Learning From The Centurion

How often, before receiving Holy Communion and reciting the prayer, "O Lord, Ii am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed:" do we think of the Centurion who first uttered these words?  He is nameless, but his humility and trust remain as a permanent example of the stance that befits a believer in Jesus.  None of us is worthy of the marvelous blessings we enjoy daily, the love,the friendships, the safety, security and good health we take for granted.  And, assuming that we are entitled to receive the Son of God in Holy Communion into our hearts is pushing privilege a bit over the top.The Centurion knew who he was, what his place was, but also knew who Jesus was, and put his request before him with a sincere and compelling  trust that he would honor it. We might pray for and work toward such humility and trust, not only before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, but in our daily prayer, reflection and interactions with others.
Bro. Rene

Two Sturdy Pillars

Today we remember Saints Peter and Paul, two men whom we look upon as pillars of the Church because of their zealous teaching, conversion of the Mediterranean basin, their letters, now part of the New Testament, and their martyrdom...Giants!   We would not be the Church today without them as their lives and writings continue to inspire us. We pray for fidelity to their spirits and teachings; we pray for Pope Francis, bishops, teachers and leaders.  May we stand firm in our faith as we recall the consoling words of Jesus, "Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.  And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world." (Mt 28:20)

Building on Rock

Jesus tells us that listening to his words and acting on them is like building a house on a solid rock foundation.  It will survive storms and quakes with guaranteed security. Ignoring his teachings and not acting on them is to build on sand, with destruction clearly immanent.(Cf Mt 7:24-29)  Sounds simple, but our hearing and acting can be grossly challenged in our contemporary world where God is not honored nor heeded and the pursuit of happiness in "ungodly" ways has created a world of sandy foundations, (for the most part), for, indeed there are people and communities that indeed build on rock. The question for today is, What is MY foundation? If it's not rock, what can I do to change it?
Bro. Rene

By Their Fruits

Jesus, with his clear, simple and undeniable logic reminds us that "...by their fruits you will know them." (Mt 7:20), whether he's talking about trees or traits.  Apple trees produce apples, kindness begets kindness, a peaceful heart, a peaceful face and peace in the hearts and on the faces of others. Personal prayer, reflection, and goodness bear fruit in wisdom and bring forth a desire for such in others.  On the contrary, a disturbed and selfish heart bears heartache and pain. We cannot hide what's inside.
May this be a day during which we strive to bring out the best fruit we can.
Bro. Rene

In Due Season

This short phrase is key to our spiritual growth as well as to the farmer and gardener. As trees need to mature before bearing fruit, a process that might take years, so do we need time to allow the fruit of our labors, of our prayer and reflection to ripen into rich, nourishing maturity.  God slowly brings our efforts to fruition with HIS grace and in HIS time, something we in our eagerness and impatience forget or find difficult to accept.  From time to time, it's a good practice to look back, review our lives and our spiritual growth, and note how God has been there every step of the way and that nothing has really happened by chance, but all part of his plan.  We see that "in due season" (Ps 149:15) a lot has been accomplished and we find joy and confidence that in the seasons ahead, we will indeed reach full maturity.  In God's time, not ours.
Bro. Rene

The Speck vs the Beam

We find no difficulty seeing the "speck" in our brother's "eye" (behavior)  and can go on for hours deriding him in our minds or publicly, while failing to see even grosser faults in our own behavior, (cf. Mt  7:5). Just seems to be the way things are and have been even before the time of Jesus.  Both the specks (or splinters) and the beams come with the territory of being human, and can be the occasion for growth.  When turned around, our greatest faults can be our greatest gifts, our greatest weaknesses, our greatest strengths.  All work to the good, if we admit them, and allow God to teach us through them, to lead us through conversion and transform them as we replace a crumbling bedroom wall with new sheetrock and fresh paint.  Rather than compare and compete splinters and beams, let's welcome them and use them to rebuild a better self.
Bro. Rene

