Faith Brings Results

"Can s child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?" (Gen 17; 17) "'Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.' 'Volo mundare. I will do it. Be made clean.'" (Mt 8: 2).
Two astounding examples of faith overcoming the impossible.  Abraham questioned, laughed at the idea, and tried to suggest alternatives, but in the end, believed.  Isaac was born.  The leper didn't even ask, he just reminded Jesus that he had the power to cleanse him and Jesus responded immediately.
When we pray, particularly asking for healing, or for conversion for ourselves or others, do we really believe that God will do it?  Even in our doubting and quibbling, may we come to the point reached by by Abraham and turn what seems impossible over to God who so easily turns the impossible into the possible.
Bro. Rene

Two PIllars

Note:  yesterday an unexpectedly long physical therapy session prevented me from posting a slice of daily bread...I aplogize.

As we observe the Solmentiy of Saints Peter and Paul we might look for a moment at the role these men played in the foundation of the Church. Both underwent "training"; they were not born into their respetive roles of leadership and evanglization.  Peter denied Jesus three times, yet always aware of his sinfulness, trusted in the mercy of Jesus to be able to begin again and again.  Paul persecuted the early Christians with passion and determination, yet was re-routed on the way and turned that passion and determination to preaching, writing, and nourishing the Church as its first theologian  and missionary to the Gentiles.
The Church today, needs such passionate leadership and conviction.  And when we say Church, we mean US...for we are the Church. We lament the loss of two generations and see young adults searching for meaning in their lives  which ultimately means  a connection to God.  This is what the Church (we) should be providing. These folks need to SEE our faith in ACTION' they need answers to their sincere questions.  May we all learn from Peter and Paul how to use our gifts, and despite our sinfulness, do the best we can to bring the searchers back into the fold
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Besides the familiar major marial feasts, there are other "lesser" celebrations in local areas around the globe.  June 27th is the memorial of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, an important feast with the Redemptorists and Redemptorestines.  We might be familiar with the icon, but may not realize that it is Our Lady of Perpetual Help.   We might also have never noticed that one of Jesus' sandals is barely hanging on his foot by the strap.  The story goes that when he as a child heard of his eventual passion and death, he was so frightened that he rans as fast as he could to his mother, nearly losing his sandal.  Hel lept into her armas and from her faith, stabiity and strength was abke to 'face and accept the inevitable suffering.' Mary again sands as  the strong, abiding mother to whom St. Marcellin had similar recourse, and many Christians throughout the centuries.
In today's first reading from Genesis, we read of Abraham's faith...he believed in the impossible promise that although old and childless he would become the father of countless descendents.  We might ponder today where our faith stands, and if we find it weak, can we run to Mary to strengtgeb ut?
Bro. Rene

De-Logging Our Own Eyes

It's so easy for us to see the faults in others and to slip a quick, dimissive  judgement on them spontaneously. We all do it. and try as we might after hearing Jesus tell us over and over again to "remove tbe log from our own eye before tending to the splinter in our neighbor's eye." (Cf. Mt 7: 4), we fail time and time again.
Perhaps if we put ourselves at the other end of the log and try to see ourselves as others do, we might be humbled enough to work on de-logging our eye and leave the splinter in the eye of our neighbor to God.
Bro. Rene

Speaking In the Light

We are all called to be proclaimers of the Good News, evangelizers.  Jesus tell us to speak in the light  what we hear in the dark; to proclaim on the housetops what we hear whispered. (cf Mt 16:26-27).  We might be able to voice our political opinions loudly, but when it comes to matters of faith or sprituality, we tend to hold back.  This hesitancy might come from the honest truth that we "don't know that much about these things," or from the "who am I? syndrome resulting from an overpowering awareness of our faults and weaknesses.  It's a kind of fear that paralyzes us into silence.  Jesus is aware of that and continues to encourage us not to be afraid, for indeed the Father knows the number of hairs on our had and surely if he cares for the sparrows that dart about, does he not care for us and protect us?  Are we not worth more than many sparrows? (cf. Mt 16:32).  We don't have to be a Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, but by our humble presence in deed, more than word, we can be proclaimers of the Gospel and shed our light in the darkness.
Bro. Rene

Birth of John the Baptist

Note:  Totally diorientated this morning and the deadline has arrived...Sorry... A great feast. a great prophet...May we imitate his zeal and follow in his footsteps in making Jesus known and loved.

