Making A difference

"Make a Difference" has almost become a cliche.  It is used so often that its power might be lost.  Another way of saying it would be: my family, my community, my "world" small or large is better because of my presence.  I am making a difference, I'm making it BETTER.  What a compliment, and accomplishment!  And if thhis could be said of every reader of Bro. Rene's Daily Bread, or every parishioner, every student, every professional, indeed with Louie Armstrong we could sing, "What a Wonderful World!. 
One such man, whose memorial we celebrate, did make the world a better place by his presence and work:  St. Jerome, who translated the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into the language of the common people at the time, Latin.  What a beak through his Vulgate was, withstanding the test of time for 1500 years! 
We might not have such a global effect, but our reaching out, our sharing of ourselves, our gifts, our presence, can still have a knock out effect on our immediate surroundings.  Let us unlock the goodness within, let it out and better our world.
Bro. Rene

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

We honor three great Archangels, all of whom are mentioned in the Bible.  The Western Church has given them the title SAINT, which usually refers t humans who have been acknowledged as "miracle workers as proof that they are now with God in heaven. The Eastern Church refers to them as angels or archangels, but not saints.  With or without the title, they are another level of being created by God with intelligence and will, but without physical bodies, who both God and us with enormous fidelity and love.
St. Michael, whose name in Hebrew means, " Who can compare to God?, or Who is like God,"  has been recognized as the Leader of the archangels  who thrust Satan into hell after his rebellion against
God.  As such, he is the patron of soldiers, paramedics and police officers.
St.Gabriel, "God is my strength" announced the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, and thus is the patron of those who deliver messages for a living:  diplomats, broadcasters, postal workers communications and public relations workers.
Raphael, "God has healed", brought healing to Tobit and accompanied his son, Tobias, on his journeys; as such he is the patron of travelers, the sick, medical personnel, the those leaving home for the first, time to go off to college or the service.
May we take time today to thank them for the role they play in our lives and strive to imitate them in our service to others.
Bro. Rene

Trying To See Jesus

It's ironic that we should learn a valuable lesson from Herod the Tetrarch.  He had heard about Jesus and was curious; he thought he might be the ghost of John the Baptists, whom he had beheaded.  Elijah or one of the prophets was suggested...it is interesting that Luke notes that Herod kept trying to see him. (cf. Lk 9:9).
We might ask ourselves if our interest in knowing and seeing Jesus is so strong that we keep trying to see him.  Is our preoccupation with work, family, pleasure so great that it causes nearsightedness,blurring our vision and preventing us from seeing Jesus in the people and events of every day?   Or even taking time to see him in our prayer, or in reading about him in the New Testament?  We might ask ourselves what we are trying to see.  If Jesus is not at the top of the list, we might take it as a call to refocus.
Bro. Rene

Proclaiming The Kingdom of God

When Jesus sent the Twelve to proclaim the Kingdom of God, he told them not to take anything with them, "no walking stick, sack, nor food, nor money." (Lk 9:1-2)  We might ask how he expected them to survive.  But he did give them authority over demons and the power to cure diseases. With these they would win the confidence of their hearers, build relationships with them and be able to evangelize them effectively.  In return. some of these would provide lodging and food. Their actions enabled them to proclaim the Kingdom.
In like manner, St. Vincent de Paul, whose memorial we observe today, found that words were not enough; he was chaplain of galley slaves, and went into the bowls of the ships to bring food and medicine to the men.  He organized other priests  and lay people to address the needs of the poor. His presence and gestures of kindness won hearts: he proclaimed the kingdom by deed as well as by word.  As Christians, and especially as Marists, we are called to do the same.
Bro. Rene

The Family Of Jesus

Two verses comprise the morning's Gospel, but open a much larger concept. (cf. Lk 8:19-21). Mary and her entourage of close relatives (cousins) cannot fit into the house where Jesus was teaching because of the crowd that had gathered there.  By his response to the "problem", Jesus opens to the door for a larger family, including us. "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  (Lk 8:21). By living what we Jesus teaches, we become family with him.
Family is a cherished concept to Marists whose spirituality fosters family spirit  and uses the Holy Family as the model for community life. In this passage we see that Jesus and his Word are the center and hub of an active and effective family (community life).  With him as the focal point, there will always be room for others.
Bro. Rene