A Model

We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist today, a cousin of Jesus and the last of the prophets who prepared the way for the immanent arrival of the Messiah. He lived simply and powerfully, and baptized with a ritual in the River Jordan that symbolized a cleansing of old ways and the adopting of new in order that hearts be ready to accept the Lamb of God.  John was the first to recognize him and point him out to the multitudes.  Clear and forceful in his teachings, he knew not compromise and stood up against evil, incurring the wrath of Herodias, "wife" of King Herod and lost his life for his defense of God's law.
Might we too live simply, recognize Jesus, his place in our lives, and in the hearts of others; might we lead others to see him and adapt their lives accordingly, and may we stand fast against the temptations, false and shallow values and teachings that separate us from God's commandments and desires for us.  St. John the Baptist, pray for us and help us be like you.
Bro. Rene

Against Worry

No matter how often we might read about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Mt 6:24-24), feel good about it and tell ourselves not to worry, God is taking care of everything, and even when he does, often in a spectacular or inexplicable way, we still find ourselves somewhere down the line worrying again...Is it :a "worry gene" with which we are all fitted?  Is it a lack of faith and trust that causes tremors in our resolve "never to worry again"?  Worry comes back time and time again, despite our protests and efforts; part of our "wounded human nature", meaning that we must come back to this passage time and time again, to renew our faith and trust.  If it worked many a time previously, it will work again.  Perhaps it should be part of our daily quiet reflection and thus ward off worry even before it comes. Try it
Bro.. Rene

Where Is My Treasure?

"The people vote with their feet", another way of saying actions speak louder than words.  Similarly, what we treasure shows where our heart is:  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be." (Mt 6:21).  If we spend our lives immersed in the acquisition of clothing, jewelry, property, cars, food, etc...we are showing where our heart is, despite what we might say about the need for simple living or detachment from "things". It might be good to see where are hands or eyes are to show us where our heart is.  Then we can ask God for true detachment and put our energy, time and talents more to God's disposal than to ours.
Bro Rene

Called to Pray

At every Mass we pra.y, "as Jesus taught us" Our Father...etc...A simple, direct prayer addressing God as our father, praising him first, and then presenting our vital needs: food, forgiveness, help to forgive others, fortitude in the face of temptation and deliverance from evil.  In praying "The Lord's Prayer", we certainly are not "babbling on like the pagans," (Mt 6:7), especially if we are praying from the heart and paying attention to what we are saying.  But if we are rattling the prayer simply from the lips while thinking of other things, we are indeed babbling.  We might ask ourselves, then, how do we pray?...Is it from the heart, only if in dire need, simply from routine, "without ceasing", gently or rushed, gratefully or with "entitlement"?  
It is indeed a beautiful prayer and long in our tradition, as Bishop Robert Barron reminds us.
The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer for the Christian journey which has been offered up consistently for the past two thousand years. Think for a moment how this prayer links us to all of the great figures in Christian history, from Peter and Paul to Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, John Paul II, and right up to the present day.
 May we pray it from now on with reverence and attention, from the heart and not simply from the head.
Bro. Rene

Doing Good Quietly

Obedient to and in imitation of Mary, Marists have always been behind the scenes, as recommended by Jesus (cf. Mt. 6: 1-6).  Spotlights are nor for us, and from time to time, honors might be heaped upon us through the goodness of others, they are not something we seek.  Mary said to "do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5) and without much fanfare, Jesus ordered the six stone jars to be filled without an elaborate explanation of what he was about to do...Wouldn't our lives, our world be better if we all operated this way?
Bro. Rene

Love Your Enemies

:"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Mt 5:43)..."Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5: 48). Two "impossible" commands, if we think WE are going to fulfill them.  But it is not in our power alone are we to do this, but  with God's.  Admittedly, it is very hard to forgive those who have wronged us...pain, disappointment, false pride, and anger get in the way.  Yet the ideal remains...Jesus forgave his enemies on the cross, and in forgiving, loved them...Yes, the Scribes and Pharisees too, who had been at odds with him since the debut of his public ministry...Swallow that one, when trying to muster up prayers for those who have maligned or misrepresented us....Without God's grace, we cannot do it.  Humbly let us ask for that grace and live in the trust and peace that our prayer will be answered.
Bro. Rene

