Measure for Measure

Today, Jesus calls us to let our light shine from a lampstand and not hide it under a basket or bed.  (Mk 4:21).  And what is that light?  The love we have received from God which radiates from our faces and shines in our little acts of kindness...more than we can imagine. A beautifully illustrated book by August Torak tells the even more beautiful story of BROTHER JOHN,  a Trappist mond of Mepkin Abbey outside of Charleston, South Carolina, who walked retreants from the chapel to their rooms with his "magical" umbrella to keep them dry.  A simple act of kindness but one which enlightened the author to see the meaing and purpose of life:  to do simple things like that to help others in some small way...Something we all can do. Whatever umbrella or tool or talent we have been graciously given, we are to give as graciously to others measure for measure, and even beyond.
Bro. Rene

Rocky Soil and Thorns

As we look around us these days, it seems that indeed, we are standing on rocky soil and are surrounded by wild and unruly thorns. The Sower, Jesus, is still scattering seed, but hearts are too hardened with concerns for material success or choked with the desire for immediate gratification and the seed withers before it can reach maturity.  Yet there is still "good soil" mixed with rocks or hiding under the thorns: willing and ready hearts that simply need time and an openess to the "miraculous" a combination of good example, thoughtful conversation, quiet reflection and grace.  A word, a gesture, a kind act, a demonstration of genuine concern for another at the cost of the sacrifice of personal time, effort or money, might be just the ingredient needed to open the seed to the growth and yield for which it was created.   It's never too late to cultivate or clear away the thorns. We might recall daily how Jesus went about sowing, and even ran into thorns among the Twelve, but kept tilling, watering and caring until the seed broke open, sprouted and bore fruit.
Bro. Rene

Accepting God's Will

In today's Gospel from Mark 3: 31-35, Jesus opens his family to all who do the will of his Father:  "For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mk 3:35).  Before we DO the will of God, we must first accept it, then move on it.  Mary sets the example for us in words very much like "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will." (Ps 40: 8a,9a).  "I am the servant of the Lord.  Let it be done to me as you say." (Lk 1:38)  In the Garden of Gethsemane, we hear Jesus say, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done." (Lk 22: 42). Not an easy thing to DO God's will, and even more challenging is to KNOW God's.  Ask young adults discerning God's will for what direction their life should take, especially if they are considering the priesthood or consecrated life. The simple prayer, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" will eventually yield an answer through and inner voice or as the pieces of a puzzle come together. Once accepted, God's will is doable by the grace he gives for every step of the way.
Bro. Rene

Catholic Schools

This week the Dioceses of the United States celebrate Catholic Schools Week, an opportunity to give thanks for the formation and education of students, not only Catholic, who attend Catholic Schools, and for their mission to pass on the legacy and commission of Jesus himself to ":go teach all nations" (Mt  28:19-20). Many of these schools struggle financially and to maintain  enrollment, requiring sacrifices and determined efforts, yet "by their fruits you will know them. "  If all goes according to plan, students leave these schools with  solid foundation in the knowledge and practice of their faith and go on to become leaders and exemplars of the values and faith which flow from Biblical roots and have proven to be the safeguards of civilization for centuries. And fittingly, the week begins on the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, a great teacher and saint. 
Let us join in prayer for our teachers, who continue to teach the truth, following his example.
Lord, Guiding Light,
You teach us to call you alone our Teacher, our Parent, our Lord.
Help us to trust your instruction and guiding graces in our lives,
more unreservedly each day.
We know too that you often mediate your graces through others,
And have entrusted to us your mission to teach, to parent, to steward.
Grant us the grace to respond with generosity and compassion,
and especially as we begin Catholic Schools Week,
bless all teachers whom you have called to pass on the light of knowledge and faith to our young.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord and Teacher. Amen.
Bro. Rene

The Spirit of the Lord

Again we return to the synagogue in Nazareth where Jesus reads from Isaiah, :"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor...liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed and to proclaim an acceptable year."  (cf. Lk 4: 18). We heard this not long ago, but in the context if an Enounter at the Marist Spirituality Center in Esopus NY, it rings especially true for the 60 high school students concluding a 4 day encounter with Jesus.  It is amazing and consoling to see the Spirit at work in the lives of these youths, their faith rekindled and their lives put back on the right track.  They have experienced just what Isaiah predicted and Jesus carried out in his time and continues through us in our time. It causes joy in the hearts of the team leaders as well as in the hearts of the Encounterites.  Let the word go forth, there is no cause for doom and gloom.  The Spirit is alive and well and active in the lives of young people today.  There is MUCH cause for JOY and HOPE!
Bro.  Rene