Being Light

Few could deny the beauty and influence of a full moon and the glow it spreads across the heavens and the earth below.  Especially awesome is moonlight shining on the snow covered grasslands of South Dakota in the dead of winter; it's bright enough to enable a driver to kill the headlights and drive by moonlight!  And to think, the moon only REFLECTS the light of the sun.  It does not create its own light.
So too with us when Jesus urges us not to conceal a lamp under the bed or under another vessel, but to place it on a lampstand to give light to others. (cf. Lk 8: 16).  The light we reflect comes from the SON and bounces off our very beings:  it is the kindness, sensitivity, compassion and love of Jesus that is very visible by our presence.  It doesn't need words, but shines from our very being.  We are the light of the world!
Bro. Rene

God's Free and Unfathomable Love

The parable of the landowner who gives the same wage to those who worked for an hour as he gave to those who worked all day is meant to disturb us.  It is revolutionary to see this kind of "equality" coming from the hands of God.  Why not pay according to the "merit" of time spent in the fields? Yet, Jesus shows us that this is not God's way.  It is difficult and challenging for us to shift to his approach.  "Justice", it would seem, would be to pay at least by the hour, but no...the landowner's agreement was to "give what is just."  His justice, it turns out, is not what the workers, especially the first-hired, think is just; we, most likely, stand with them. But the landowner confronts their objection with his reasons which are not theirs:  it's his money; he can use it as he pleases; then the zinger:  "Are you jealous because I am generous?" (Mt 20: 16a)  Ah, "there's the rub"  Jealousy.  Jesus is leading us away from thinking sand comparing according to our standards, to accepting according to HIS standards: a lavish love that is beyond our comprehension; that includes ALL and sets no limits.  It is a call to imitate that love, to work toward giving our love to ALL...even to our enemies.
Bro. Rene

"Pray, Hope And Don't Worry"

"Pray, hope and don't worry," the constant advice of St. Pio of Pietrecina (Padre Pio), whose Memorial we celebrate today. A holy man, believed to be a saint even while he was living, a bearer of the wounds of Christ (stigmata), a confessor who could read hearts and heard confessions for 12 hours a day at times (a la Cure of Ars), a sufferer even at the hands of an unbelieving hierarchy (for a time), but a man whose faith was so strong that he bore the burden of fame and pain with great patience, faith and trust and urged his penitents to do the same.
Good advice for us who, in today's Gospel are urged to be good soil so that the seed of God's Word planted in us will bear fruit a hundred fold. We might consider ourselves "rocky soil" or a thorn-bound plot, so given are we to spurts of fervor and tepidity (dryness....flatness of spirit and effort), or choking on the myriad distractions that fill our days.  How can God's seed take root in OUR lives, so cluttered and distracted as they are? Padre Pio tells us that worry is useless, God is merciful, hears our prayer "reads our heart" and knows our dissatisfaction with ourselves, as well as our DESIRE to do better.  Our worry does no good and is an insult to God. Ours is to do our best one day at a time, to keep trying, and let God move us at HIS pace. If we have the DESIRE, he will do the rest. No need to fret.
Bro. Rene

Supporting Evangelization

Note:  (Apologies for the absence of yesterday's slice of bread:  a mission of mercy took me beyond posting time.)

As we begin the season of Autumn with its welcome and unwelcome changes, we read in today's short Gospel Passage of the support a loyal group of women gave to Jesus and the Twelve. We hear their names a bit about them: some cured of evil spirits and infirmities, and in gratitude, no doubt, provided for Jesus and his co-workers, from their own resources. (cf. Lk 8:1-3).
We find here a model for our own current need to support the work of on-going evangelization:  forming a name-by-name relationship with with Jesus and the people we serve; giving of our own resources of time, talent, and finances, and keeping in mind our sinfulness and the mercy of Jesus who forgives "seventy-seven times" and urges us to continue with him despite our sinfulness...As it was with him then, so it is today.
Bro. Rene