Deliver Us From Evil

We might be appalled at the tales of corruption, lies and hatred that fill our headlines and news broadcasts, but they are not new.  Greed for wealth and power go back to the dawn of humanity.  In this morning's first reading from the First Book of Kings, (1 Kgs 21:1-16), we hear the story of King Ahab's desire for his neighbor, Naboth's vineyard, and his cunning wife, Jezebel's treachery to have Naboth accused falsely of having cursed God, and therefore stoned to death, freeing up his vineyard to fall into Ahab's greedy hands.  Our stomach's grind at such evil.
William Shakespeare presents another example of pride, power-seeking, deceit and dishonor in his moving Richard II.  Yet, in all of us there is a Jezebel, Richard, and Bolingbrook. That's why we pray daily in the Lord's prayer, "deliver us from evil."  God alone can squelch the tide that lurks deep within.  Jesus has overcome evil by his resurrection and has given us the victory, his victory, over the powers of darkness.
Bro. Rene

Sowing the Seed

Today's Gospel provides a fitting image for our reflection on Father's Day: sowing the seed that somehow grows, for example into a large plant, like the mustard tree. Fathers and mothers from the earliest days patiently "cultivate" their offspring with the hope that their loving care will yield future adults with the faith and values they tried to pass on to them.  It's a formidable task, and a hope that carries many ups and downs, joys and disappointments, but there is, perhaps, no greater satisfaction than  seeing young men or young women who indeed reflect all they were taught and learned through their experience to become the realization of that hope and effort.  As we honor fathers today, let us both thank and pray for them for being faithful to their call as fathers.  St. Joseph, thank you for modeling a fatherhood of faith and conformity to God's will, of patience and willingness to sacrifice for the good of the family.
Bro Rene

Speaking Directly

"Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no', 'no'." (Mt 5:37)  Simple? not quite... We tend to ad qualifications, nuances, exaggerations, fluff, to cover what we really mean, or to be direct, the truth.  Sometimes it's to make us look better than we are, or it's a fear that we think "political correctness" will save us from "attack".
Jesus asks us to be up front, honest, and to the point. Let's take him at his word..
In this light, several Marist Brothers will be celebrating their Jubilees today, ranging from 50-70 years of faithful living of their vows and mission to make Jesus known and loved.  They said, "yes" many years ago and meant it.  Let us pray in thanksgiving for their lives of faithful witness to their truth and for their modeling of what it means to say YES!
Bro. Rene

Purity of Heart

Keeping our hearts pure has never been easy, and these days it seems even harder, as we are bombarded by the media and now social media where the push of a computer key can bring us instantly into dangerous territory, and feed our imaginations with images that can lead us to actions we will one day regret. The ninth commandment forbids coveting our neighbor's wife.  "Coveting" is covered by Jesus in his warning that lusting after a woman is already an act of adultery, even though there is no physical contact (yet!). (Mt 5:27). Avoiding "the occasions of sin", as the Catechism and moral teaching advocate, is solid advice.  The less we put ourselves in compromising situations, the purer our hearts will be.  This simple prayer by Fr. John Conley, CSC might help us:
Lord, give us time to be silent and prayerful, conscious of your personal presence, moment by moment, sustaining us. Call us to new decisions for faithfulness and purity of heart and whenever you call us by name may we reply, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Amen.
Bro. Rene

Praise God For the Wonders of Creation

The White Mountains of New Hampshire have a special charm...they attract photographers, hikers, tourists, campers, skiers and folks who simply drive for miles to admire the lush scenery.  In such a setting it is easy to allow our hearts to soar in admiration and praise of the Creator, our loving God, who has bestowed us such a gift.  The Northern Hemisphere is in summer mode when warm days and nights bring needed rest to us who live and labor under undue stress and anxiety....  One not need to travel to the White Mountains to stop and give praise and thanks to God....a back yard, a city park, or simply a look up toward the heavens can suffice....Let's make it a point to do that often today.
Bro. Rene

Finding the Lost

St. Anthony of Padua, a very popular saint to all people, it seems, for his faithful answering of prayers for lost objects.  Count how many people you know are named Anthony, "Tony", to see the extent of his influence and popularity.  We might forget, or not even know, however, that his initial popularity was not because he found things for people, but for his preaching, which brought many a "lost" soul back into a relationship with God.  We might ask him today, on his feast day, to help with our prayers and efforts to bring people we know back "to the fold." In the "lost and found department", he never fails. as we all can attest.  Thank you, St. Anthony!
Bro. Rene

