A Few Seeds, A Little Yeast

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyal, founder of the Society of Jesus.  The Gospel about the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven in the loaf was enfleshed  in his life and in the life of the early Jesuits.   Ignatius underwent a major conversion from soldier to passionate militant for Jesus. Small of stature himself, his own powers blossomed as he gave himself over to Christ, in a process that demonstrated how fast and powerful seeds can grow, or how big the loaf can rise.  His small group of Companions grew eventually into the largest Order of men who spread themselves around the world founding missions and universities that continue to exist to the present.  The Spanish soldier yielded his passionate soul to Jesus and saw it accomplish marvels that continue to help others give themselves over to promoting the greater glory of God.
We may think that we have nothing to contribute the the Church, to our parish or to our local community, but we underestimate the power of God who can accomplish in us and through us more than we can imagine.  Let us allow him to cultivate the seeds he has planted within us.
Bro. Rene

Seeking Wisdom

"The Wisdom of Solomon" has been a catch word for centuries.  Don't we all wish we had it...to judge, to act with a wise and understanding heart?   Such wisdom would help us move unflinchingly to sell all we have to buy the "pearl of great price" ((Mt 13: 46).  Alas, our "wisdom" is so often limited that we cling to the wrong things, unwilling to part with them, in order to acquire the greater treasure.  And the greater treasure is Jesus....could there be any more precious, priceless?  Yet. our comfort, our material security, our own wills, remain the treasures we cling to.  If God asked us to request something, would we ask for wisdom, "an understanding heart to judge rightly and distinguish right from wrong," (1 Kgs 3: 9), and find the freedom to "let go" of what we have to purchase the pearl of great price, of what prevents us from a total gift of self to Jesus?  Dear God, bless me with the gift of wisdom to choose rightly between the mundane and the real treasure, your Son. Jesus.
Bro. Rene

What To Do About Busyness

The Memorial of St. Martha challenges us all to learn a balance between busyness, and quiet contemplation at the feet of Jesus. Martha reacts, as most of us would, when she finds herself busy preparing the meal while her sister just sits there listening to Jesus. "Break it up, tell her I need help." Yet, Jesus defends Mary,, which becomes a lesson for Martha and us;  "Don't let "little things", or big things, like preparing supper, stand in the way of deepening your friendship with me,"  Evidently Martha does learn and later when she meets Jesus who has come because of the death of her brother, Lazarus, she says, "I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." (cf. Jn 11:27)  There has been growth in Martha, perhaps because she has taken more of a "Mary Stance".  She gives us hope that we too can emerge from our busyness and experience Jesus as the Christ, our Savior. Mary, our Good Mother gives us the model, which is imperative in Marist Spirituality:  action and contemplation happily and peacefully blended.
Bro. Rene

Good Soil

In an effort to yield healthier plants and larger harvests, farmers supplement their farmland with fertilizers (in some countries, the manure gathered in the pits of barn from the cows feeding above).  Even house plants benefit from a monthly dose of "miracle grow" or some other supplement.  Conscientious growers want the BEST soil for their plants.
Our spiritual life demands even more attention:  Don't we wish for the Word of God to fall on the Good soil of our hearts, the best soil?  We nave a natural revulsion for rocks and weeds in our gardens, and even more so in the gardens of our hearts. The  spiritual fertilizers abound...Mass, Adoration, the Sacrement of Reconciliation, the Rosary, meditation, spiritual reading, and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.  With such additives to our soil, we will yield the harvest of the famed "hundred fold."  Let's not waste time but begin (or continue) today to fertilize the good soil within.
 Bro. Rene

What Do I See?

