Tying Up Loose Ends

On this final day of the Octave of Christmas and of the year 2018, if we can make the time, despite anticipation and preparation for New Year's Eve and "First Night" festivities, it would be helpful to our spiritual journey, to stop, look back over the year, see what loose ends persist, give thanks for them and for all that we actually did accomplish, and more importantly, acknowledge with gratitude what God did for us.

Tying up the loose ends could also mean setting goals (resolutions) for the coming year.  We sometimes shrug these off as exercises in futility, for so often in the past we have found ourselves abandoning them just a few days or weeks after initiating them.  We might add some weight to this year's resolutions by asking Jesus to give his HIS power and grace to stick to them, remembering what St. Paul said to the Philippians, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13).
God's blessing on all for the New Year.
Bro. Rene.

The Holy Famly: A Model For Us

The Church honors the family Jesus, Mary and Joseph by recalling the incident when Jesus was separated from  them and was then found after three days amidst the rabbis and teachers in the Temple. There is a calmness in the story, despite the anxiety of "not knowing" and the tension in the exchange of words between Mary and Jesus: "Son, why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (cf. Lk 2: 49). Even not understanding what he meant, Mary and Joseph did not get angry, but  took him back to Nazareth, with Mary, no doubt, pondering this answer for the rest of her life.  There "he was obedient to them and advanced in wisdom age and favor before God and man."
 As with all families, there were times when sensitivities and priorities had to be worked out. This is only one chapter in the 30 year period when Jesus lived at home. We can only imagine the daily routine of finding work in distant villages, bearing with the July heat, and parting with Joseph as he took leave of his life on earth.  Yes, the comforts and stresses faced by any family. We look to the Holy Family for faith, trust, and love to help us live a holy family life.
Note:  The Holy Family is the patron of the Province of the United States, so we Marists also need and profit by the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Bro. Rene. 

Simeon's Prophecy

When Mary and Joseph fulfilled their duty to the Law by taking the 40 day old Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord, and themselves purified,  they met a rather astonishing elderly man who had been waiting for "the salvation of Israel",  and who gave not only a blessing to the child, but a prophecy to Mary that her soul would be pierced (that she would suffer greatly) "that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2:35). Indeed, she did suffer seven major sorrows  and still works alongside Jesus that we might come to see him as he is and love him with our whole being. When she gave her YES to the angel Gabriel, she opened her heart to the Holy Spirit and to whatever followed, even to the pain of watching her Son die on the cross, as gradually the significance of that YES and her calling unfolded.
If we can also, alongside Mary, give our YES to the Holy Spirit, we will find God's plan of joy and suffering unfold before us, for the prophecy of Simeon is meant for all of us who give their YES to God. I pray we can do it!
Bro. Rene   

The Slaughter of Innocents

The appalling slaughter of the innocent baby boys of Bethlehem by by King Herod's soldiers sends chills up our spines as we hear the story again today. (Mt 2:13-18)  Yet reflecting on it, we come to realize that children throughout the centuries have been abused, neglected, left to starve to death, tortured, gas chambered, or hacked to death, as we saw in the major genocides of the 20th century. Children of great beauty and potential as adults are the victims of rampant evil, for they have no way to defend themselves and too often, no one to defend them. Does it always have to be this way? How can I prevent some of this in "my world"?  I can begin with myself and my tendencies with tongue and temper to "slaughter", in a sense, my neighbor, the homeless, those who do not agree with me, or those whom I label as "weak" or  just "different."  Unfortunately, we all have this tendency to be slaughters, but fortunately, healers and helpers as well.  May the Holy Innocents help us to choose the latter.
Bro. Rene  

The Beloved Disciple

Two days ago, swaddling clothes warming a babe laying on hay in a manger; yesterday the blood of the martyr, Stephen; today, burial cloths in an empty tomb; tomorrow, blood again, and the wailing of mothers over the slaughter of their innocent children.  Is this the Joy to the World, Peace on earth to people of good will we have been singing about?  It is; it is the full picture of the Nativity:  God made human, entering our imperfect world in order to redeem it and make it holy.  John, the disciple whom Jesus loved ((Jn 20 1a) was not present at Bethlehem but was there at the tomb and bears witness to what he saw.  The man he loved and who loved him, was not just a man, but God.  John saw, believed (cf. Jn 20::8) and told us about it.  It is now our role to see, believe and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God.
Bro. Rene

