a magnificent example of how to carry out the command of Jesus at the Ascension:  "Go out to all the world and preach the Good News."  May we as best as we can do likewise
Bro. Rene

Jesus Returns

Note: In a few dioceses of the United States,  such as Boston and Philadelphia, the Ascension of the Lord is still celebrated on Thursday rather than the following Sunday. As part of the Archdiocese of Boston, we are celebrating "Ascension Thursday" today.

The Acts of the Apostles gives a detailed account of the Ascension, though some biblical scholars believe that the it is linked more directly to the Resurrection and that the appearances of Jesus during the 40 days were apparitions of the Jesus who was already at the right hand of the Father. The scene in Acts 1: 1-11 focuses on the commission of Jesus to go to teach and baptize  all nations rather than stare nostalgically at the heavens.  He promised the Holy Spirit would be their guide and that he himself would be with us for all time.  As such, 2000 years later, we have nothing to fear and should be about that "job" now. How am I living out this mandate?  What can I do to open my heart to the Spirit and allow him to work in and through me?  Why am I so often gazing toward the heavens rather than spreading the good news by my words and actions?  Jesus has returned home; his work is ours.
Bro. Rene

The Gift Of The Spirit

On this day before the Ascension, we look forward to the sending of the Holy Spirit 10 days hence on Pentecost.  We will be praying daily, Come, Holy Spirit, for he is not only the Advocate, but the Consoler, the Comforter.  In this world of endless tension, where else can we find comfort and peace except in this divine Gift. the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity?  This prayer to the Holy Spirit, taken from Marist Illuminations, prayers in the Marist Tradition from Marist High School in Chicago, might be helpful today as we begin the day, and even as we end it.  We might also make it our prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost to grow in our appreciation of this event and our love of the Holy Spirit:
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit. that my words too may be holy.  Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.  Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.  Amen. (p. 18)
Bro. Rene

It Is Better For You That I Go (Jn 16:7)

Ascension Thursday is two days away; for days the Scriptures at our daily Liturgies have been taken from the discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper as recorded by St. John...Jesus explained not only his coming death (which the apostles struggled to understand and accept), but also his permanent departure...He remained with them 40 days after the Resurrection to further wean them from his physical presence, and with his major mission accomplished, he finally turned over the next phase to them, demonstrating great trust in them and in his Holy Spirit who would guide them till the end of time.
This Solemnity falls appropriately when students across the United States are graduating from lower grades, high school, college and university. Indeed, at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the seniors will graduate on Ascension Thursday itself.
 As with the Ascension , there is a certain sadness on leaving the familiar, the family, friends and going off to a new adventure with many unknowns and unforeseens. But as Jesus said, the separation is necessary. There will be ups and downs, as a look at the history of the Church shows us...heresies, divisions, good leadership, bad and very bad leadership.. yet  he gave us the task to make his mission our own and as he trusts in us and the Holy Spirit, we must trust in him and in that same Spirit, that those we raised and educated will make our lessons their own and thrive beyond our expectations. We cannot coddle them any longer, we must let them go; it is better for them (and for us).
Bro. Rene  

Facing Opposition

The week's readings have dealt with love and friendship with one another and with our best friend, Jesus, but today he reminds us that we will be hated as he was. Hate is a strong word, a frightening word, but nevertheless, realistic,. as the first Christians soon found out and as we still see in our world today.  Our strength and consolation is that even as Jesus suffered and was put to death, he rose again to life.  Our resurrection may not happen in this life, but certainly in the next, if we persevere.  May our friendship with Jesus strengthen us to face opposition and move us to pray for those who are being persecuted today.
Bro. Rene
Note:  I will be in Wheeling and Pittsburgh over the weekend and will not be able to post a slice of bread until Tuesday...Let us be united in prayer. and be attentive to God's voice nevertheless.