When explaining why he spoke in parables, Jesus concludes, "But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear, Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (Mt 13: 17)  My daily question is "What do I see and hear?"  Do I see the hand of God in the beauty of the flowers I planted and tend?  Do I see Jesus in the people around me, in all people, not just the good and beautiful people who are my friends?  In those people with cardboard signs begging for coins?  In the noisy neighbors whose music at night keeps me from sleep?  In my busyness do I see the gifts I have been given and if so, do I "rightly give thanks and praise"? Yes, we are blessed to have Jesus present in the Word and Eucharist, but let us see him and listen to him in the myriad ways besides that he is present.  The prayer from Father Bob Loughery, CSC is my prayer for today. May it be yours too:

Almighty God, every day you reveal to us your presence and the depth of your love for us. Open our hearts to receive your mercy, our minds to understand your wisdom. Make us worthy vessels of your grace. Help us bring your love to a broken world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Bro. Rene

Transmitters of the Faith

A Memorial on the Liturgical Calendar for the Universal Church but a major Feast for American Marist Brothers who took the Marist Habit, and the following year, pronounced their first vows on this day.  Happy anniversary to this dwindling number of brothers.
We know little about Saints Anne and Joachim, but they stand in the line of "transmitters of the faith" who faithfully passed on their love of prayer and the Holy Scriptures to their children.  Mary was the only child of Anne and Joachim,, but evidently she was an willing and ardent student.
 St. Macellin's devotion to Mary and his burning desire to pass on the faith to children has inspired Marists for the past 200 years to do the same.  The roles of parents and teachers in this delicate but essential duty becomes more and more apparent in our increasingly secular society.   How disheartening, challenging and demanding of patience is it when a fourth grader tells his parents he or she no long wants to attend Sunday Mass with them because his or her friends don't.  None of us can plot the course of our children's lives, or of our student's, but we can persist in our practice and love of the faith in front of them, pray for them and hope that in time they will respond to God's invitation to a more intimate life with him.  St. Anne and St. Joachim, pray for parents, grandparents, teachers and all involved in the transmitting of the faith.
Bro. Rene

To Serve Rather Than Be Served

James, brother of John and one of the trio of intimates (Peter, James and John,) who shared many sacred moments with Jesus, who was the first Apostle to be martyred and who remains ever popular as Santiago de Compostella, whose tomb is the object of thousands of pilgrims a year who walk the "Camino" from France to Compostela.  He is also the patron of those who suffer from arthritis, a little known fact, which, if publicized, should make him even more popular, especially among those of us,who because of arthritis, cannot walk the Camino.
St. James serves as a model for those who seek to adopt the role of "servant of the servants of God", proposed by Jesus in response to James' mother's request that he and John be given places of honor at the right and left hands of Jesus...  "Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.  Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mt 20: 27-28)  St. James, help us to live as Jesus suggested.
Bro. Rene

Saint Sharbel Makhluf

Popular in the Eastern Church, but little known in the West, Saint Sharbel (also Charbel) is the beloved Lebanese Hermit whose life of prayer, devotion to the Holy Eucharist and sacrifice moved Pope Paul VI to describe him as "the admirable flower of sanctity blooming on the stem of the ancient monastic traditions of the East." (Magnificat, July, p. 350)  Miracles accompanied him in life and especially after death. A mystical light hovered over his casket for several years and an inexplicable liquid used to anoint the sick emanated from his body until his beatification. Today is his Optional Memorial and stands as a reminder of the efficacy of prayer, sacrifice and devotion to the Eucharist.  Google St. Sharbel to read more.
Bro. Rene
Note:  My Godson, Marcellin, was healed by him a year ago in May.  Marcellin had a sudden and severe case of the flu...his heart stopped but was revived, beating weakly causing the doctors to avert that family that he would not survive.  A prayer card that had touched the relics of St. Sharbel, was touched to him and a prayer to St. Sharbel was said...The next day the heart was beating stronger and increased in strength daily until he fully recovered.  The doctors had no explanation medically, and the nurses right away claimed "Miracle."   St. Sharbel, pray for us.