"Crazy In Love With Us"

The phase used by St. Alphonsus LIguori in the 17th century "Craze in Love With Us" preceeded the title of the popular musicl, "Crazy For You" but refers to the great love God has for us.  The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrates that love and encourages us to reflect on the image givien to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque and the 12 promises made to her. The flaming heart of Jesus burns with love for us and seeks to enkindle our loving response:  Can we love Jesus with the intense love that Jesus has for us?  Can we love our neighbor with an unselfish, undoncitional love?  Can we show it in little signs of affection or caring like the anonymous gardner who daily plants new flowers in my garden in secret, by night or sometime during the day when no one is looking?  A sign that someone cares and recognizes my inablitly at the present time to plant my own flower.  As the burning heart of Jesus is a sign for his love, what signs can we give to others of our love?
Bro. Rene
Here are the 12 promises...
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will comfort them in their trials.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.
5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings
6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.
8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.
9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment. 

Don't Babble

In his usual direct wau, Jesus gave his disciples (including us) a simple prayer that keeps us from babbling on and on and encomapses all we need to say to our Father.  We acknowledge him as God, bless him and pray that his will become our will.  We ask for our daily sustenance, physical and spiritual, the gift to be able to forgive as we have been forgiven and the grace to avoid temptaion. Yes, succintly and efficiently stated, the OUR FATHER is the beloved prayer that over the centuries has been prayed by saint and sinner. Instead of rattling it off by rote while thinking of other things, may we pay attention to what we are saying so that it actually affects our hearts and our behavior.
Bro. Rene

Loving Silence, Quiet Service

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us the norms for prayer and doing good deeds:  We are not to draw attention to ourselves in either prayer or service to others.  Privacy in prayer seems to be a preference, behind closed doors so that the Father who sees in secret will repay. (cf. Mt 6:5) Righteous deeds, giving of alms, should be done without a trumpet blare; there's no reward from the Father for such, because being seen is reward enough.  It seems there is a fine line between being public and private in these things.   We want to give good example, and witness to others how to serve and pray, yet, we do not want to draw attention to ourselves.  Our Marist way of "doing good quietly, in the Way of Mary seems to be the model for us to follow.  She sang the praises of God in her Magnificat, giving the credit to him for the marvelous gift he gave to her, and put herself in the background, as her life testifies.  She was a presnece with Jesus right to the foot of the cross.  Being such a presence comes from a close relationship with Jesus, one that is fostered by spending time with him in loving silence.  In these private moments, we receive the grace to give quiet service.
Bro. Rene

Loving Enemies

Perhaps one of the most demanding teachings of Jesus is found in today's selection from the Sermon on the Mount: But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who perseute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what recompense diwll yo have? (Mt 5: 44-45), When we think back on those who have wronged us, or whose personalities conflict with ours, it takes a monmental effort to love them.  Yet, the model is our heavenly Father who loves all and has a plan for all, whose sunshin and rain fall on them as well as on us. May his grace enable us to be as forgiving, welcoming and loving as he is.
Bro. Rene

Agents of Grace

For all his writings, preaching, travels and successes,St. Paul did not have it easy.  He endured, as he tells us in his second letter to the Corinthians, (6:1-10) "afflictions, hardships, contraints, beatings, improsonments, riots, labors, vigils, and fasts"  He advises us "not to receive the grace of God in vain...In an acceptable time I heard ou/ and on the day of salvation I helped you.: (2 Cor 6:2).
This day is the acceptable time, for God is always working in us and through us, no matter what the circumstanes, what the heat or humidity, nor mood, nor preoccupations with a host of things on our "to do" list. If Paul had let these "little things" not to mention the BIG things top him, whee would we be?  Grace works in all and through all. When Jesus tells us to "turn the other cheek",or walk the extra mile, (cf. Mt 5:39-49) he's reminding us that his grace is at work and our acceptance of these challenges can make us agents of grace for others   As much as possible, may we remain in tune with Jesus so that we may nor receive the grace of God in vain.
Bro. Rene

The Living Bread

The Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, The Body of Christ, to underscore the meaning of this great gift and to enable us to demonstrate our appreciation and love for Jesus in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Many American parishes have restored the Corpus Christi Procession after Mass to emphasize that Jesus gave his Body and Blood for ALL.We are reminded that we are ONE BODY in Christ;"we do not stand alone:" At the end of the procession there is time for Adoration and then in a great sign of Benediction, the celebrant raises the Monstrance and blesses all who have gathered to affirm their gratitude and faith.
When confronted by skeptics over this "living bread", Jesus  elaborated even further:  "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." (Jn 6:52-54).  Whether or not we can participate in a procession, we can still reflect on the great thoughtlfullness of Jesus to leave us this gift of his REAL PRESENCE among us and the Food that will bring us eternal life.
Bro. Rene

