Cleansing Ourselves

Today's Gospel from the ninth chapter of Mark, calls for a total revamping. Anything that stands in the way of a full commitment to Jesus must go:  hands and feet  cut off, if they lead to sin; eyes plucked out; no room for bad example.  The work of a lifetime. Jesus speaks in hyperbole to make his point: No room for lukewarmness, halfheartedness or mediocrity.  Rather, full concentration, full effort. 
A good place to begin is with the "little things":   biased criticism of others, unkind words or thoughts, jealousy,  a lack of charity.  If we begin with curbing our tongues, we might then proceed to cleansing our minds of inappropriate thoughts...or vice-versa.  Which comes first, the chicken or the egg, the thoughts or the words?  The point is, to BEGIN.  Dear Jesus help me to cleanse my heart, my thoughts and my actions of the things that stand between me, my neighbor and you.
Bro. Rene

God's Special Messengers

Today we honor St. Michael the Archangel, St. Gabriel, the Archangel who brought God's invitation to Mary, and St. Raphael, who played a major role in the Book of Tobit.  All do God's bidding willingly and effectively,  We pray often to St Michael the Archangel to defend us in the battle, one no one can deny is raging in the four corners of the planet and in the hearts of us all. Violence, hatred, deceit, corruption abound.  We certainly do need a heavenly defender.
Gabriel brought the invitation to hope and the promise of salvation to us, and Raphael, "God has healed", brings the assurance that the battle will be won (is won) and healing will come in God's good time.  When we feel inundated or lost as we read or hear "the news", we can turn to these three for assurance that God is still very much with us and will not let us perish.
Bro. Rene

Good King Wenceslaus

It's a little early to be singing the popular Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslaus, but his optional Memorial today provides a  response to the Gospel's burning question, "Who do you say that I am?" (Lk 18:20) and reveals that the political confrontations filling our ears these days, are not new. The "good king" was born in Prague in what is now the Czech Republic in 907, when strong anti-Catholic sentiment was developing; as the future king, he seemed doomed already if he held to the faith of his grandmother, St. Ludmilla, who was eventually killed for it. Yet, he boldly professed his acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, and was stabbed by his own jealous brother in September of 929, at the age of 22.  Stabbing another in the back, literally or figuratively, is not new.  Miracles began to occur soon after his death and sainthood followed for the young martyr.  The Carol was composed in England in the 19th Century, keeping alive the example of this young, loyal and good man.  When we attempt to answer the question, "Who do you say that I am?" with all the weight that carries today, we might start humming the Carol and find the inspiration we need to acknowledge Jesus as our Messiah, even if it entails ridicule or contempt.
Bro. Rene

Monsieur Vincent

Today we honor St. Vincent de Paul (Monsieur Vincent, as he preferred to be called), a man whose simplicity. gentleness, generosity and meekness has left a lasting mark on the Church.  Almost every parish has a "poor box"  sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, (founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederick Ozanam who was inspired by Monsieur Vincent) which accepts donations of food an clothing as well as of money. Thanks to Monsieur Vincent's conversion, millions have found needed help when there was no other recourse.
A brilliant man, he was ordained to the priesthood at the age of nineteen, and at first aspired to serving the elite and feathering a comfortable nest for himself.  A series of events, the most dramatic being chaplain of the galley slaves of France's navy, turned his attention to the needs of the poor.  Supported and encouraged by a wealthy family, he devoted his full ministry to the poor, founded a congregation of priests, The Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians)  and with Louise de Marillac, founded the Ladies of Charity or Sisters of Charity. Again we see how God can turn misguided ambition, energy and a talents to a good, greater than ever imagined. What can God do with us if we let him have HIS way?
Bro. Rene 

Learning To Trust

When Jesus sent out the Twelve with power to heal and authority over demons, he told them to take "nothing for the journey" (Lk 9: 1).  That they did.  Could we?  Look at the suit case we pack for a weekend.  Hm...Perhaps we can't do without our "necessities", but we can pray to learn to put more trust in God.
Bro. Rene