Tolerating the Weeds

St. Marcellin gives us many an example of tolerating the weeds...When Brother Hyppolite was late day after day for morning prayer, St. Marcellin sought an explanation before wielding punishment on him.  Hearing of his long walk from the 5th floor of the Hermitage with his lame leg to the river to fetch water for washing up, he, bought a pitcher for him and told him to fill it at night and wash in his room in the morning.  Br. Hyppolite was never late again.
Jesus urges the same patience and tolerance as he describes the weeds growing in the field of wheat.  "Let it grow lest in pulling it up you destroy the wheat."  Side by side for a time, both weeds and wheat grow, but at the harvest time, they are separated, the wheat stored in barns, and the weeds, burned. As he explained this parable, he made it clear that HE will deal with the evil-doers as they deserve.  (Cf. Mt 13: 40-43).  A lesson in patience for us and a reminder that this is God's wheat field; he is "in charge," not us.
Bro. Rene

Resurrection in July

The feast of St. Mary Magdalene brings us to the morning of the Resurrection, which we celebrated back in March.  This time Mary's sadness and confusion help us to see Jesus, not in his glorious Tabor splendor, but as the gardener...an ordinary man who could not easily be recognized even by an intimate friend!  When things are dark, cloudy and confused in our lives, don't we find ourselves weeping in confusion, feeling, lost, struggling with realities, which, according to us, never should have happened, and certainly failing to see the presence of Jesus in this "mess"?  As Jesus did with Mary, he simply calls us by name in the depths of our hearts, and our eyes are opened.  It is a grace, there is not other explanation, and a reminder that Jesus NEVER abandons us, especially in the midst of doubt or tragedy.  The call, the vision of the good that will eventually emerge from the ashes of our life, may not be immediate, but the story of Mary in the Garden reminds us to have faith:  it will come.
Bro. Rene

Something Greater

In disputing with the Pharisees over the rules about the Sabbath, Jesus reminds them that "something greater than the temple is here. " (Mt 12: 7):  feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, visiting the hospitalized, visiting prisoners, etc...these can displace the rules intended to preserve order, for charity, LOVE, takes precedence.  Our compassionate God desires mercy, not the sacrifice of animals. May this become our principle motive of action; may we in prayerful discernment sort through possibilities,  find ourselves on the side of mercy and love and then discover the "something greater" that Jesus is talking about.
Bro. Rene

Take My Yoke

Note: Am in Wheeling, WV...access to the internet has been a challenge, but finally I'm here...Visiting with former students who are 67 and retired!!!  Visiting with Rwandans in Pittsburgh...they are in their 40's, buying homes for their growing families...All good!

Jesus knows our plight so well; he reminds that no matter what age, what physical condition we may be in, what daily challenges come our way, he IS THERE reminding us to take up HIS YOKE and learn from him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.  We DO need to learn from him:  his humility and meekness...accepting all that God sends us in obedience, for a Wisdom far beyond ours is guiding us...(cf. Mt 11: 28-30)
Bro. Rene

Patron Of The Sick, Hospitals and Nurses

Healthcare seem to be in the headlines all the time; money is a huge factor in the arguments surrounding it; care for the ill, just wages for the caregiver.   The circle never ends.
In the late 1500's Camillus de Lellis, a man who abandoned is troubled ways and eventually, because of how he saw the sick being treated in the hospitals of his time, founded an Order which would be dedicated to the decent care of patients, seeing in them another Christ.  He saw a need and took dramatic steps to respond to it. His zeal, simplicity and determination greatly improved the plight of hospital patients, a movement which has needed ongoing renewal since his death. May we support our hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other care-givers by volunteering to help them or by contributing financially.
Bro .Rene

Warfare?