Saints Timothy and Titus

Relationships are key in any situation and in particular, in ministry.  It's refreshing to know that St. Paul, with all his passion for teaching, preaching, writing and caring for the ever growing number of Christian communities he established, had time for personal friends.  Timothy and Titus, two of Paul's converts who later became bishops were also his friends, his "dear children." "To Timothy, my beloved child." (1 and 2 Tim 1:2) "To Titus, my true child in a common faith." (Titus 1:4).  Affectionate greetings, warm relationships...good for them, good for all.  We are human and need the warmth and comfort of friends in order to be effective, loving channels of God's grace and, certainly to learn what love is and thus grow in a loving relationship with God.  We take what we experience and know from our human relationships and apply it to our relationship with God.  We do not want to be crusty or mechanical ministers, but deeply human, tender, compassionate and loving teachers, preachers and bearers of the Good News, the news that is all about love and LIFE!  Thank you, Paul, Timothy and Titus for showing us the way.
Bro. Rene

The Power Of Conversion

The week of prayers for Christian Unity concludes today with the feast of The Conversion of St. Paul.  The change in his life from persecutor of the faith to propagator of the faith gave impetus to the fledgling church that continues today.  He continues to preach, teach and inspire through his letters we read every Sunday; and his quotes fill manuals of spirituality and devotion. His legacy is priceless and universally applicable. What would we do without Paul?
We don't realize it, but when we, like Saul, turn our whole passion and energy into loving and serving Jesus, we, like him, become a new person, meriting, as he did, a new name, Paul.  Turning TO Jesus, rather than FROM him, fills us with joy, courage, purpose and meaning. Our lives become powerful instruments of making Jesus present and of enabling him to continue his work of preaching and healing in our day and in our circles.  The real question is not only "What would we do without Jesus?" but also, "What can we do WITH Jesus?"  Let us pray to St.Paul and ask him to help us make the choice, as he did, to follow Jesus, not fight him.
Bro. Rene

Practical Spirituality

We honor St. France de Sales today, the Bishop of Geneva during the tumultuous years of the Reformation. 
Besides responding pastorally to the challenges posed by the reformers, he is also known for his practical advice on how to life a good, solid, Christian life.  His INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE is still relevant today and makes the spiritual life "doable" for everyone.  His advice is for ordinary people who live and work in this world with their feet very much on the ground.  When we go about our daily tasks with love and conscious of God's presence, we make them holy and give praise and honor to God just by doing the best we can to carry them out. Let this day be spiced with a large dose of love and we will experience a difference within ourselves and in those whose lives intersect with ours.
Br. Rene

"Stretch Out Your Hand"

The presence of a man with a withered hand (Mk 3:1-6) provoked Jesus to settle two points:  cure the man's hand and do it on the Sabbath.  Wow...He didn't flinch. The Lesson holds true for us.  Works of charity are not against the Sabbath law, and many are the times when we need to stretch out our hands to receive, as well as to receive.  Like Jesus, we need not flinch nor hesitate, but plunge into bringing healing to others. 
Bro. Rene

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Roe vs. Wade case, which removed restrictions on abortions imposed by state laws and for all intents and purposes opened the door to "abortion on demand." In 1992, another decision removed the restriction of limiting the timeline of the abortion thus extending it even to the third trimester.  These decisions have been opposed by advocates for Life, who honor and revere the dignity of all life from conception to natural death.  It has been a testy issue, but over these 46 years progress has been made and despite the clamor of the Pro-choice proponents, there is, especially among the young, a strong defense of the rights of the unborn.  The Church has set aside this day as a day of prayer for laws that will protect these innocent victims, and of late, to pray for the distressed mothers who, due to various pressures, chose the path of abortion, and then in deep sorrow and pain have come to regret their decision.  And so we pray:
God, our Creator, we give thanks to you, who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb, grant, we pray that we, whom you have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life. Grant peace and forgiveness as well, to those mothers who have broken this trust and seek your mercy.  This we pray through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