Blaming Others

In today's short Gospel passage, Jesus expresses his frustration to the crowds at their lack of response to his message.  He compares them to children who complain to other children that they played music for them, but they wouldn't dance; sang a dirge and they would not weep. (cf. Lk 7:31-32).  Inert, unmoved. But they found the energy to criticize Jesus, saying he was possessed, a drunkard, a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Quite a list! 
When we are corrected, scolded, or made aware of our shortcomings, do we accept the critique, or do we turn and list the faults of the person trying to help us face the truth about ourselves?  It's easy to blame others, rather than look at ourselves, take the correction and work on it.   Jesus is always looking out for our good, for what is best for us.  Others often speak for him; let us listen to them.
Bro. Rene

Brought Back To Life

(Note:  this is being posted after the usual deadline...am experimenting as I was engaged in the solution of a technological problem.  If you don't receive it today, it will appear tomorrow...not the first time we've had a double slice of bread!) 

The touching account of the raising of the nameless only son of the Widow of Nain not only shows us the compassion of Jesus but also his role as the source of hope. (cf. Lk 7:11-17).  There are times in our lives when we hit the "burn out" point, emotionally or spiritually, or when physically we are exhausted and feel like we are "dead", or when our joints have worn out and we have the inevitable knee or hip replacement.  Low points, for sure.  BUT, then comes Jesus the Healer in some way, shape or form to lift our spirits with rest, a sign of his presence, or the handiwork of a good surgeon.  We are "re-born", brought back to life, just when we thought "it was all over." May we find courage and motivation to seek his healing power; he knows our needs and eventually will raise us up as he did with this young man from Nain.
Bro. Rene

The Humble Centurion

Humility is one of the "Cardinal Virtues" of Marist Spirituality...Humility, simplicity and modesty, the three violets that appear in Marist logos, banners, and holy cards.  We are not strangers to humility, but neither are we perfect in it..  Always room for improvement.
Today's Gospel passage challenges us to a new level (cf. Lk 7:1-10)...so humble was the Centurion that he did not even want Jesus to go out of his way and come to his home; so great was his faith (a major component in humility) that he asked Jesus simply to "say the word", and his servant would be healed.
At Mass, we use the Centurion's humble approach as we use his words before receiving holy communion:  "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed!" May I make it a point to continue this humble prayer, asking Jesus for the grace to desire that others be loved more than I, esteemed more than I, be, chosen while I'm set aside; be praised while I am unnoticed;  become holier than I, provided I may become as holy as I should. (cf. The Litany of Humility composed by Cardinal Merry del Val).
Bro. Rene

A Second Chance

Looking at our own lives, we can appreciate a second chance.  We flub and flub, and really, it comes down to an unlimited number of second chances.  Where would we be without them?  So it was when Jesus told Peter to forgive, "not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Mt 18: 22).  The parable Jesus uses to illustrate his point is clear: "You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant  as I had pity on you? (Mt 18: 32-33). Yes, the lack of compassion, the blindness is obvious.  "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"  It's a two-way street.  Above all, we who have been forgiven so often by God cannot in conscience withhold forgiveness from others.   We all need that second chance."
Bro. Rene

Good Tree, Good Frut

Almost every day there is an article in the newspaper about sexual abuse.  Apparently bad fruit from a bad tree. Such extremes just do not happen...there must be a reason, and perhaps therapy will eventually lead to the root of the problem. But how does a person cultivate good roots that will produce good fruit? Fidelity to prayer, closeness to Jesus through the Holy Eucharist...Mass, Adoration, the fostering of a real relationship with our Good God and Mary our Good Mother.  Keeping good company will keep us good.
Bro. Rene