Hearing God's Word and Acting On It

In this brief Gospel passage, Lk 8:19-21, Jesus succinctly tells us that we become mother and brother to him if we "hear the word of God and act on it."  Regular weekly attendance at Mass or Worship gives us a lot of exposure to the Word of God, yet where is the impact on our society?  The repetitive headlines on TV, Radio, the Internet, Newspapers and other publications seem to influence our thoughts and behaviors more than the one hour a week we spend in Church. Even if we take time each day with the Scriptures, it seems to take a lifetime for us to absorb and live them. What does it take to ACT on what we HEAR?  Perhaps this prayer should become part of our daily prayers and become the dynamite that explodes us into action:
 Like a bellows, the Holy Spirit can bring to fuller flame even an already blazing fire of faith. Come Holy Spirit, and breathe into us deeper faith, fuller hope, and fiercer love, for you and for all we meet. We listen often to your invitation; give us the courage to act on it. Amen. Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C.
Bro. Rene

"Take Care...How You Hear" (Lk 8:18)

These days, we are leary about what we hear in the media or from politicians.  Seems like no one is to be trusted.We have to be careful of what we hear and how we hear it, wondering if even ourselves we are not hearing with biased ears.
When we hear the Gospel read and preached to us, how is our hearing?  At half attention?, No attention?  Full attention?   As beautiful as a homily might be written and presented, how much of it do we hear and retain?   It is easy to wander mentally, or to start retorting and responding to a word or phrase that strikes us.  Or, with open hearts we might hear a sentence such as "love abundantly"and take it as the "message" were meant to hear.  Repeating it often will lead to living it.
Lord, give us ears to hear, a heart to absorb and the courage to live your word.
Bro. Rene

Sowing Seeds

The Sower and the Seed, one of the most well known of the parables Jesus used to teach, appears as the Gospel for today. (cf. Lk 8:4-15).  It brings to mind a huge problem that plagues the Catholic Church and other denominations and religions:  the passing on of the faith to the next generation.  The job is not being done well and despite efforts made in CCD and Sunday School, young adults and even those younger are not "buying it" to the point of making a commitment to live what they have been taught.  Today's culture is the thorns that are choking the tender growth of what teacher and parents are sowing. And, perhaps the sowers are not convincing enough in their actions, so that their words really don't take lasting root in the young.. Whether it's the culture of the lack of good example, the heart of the matter is that something radical needs to be done.  It's time for all of us to examine the depth of our faith and recommit to putting our words into fruitful, visible, convincing ACTION.
Bro Rene

The Call To Conversion

In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of Autumn arrives today, and although it might not make a dramatic entry, it signals a change in the weather, daylight grows shorter, and flowers die and leaves fall; a change that some welcome, and others dread.
This is also the Feast of St. Matthew, a tax collector turned apostle and evangelist:  a huge change in his life, but one he surely relished. The Gospel says "he got us and followed him." (Mt 9:9) The Greek work here for rose up, or got up is anastasis, the same word used in describing the resurrection of Jesus.  Levi was given new life, the resurrected life. Surely this change, this turning around, this change, was for the good.  As we proceed into Autumn, we might reflect on where we need conversion, and rather than fear it, embrace it, for it too is surely for our good.
Bro. Rene

No Sin Too Great

Today's Gospel presents to us the familiar scene of the "sinful woman" who bathed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them dry with her hear, kissed them and anointed them with ointment. (cf. Lk 7 36-50). Both Jesus and the woman receive criticism from the Pharisees, but Jesus takes up her cause, knowing what's in her heart, and refutes the critics.  In so doing, he also encourages us to fear not, to despair not, no matter to what extent we have sinned, as long as our love for him is "great", was was this woman's. We might tend to think our sinful behaviors, repeated over and over, are too big to be forgiven, but again, "love covers a multitude of sins." Let our love be deep enough, be "great" enough to remove all obstacles from seeking  forgiveness
Bro.Rene

Forging Ahead

We find Jesus being criticized by the crowds (Lk 7:3 1-35) despite all the good he has been doing...We use the adage, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't".  Or put simply, "You can't win."
Someone is always nit picking or finding fault in our best efforts. But, like Jesus, whose compelling love was (is) behind all he did, he just forged ahead, fulfilling the purpose fo which he was sent.  Can we do less?
Bro. Rene

Dealing With The Death of Your Child

The plight of the widowed mother of Nain in today's Gospel resonates with the deaths of two young men in Massachusetts, occurring within the same week:  one killed by a shark, the other by a large chimney  One was 26, the other, 18. No one feels the pain that their mothers are experiencing.  The wails of a Lakota mother bent over the casket of her murdered son in Pine Ridge, SD 20 years ago will never be forgotten.  It was there that the oft repeated sentiment, "A mother was not meant to bury her child." made eminent sense.   Happily for the mother in Nain, Jesus was present and moved to such compassion by her anguish that he brought the young man back to life and returned him to his mother. (cf. Lk 7:11-17). How mourning mothers would wish for the same thing! Jesus is not physically present, but he works through grace and through us.  How can we bring comfort and solace to those who mourn?  Let us ask Jesus to help us carry on his healing ministry.
Bro. Rene

Not Worthy, But....