"I have come to bring not peace but the sword." (Mt 10: 34).  The sword refers to the necessary cutting of oneself from all that hinders a binding and total commitment of love to God.  Sometimes this entails pain, divisions within families, and the taking up of the cross behind Jesus.  We sometimes forget the challenge it is to be a disciple of Jesus; it's not lemonade and roses. This is a lifetime process, warfare,  even the Apostles and all saintly followers had to undergo suffering, separation, disappointment and the loss of what we hold dear.. In the end, however, the prize of finding life in Jesus is worth it.  There is nothing else that compares with it. This Gospel passage (Mt 10: 34-11:1) bears much need for reflection and incorporation into our spiritual life.  St. Marcellin and the Marist Martyrs of the 20th and 21st centuries bear witness to this...As Marists, as Christians, can we expect anything less?
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

How many parishes are named in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel? The Great St. Teresa, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, all were Carmelites. This feast, not observed today because of the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, commemorates the giving of the Scapular to St. Simon Stock on this date in 1251. Those who wear the scapular, a long piece of cloth covering front and back the religious habit of Carmelites, Benedictines and Dominicans, for example, and now worn by many as two pieces of brown or green cloth, identify closely with Mary and receive her special protection.
They are also special Sowers of the Seed, as we read in today's Gospel, dedicated to cultivating the Word of God and making it effective in their own lives and in the lives of others.  As the Sower lavishly casts his seed, not concerned about the percentage of return, for indeed, some falls on rocky ground or gets choked by the weeks, so must today's Sowers be extravagant in living and preaching the Word by example and "preaching",  Might we take one point from the Gospel or homily today and pass it on to others as our way of honoring Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Bro. Rene

St. Bnaventure

Called the Second Founder of the Franciscans and "The Seraphic Doctor," St. Bonaventure entered the Franciscans a dozen years or so after the death of St. Francis, seeing the Order as definitely founded by God for ALL:  scholar, doorkeeper, beggar.  There was much turmoil among the Franciscans at that time; numbers had grown immensely in a short time, and divisions were rampant over how to live the ideal of poverty and accommodate such large, diverse numbers.  Bonaventure was chosen as Superior General and was able to carve out a balance between the extremists and unite them in harmonious moderation.  He was a Doctor of theology, yet lived simply enough to wash dishes with his brethren. The story is told that when an emissary from the Pope arrived carrying a red cardinal's hat for him, he had to wash his greasy, dishwater hands before accepting it.  He was able to find time to write a definitive biography of St. Francis and several theological works despite the demands of governing the Order.
Today's Gospel, Matthew 10: 24-33, tell us that we must preach in the light what we hear in the dark; to fear not those who can kill the body, bur rather those who can kill both soul and body, and to acknowledge our faith and allegiance to the Father fearlessly.  Bonaventure is a man who lived this message, and whose example encourages us to do the same.  How blessed we are to have him and so many others as models to show us the way to the sainthood for which we were created.
Bro. Rene

Taking A Stand

We join Native Americans today in celebrating the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first and only (so far) Native American Saint.  Born in 1630 in what is now upstate New York, she survived a bout with smallpox, a disease which killed thousand of Native Americans, including her parents. Raised by her extended family, she led a quiet, secluded life, due to the smallpox scars she bore on her face and her semi-blindness...the results of smallpox.  After meeting a Jesuit missionary at the age of 17, she was baptized a Catholic at 19, which, along with her refusal to marry, gave the tribe more reasons to shun her.  Nevertheless, she stood her ground and remained steadfast in her faith, walking miles for daily Mass, and living a life of extraordinary kindness and prayer-fullness She died young, at 24, but miracles began to occur right away through her intercession.  She stands as an example of how affliction and abandonment by family and friends can be the springboard for a life of simplicity and holiness. St. Kateri, pray for me when I am faced with peer pressure to make choices that will lead me to be untrue to myself and to God.
Bro. Rene