Embracing Our Sorrows

Following upon the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, today, we focus on Mary at the foot of the Cross, the Mother of Sorrows, Our Lady of Sorrows.  Can their be any sorrow deeper and more painful than the sorrow of a mother?  So many disappointments, pain, even from the first moments of giving birth to the child who  one day could be the source of her sorrow as well as of her joy.  Mary stands in the role of Mother of Sorrows, to encourage us to embrace our sorrows...she's been there...and thus draw closer to the sufferings and sorrow of Jesus, symbolized by the cross, ironically, the source of our hope.  Life is born of pain; strength comes when we unite our pain and sorrow to that of Jesus and Mary, who, being sinless, experienced them more acutely than the rest of us sinners.
From the prophecy of Simeon to the closing of the tomb, Mary carried her sorrows with patience, faith, and love.  She stands as a model and incentive for us to bear ours in the same way. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Bro. Rene

The Irony and Glory of the Cross

On this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, we are called to look lovingly at this sign of our salvation and new life. In the desert, centuries before the coming of Jesus, the Hebrews looked upon a bronze serpent mounted upon a pole for deliverance from the seraph serpents which had been sent as a punishment of their collective sin of complaining to God about their life in the desert. In the time of Jesus, the cross was the most ignominious and painful form of execution for notorious criminals, but behold, there is the Son of God,, nailed to one and dying upon it.
 Ironically, however, the cross has become the glorious symbol of our salvation and a cause for rejoicing, as it has brought us new life, as did the brazen serpent in the desert.
Amazing too, is the tale of its discovery in 320 by St. Helen, mother of Constantine, three centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus...the cross along with the nails!  Happily, we have relics of the True Cross spread throughout the world for our veneration.
Today, then, we recall the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the total "emptying of himself" for our sake, and his resurrection, one mystery, which is the pattern for our own spiritual journey of death to sin and resurrection in Jesus. This is our day of glory too.  We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your resurrection, you have redeemed the world.
Bro. Rene

What Do We Need To Hear Today?

Our Gospel passage for today is the Beatitudes (Mt 6:20-26).  If we are being besieged on all sides even at the start of the day, it is good to know that we are "blessed."  Blessed are we in our frenzy, for the serenity of God will be ours...  yes, we will make ourselves stop and let that peace settle the surging waters and bring the calm that only God can give...Blessed are we in our fatigue, for God will give us rest....the rest that  loving Father gives to his tired children, lulling them into a deep and peaceful sleep.  We need but present our "situation" to God and allow him to unravel the mess.  A few moments of deep breathing,  recollection and banishment of concerns, petty or weighty will help us see the blessing in them.
Bro. Rene

The Holy Name of Mary

Today's Optional Memorial honoring the Holy Name of Mary comes a few days after the Feast of her Nativity and a few days before the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, on Friday, September 15th, celebrated with great reverence in the Byzantine Rite.  For Marists, especially the Marist Missionary Sisters, who mark this as their major feast, this is a day to celebrate not only the Name of Mary, but also our relationship with her, as our Mother and Model.  A glance at the Litany of Loretto gives us a long list of titles, poetic and symbolic, and all recalling her special place as Theotokos, "God-Bearer", or more simply, Mother of God. We might observe Mary's name day by slowly praying the Angelus, the Hail Mary, the Memorare and the Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina), and by taking time to thank God for her as well as thank her for her willingness to become the Mother of God and for her on-going motherly care of us.  It is evident that her work on earth did not end with her Assumption as he many apparitions and countless miracles and answers to our prayers testify.  Thank you, Good Mother, bless us and help us to be good "children" and disciples of your Son.
Bro. Rene

Hope

As we commemorate 9/11 and face on-going damage from Hurricane Irma and continuing "mop up" from Hurricane Harvey, we might pause and seek peace of mind in quiet prayer so that we do not get bogged down in panic or discouragement.
We are told time and time again in the Scriptures, especially by the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, in the Psalms, from Jesus himself, and in the Letters of Paul, that we are not to fear, tremble, lose heart, despair or give up.   This magnificent universe, which seems limitless, is only a sign of God's limitless power, compassion and love. There is nothing that happens within all of creation which is unknown to him, or beyond his power to rectify. The death and resurrection of Jesus, being the prime example and cause for HOPE.  As believers, as Marists, disciples of Jesus and Mary, we follow their path of faith, allow them to pour their strength into us, and walk strong as beacons of hope, reminding folks that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.
Bro. Rene