St. Stephen: A Light In The Darkness

There is nothing comparable to the soft light of a candle glowing in a dark room or chapel. It is so soothing, with its glow, neither too bright nor too dim.  It adds a golden touch to the darkness it chases away.
When we look at the martyrdom of the deacon Stephen. the first to fulfill the prediction of Jesus that his followers would be let to courts, governors and kings, being hated because of the allegiance to his name, we see the glow of the candle in the darkness of this world. Yes, so soon after celebrating the night when the heavens were aglow with the heavenly host, darkness creeps in, but one that cannot overshadow the light.  "A light shines in the darkness,/ a darkness that did not overcome it." (Jn 1:5). There's no cause for shock or dismay that the day after our Christmas festivities, we celebrate the death of the first martyr, who shows us in depth how we find light:  by witnessing, by commitment to the adult, mature, full-grown Christ.
May Stephen help each one of us be a candle to illumine and soothe our darkened world.
Bro. Rene

Midnight Mass

We know not what time Jesus was born, and whatever time of day it was, it seems it was not in December, but traditions have grown up around Decembrr 25th and in the Northern Hemisphere, it's a dark "winter cold night".  The full moon of a few days ago is on its wane, but still lighting up the sky as did the host of heavenly beings, according to St. Luke.  The tradition of a Mass at Midnight adds to the reverence, solemnity and drama of the birth.  The world is can be country quiet at that time, the perfect moment for the Son of God to make his entry via a stable into our world.  The animals, the shepherds, the wonder of it all.  Midnight is the perfect backdrop and stirs the heart, melting away anxiety and replacing it with peace..the peace of the Son of God's Presence....the peace that only he can give.  If you were at a crowded, noisy 4 pm Vigil  Mass just be aware that some of us were in the mysterious middle night where Silent Night is a perfect description of the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem.  May the beauty, quiet, simplicity, earthiness, power and magic of this night bring heavenly peace to you.
Bro .Rene

Zechariah Speaks

After nine month as a mute, Zechariah speaks when he gives his newborn son the name, JOHN,  He Blesses God and predicts that his son will prepare the way for the One who will take away sin and show the tender compassion of God as the light of a new dawn breaks upon the world of darkness. (cf. Lk 1:67-79). On this  last day of Advent and Christmas Eve, may we join with Zechariah in his morning song of praise and with the angels this evening as they sing "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace  to people of Good Will."  Merry Christmas.
Bro .Rene

Ark of the Covenant

The Fourth Sunday of Advent brings us the Gospel of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, the "prelude" to yesterday's Gospel which featured the Magnificat, Mary's response to Elizabeth's greeting, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk 1:42 ) Hearkening back to the Fathers of the Church, Bishop Robert Barron reminds us that Mary is the living Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tables of the ten commandments, manna and Aaron's Rod, concrete reminders of God's Presence.  Mary now bears the Presence of God within her, his own Son, and is the true Ark.  As David danced before the Ark, so John leaps for joy in his mother's womb.  Mary is the God Bearer.  We too, through our Baptism, are God-Bearers, Arks,  who, like Mary carry him to others.  May we be conscious of our privileged role and act on it as we, in these final days of Advent prepare for the entry of God's Presence, his Son,  into the World. 
Bro. Rene

Giving Praise and Thanks With Mary

We continue with our spotlight on Mary.  Today it's her Magnificat, the beautiful update of the canticle of Hannah who rejoiced at her long-desired pregnancy (1 Sam 2: 1, 4-7). Mary sums up for all of us the reasons why we should turn the spotlight away from ourselves onto God, the Giver of all our blessings.  He knows our innermost desires, from the big and little things that make us happy, and grants them, sometimes surprises us with them, again and again showing us how much he regards and loves us.  Nothing seem to be too good for us. An apparent disappointment is reversed into a cause for joy, a longed for reunion with a friend happens "out of the blue." Our days are full of these "signs" .  Like Mary, we need to acknowledge  them, tell others about them, so that they too might rejoice in God.  Let our prayer today be Luke1:46-56,  Mary's Magnificat, and make it our own Magnificat..
Bro. Rene

In Haste

Note:  Lack of time and some tech difficulties with the computer have forced me to miss posting the slice of daily bread for today, but this will appear with tomorrow's slice.

"Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town in Judah..." (Lk 1:30).  What was Mary's hurry?  Despite her own recent pregnancy, she wanted to get to her cousin Elizabeth's as fast as possible to be of help to her before she delivered her child, her typical other-centered focus. The town of Ain Karin, not far from Jerusalem is the accepted place of the encounter with Elizabeth and Zechariah where Mary spent three months helping as much as she could.  She has never stopped traveling here and there to be of help to others, particularly of us, who need her help so much.  /whether is be at LaSallette, Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje. or a private appearance as in the case of Roy Schoeman, a Jewish Harvard professor whom she guided to the Catholic Church, she is there for each one of us.    (Google Roy Schoeman for a four part fascinating story). She is not always "in haste", but takes her time, respecting our freedom and the power of free choice God has given us.
Although we are "in haste" mode to be ready for Christmas, we might follow Mary's example of allowing the element of TIME its proper place, despite the over-powering sense of urgency that so often propels us "in haste."
Bro Rene

Perfect Submission

In the familiar Gospel Hymn, "Blessed Assurance" we come across the phrase, "perfect submission", one that might well summarize the Gospel passage selected for today. (cf. Lk 26-38).  Yes, from the sinless Virgin Mary, whose heart was readily expectant to accept and do whatever God asked of her, comes her obedient compliance to Gabriel's message from God to be the Mother of Jesus.  Perfect submission from  a perfectly open heart, yes, but even more:  an active, generous, courageous leap into the unknown to do, in her own life, what she told us at Cana:  "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn 2:5). More than submitting and receiving, it was also a dynamic reach to be totally at the service of God, a model of behavior we to which we too are called and strive to imitate.  If we consecrate, dedicate, our wills, our lives, to Mary, she will help us to unite with Jesus in carrying out the will of the Father as they did. "Holy, Mary, Mother of God, pray,  for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."  Amen.
Bro Rene

Doubt and Belief

Today's recounting of Gabriel's appearance to Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, in the Temple with the announcement of his birth somewhat parallels Gabriel's appearance to Mary announcing the birth of Jesus, with one big difference.  Zechariah doubted, Mary believed. (cf. Lk 1:5-25 and Lk 1: 26-38). Zechariah was forced into silence to digest the message, and eventually came to believe.  Mary believed, accepted and bravely bore her Son, herself he first to proclaim the Lord's greatness, and to this day still bearing witness to it.
Our celebration of the Nativity is less than a week away.  We have time to test our faith.  Do we doubt or believe?  The silence imposed on Zechariah might be a good thing for us to embrace, somehow in these frantic last days, to ponder where we stand.  A prayer to both Zechariah and Mary would be helpful, lest the "noise" of the season stand between us and the child in the manger.
Bro .Rene

The Silence of Joseph

The Scriptures do not record any words, of Joseph, husband of Mary, yet his actions speak loud and clear.  A man of quiet strength, his faith was strong enough for him several times to change the course of his life.  He accepted his pregnant betrothed, married her, and without complaining took her to Bethlehem where the Child was born.  Not long after he took his family to Egypt for their safety and began a new, but temporary life there. Called back home out of Egypt. he settled in Nazareth as a craftsman, teaching his son his trade. Words are not necessary for us to see his integrity and to want to spend time beside this "pool of silence," this man whose strength came from a comfortableness with himself and a sureness that came with doing the will of God. Fortunate are we to know a person like Joseph; even more fortunate, to BE another Joseph.
Bro. Rene