Called To Give

When Jesus sent his apostles on their first mission, he commanded them to be lavish in giving of their time and gifts of healing.  "Cure everyone" summarizes his injunction  (cf. Mt 10: 7) as he reminded them:  "Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give." (Mt 10: 8),  We probably have considered what we might do if we had the gift of healing...Cure all....But few, if any of us are so blessed, but we do have our loving hearts and TIME that we can share willingly and joyfully. Our selfish streak might hold us back as we wonder when the demands for our presence will ever stop.  But reflecting on these words of Jesus, we will be able to take the leap into that unknown area of service, and find that he provides everything we need.
Bro. Rene

Called To Wholeness and Fullness

Noted French spiritual writer, Fr. Jacques Philippe notes that "The fullness of human flourishing is not possible by the use only of our own physical, intellectual, psychic, and emotional resources.  We can only full realize our humanity be responding to God's calls--subtle and mysterious, to be sure, yet also real and constant all during our lives."  Where would we be without the challenges of every day life, without today's challenges? which may not have even appeared yet at this early hour. How we respond to them is what makes us grow little by little into the person we are destined to be.  May we not run away from these "calls" but embrace them as did the Twelve when they were given their first "assignment: to drive out unclean spirits and cure every disease and illness." (cf. Mt; 10: 1).  It must have been disconcerting to accept this charge, yet, trusting in Jesus, they carried it out and returned rejoicing with this new sense of their wholeness and fullness  May we do the same.
Bro. Rene

A Listening Heart

St. Benedict. whose Memorial we observe today, has had an impact on Christianity  that has persisted for over 1500 years. His combination of prayer and work, silence and hospitality, seclusion and engagement have proved to be a practical and winning formula that has helped innumerable people achieve holiness as well as salvage civilization. The Rule of St. Benedict begins with a call to "listen with the heart", a life's enterprise, for each day brings new "word's from God, either in Scripture or in situations and circumstances.  We might have quiet days when we do hear God's voice deep in our hearts, or we might have busy days when "hospitality". i.e. listening to others, welcoming them into our day, helping them in need, might be what God is asking of us. Noise and pure busyness might block our hearing with the heart and prevent us from giving the heartfelt response required.  Time apart, especially at the beginning of the day, a pause at noon and certainly an evening "roundup" will help keep our hearts alert to what God is saying to us each day.  Thank you, St. Benedict, for giving us a guide to the proper use of time and the key to the power we hold in our hearts.
Bro. Rene

Jesus Heals In Surprising Ways

While on his way to attend the to daughter of the synagogue official (who had died), a woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed.  When he arrived at the official's house, he took the girl by the hand and brought her back to life.  Contact with Jesus and faith were the common elements in these healings, but there is another less obvious means of obtaining healing:  beauty.
The composer, Eric Genuis, has brought about countless healings of spirit to prisoners, the elderly and children 'in inner-city schools through the beauty of his music, a beauty that must come from heaven, for the melodies, so original, so uplifting seem to be "out of this world...as if composed and sung into his heart by the heavenly choirs of angels.   When he has played in prison before men and women with life sentences, who have lost all hope and even a sense of what it means to be human, they have revived, as if born again, and found what was missing in their souls.  Beautiful music is a universal language that penetrates even the hardest of hearts.  It seems God has called Eric to be the instrument of healing with his boundless energy, enormously generous heart, and divinely inspired composer and musician. See him on facebook Eric Genuis- the Time is Now.
Bro .Rene

Jesus Is Strong For Us

Anyone with a bad back knows the feeling of relief when someone comes along to help us walk, or carry something.  With the burden removed, or with a helping arm or shoulder, "life" becomes possible again...or at least walking without as much pain.  This is the relief, both physical and spiritual that Jesus offers when he says, "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28). If we yield our worries and "burdens" to him, HIS strength carries them, taking them off our shoulders.   He further tells us to take on his yoke, for it is easy and light, and we will find rest, for  his "yoke is easy and his burden is light." (Mt 11:30).  He is there to be strong for us, knowing our propensity to be fiercely independent and falsely thinking we are able to "do it all myself."  Peace of soul comes when Jesus carries us, and we yoke ourselves to him.
Bro. Rene