Being Salt and Light

The familiar images of salt and light season our daily liturgy and the day that lies before us. (cf. Mt 5:13-16). Do we have to be miracle workers as Elijah who multiplied the flour and oil of the widow of Zarephath to bring our light (God's light) to others?  As uncanny as it sounds, our mere presence can lift the burden of a heavy heart in the service man who is changing our oil, or the woman punching the register at the checkout line of our grocery store. A word, even a God Bless You spoken in our politically correct world, can be the salt that stimulates a prayer of needed acknowledgement of God in people who haven't thought of him recently, or who are on the boarder-line of losing faith or hope.  The joy, the hope, the light that shines from within (God's gift) despite our own struggles is a gift "as easy as pie" we can give without even knowing it.  We are light, we are salt' May we never forget it!
Bro. Rene 

Without Cost

"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." (Mt 10: 8).  As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Barnabas, traveling companion of St. Paul, this admonition which is part of a longer list of instructions Jesus gave his disciples, applies to us as his missionaries to our current world.  We are not representing ourselves but Jesus Christ, who gave up his life for us and all.  We might tend to balk at being asked to inconvenience ourselves, relinquish our plans, or stretch ourselves beyond our limits for the sake of the Gospel, but remembering the example of Jesus, Paul, Barnabas and countless others over the 2000 year history of the Church, might help us remember that our ideal is to appear before Jesus at the end of our lives, with a completely empty knapsack, having given all in service to his command to teach all nations. We have received without cost the priceless  gifts of time, health, faith, energy, and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, not to hoard or bury them, but to use them, to dispense them freely and boundlessly.  St. Barnabas, teach and help us to give without cost what we have received without cost and you and St. Paul did.
Bro. Rene

Sticking With Jesus

The Gospel for this 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time finds an embattled Jesus regarded by his relatives as "out of his mind." and ever arguing with Scribes.  Not a happy milieu, but despite the controversy, Mary is there along with close relatives, asking to see her Son.  Would we be with them as supports or buffers?  We can be...."whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mk 3:35).  The power of community, of, sticking with one another in peace or controversy, in sickness, depression, doubt, or any difficulty cannot be measured.  These days of graduations and class reunions demonstrate the effectiveness and encouragement being with one another can be.  May we be there for Jesus, for each other...Stick together as brothers and sisters.
Bro. Rene

Mary''s Heart

The Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary fittingly piggy-backs yesterday's Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The heart, symbol of love, and our most vital organ, reminds us that we cannot live without love or a beating heart. As the heart of Jesus shows us his immense love for us, so the heart of Mary shows her immense love for Jesus and serves as an example of how we should love him in faith, nurturing and gratitude.  Mary pondered the joys and the sorrows of her life in this heart of hers (cf. Lk 2:51), drawing strength and purpose from them and expanding her love to include all of us.  We too have a place in her heart as her children, brothers and sisters of Jesus. Her motherly ways work wonders for us, all in with an end to bring us into full union with Jesus. As Marists we live by the motto, "All to Jesus through Mary, all to Mary for Jesus."  This is a very special day on which to honor our Marist Heritage and give thanks for the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Bro. Rene

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

The title, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, along with the familiar image of Jesus with his heart bearing the crown of thorns and topped with a burning flame exposed on his chest, is one of the most popular in Catholic and even Anglican and Lutheran circles.  In times past every Catholic home had an image or statue of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place, usually alongside an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Churches and schools were dedicated to the Sacred Heart and are found in cities across the world, Sacre Coeur in Paris, being one of the most famous.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has a long history, but was really made prominent through the apparitions of Jesus to the cloistered nun, St. Margaret Mary in her Visitation convent in Paray le Moniale, France between 1673 and 1675.  Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart, a Portuguese Sister of the Good Shepherd also fostered this devotion and begged Pope St. Leo the XIII to consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart, which he did in  1899.
The burning heart of Jesus visualizes the words of St. Paul in Romans 8:35, "What will separate us from the love of Christ?" Pope Pius XII called it the chief sign and symbol of that love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings without exception."
Bro. Rene 

Remember Christ

 "Remember Christ", (2 Tim 2:8), a simple formula to take us through the daily routine, distractions, temptations and busyness that lay in wait for us as soon as we climb out of bed.  Remember Christ, a prayer that takes half a second but can bring that needed peace and perspective when agitation rises up to choke us and prevent us from being there for others, or being that healing presence and bearer of peace and hope to others who might be more agitated than we.  Remember Christ, in gratitude, while helping others, while driving, when greeting another, even a stranger or someone we do not agree with.  Remember Christ when tired,  slipping into depression or discouragement.  Remember Christ so that we might BE Christ.
Bro. Rene