Generations

In this third week of Advent, with the rose candle of joy burning in our Advent wreaths, our liturgical readings focus more on the actual birth of Jesus, now that we've heard the promising prophecies of a Messiah and a new age.  St. Matthew gives us the genealogy of Jesus in three segments of 14, ending with "Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ." (Mt 1:17).  Family histories were very important in ancient tribal culture and still are among Native Americans and Africans.  It is important to know WHO you are marrying, to avoid marrying relatives who might be too close, and also to become aware of the traditions and wisdom accumulated by the families. 
Today, the first of a series of Antiphons used at Vespers this week, referred to as the "O" Antiphons, addresses Jesus as "Wisdom coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, and sweetly ordering all things" and begs him to "come and teach us the way of prudence."  Jesus. divinely the Son of God, but also the heir of generations of family wisdom, certainly has something  to teach us.  May we follow him prudently along the path of knowledge, good order and wisdom.
Bro. Rene

A Cause For Rejoicing

The Third Sunday of Advent, AKA, Guadete Sunday, from the Latin for "Rejoice", the first word of the Entrance Antiphon at Mass, is also called "Rose Sunday" as the purple of Advent morphs into Rose, a step closer to the white (or gold) of Christmas (no, not red or green). in anticipation of the joy at the coming of Jesus. We are moved to joy and gladness for the Holy One, the Promised One has truly dwelt among us, or in another translation, "has pitched his tent" among usl  Yes, actually become one of us.  A lifetime of reflection on it will never help us fully fathom how ineffable this is.  Yet we take it so much for granted, it hardly enters into our preparations for Christmas that occupy so much of our time in December. Today is a good day to STOP and just imagine what it means for God, the Almighty Creator, to BECOME one of his creatures.  It's comparable somewhat to one of us becoming a carrot to show our love for it.  Not the usual way of demonstrating love, but one that God has chosen so that we someday will "get it."  May our spirits rejoice and be glad as we reflect on this "mystery" and  come to a deeper love and gratitude for our God who has spared nothing to show his love for us.
Bro. Rene

Making the Turn

It was not easy for Jesus to get his message across, and not surprisingly. The prophets had proclaimed, lectured, written repeatedly over the centuries, and people and not understood, at least had not demonstrated by their actions that they did.  :"Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.: (Mt 17: 12 ). John the Baptist, a voice screaming in the desert about repentance and physically bringing people into the Jordan to wash them in a baptism of repentance to make it very clear that preparation was needed for the immanent arrival of "the one who is to come," the Messiah.  And still they, even the disciples, did not get it.  A dense fog clouded their understanding, and it would take the Holy Spirit to clear it..  Still the fog returns, so annually, the practices, reflections  and promises to which we have we have been  exposing ourselves help to clear our minds and hearts to make the turn away from what fails to satisfy to the true source of life and happiness: the One who saves us from our sins and invites us to walk and live intimately with him. One week and a few days remain in this holy season.  Are we ready to make the Big Turn?  The grace to do so is available...all we have to do is ask for it and be open to receiving it.
Bro. Rene

Resistance

If it doesn't exist already, there should be a book called, "You Can't Win", subtitled "Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't." We've all experienced the dictum, "You can't please all the people all of the time."  Even in the experience of Jesus. he saw it:  People criticized his cousin, John the Baptist for not eating nor drinking, claiming he was possessed by a devil. Jesus ate and drank, and he was called a glutton. Jesus compare the people to children who played the flute but still  could not get others to sing or dance (Mt 11:16-19).  All of this demonstrates that you can't make people do what you want, or what you'd like to seem them do, or what would be good for them and others. There's a natural resistance that throws up a barrier to keep the "intruder" out. Parents know this from their children, and teachers, from their students.  And if we look into our own hearts, we see the same pattern.  Does God get as frustrated with us as we do with others?  Apparently not.  He keeps trying over and over again to move us to respond to his love, giving us signs, wonders, and "lollipops" to entice us to follow his way and mature into the fullness of what he created us to be.  Dear God, break down my resistance and draw me into full compliance with your plan for me. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Fear Not