New Wine

We celebrate two people of different centuries and backgrounds, but who share something in common:  Both took what was known and made it new by the strength of their conviction.  St. Agnes, a young girl of 13 held fast to her belief in God, giving her life as a martyr, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who took the command to love neighbor as oneself beyond race, color or creed.  He too, was murdered for his convictions. Both took "old wine" and made it  seem like new wine by pouring it into the fresh wine skins of their experience, something we are called to do with the wine we have received from our parents and teachers.  May we drink deeply of that wine and through our lives make it palatable to others.
In honor of Dr. King, we might say this prayer today:
Prayer for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
God of love and justice,
St. Paul proclaimed that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” As we celebrate your faithful disciple, Martin Luther King, Jr., may we be emboldened by your living Word and by his prophetic witness to rid the world of the sin of discrimination in our attitudes and actions. Help us to seek the unity that Paul and Martin saw so clearly so that all forms of injustice will cease. Grant us the courage and determination to be prophets of peace. May we welcome one another as brothers and sisters, rooted in your everlasting love. Amen,
Bro. Rene

Marg's Interention

The Wedding Feast at Cana presents a glimpse of the role Mary played and still plays with her Son.  It's a common view, especially among mothers, that the KNOW their children, and mothers of sons seem to have a greater knowledge of them than even their fathers.  Mary's attentiveness to the wine situation shows that she is very aware of details and also sympathetic to what would have been a major disaster for the bride and groom.  She turns to Jesus, who protests that his hour had not come, but knowing him as his mother, she makes her move with the servants.  Jesus responds positively and lovingly, in a sense, coerced by his mother.  Who can refuse the request of a mother?  He works the "first of his signs" at her behest and before the appointed hour.  Is it a wonder that Mary is so popular?  And her intervention still goes on, as miracles of physical healing and conversion through her intercession abound, not only at the famous places of her apparitions such as Lourdes,  Knock, Fatima and Medjugorje, but also in the lives of so many of us. As Marists we are her "Little Brothers", especially close to her.  May we not hesitate to call on her and take her advice to "do whatever he [Jesus] tells us."  (cf. Jn 2:5)

Needing A Physician

When criticized by the Pharisees for eating with "sinners and tax collectors" (Mk 2:14) Jesus retorted that "those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do," and the he came to call sinners, not the righteous. (Mk 2:17). These words are consoling for us, who look in the mirror and see sinner, not righteous. May we remain humble in accepting ourselves as we are and take advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation at least monthly and take time each evening for a brief examen of conscience or review of the day, asking pardon and giving thanks.
Bro. Rene

Honoring Life

The 46th March for Life takes place in Washington, DC today.  Despite the weather forecasts, the crowded Streets of marchers testify to the value of life, and invite skeptics and opponents to take stock in the gift of life they share and to view the life of the unborn as valuable as theirs. It is also an opportunity for the marchers and those who support them to deepen their commitment to the truth that life begins at conception and needs to be guaranteed right to endure until natural death opens the door to eternal life. Dear God, thank you for the gift of life; may I always treasure, revere and defend it, for it is a sharing in your life, and as such is sacred.
Bro. Rene

Taking the Gospel To Heart

It's not often that we take the Gospel to heart and use it for the catalyst for a major move in our lives...We take inspiration and perhaps make some little move toward applying it to our lives, but once in awhile someone takes it literally and does make that major move.  Such was St. Anthony of the Desert, Abbot and father of monasticism. On hearing the story of the rich young man who could not part with his wealth, Anthony did just that...sold all his inherited property, provided for his sister, and took to the desert.  Eventually thousands followed him, discontent as the were with the materialistic lifestyle of the day.
Anthony did not leave any profound writings nor "immortal art", but, as St. Athanasius said, "a great reverence for God:"  Such a reverence led him to lead a life of balanced austerity, moderation in food and talk, and freedom from worry about his past. 
How refreshing his life is in our day of excess, materialism and lack of rerevence...not only for God, but for one another...  We are ripe for new Anthonys to step forward and lead the way back to God.  St. Anthony pray for us, help us to take the Gospel to heart and put it into practice as you did.
Bro. Rene.