Building Up One Another

St. Paul tells us that we are to "owe nothing to anyone except to love one another." (Rm 13:8). It's easy to love those who love us, but in the spirit of the Great Commandment, love God, love neighbor, sometimes this love involves addressing directly someone who has gone astray or offended us. This is NOT easy to do. Jesus encourages us to make every effort to help the offender get back on track even to take others along to help. (cf. Mt 18: 15-17).  The 12 Step Program encourages carefully planned and executed "interventions" where a group of trusted friends confront the addict with his or her behavior (our of love) and are prepared to help him or her take the next step, usually a treatment program.  Not all "differences" require this level of confrontation, but even minor ones. as Jesus reminds us, require his presence. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.: (Mt. 18:20).  A thought to keep in mind:  wouldn't I appreciate it if someone reached out to grab me as I felt the ice giving way beneath me?  So too, the gratitude of the person confronted blesses and makes holy the anxiety and fear of addressing him or her.
Bro. Rene

"Slave of Slaves"

Today we remember a remarkable saint: Peter Claver, who spent 40 years in helping in any way possible, the thousands of slaves who were shipped for Africa to Cartegena, Colombia.  He and the helpers he gathered to work with him, would board the slave ships, bringing food, medicine, and comfort to all who had survived the arduous voyage from Africa.  He even visited them on the plantations, sleeping in the slave barracks along with them, as the "slave of slaves," as he called himself. He used to say, "We must serve first with our hands before we serve with hour lips."   When the plague struck, he visited hospitals and ministered to physical and spiritual needs until he himself came down with the dreaded disease in 1650.  He survived, but continued to suffer so badly that he often couldn't even say Mass.  He died in 1654 after having ministered to an estimated 300,000 slaves.  One man can make a difference.
As we look at needs in our own community, and in the wake of earthquakes and hurricanes, we might keep the example of St. Peter Claver before us and see where we can serve "first with our hands"
Bro. Rene

The Role of Mary

Today, the Roman and Eastern Churches celebrate the birth of Mary, whose role as "God-Bearer" eventually became evident.  She is the door to salvation, for Jesus, the Redeemer and only Mediator between us and God, came to us through her. Marists world-wide celebrate this day as a major feast, for she models our role of "bringing Jesus forth" into the world by making him known and loved; we do this by our actions and words of kindness,compassion, forgiveness and genuine concern for one another. Mary's great faith, trust and willingness to do God's will present us with the blueprint upon which we base our relationship with God.  As we remember her and try to be more "Mary-like", may we also thank her for being our model in loving, serving God and one another, and pray the Hail Mary and Memorare frequently during the day.
Bro. Rene

Leaving All

It took a miraculous boatload of fish, but it surely convinced Peter, James and John enough to leave their fishing business and follow Jesus.  What will it take to convince us to leave behind what impedes our relationship with Jesus and to follow him with our whole heart, mind and strength?
We might put ourselves on the shores of Lake Gennesaret and take time to look out over the waters of our lives and see what blurs our vision, our desire and our ability to take action to abandon what stands in the way and answer HIS call to follow him without reserve.  We can't do this alone, we need his help.  Call, me Jesus, give me courage and confidence that in leaving all I am gaining ALL.
Bro. Rene

Blending Silence with Service

After a busy day of teaching in the synagogue and curing many people, including Simon Peter's mother-in-law, Jesus finally had a moment's peace and "at daybreak, went to a deserted place." (Lk 4: 42), seeking silence renewal.  But the crowds, also up early, found him and tried to prevent him from leaving.  But Jesus saw more than they did, and left to take care of the people in other towns, "to proclaim the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." (Lk 4:44).  That purpose pressed him on, knowing that the crowds would never end and that he would have to snatch moments here and there away in a deserted place to reconnect with the Father.
So too with us, we have "purposes"...with our work, our families and the crowds who might be pressing ceaselessly for our attention and care.  If we know and accept our purpose, we will be able to attend to them, and like Jesus, MAKE the time for silence and solitude with the Father  to refresh ourselves
Bro. Rene