The Call to Fast

We all love food and the thought of restricting our intake or even reducing it, does not come naturally and takes discipline and time to  become part of our spiritual life.  The disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees themselves saw a great value in it, and wondered why the disciples of Jesus did not fast. (cf. Mt 9:14-17).  Jesus answered that while he was with them, they did not have to fast, but when he left, they would. That's where we are.  Jesus is gone and we are called to fast.
Fasting can be of food, to feel hunger pangs and transfer them to hunger for Jesus, a closer union with him and with his people, as well as a reminder that all gifts come from God and are not to be taken for granted.  We could also fast from social media, the internet, television, our car radios...in small doses as a starter, and use the time for a rosary or just a decade of it.  We need but look at our day, our habits our wants, our needs, and ask, what can I do without today that might free me up with more time for Jesus, for others?  Worth a try.
Bro. Rene

Levi's Conversion

At the invitation of Jesus, Levi, the tax collector leaves his customs post, gets up, and follows him.  The Greek word here translated as "got up" is the same word used to describe the resurrection of Jesus.  His "getting up" was truly a birth into new life; he was transformed from tax collector and all the baggage that came with it, to disciple, evangelist, saint. He leaves us with an example of what conversion and following Jesus are. He reminds us of the daily conversions we need if we are to follow Jesus in his mission to show mercy to all.  When the Pharisees question the disciples why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus overhears them and answers that he has come as a physician to bring healing especially to sinners, and not the righteous, who do not need him.  Are we able to bring that healing to others?  If not, we indeed need on-going conversion...resurrection.
Bro. Rene

Faith Saves

Three startling examples of the power of faith challenge us today. The first is Abraham's willingness to sacrifice the son born to him in his advanced old age, at the behest of God.  It's hard to imagine a father being willing to offer an only son no matter when he was born.  How could any man do this?
His answer when Isaac asked about the sheep to be slaughtered,was,  "God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering" (Gen 22:8)  It is the answer for us when we don't understand when what God is asking of us far exceeds anything we think we can do.
In the Gospel, Jesus cures a paralytic, first forgiving his sins and then curing him.  The friends who carried the man displayed their faith that Jesus could and would cure him, and the paralytic himself evidently believed Jesus could do this.  He received a bonus, the forgiveness of his sins.
And finally, we remember St. Maria Goretti, whose faith enabled her to ward off the sexual advances of a local young man, sacrificing her life to preserve her integrity. Her faith enabled her to forgive him and later in a vision to bring healing to her killer, Alexander,  Faith brought these saving results and reversals; to apparently irremediable situations: a reminder that miracles happen where faith is present and strong.  Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief!
Bro. Rene

Casting Out Evil

Two possessed Garadenes, a herd of swine, and frightened townspeople. We read Matthew's account of this confrontation of good versus evil in today's Gospel: Mt 8:28-34. Jesus faces the demoniacs fearlessly and at the request of the evil spirits drives them into the swine feeding close by, In turn they leap to their death from a steep bank into the sea. Good vanquished evil, but like us, the people could not handle the victory.  How we shy away from the good that is available, mostly through fear, ignorance or pre-conceived ideas.  It's almost as if we are more afraid of the power of good (God) than of the power of evil. Why do we sometimes fear that God will answer our prayers?  We need to pray for more openness to God's power and not let ourselves be victims of the evil that seeks to bring us down.
Bro. Rene