Before we receive Holy Communion, we echo the humble prayer of the Centurion in today's Gospel (Lk 7:1-10): "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof...but say the word and let my servant be healed." (Lk 7: 7).  With our sinfulness, our indifference, our distractions, we are not worthy for the great privilege of receiving the Son of God into our bodies.  Not worthy even to face him, yet it is his desire, his love, his tenderness that not only allows this act of love, but begs us to receive it. The scope of such love is incomprehensible to our limited minds, but the fact is, yes, it is such and it is ours for the taking. May we approach the altar with humility, but also with the confidence that Jesus knows our unworthiness, but overrides it with his great love.
Bro. Rene

A Harsh Reality

After Peter's faith-filled confession of his belief that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus lays out the "battle plan".  Yes, if he is going to be opposed, brutalized and crucified, then his followers must expect the same thing. (Cf. Mk 8:26). When things don't go our way, we find ourselves moaning and complaining, doubting and "turning off" God, and wonder why this doesn't help.  We have forgotten this basic principle:  suffering goes with discipleship.  We might like to call ourselves disciples, but no one really likes to suffer, yet the two go hand in hand.  Jesus warned us ahead of time, and also assures us that trusting in him, giving ourselves over to him in these times of pain, will help us get through.  There is always tragedy, there is always suffering, but there is always Jesus.
Bro. Rene

Mary Knows our Sorrows

Of all her titles, Mother of God, Star of the Sea, Queen of Peace,  etc...perhaps one of the most endearing to us is Our Lady of Sorrows...in his last moments, Jesus, the Man of Sorrows,  conferred another vocation on his mother: to be the mother of John (and us).  As with her vocation to be his mother, she takes this other vocation very seriously, and embraces us in all our needs, as a mother would, including our aches, pains, disappointments, and sorrows.  We don't have to look far to find the sorrowing:  from the Sudan to the Carolinas, to South Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, there is pain, there is enormous suffering. Having borne the sorrows, anguish, and pain of Jesus, Mary is no stranger to ours, and continues to offer solace and support.  Witness the on-going apparitions over the centuries reminding us to turn to her Son, to return if we have strayed, and to remind us that in HIM is our relief from our woes and our ultimate redemption from sin and all that causes us the biggest pain of all, separation from God our Father.  Our Lady of Sorrows, continue to intercede for us and to give us your motherly care.
Bro Rene

The Paradox Of The Cross

Today we are celebrating the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  We've come a long way since Roman times when the cross was the sign of ignominy and the most painful form of carrying out a death sentence.  Imagine if we were celebrating the Exaltation of the Electric Chair!  Yet, this dreaded sign has become the sign of victory over sin and death, the sign which identifies a disciple of Jesus. A striking paradox, a contradiction:  the erstwhile sign of death has become the sign of LIFE! Why? Because it was the instrument that lead to the Resurrection of Jesus, the ultimate statement that Good can and does come out of evil As Hurricane Florence batters the Carolinas, and gas explosions rock North Andover, Andover and Lawarence, may we keep this "principle in mind as we pray:
.Loving God, you are with us in the midst of storms. May the assurance of your presence and constant care bring peace and strength to those in the path of Hurricane Florence. Protect our loved ones and our livelihoods, be with us in this time of trouble, and bring comfort to all affected by this storm. Strengthen those who work on rescue, law enforcement, and emergency response teams to be lights of your love to those in distress. Grant us your wisdom and peace in the midst of suffering and uncertainty and show us where the hope is in the crosses that we bear. We ask for all this in the name of Jesus Christ, who calmed the waves with a single word and promises to remain with us always. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Against The Grain