It seems to be part of our DNA to be fearful, perhaps that's why "daredevils" are so fascinating, fearlessly bunji jumping off bridges over ravines or rivers hundreds of feet below; sky diving, jumping over rows of cars on a motor cycle, and whatever else the imagination can devise to display fearlessness.  Yet, as deep as our faith might seem, we recoil from time to time as fear wells up from somewhere deep within.  The words of Isaiah today address that fear:  "Fear not, I will help you. Fear not, O worm, Jacob,/ O maggot Israel: / I will help you, says the Lord;/ your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel...." (Is 41: 13-14). This message comes at an appropriate time as we move further into Advent, with Christmas 12 days away. We could be worried that we haven't made the best use of Advent, or getting jittery about having all in place, "everything done", for Christmas. We are our own worst enemies... God tells us not to worry, to fear not.  Time with Isaiah 41:13-20 would help put those fears to rest.  Find the time.
Bro. Rene

Patroness of the Americas

Today, millions will gather at the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to honor the Mother of God who appeared to the poor native, Juan Diego, and asked that a shrine be built on Tepeyac Mountain where there had been an ancient shrine to a pagan goddess of the Aztec religion. Because of the Bishop's request for a "sign", Mary left her imprint on Juan Diego's tilma, which still exists today.  The coarse material should have deteriorated 20 years after this event, but continues to puzzle scientists and artists who cannot' explain why it didn't and how the image was imprinted on it.  A miracle.  And further,  10 years after the apparition, between 8 and 9 million people were converted to Christianity, (another miracle) and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe remains as strong today as it was then.  She has been declared Patroness of the Americas and Patroness of the Right to Life movement, for she appeared pregnant, in native dress, skin color and speaking the native dialect. Could she have done more to show her love of and solidarity with the poor and oppressed?  May she continue to inspire and offer hope to all of us who are poor because of our weak faith and oppressed by a materialistic, Godless culture. May she continue to point the way to her Son.
Bro. Rene

Going After The Lost Sheep

Surprisingly, owners of large sheep ranches will not go after the missing four or five sheep at the annual roundup, noting that the time and effort involved is not worth it.  This is not the way the Good Shepherd operates.  His is a more personal touch with each of his named sheep and he will not spare any effort to recover one which is lost. How we need such a shepherd!  Where would we be if he did not care enough for us to leave the others who are safe and sound to come and find us? As much as we might resent such intrusiveness in our lives, it's what we have been taught and what we have come to expect.  Something would be missing without the image of the Good Shepherd hovering over us as does the sun. We do not have to fear being abandoned; he will seek us out, and not rest until we are safe on his shoulders.
Bro. Rene

Urgency

While Advent is a season of patient waiting, watching, reflection and preparation, this morning's Gospel, Luke 5: 17-26, presents another important element:  urgency.  Friends of a paralytic are trying to approach Jesus to obtain a cure, but the crowd makes it impossible to enter the house where Jesus is teaching. With a touch of "Yankee Ingenuity" the men take the pallet to the roof, move the tiles and lower their friend to within the reach of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus at first proclaims the man's sins forgiven, and then to respond to the objections of the scribes and Pharisees, cures the man, who immediately stood up, picked up his pallet and went home glorifying God.
Translating this to us today:  Do we have that faith and sense of urgency to get closer to Jesus and to help others come to him for healing (of soul or body) which would call from us extraordinary efforts to remove obstacles that stand in the way? To push through the distractions, sidebars and excuses that stand between us and Jesus?  Or that make us hesitant to help another approach him?  Perhaps we should pray to those friends of the paralytic to give us the faith and gumption to make a dramatic move in our lives to draw closer to Jesus ourselves or to help others to do so.  What a preparation for Christmas that would be!
Bro. Rene

Preparing Our Hearts

John the Baptist appears on the scene this second Sunday of Advent, urging up to "prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths." (Lk 3:4). John certainly "walked his talk," proclaiming a baptism of repentance and washing penitents clean in the waters of the Jordan.  His fierce urgency reaches us even today, lest we waist any of the remaining time of preparation for Christmas.  We find time to shop, send cards, decorate. bake, attend Christmas parties and concerts, but is there time for those quiet moments when we can hear Jesus say, "I love you..This is why I came, and I would have done so if you were the only human on this planet, so great is my love for you.  Will you let me into your heart, let me touch and soothe it?  Just give me some of "your" time, and I will change your life.  I thirst for you; let me drink of your goodness and beauty. I'm waiting for you."?
Bro. Rene