Friends

The love shared between friends cannot be measured, as with love itself, as St. Bernard said, "The measure of love is to love without measure."  In this morning's passage, Jesus elaborates on his major commandment: "...love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you."  (Jn 15: 12-13).  We call Jesus, Lord, Savior, Son of God, but he calls himself, FRIEND.  How that resonates with us who so cherish and treasure the love of our friends, of our best friend.  Yes, like Jesus, there's no limit to what we do for our friends, and in some cases, even lay down our lives for them.  It might be good today as we walk or drive to say over and over again.  Jesus, you are my friend, my best friend, thank you for being there for me always.
Bro. Rene

Complete Joy

A popular poster in the not too distant past was, SMILE, GOD LOVES YOU.  True as it is, it was intended to make us. FEEL better when we were "DOWN" or facing some near impossible challenge.
It's important to remember that love isn't just a feeling, we can still be a loving person even when we are feeling down.  Love takes WORK and relationship; it is a commitment of the will to live unselfishly for another.  That commitment carries through even on those rainy days when feelings are at a low.  The love  that really sustains us comes from our commitment to  our God,  Father,  Son and Holy Spirit.  When that commitment is strong, and we are aware of the on-going presence of God's indwelling,  we won't necessarily FEEL it, but it will see us through whatever we face and our joy will be complete.
Bro. Rene

Connected To The Vine

The Word and Wisdom of God remain in us as long as we remain on the branch of the life-giving vine. Even in our deepest doubt or depression, the connection remains, though we may not be aware of it.  God cannot, will not ever cut us off unless we willingly desire such a thing, God forbid.  Deepressio can reach such a point, but if we ask God for a sign or for help from the depths of our being, it will come, out of the blue, like a ray of sun breaking through a cloudy sky.  Suddenly we are lifted up and the burden dissolves.  Such a God-moment, such a confirmation  can turn a life around; it is a resurrection from the dark cave. May we live a life of faith focused on God's love, and wisdom and thus remain connected firmly to the Vine in both our complacent and dark moments.
Bro. Rene

The Jesus Peace

For thousands of years the human race has sought peace only to find it constantly escaping into conflict and violence.  The Pax Romana was the result of discipline and enforcement of power, but it too crumbled.  
We all seek peace as we begin each day but find that the refrigerator has broken down during the night, or the car won't start.  Of course, there's the heavy traffic we didn't anticipate...The calm of the first moments of morning can easily vanish.
Yet, Jesus wishes us to have peace:  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you." (Jn 14: 27-28).  That is the secret...it's the Jesus Peace, not mine or any president's or general's.  True and lasting peace comes from Jesus.  That's why it's imperative to spend time in quiet peace with him and let it soak into the depths of our being.  When, in the course of the day, we become annoyed or agitated...it's time to stop and BE with Jesus...Peace will return.
Bro. Rene

Observing the Commandments

At the Last Supper, Jesus equated keeping the commandments with loving him...and thus being loved by the Father. (cf. Jn 14: 21-26),  He goes on to say, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." (Jn 14: 23). It's all about love:  if we love, we will not stray from Jesus, but will be more inclined to do whatever it takes to get closer to him.  The 10 Commandments, summarized as the Two Great Commandments, love of God and love of neighbor, are the parameters we must follow for this close relationship. Not an easy task, as we know from experience, but Jesus also promised help for us in the presence of the Holy Spirit, "who will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." (Jn 14:23).  If we take time to listen to the Spirit's quiet voice within us or if we "consult" with him before delving into a behavior that is sinful or might eventually lead to sin, then we will be able to observe these commandments and experience the promised love and indwelling of the Trinity.  As we approach Pentecost, it's time to turn our attention to the power of  the Spirit who has been given to help us live the Risen Life of Jesus. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.  Enkindle within us the fire of your love.
Bro. Rene.

Mary our Good Mother

As Americans honor their mothers today, we might reflect on Mary our Good Mother, who is the model for all mothers.  St. Marcellin had a trusting, loving relationship with Mary, the Mother of God, having learned to love her from his own mother, Marie-Therese Chirat, and his aunt, who was a Sister of St. Joseph forced to live in hiding with the family because of the Revolution.  Devotion to Mary was prevalent in the Loire valley and southern France, so it's no surprise that St. Marcellin should also be a devotee of Mary.  He approached her as a grown son to his mother, with respect and great trust, following her trusting and faith-filled "Be it done unto me" (Fiat).  He never doubted in her care, and attributed the growth of his little group to it.  He could speak boldly to her, saying in a prayer he composed, that if vocations did not come, it would be her fault, for it was her congregation.  They came.
Yesterday as we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, we were reminded that her loving care continues to this day, advising us and reminding us to live life focused on her Son.  Indeed, all Marists offer everything to Jesus through her.  St. Marcellin loved to refer to her as our Good Mother.  For all who she is and for all she has done and is doing, can we not do the same?
Mary, our Good Mother, pray for us.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!
Bro. Rene