In a very challenging passage of Luke's Gospel, (Lk 6:27-38), we hear Jesus calling us to "go against the grain", to reverse our normal tendencies to judge, but rather to forgive, to lend, to help, to give until it hurts, in a word, to live a life graced and laced by MERCY.  These verses go straight to the heart and shake it loose from its sometimes self-centered and selfish foundations.  It calls us to be different from those who cling to following "the path of least resistance." If we put it into action, it means that we have understood that in order to be a Christian, we need to live as Jesus did as well as take his teachings seriously.  He is our model, and the saints after him, as St. Paul or St. Vincent de Paul and so many others,  took his words seriously and lived their lives accordingly.  There is enough food in this passage for more than a day's reflection, but rather, enough for the rest of our "journey home."  Let's begin today with one bite at a time.
Bro. Rene

The Most Holy Name of Mary

An optional Memorial today, The Most Holy Name of Mary is remembered the same week as we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Friday) and Our Lady of Sorrows (Saturday); as such it can easily be overlooked.  However, for the Marist Family, this is another day to honor Mary our Good Mother, and for the Marist Missionary Sisters, this is their major congregational feast.  We take inspiration from them for their joyful willingness to go anywhere in the world to make Jesus known and loved through their ministries in health care, education and communal witness to the simple and hidden life of Mary.
Each time we pray the familiar prayer, The Hail Mary, we honor Mary's name and her role as first disciple and  supporter of Jesus, in similar fashion as did her namesake, Miryam,  for her brother, Moses.  Miryam's  song of praise is a precursor of Mary's Magnificat, acknowledging the great power of God and his special care for the lowly.   Mary does not seek to draw attention to herself, but in her motherly way, always points to her Son.  As we treat his name with great reverence so too the name of Mary deserves a place of honor for being the one, full of grace, (Lk 1:26) ) who gave him to us.
Bro. Rene

Healing of Memories

The numbers. 9/11 conjure up a host of memories for Americans who were alive on that day in 2001, 17 years ago.  Images of the smoking, burning, crumbling twin towers, the panic stricken people running for their lives, the heroic firefighters, police and other first responders are forever embedded in our minds.  The numbers who continue to die as a result of that day are staggering and show no signs yet of diminishing. Memorial services, classroom presentations, the media and certainly the way we live now motivate us to continue to pray for an end to terrorism as well as for the victims, living and dead, of that tragedy.  Appropriately, part of this morning's Gospel, Luke 6:17-19, speaks of the power of Jesus to heal all who were brought to him with physical ailments as well as "tormented souls." Our tormented memories, our anger and bitterness need Jesus to heal them.  They will not heal by themselves. It is right, good and helpful to pray for the healing of memories, not only those of 9/11 but of all the memories that keep resurging and plaguing us.  Jesus, Holy Spirit, heal these memories that linger and continue to paralyze me.  I turn them over to you.
Bro. Rene

Jesus Wants to Heal

Just a quick word on the cure of the man with the withered hand (Lk 6:6-11).  Jesus knew that he was under the scrutiny of the scribes and Pharisees who were looking for a reason to incriminate him, and certainly curing someone on the Sabbath would do just that.  But he cured the man anyway.  When we doubt about a prayer being answered, especially for a healing, we might remember this incident, and be assured, no matter what the circumstances, Jesus wants to heal.  May our faith match his desire.
Bro. Rene

Looking For Healing

Today's Gospel finds Jesus curing a deaf man also burdened with a speech impediment. (Mk 7:31-37). Evidently this was one of those "impossible cases", but the people knew exactly where to turn: directly to Jesus.
As we look at our own lives or at the world around us, including the Church itself, the need for a cure from our own deafness and our own inability to speak is clear. No self-help book, no long hours in the gym or at yoga classes will bring us the cure we need.  It will come only if we turn to Jesus as the people did  and in  HIS  way,  separating the man from the crowd, touching his ears and spitting on his tongue.  To be cured, we need to submit ourselves to Jesus and the way and in the time he wishes to do it.  Perhaps we need a retreat, or at least a withdrawal from our ordinary overly-cluttered routine; perhaps we need  touch and personal contact with Jesus through the Eucharist, a spiritual director or advisor, but most of all, we need the faith and conviction that Jesus can and will do it. As the crowd begged Jesus to heal the man,  may we not be ashamed to so beg. We will then be able to join them and acclaim: 'He has done all things well.  He makes the dear hear and the mute speak." (Mk 7:37)
Bro. Rene