The New Eve

The early Fathers of the Church we quick to pick up on Mary as the "New Eve", playing even with the reversal the Ave of the angel Gabriel and Eva, the wife of Adam. Mary's YES, for the "good of all" reversed the YES of Eve who sought the glorification of self:  "You shall be like gods." (Gen 3:5) Mary's humilty would "magnify the Lord" by bringing the Son of God to humanity and opening the door again for humanity to enter the divine.
Today we celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception, that is, HER own conception without sin in the womb of her mother Anne, as the vessel prepared from all eternity to bear the Son of God, even as today we place his body and blood in golden vessels on our altars.  We place him in our best, and Mary is the Best that our human race can offer. A great day to reflect on God's preparation for the coming of his Son as we, in these days of Advent,  prepare our hearts to give him "the best" at Christmas and at his Second Coming. May Mary help us today and in the days ahead to join our YES to hers so that we may be the best and most worthy vessels of her Son.
Bro. Rene

Faith Needs Challenge

On the morning of December 7, 1941, "a date that will live in infamy," planes from the Empire of Japan blindsided the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with a devastating attack that took 2,335 lives, wounded 1,143 and plunged the United States into a four year "challenge" of enormous proportion, taking thousands of more lives, to avenge the attack and bring Japan to surrender.
Interestingly enough, 77 years later the Gospel passage for today is about two blind men seeking a cure from Jesus.  His first question to them was "Do you believe that I can do this?"  Before he acts, he demands faith. Jesus requires faith, which is often accompanied by doubt, forcing us to look into ourselves to see if we really do believe. Overcoming these inner challenges may not require a major war effort as in the Pacific; it's much more subtle and may require more than four years, perhaps even a lifetime, to subdue the powers that seek to undermine our faith.  But, if Faith is not tested, is it really Faith?
Bro. Rene

Beloved St. Nick

St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (a city in what is now Turkey) and patron of Greece and Russia, lived in the fourth century and was noted for his generosity and for his defense of the faith.  Legend has it that he provided the dowry for three young women so they would not have to be sold into slavery by tossing bags of gold coins through their father's window.  He was also imprisoned for his faith and later took part in the Council of Nicaea where he staunchly defended the faith, even, as the story goes, to slapping an opponent bishop in the face!  As we know, he is the basis for "Father Christmas" in England, "Pere Noel" in France, "Sinter Klaus" in Holland, and Santa Claus in the United States, where  "Santa Mythology" has created a home on the North Pole, a wife, Mrs. Claus, a workshop, elves and a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer, all with names, led by a red-nosed reindeer named Rudolf.  All a far reach from the generous and defender of the faith, from whom we take inspiration for generous gift-giving (especially to those in need) and firm adherence to the Faith.  Perhaps this prayer will help restore him to his proper place in our own faith life:

Prayer for Saint Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas, you were an orphan with a large inheritance, and instead of using your wealth to serve yourself, you saw it as an opportunity to support those who lacked what they needed. As bishop, you fearlessly defended the faith, and were willing to suffer for what you believed.

We ask for your blessing during our Advent journey towards the Christ-child. Help us grow in generosity and in our awareness of the needs of others, especially those who are suffering. May we awaken to the spirit of simplicity and joy that led you to share God’s surprising love through the giving of gifts. Amen.