Children of Light

Appropriately for those of us engaged in education, Paul's reminder that we "are all children of light and children of the day." (1 Thess 5:5).  There is academic light that  we must let shine for the next 9 months, but more importantly, the light of FAITH must cast away the darkness encroaching on all sides from our materialistic and relativistic culture.  True light comes from TRUTH; Jesus has told his he is the Way the TRUTH and the life. (cf. Jn 14:5).  Our mission, then is really to introduce our students to Jesus and further, in our Marist tradition, to make him loved..  How, but loving the students, all of them equally, as St. Marcellin repeated endlessly.  All of us, parents, teachers, doctors, firemen, policemen, can do this, MUST do this. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Amen!
Bro. Rene

Work

The four day Labor Day Weekend in the United States signals the unofficial "end of the summer."  Labor Day is a holiday, but not for everyone; federal offices and banks are closed, but retail stores remain open, featuring "fabulous Labor Day Sales."  If schools have opened already, they are closed today; others will open "the day after Labor Day." .
Working or not, this day might be the occasion to reflect on our work. There are some people who are unhappy at their jobs and hate going to work, but must do something to feed themselves or their families.   Many do not have work. Some "overwork" and never take a break, bringing paper work home with them at night, or using weekends to "catch up on work", or to "work around the house." Others love their work, their fellow workers, their "bosses" and find creative expressions of their energy and talents at their jobs.
As Marists, "the love of work" stems from our origins...as St. Marcellin was a hard worker and gave manual labor a place among the means of spiritual growth for his followers: to foster discipline, inner strength, and the opportunity to learn to get along with others and work as a team. The Book of Genesis shows God the Creator working for six days:  good enough for him, good enough for us.  IF we  see work this way, we might consider taking this outlook  to work with us, sharing our enthusiasm, encouragement, optimism and joy with our fellow-workers and helping them to enjoy their work and do better at it. Building "Team Spirit" helping others to be grateful for their jobs is a ministry we can all perform.
Bro. Rene

Carrying Our Cross

The Psalmist writes:  "O God, your are my God whom I seek;/   for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts/ like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water." (Ps 63:1). What a wonderful description of our deep, passionate longing for intimacy with God. St. Paul urges us to be "transformed by the renewal of our mind" and to offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice." ( cf. Rom 12:1-2)  And Jesus tells that the greatest intimacy with him comes from sharing his cross.  "Whoever wishes to come after me myst deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Mt  16:25). The paradox is that the intimacy we seek, the LIFE we seek, comes through suffering. A telling line from one of the longest running musicals, The Fantasticks, sums it up succinctly:  "Without a hurt, the heart is hollow."  My we not shy away from the crosses of all sizes that come our way each day but allow our deep desire for intimacy with God embrace them.
Bro. Rene

Using Our Gifts

The parable of the Talents (Mt 25: 14-30) seems to force an examination of conscience each time it is proclaimed.   Am I using the gifts God has given me?  Could I use them better?  Am I hiding them because of some senseless fear?  Each one of us has a special gift; we may not recognize this if we compare ourselves with others, forgetting that they may be looking at our gifts with envy.  No matter what our gift is, a listening ear, a compassionate heart, a pair of clever hands, a strong back, an analytic power, patience, humility...the list is endless...using this gift brings us closer to the Giver and to others.  The third servant in the parable was chided for burying his gift and was cast out into the darkness.  No need for that in our lives...use what we have given and live in the light.
Bro. Rene

Called To Holiness

Writing to the people of Thessalonica in an era when sexual activity knew very few, if any, boundaries, St. Paul was clear that a first step to holiness was to refrain from immorality, "For God does not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1Thess 4:8). In our day and age, this might be considered "a hard saying...who can abide by it?"  Yet, among young Catholics, teens and young adults, there is  a movement toward chastity which is admirable.  They find mutual support as they gather for their weekly or monthly meetings of prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Mass. They find support from one another in their ideals, and expend their energy in service to those in need.  They help each other avoid the pornograhy that is so rampant on the internet and on the silver screen, by recommending sites and movies that are "clean and uplifting."   We pray that this approach might grow and militate against the wave of immorality that began with the "sexual revolution" in the sixties, and make the pursuit of holiness, an attractive goal.
Bro. Rene