Mary's Silent Entry

Although Scripture does not detail anything about the birth of Mary, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus includes a brief mention of Mary as Joseph's wife, of whom "was born Jesus who is called the Christ" (Anointed one, Messiah) (Mt 1:16). This is an important fact, for Jesus is not born "out of the blue" and has a family history, as do the rest of us.
This brief mention of Mary sets the tone for the few words and few appearances of hers that the Scriptures give us, Luke's Gospel being the main source of them.  Why so quiet?  She always portrays herself as the instrument through whom God appeared to us as one of us, and on whom all eyes must be focused.  The spotlight is for him, not her.  But in her silence lies her strength, for it is God who has lifted up this lowly servant to do great things for us. She serves as a model for the way in which we should regard ourselves and in which we should act: as channels leading others to Jesus.
Happy Birthday, Mary, and thank you for your YES!
Bro. Rene

Avoid Passing Judgment

The recent sex abuse scandals that have come to light in Hollywood and in the Church provide easy fodder for passing judgment, So it was in Corinth 2,000 years ago, but Paul wisely offered advice to the Corinthians that still is good advice today.:  "...do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hears, and then everyone will receive praise from God." (1 Cor4:5).  A hard saying when pain and corruption demand action. Reason, patience and understanding also demand a part. Investigation, and as thorough a knowledge of "both sides" will, with God's help, lead to right judgement.  Jumping to quick, biased conclusions will not help.
Bro Rene

Into The Deep

How many times are we asked to do something we have already done (to no avail) or to do something which seems ridiculous or just  plain waste of time?  Such was the case when Jesus told the Apostles, who had been finishing all night with nothing to show for it, to "put out into the deep." (Lk 5:4).  Despite their "wisdom" and excuses, they did what Jesus said and filled their nets with a huge catch, a lesson they had to learn over and over again, as do we.  The image of a full net and the command to set out into the deep, whatever it is, a new position, a new responsibility, even a physical or mental challenge,  can help us realize that"the deep" is where God is and where what's best for us awaits us. It takes risk, faith, trust, and patience, but knowing from whom the command comes and from the experience of so many others who have followed it, may we at last learn not to fear "the deep", but to embrace it.
Bro. Rene

Following the Call

Eleven years ago on this date, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, acclaimed as a living saint, died and entered her heavenly reward after years of service to the poorest of the poor and after inspiring thousands by her example of "doing something beautiful for God."  Answering the call initially to be a Sister, she later received "a call within a call" to do something even more so as to serve Jesus as completely as possible with those whom society allowed to die like animals in the streets of Calcutta. It took grace, bravery and a strong spirit to leave her religious congregation and begin a new one dedicated to this unseemly, yet much needed ministry.  Indeed, at this time her 4,500 followers minister in 130 countries, faithful to their religious vows and their ministry.  Thousands of lay volunteers assist them in this enormous, unending task.  In a world of confused values, scandals, hatred and violence the light from this little candle shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration. May we listen to the voice of God within us and answer whatever call we hear with such faith, conviction and pure love.
Bro. Rene

Starting Anew

In the United States, the academic year is now underway.  New beginnings, new hopes, new dreams, new challenges.  We return with renewed vigor and confidence as we look back over past years and over the blessings of the summer, assured that God is with us and we are his instruments.  What we accomplish is what HE wishes us to accomplish; He will give us all that we need to do so. Whether we are teachers, staff members, businessmen, parents, grandparents, not matter what age or who we are, ours is but to turn in all over to HIM and be obedient, dutiful and loving "apostles of his love."
Bro Rene

St. Gregory the Great/Labor Day

Liturgically, we observe the Memorial of Pope St. Gregory the Great whose talent bolstered by his Benedictine approach to life, prayer and work,  led the Church through difficult times with barbarians at the gates, enhanced church music, and inspired the faithful to greater piety and living of their faith.  He is a fitting model for those of us who are celebrating Labor Day, a day on which we give thanks for the ability to work, those with whom we work, and for those who have demonstrated and fought for the dignity of work.  It's more than just a holiday for bargain hunting, but a final day for family gatherings, relaxation, and reflection on all the blessings we have received from God, who never stops "working" for us.  Jesus invites us to come to him to rest our souls and let him help us with our "burdens" concerns, aches, pains, and sorrows.  He who worked tirelessly as teacher and healer also knew how to take time to refresh his soul.  May we find some of that time today.
Bro .Rene