Marist Brothers Jubilee

As the Marist Brothers conclude the Assembly at Marist College, which marks the closing of the 200th birthday festivities we have been celebrating across the globe, with thoughtful reflection and planning for the last three years, several Brothers will be celebrating their Jubilees ranging from 25-70 years.  What a wonderful sign of the commitment Jesus talks about in today's Gospel: "Let your 'Yes' mean "Yes' and your 'No' mean 'No'. (Mt 5:37)  These men have remained faithful through trial, error, success, joy, good health and illness. Each moment has been an repetition of the original yes and at this juncture we pause to commend them and encourage them to continue repeating that 'Yes'. This day also serves as a day of encouragement for all who have at some level made a "yes commitment":  stay with it; it's not impossible; see others have done it. May Mary, our Good Mother, help us to join her in her 'Yes' that gave us Jesus and changed the world.
Bro. Rene

What Jesus Wants For Us

As we continue with the Sermon on the Mount, we run into further challenges to the fullest keeping of the commandments, rather than just lip service to a minimal observance.  Hence, it;s not just "Thou shalt not commit adultery, but not even look at a woman with a heart full of lust. (Mt 5:27-28)  Or in order to avoid sin, cut off a hand or tear out an eye..  Hyperbole, of course, as was the Jewish wont, but nevertheless:  go to the root and eradicate it.  And even with divorce, Jesus only makes one concession..if the "marriage" is unlawful, divorce is possible.   Who can live up to these standards?  What is Jesus trying to do, kill us?  In demanding such high standards, he is really asking us for the total commitment of our hearts to his loving heart. Fridays are dedicated to the Sacred Heart, and indeed, next Friday will be the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,..the acknowledgement of the unbounded burning love Jesus has for us.  He is asking us to meet that love with our own, which means going against our natural tendency toward the "easy way out" and to love him without measure, especially when it includes the pain of sacrifice of our wills, of "doing it My Way."  The pain we feel in physical therapy after surgery is not something we relish, and, indeed, try to avoid, but the results of pushing ourselves in spite of the pain, leads to the full restoration of mobility.  If we find this worthwhile on the physical level, how much more on the spiritual?
Bro .Rene

A Step Further

Jesus is not satisfied with the status quo...he urges us to take a stop further.  In the Sermon on the Mount, he acknowledges that killing is one of the key commandments, and is liable to judgment,  but then he says that's not enough, the next step us to curb our anger. "But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother, will be liable to judgment..." (Mt 5: 22),  it has the same consequence as killing!  Or, if we are bringing a gift to the altar and remember that there is some "junk" still lingering between us and another, we ought to leave the gift and go reconcile first.  These are not easy challenges, and again, the help and strength of the Holy Spirit make them possible.
Bro. Rene

Not Always Easy

Preaching the Word, teaching it to children or students, learning to live it...not always easy...better to say, always a challenge. As we grow from childhood dependency to adolescent independence the tension grows between between parents who insist on their rules, their ways, and the children who almost too fast become "experts" in everything.  By the time a fourteen year old reaches high school, a lot of values, ideas and choices are already set in place.  Many of them are not "in the right place" and demand patient explanation and discussion, which might drag on far beyond high school. We know from our own experience how often God has to admonish, re-direct and even shake us into the right path.  Jesus is very strong, however, on following the truth, keeping even the least of the law's commandments.  Those who don't, will be called "least in the Kingdom" (Mt 5:18) and those who do will be called greatest. (Mt 5:19).  What a tremendous obligation placed on parents and teachers!  Yet a happy one, for the Holy Spirit is there to guide and help us, for alone we cannot do it.
Bro. Rene

Let Our Light Shine

It might not be too much of an overstatement to say that everyone loves a light house.  The rocky coast of New England is dotted with them, countless photos and paintings have been made of them; they harbor mystery, beauty, strength and security.  They come to mind as we hear Jesus say this morning:  "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14)...a light that cannot be hidden, (should not be), and which gives light to all.  Not that we have to do something spectacular, like St. Anthony, whose Memorial it is today, but simply our good deeds shine like a lighthouse beacon to guide others on their course toward God and give glory to God.  A person's goodness (light) can be so visible, that no words need be spoken...simply "that presence" is enough. May we not discount the value of our kind words and thoughtful gestures, but make a special effort each day to be a strong, beautiful and guiding beacon of light.
Bro .Rene