Simple Message, Simple Witness

Today, the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Mother to the three shepherd children, Lucia Santos, Francisco de Jesus Marto and his sister, Jacinta de Jesus Marto in a field outside the small village of Fatima,  Pope Francis canonized Francisco and Jacinta before an estimated gathering of one million pilgrims. At the time of the apparitions, Francisco was only 9 and Jacinta, 7; they both died within two years of the miraculous events from the great "plague" of influenza that swept the world in 1918. They remained faithful to Mary's request to reform their lives, do penance for their sins and pray the rosary daily.  Their simple witness to this simple request stands as a compelling invitation to us to do the same.  "If kids can do it, so can we!"
When he consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pope St. John Paul II prayed:
 "Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the Redemption: the power of merciful Love! May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences! May your immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope!  AMEN!!!
Bro. Rene

A Place For Us

A familiar Gospel at funerals, the promise of "a place for us" in the life to come always seems to bring comfort to the mourners as well as for some, to conjure up the lyrics and melody  of  the beautiful song from the classic musical, West Side Story, There's a Place for Us. Mourners or not, the longing for " a better place", the one graduates hope to create when they "take over the world", is part of our unfulfilled human condition.
Where is this place of many mansions and how do we get there? When Thomas asked, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (Jn 14:5), Jesus gives THE answer:  "I am the way, and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6).  We've heard this thousands of times, but when it boils down to it, THIS IS the answer.  The consoling thing is that we don't have to wait till death to be in that "better place." It can be found right now, right here in Jesus.  Why look elsewhere?
Bro. Rene

Forgiveness Leads to Healing

We might not have considered this in the readings of the Passion during Holy Week, but the passage from John's Gospel reminds us today that so inclusive and boundless is Jesus's love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness that he washed the feet of Judas, knowing that in hours he would betray him.  Who among us could so treat our "enemy"?
Last year we reflected on mercy and tried through prayer and action to become more merciful.  Krisin Armstrong, spiritual writer offers the following thought that might be helpful:
Forgiveness unlocks the door to healing.  Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, untethering our hearts, minds and spirits from past pain and injustice. It does not mean we condone the actions of injustice.   It does not mean condone the actions of another, but instead,that we acknowledge how deeply God has forgiven our own transgressions.  And, by faith, we apply that same mercy to others.  Forgiveness is the only path to freedom.
When we let go of bitter, be become open to better.
Bro. Rene

Receiving His Word

As Jesus continues to explain his mission, he offers himself as the light which frees his hearers and believers from darkness (Jn 12: 45) and  reminds us that it is not only a matter of hearing his words, but of putting them into practice.  At the Last supper he gave us an example of service to one another by washing the feet of the Twelve; in Matthew 25, he specifies how we might act on his words.  He also reminds us that  rejecting  them brings about its own condemnation.  Receiving and rejecting have consequences.  May we be Receivers and not Rejecters.
Bro. Rene

Tell Us Plainly

At the Feast of the Dedication, the Jews asked Jesus to tell them plainly if he were the Messiah.  Jesus quickly retorted, "I have told you and you do not believe." (Jn 10:25).  His cures, his changing water into wine, these were not enough?  Yet we know how the skeptic dwells in us all.  Even the miracle of Fatima witnessed by 70,000 people on October 13, 1917, has been lost to faded memory, doubt or disbelief.  We even doubt our own goodness or that all we have received to make us who we are today is a gift from God.   We need humility and faith to see the truth, to accept it and be grateful for it.  May we pray today for the grace to see plainly God's  hand at work in our lives, for it is there,  and give him credit and thanks for it.
Bro.Rene