Bro. Rene

A Great Feast

Continuing his description of the idyllic mountain, Isaiah describes a sumptuous feast or rich wines and juicy rich food.  Death will be no more and all tears be wiped away.  Makes us hunger and thirst for this "promised land". (cf. Is 25:6-10).  Fast forward 800 years or so, and there's another banquet scene on a mountain, this time by the Sea of Galilee, the food, simple fare of bread and fish, but the host, Jesus, the Savior, the Messiah, the ONE foretold by Isaiah. (cf. Mt15:29-37).  The prophecy is not quite fulfilled, as this meal is a precursor to the meal to be shared on the night before he died and which we still celebrate daily, the Holy Eucharist. Again, this is but a foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet, but we certainly are getting closer. 
Reflection on these readings is appropriate food for thought during Advent, a time for the expression of gratitude and appreciation for so great a gift.  A time to prepare our hearts for the Great Feast, and to invite others to it by radiating hope and joy as well as through our words and actions.
Bro. Rene

Jesus and Children

The scene of Jesus and the children clamoring around him and scolded by the Apostles if familiar enough so that when Jesus speaks about the mysteries of the Kingdom being revealed to the childlike, (cf. Lk 10:21), we can easily understand that he understands and loves children so much, that he sees them as the ideal models for all desiring to understand and enter that Kingdom.  Children ask, believe and take newly acquired information as "gospel truth".  Try to "enlighten" them or change their minds later, even as adults, and they will hold to what they were first taught.  Would that adults would keep that tenacity, and oh, what a responsibility for parents and first teachers!  Must be truth, not fables.
As we proceed through Advent, let us listen to Isaiah and Jesus, taking to heart and embracing what they say with that childlike willingness to believe and childlike tenacity to hold on to it and act upon it.
Bro. Rene

Are We Willing?

Yesterday and today provide us with ample material for a nourishing and challenging slice of bread.  Yesterday Jesus warned us about becoming "drowsy from carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life." (Lk 21: 28- 35) Today, Isaiah invites us to "climb the Lord's mountain and learn the ways of the Lord. He describes the ideal world where people beat their swords into ploughshares and one nation does not rise against another, nor do they train for war again." (Is 2:4). In the Gospel, we see the centurion beg for the life of his servant in complete faith and trust. (Mt:5-11). And we celebrate the memorial of St. Francis Xavier whose passion to teach the Gospel brought him to India and Japan where he "set all on fire." The questions for our pondering today:  are we willing to let go our hurtful behaviors, and  our anxieties? Are we able to trust as the centurion did?  Are we willing to intercede for today's equivalent of our "servant"?  Are willing to work for peace in our hearts, families, workplaces, communities?  Are we willing to set all on fire with our zeal not necessarily across the globe but again, in and among the places and people close to us?  May Advent be a time of willingness and readiness to make whatever changes we can to clear the obstacles for the full reign "The Prince of Peace.
Bro. Rene

Watching and Waiting

Advent begins today, 23 days of watching and waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on December 25th.  It is a time of preparation , a time to make an effort to ponder, as did Mary, the meaning and implication of God-becoming-human, a time for silence (even in the midst of our usual frenzied life with Christmas shopping, decorating, parties, Christmas cards and concerts thrown in), and a time for penance, not as stringent as Lent, but something that will demand "sacrifice" and effort, as does serious house-cleaning.  Seems like a Big Order for so short a time, and really a set-up for failure.  But somehow, we'll do SOMETHING to make these days different and pointed toward the coming of Jesus. We need to try to do what we can, and while bulldozing through this hectic time, think of Mary and Joseph on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph afoot and Mary on a donkey., a slow, perhaps anxiety ridden trek, as Mary was nearing her time to give birth.  They made it, so can we.
Bro .Rene

Night Will Be No More

In the concluding chapter of the Book or Revelation, chapter 22, we find a symbolic picture of what awaits us "on the other side". Crystal water, ever blooming and producing trees; night will be no more, the sun will no longer be needed, for all light will come from God who will reign forever and ever.  It goes beyond our imagination and certainly beyond our experience: our thirst slaked, hunger satisfied, eternal day, pure contentment. (cf. Rev 22:1-7).  A fitting reflection for the last day of the liturgical year and the eve of Advent.  With darkness encroaching upon us earlier and earlier each day in the Northern Hemisphere, the promise of "no more night" is most appealing, as are the other promises.  God certainly knows us and what makes us happy. Indeed, These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon... "Behold I am coming soon." Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book. (Rv 22: 6-7)
A prayerful, fruitful and blessed Advent to all.
Bro, Rene