The Beautiful Beatitudes

As we seriously move into Ordinary Time, the Church presents us with the Beatitudes from St. Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount", (Mt 5: 1-12).  They are sometimes referred to as "the summary of the Gospel" but in a gentle, poetic way.  One translation for "blessed" is "happy"...yes, happy are we to see our world as God sees it, the opposite of human insight and "wisdom".  Indeed, in God's "system" the poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God, the hungry will be satisfied, the mourners, comforted, etc.  It takes a lifetime to shift our thinking along these lines, but God doesn't seem to be in any hurry, repeating and repeating the same wise lessons day after day, year after year until "we get it."  Like physical therapy after surgery, it take daily fidelity and a calm approach for it to be effective.  By trying to absorb these Beatitudes and live them as best we can at this time in our lives, will eventually make them "our own."  Blessed are they who keep trying, they will achieve their goal.
Bro. Rene

God's Day

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity:  God's Day.  Finally we stop to give God a day in which we stop to reflect on the Mystery of the Three in One, a concept that far exceeds our ability to comprehend. The Father is not the Son, the Son not the Father, neither one is the Holy Spirit, yet all three are God.  What???  Looking at the Trinity as Relationship helps, for we do understand relationships with one another:  husbands, wives, parents, children, teachers, students, leaders, citizens, friends... We know who we are and what we do.  As we look at the Trinity, we use the words Father, Son...that we understand, but then we say they are equal, equally God...then it begins to blur. We assign "tasks" to them...Father:  Creator, Son:  Redeemer, Holy Spirit: Sanctifier, and again find a bit more "help" and clarification, but the blur remains... The best we can do is to say that God is Love...the love generated between the Father and the Son creates the Holy Spirit and that intense love between the Three is the love the spills over to the creation of the ever-expanding universe and to us.  God's love brought us into being and sustains us and inevitably draws us back to it for all eternity.  Perhaps then we'll have a fuller comprehension of who God is and find the answer to what we seek now,   In the meantime, Let's continue to give praise and thanks to God, the Lover of All.
Bro. Rene

The Widow's Mite

Note:  Complications from the anesthesia kept me in the hospital an extra day. I came home on Friday afternoon instead of Thursday as planned.  Hope we didn't lose any readers....I'm "back in business now."

The familiar story of the widow donate her last two coins to the temple, remains a powerful story no matter how many times we hear it. What could she have bought with those two coins?  A meal, some cloth to make a needed garment?  Evidently, is wasn't much, but nevertheless, she gave from her need.  Because of her generous act, she has been an example of giving for 2000 years.
What small item can we donate to the needy?  What part of our "story" can we share with someone else that might help them with a struggle they are going through?  We don't know how much sharing our faith might mean to someone who is struggling with theirs or just having a "bad day" and is doubting God's care for them.  As with the widow, a small gift, a "mite" might be sufficient to "make someone's day."
Bro. Rene

God's Kindness and Compassion Are Ageless

The Psalmist asks God (and us) to
Remember that your compassion, O Lord
 and your kindness are from of old. (Ps 25:6)
When we are tired, weary, and overwhelmed, it might seem that God has forgotten us and left us to bear our burdens alone.  It is then, most especially, that we need to remember that God's kindness and compassion were there ages before our little problems surfaced.  How many billions of people has God cared for, rescued, comforted over these ages?  Why should he stop now?  He who knows the number of the hairs on our head cannot be ignorant of what might be plaguing us at the moment.  We need simply and gently remind God and ourselves that we are in need of HIS infinite mercy, kindness and compassion, and FEAR NOT...
Bro. Rene
Note: I will be having a macroplasty (?)(partial knee replacement) today and will not be able to offer a slice of bread until Friday.  Thanks in advance for your prayers.

God Works Through the Unlikely

It's been no secret in Christian Spirituality that, as St. Paul said so well:  "God choses the weak to confound the strong, the ignorant to thwart the wise." (1 Cor 1:27)... He chooses and works through the most unlikely. Again in our Marist Lore, we see this principle reiterated over and over.  Today, as we celebrate the Memorial of St. Marcellin Champagnat who died on this day at the age of 52, we reflect on his humble beginnings in the hamlet of Le Rosey  located "in the middle of nowhere", a most unlikely location for the birth of a saint, as was Bethlehem for the birth of the Son of God!  Marcellin was a healthy child in the middle of a family where two of his brothers died before the age of 10.  He was uneducated, and the least likely member of the family to become a priest, the founder of an congregation of educators and a saint.  Human standards and measurements do not add up to this result, yet, that's what happened.  The "hidden factor"?  God's grace, all God's DOING.  Marcellin simply complied with faith, generosity, trust and determination.  These are not lost treasures and can still be found in the hearts of people today.  Let us pray that with God's grace, a happy concoction may result among some of the most unlikely, vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and sainthood.  Nothing is impossible with God. (cf. Lk 1: 27)
Bro. Rene