Needing the Good Shepherd

We continue to focus on the Good Shepherd again today as Jesus, in our Gospel passage this morning further explains his role: (See Jn 10:11-18).  Our Good Shepherd, Jesus sticks by his sheep to defend them against the wolf, and is willing to lay down his life for them.
As Jean Vanier tells us, we need the help of such a shepherd who shows us the way and instills trust in ourselves because he trusts us.  He helps us to grow in freedom and maturity to make our own decisions.  We call him Good, but the nuances of the Greek original, kalos, can be translated as "noble," "beautiful," "perfect," "precious" or even "wonderful".  Doesn't that add a deeper dimension to "good"?  Vanier explains that shepherding is about caring for those who are weak, lost, and in need.  It is about presence, love, and support."  "Such shepherds are needed as much today as in the days of Jesus, to love people and guide them to a greater life."  (Jean Vanier, Magnificat, May p. 113).
Jesus calls us to be shepherds with him.
Bro. Rene

Good Shepherds All

Good Shepherd Sunday.  Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one of the most enduring images of Jesus that comes from his own description of himself. It can be found on holy cards, in Churches, on living room walls and even in coloring books.  It is, perhaps the most beloved image of Jesus, for it displays his tender loving care. He knows each one of his sheep, as a good shepherd does, and calls each by name.  He seeks the lost sheep and acts as the gate keeper to the pen where all his sheep spend the night, thus preventing stray marauders and thieves from harming or stealing them.
We might see ourselves as the sheep whom he guides and protects, but we might, as parents, teachers, or simply as adults  also see ourselves as shepherds of the young, the vulnerable, the elderly, and certainly, as Marists, of the "least favored" and most needy. These seem to be always with us and constantly crying out, begging for help.  When we think we've taken care of our last lost sheep, another appears. There is no line, limit nor boundary. Only the Good Shepherd can give us the strength and wherewithal to carry out our role as Good Shepherd for our time, for our flock.  "Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from anxieties, hesitation and doubt, from death into life."
Bro .Rene

The Hard Saying

This morning, St. John tells us that "many of the disciples of Jesus became disgruntled over his teaching that they must eat his body and drink his blood to have eternal life and turned away. (cf. Jn 6: 66). A sad moment, losing these former believers and friends.  Happily, Peter stands up an asks, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.. We are convinced and have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God." (Jn 6:68-69).  A strong statement from the man who would later deny Jesus three times, and still be the rock upon which the Church would be built.
We ourselves might have misgivings and doubts about some of the sayings of Jesus or teachings of the Church, especially these days when so many find them "hard sayings" and turn away.  Look at our empty Churches.  In the Archdiocese of Boston alone, 83% of Catholics no longer practice their faith, 10% attend Mass twice a year, on Christmas and Easter; only 7% attend Mass every week.
On this First Saturday of May, we recall Mary's injunction to pray and do penance for sinners...we might understand that as "those who have turned away".  Her motherly solicitation begs us to help her in her desire to have all return to the fold.  Next week, on Saturday, May 13th, we'll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first apparition at Fatima, but it's not too late to put her words into action, for the need is still great..
Bro. Rene

Open Wide Your Mouth

Little did David realize what he was singing in Psalm 81:11:  "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it."  Now with the Eucharist available to us daily, we understand and can not only appreciate this verse, but also find in it motivation to fill ourselves as often as possible with "the Bread from Heaven, the Bread of Life."  When the priest or Eucharistic Minister says, "The Body of Christ," so often we answer Amen by rote, not realizing that we are affirming the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the form of a thin wafer of bread.  It's Jesus, the Savior, the Teacher, the Healer, the Beloved of God the Father and of our souls.  How warm and loving he is to come into our bodies as food and as the grace to nourish our souls by this sacramental meal.  It might take "work" to focus more on what we are doing at Mass and in the reception of Holy Communion, but it certainly is a gift, a treasure that we should receive with attentiveness, gratitude and love. May we not only open our mouths wide to receive it, but our hearts as well.
Bro. Rene