Freedom From Fear

As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States and Liberation Day in Rwanda, and remember the courage and fearlessness of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, risking their social status, property and even lives in view of the reaction of the British Crown, and as we are aware of the turmoil in the world and in our nation today, the Gospel selection of the tamiing of the storm and Jesus's telling words:  (Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" (Mt 8:26) are sobering reminders that Faith in Jesus is what gives us courage as well as calms the storms. 
Father Hesburgh once wrote about faith: “In the broader world of man's total voyage through time to eternity, faith is not only a gracious companion, but an essential guide.” While it can be useful (it’s appropriate to fear a tiger loose in the neighborhood), fear is neither gracious nor an essential guide. Instead, fear obscures the blessings God has for us and slows our progress toward fulfillment." 
Matthew Barlow, a Notre Dame graduate of the class of 1988 sums it up neatly.:  "A life of the other side of fear--dwelling in faith--is true freedom." 
May we enjoy this independence day in the assurance that Jesus, is with us and the winds of turmoil will not sink us.
Below is an appropriate prayer to enhance our prayerful celebration:

Independence Day Prayer 

God of all nations and Father of the human family, we give thanks for the blessings we enjoy in the United States of America, especially our freedom. We ask for your protection and guidance for public servants and all of those who work for justice and peace in this nation and around the world. Heal us from our differences and unite us, O Lord, with a commitment to achieve liberty and justice for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable. Amen.

 Bro. Rene

Seeing, Believing, Doing

the Memorial of "Doubting Thomas" reminds us that we are not to wallow in our disbelief, or remorse for having douhted, but after being strengthened in our faith (ironically by our doubts) Jesus asks us, as he did Thomas, to be believing, not unbelieving (cf. Jn. 20 27), with the implication: "Go out and tell others what you have seen and help them become believers too."  What a positive twist to what could have been a cause of derision or scolding.  Again, Jesus shows us that he knows of what we are made, and that even within our weaknesses and failures, there are always grounds for hope.  He does not abandon us because of that weakness, but urges us to trust in HIM to turn weakness into strength.  Indeed, Thomas went as far as India to "tell others about Jesus" and left a long-lasting legacy, a Christian community,  that was discovered by later missionaries. Even today they call themselves "St. Thomas Christians."  Nothing is impossible with God.

Bro. Rene 

A Cup of Cold Water

A simple thing:  a cup of cold water.  Interesting that Jesus should specify "cold water" instead of just a cup of water, which in the hot climate of Israel would have suffced...but COLD water..   No refrigerators in those days, no ice machines...Where would one get cold water, except from a deep well, requiring some effort to obtain?  And what a difference a cold glass or cup of water makes, as we in the northern hemisphere know while experiencing our typical summer heat and humidity.  Prior to this statement, Jesus talked about taking up our cross, and :"losing life for his sake in order to find it. (cf. Mt 10: 39).  He invites us to "go the extra mile", not settle for the easy way, but to take the necessary steps to find that "cold water".  We are not only slaking someone's "thirst" but are making that sacrifice as Jesus did, far and above the bare minimum, and finding a new level of life and relationship with him...Go "cold water"!
Bro. Rene

God's Hospitality

Today we read the passage in Genesis 18;3-15 relating the visit of the three "strangers" to Abraham ;under the tree in Marmre, stunningly rendered in Andrei Rublev's icon of the Trinity.  Middle East culture was BIG on hospitality and remains so  even today; Abraham tooks it steps further by running out of his tent, bowing to greet them and washing their feet.  He ordered Sarah to bake loaves and himself selected a choice steer to be slaughtered and prepared for a meal along wih  bread, milk and curds. He waited on them and sat while they ate. Lavish hospitality, to say the least!  Why did he doi ir?  He was a man of faith and love and mirrored the lavish hospitality and friendship he had received from God.
That same lavish hospitality awaits us at every Eucharist where God lavishes us with "the best of wheat" and nourishment from the Scriptures. Like so many things, it's a hospitality we take for granted or don't even advert to as we attend out of habit our duty.  No, no...It's God spreading a FEAST for us as Abraham did for his guests. Perhaps this story might inspire us to show more attentiveness and appreciation, as we acknowledge  with the Centurion:  "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word and I will be healed.
Bro .Rene