A Time For Living Our Faith

With the conclusion of Vespers last night, the Easter Season ended and Ordinary Time began; it is a time for putting into practice the gains and insights we have made since Ash Wednesday.  Our first reading from the Book of Tobit presents a man who devoutly and steadfastly practiced the Corporal Works of Mercy, notably, burying the dead.  In addition, we celebrate the Memorial of St. Boniface, the "Apostle of Germany", whose indefatigable energy and efforts made an enormous impact on the history of Europe.  These men lived their faith and by their example preach to us even today. What Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy can we do today to bring light and happiness to others? What good word or encouragement or challenge can we offer?  What holds us back from making a strong, if not lasting impact on the people in our circles? It's Ordinary Time, yet the call for Extraordinary effort and action is even greater, especially in these times of lost faith, disrespect and compromised values.  St. Boniface, pray for us and give us your zeal and courage.
Bro. Rene

Completing the Pascal Mystery

40 Days of Lent, 50 Days of Resurrection Celebration and now, Pentecost:  The wind "that blows where it will" (Jn 3:8)  comes in hurricane force and roars through the streets of Jerusalem.  Tongues of fire descend upon the gathered followers of Jesus whose fear is transformed into fearlessness.  Mary is among them as Mother of the new-born Church.  The Spirit fills their hearts and now they know and will continue to experience the "Father of the Poor", the "Rest from labor", the "Sweet Coolness" in the heat, the "Melter" of the frozen, the "Warmer" of the chilled: (cf. Sequence of Pentecost).  All these beautiful images attempt to describe the ineffable Power of the Spirit, promised at the Last Supper and guaranteed to be with us till the end of time. (Mt 28: 20)  This is definitely a RED DAY, a day of great jubilation and hope.  Again, no matter how "bad" our world seems, the Holy Spirit is among us, within us, just as on Pentecost, to bring the Paschal Mystery to its destined end.  May we rejoice as at Easter, for indeed, THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE. ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!
Bro. Rene

Following Jesus

On this First Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost, and Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, we conclude the reading of John's Gospel, where again we hear the command, "You follow me." (Jn 21: 22).  Peter did not fully anticipate what that command would entail, as we who attempt to follow it also cannot know what is in our future. Charles Lwanaga and his companions did have an inkling that in refusing to follow the orders of their king Mwanga or allowing themselves to be sexually abused by him, death would follow.  They willingly chose to remain faithful to Jesus and suffered torture and death by burning. Charles and 17 other Catholics and some Anglicans set the tone for massive conversions to the faith which followed their martyrdom. Today, thousands from the surrounding countries of Uganda make a nine day pilgrimage and novena to honor the Ugandan Martyrs.
Following Jesus is not easy, but faith and conviction along with the power of the Holy Spirit give us the strength to bear all.  Reflection on these martyrs and Mary's total gift of self would be an efficacious way to prepare for Pentecost.
Bro. Rene

Love Compensates

There stands a small church. known as the Church of the Primacy of Peter,  built over a large rock on the shore of the Sea of Galilee near the modern town of Tabgha.  Gentle waves break over the rocky bottom of the lake where Peter and the disciples had been fishing.  Jesus prepared breakfast for them and they used the rock as their table.  It is here that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him, and three times, Peter affirmed his love.  The Church Fathers saw this tri-fold affirmation of his love as his compensation for his tri-fold denial.  However, it was not just words, but action was required.  Peter is commissioned to feed the lambs, feed the sheep and to follow him as a way of showing his love. This path would eventually lead to beatings, imprisonment and crucifixion.   (Jn 21: 17-21)
Our profession of love, if we mean what we say,  will follow a similar path of service, perhaps suffering, and for some, even death.  The point is that no matter what we have done, the love we give to Jesus and others will "cover" our past and by God's mercy, compensate for those errors, misjudgments, and sins.
Bro. Rene

Praying for Unity

Hours before his passion, death and resurrection,  Jesus does not pray for himself, but for US:  "Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: 'I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in my through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.'" (Jn 17: 20-21)  Ardently does Jesus desire union with us, and, it goes without saying, union with one another.  Pope St. John XXIII hoped and prayed "that they may be one."  Ut unum sint.  Yet division continues within the Church and beyond into a world becoming ever more fragmented.   We see it in ourselves as our shadow side looms ever on the horizon, or closer and with St. Paul we find ourselves not doing what we know we should be doing, and doing what we should not.  Evidently, this unity is not something we can achieve alone.  We need Jesus (again!).  Let our prayer be his...that he may help us become ONE.
Bro. Rene