We Are Searching

This morning's first reading from Acts 8: 26-40 describes the encounter of Philip the Evangelizer and an Ethiopian court official who is passing by in his chariot and reading a selection from Isaiah.  Philip follows the prompting of the Spirit, catches up with the chariot, joins the man, explains the passage he's reading and baptizes him even before they arrive at their destination, for one of the fastest RCIA programs on record.  Evidently the man was searching and Philip's Spirit-directed presence and explanation satisfied his quest.
Last Fall in Lyons, France, at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere, I was intrigued by the number of young adults who had bicycled to this famous shrine to Mary.  My curiosity got the best of me and I asked one of them why he and his friends were there, for they were obviously not regular Church goers. He said, "We are searching."  His answer set me on a path of prayer for the many "searchers", who, like the Ethiopian do not understand, but are looking for explanations...
Same with the popularity of the TV series, "Thirteen Reasons Why" on the topic of teen suicide.  These kids are looking for something that is missing in their lives.  May we, following the guidance of the Spirit, pray for these searchers and be available to them to guide them in their quest to the Truth that will make them free.
Bro. Rene

Saints Philip, James and Us

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Apostles, Philip and James.
Philip appears in the stories of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes...he reports on the boy who has them...and at the last supper asks Jesus to "show us the Father," provoking the exasperated response of Jesus,  "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?" (Jn 14:9)  Thanks to his request, we have a strong statement of Jesus describing his relationship with his Father.  (See Jn 14:9-12)  ).
James, referred to as "the less" or "the Minor" because he was younger than James, the brother of John, was a cousin of Jesus, later became Bishop of Jerusalem, lived an ascetic life, and wrote the Letter of James, included in the New Testament.  He was stoned and clubbed to death, and his body was sawed in pieces.  A pestle (representing the club), a saw, and a book, representing his authority as a teacher, are symbols associated with him.
Both saints stand as models of what Jesus asks of us this Easter time:  despite our limitations and shortcomings, to live the Gospel and by our lives and witness of our actions and words to  bring the Message of salvation to others:  that is, that it is Jesus who saves, who works through us and depends on us to be his apostles despite those limitations.  Saints. Philip and James, help us to carry the Good News to others and not use our weaknesses or "unworthiness" as an excuse to hold us back. You need us, as we need you!
Bro. Rene

Note:  Here is the link to my interview on Catholic TV yesterday...Kinda fun to watch.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tJvt4o1rIM

The Bread of Life

Chapter 6 of St. John's Gospel is devoted to a multifaceted reflection on the Eucharist...the chapter is described as "The Discourse on the Eucharist."  Today we see folks hungering for "the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (Jn 6: 33).  Thinking in terms of only material bread, the people clamor:  "Sir, give us this bread always." (Jn 6:34)  Then Jesus stuns them by saying, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." (Jn 6:35 ) Jesus will go on to explain further what a treasure he is offering them; some will not accept it and will walk away.  Others will stay with him and reap the benefits of this "bread of life."
In our busyness and distractions, we might not walk away, but we might lose our appreciation for this great gift...to have Jesus become part of our body and the nutrition of our soul.  Why are we not at Mass daily to receive this gift...or at least as often as possible?  More and more parishes offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a time to gaze in quiet peace and allow the REAL PRESENCE to enter our hearts by "osmosis".   Time before the Blessed Sacrament is not wasted; just the physical act of being still is good for our souls; how much more that graces that Jesus can pour into them as we sit with him.  May the desire for the Bread of Life grow and move us to action to take advantage of the opportunities to make it part of our daily diet.
Bro. Rene

St. Joseph the Worker/Religious Brothers Day

May 1st, long ago dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker by Pope Pius XII, has now been chosen as the first Religious Brothers Day, to honor men, who, so much like St. Joseph, dedicate themselves to live out compassionate service to the community in education, health care and in many cases, manual labor. Also, like St. Joseph, they work consistently, dependably and quietly...no spotlights or fanfare. They serve as models of the Evangelical Counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, and by their witness, encourage the faithful to live the Gospel as best they can in their state of life.  Let us pray for and with our Brothers:
God of mercy and compassion, thank you for the extraordinary life, witness, and ministry of Religious Brothers in our Church.
In your wisdom, you have called these ordinary men to serve generously, pray, and share your healing love with others.
As we celebrate our annual Religious Brothers Day, deepen our appreciation for the vocation of Religious Brothers, their congregational charisms, and their commitment to vowed community life.
Strengthened by our baptismal call to holiness, inspire us to invite men to consider religious life as a Religious Brother.
Grant all Religious Brothers the grace and perseverance they need to proclaim your Holy Word for the life of our Church and our World.  Amen.  --Religious Brothers Day Committee
Bro. Rene