Memorial of St. Marcellin Champagnat

Although the liturgical calendar assigns this day to St. Norbert, a missionary, and founder of a religious community, the Norbertines) and Church reformer, as well as the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, it is also the Memorial of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, a congregation of teaching brothers having a global influence, with schools and communities in 80 countries and over 750,000 students under their tutelage. St. Marcellin's faith, devotion to Mary, humility,  simplicity and determination to make Jesus known and loved by all, especially, the "least favored," continue to inspire men and women two centuries after his death in 1840 a the age of 51. Thus, the  charism of the Marist Brothers is expanding to include lay people who wish to integrate his spirituality into their lives and be his disciples too, so much so, that they refer to themselves as Marists of Champagnat.  We pray that this movement may grow in order to help Marcellin's dream of" Marists in every diocese of the world", come true.  St. Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us.  
HAPPY FEAST DAY TO ALL MARISTS!

Bro. Rene 

Render To God

Our secular society makes it more and more difficult to "render to God", as relativism and political correctness challenge us at every turn. Jesus did not fall into the trap set for him by the cunning and determined "underminers", the Pharisees and the Herodians.  Not called that today, their "descendants" continue with harassing questions, calling us to take a stand.  As Jesus was direct and steadfast in his response, out maneuvering them with his own superior cleverness, we might take the same approach and find that "one-liner" that befuddles the current trends and norms. By rendering to God what is duly his, we are putting our strength and trust in him, not in our ability to argue convincingly.  By our actions more than our words, we can refute and resist the progress of those who seek to undermine the truth.
Bro. Rene

"In You, My God, I place my trust."

Psalm 91, used as the responsorial psalm for today's weekday Mass, is often used at funerals in a popular sung version, "On Eagle's Wings."  It is a very consoling and reassuring prayer recounting God's permanent and supportive love and calling us to put our trust in him.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress.

I will deliver him and glorify him;
with length of days I will gratify him
and will show him my salvation.

There is a line or two here that is meant for you today.  It will leap out to you and carry you through the day.  Take your time and let it touch your heart.
Bro. Rene

The Best Gift

Religious leaders over the centuries have left behind legacies to nourish their followers to help them live good and productive lives and eventually reap the reward of their efforts: Buddha left a philosophy of kindness and compassion;  Moses left the ten commandments; Mohammed, his revelations; but Jesus has left us HIMSELF! This is the best gift, the best legacy, the best nourishment for our journey through this life to our eternal home.  We take time this day to focus on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), to single out the uniqueness of this gift, to offer prayers and gestures (processions) of gratitude and praise, and to stir up a great reverence and love for this "best gift". May our observance of this Solemnity remain with us this day and all the days ahead.
Bro. Rene

Mary's Acceptance of Authority

In seeking a way to trap Jesus, the chief priests, scribes and elders questioned the authority by which he taught. (cf. Mk 11:27-33).  Our American culture also questions authority and when convenient, invokes or creates laws to protect our rights.  Yet, it seems that lately it has become part of the culture to defy authority, break the law, and try to avoid the consequences.
Mary gives us a prime example of "submission", if you will, to divine authority.  A keeper of the Jewish law, when asked to "break it" by becoming a mother before her union with Joseph was finalized, and in a way totally outside of human experiencing, the "overshadowing of the Holy Spirit", she accepted this request from an authority higher than any law or regulation of human origin.  Thus she set the pattern for us regarding our approach to authority.  Obedience, trust, faith.  Marvels, i.e. the birth, death and resurrection of her Son and our redemption, resulted from her "submission" to this higher authority.  What marvels lie ahead for us, if we accept it as she did?
Bro. Rene

Advice For Our time

The author of the First Letter of St. Peter, today's firs reading (1 Pt 4:7-13) was written at the end of the first century, when "the way" was under persecution, and Christians needed encouragement to  maintain their faith and identity. Its message continues to apply to us today. "be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaining." (1 Pt 4:7-9).
With the change of seasons, with academic years either concluding or just getting started, tension could be in the air, and the need to remain stable, sober, focused, loving and prayerful becomes more imperative than usual. May we cheerfully encourage one another to stay positive until the break or vacation we need is upon us.
Bro. Rene