Balance

The tendency to take on more and more activities and almost become addicted to them, can be harmful, though initially we based on the premise, the more good we do, the better.  Today's  Gospel passage (Mk 1:29-39) shows us the picture of a very busy Jesus, who cures Peter's mother-in-law, and hordes of cure-seekers  that evening.  We don't know if he healed everyone before he went to bed, but we do know that he slept, got up early to pray, and then, hearing of needs in nearby villages, went off to continue his preaching and healing.  He balanced his activity with rest and prayer time. How else could he have kept his frenetic pace? 
So too with us.  "It's all good", as the current cliché puts it, yes, but there must be balance if there is to be effectiveness.  Dear Jesus, help me to add balance to my "to do" list.
Bro. Rene

Authority Over Demons

Would that we could cast out demons as Jesus did. (cf. Mk 1: 25).  Gone would be the demon of anxiety, stress, worry, doubt.  Poof! in a flash, freedom!  Well, Jesus still stands in our midst and with prayer and faith he still works miracles.. We need to pray, we need faith, we need to invoke his authority.  Why work up to a frenzy and bother with doctors?  Most of our demons are self-induced, so putting self in a disciplined routine of prayer gives us the "authority", backed by Jesus, to banish these pesty demons. "Jesus, I trust in you. Cast out these demons I have created by your authority.  I believe, I desire, I need your help."
Bro .Rene

The Core of the Message

Now that we are in the first day of Ordinary time, we get to the core of the Message Jesus came to preach:  "The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel." (Mk 1:14).  As clear is it could be.  Almost sounds like Lent.  Well, yes, because Lent is meant to whisk away the obstacles to the living of this message and, because we are human, as any parent will agree, the message has to be repeated over and over again.  So, we take to repenting, turning our life around, and believing.  At this point, just after having completed the Advent/ Christmas Cycle and filled with renewed spiritual fuel, it shouldn't be hard to "reve up our engines." 
This passage concluded with an invitation to Simon, Andrew, James and John to leave their lives as fishermen behind and follow Jesus, which they did without hesitation.  This might not be as easy for us to do, so the call to "repent', clear away the obstacles, turn toward Jesus, takes on more significance and is more of a challenge.  Are we up for it?
Bro. Rene

Work To Do

Today's celebration of the Baptism of the Lord culminates the Advent/Christmas Season and is the third "manifestation" "showing"  of Jesus.  The first, his birth in Bethlehem, the second, the revelation to the Magi, and the third, from the mouth of the Father in the presence of the Holy Spirit, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Lk 3:22).  "This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing."  Do we get it?  Emmanuel, God with us.  After his baptism, Jesus went to work, preaching, teaching, healing.  Our task is the same, and after putting away our Christmas decorations and nativity scenes, we move ahead, enriched by our weeks of reflection and prayer over this great mystery.  We too are God's beloved, and he is well pleased witi us, as imperfect and unfinished as we are.  Our own Baptism has given us the status of the adopted in God's family.  He stands behind us, with us, in us, to help us continue the work of Jesus.  May our hearts, our day, our lives be filled with praise and gratitude.
Bro. Rene

He Must Increase

When Jesus began his ministry and was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, John's disiciples were confused and asked him about it. (cf. Jn 3:22-30).  John asserts that he is not the Christ, but was sent before him as the best man who rejoices, stands and listens for the bridegroom  and sets the pattern of humility for us:  "He must increase, I must decrease."  (Jn 3:20).  In case any of us think we are Messiah's, John's stance should put us straight.  We are not, there is only one, and he must be the one we serve and the one we put forward.  He must increase and we must fade into the background.  His will must be done, ours must submit.  He is the one we "market", not ourselves.  Our gifts and talents might fool us into thinking that we are superior, or indispensable, but John tells us clearly we are not.  Let his words be ours:  "He must increase, I must decrease:"
Bro  Rene

Quickly and Gladly

Note:  Still trying to find the new deadline for posting...Today, I hope, I'm early enough and two slices of daily bread will appear.

As we heard Jesus describe his mission in the synagogue in Nazareth, we now see him offering the mercy of which he spoke to a leper. He responded immediately to the plea, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean" (Lk 5: 12 ) and, if we read between the lines, gladly.  Quickly and gladly., cannot that be our response when we are asked a favor, when an e-mail, snail mail or phone solicitation comes our way? And they come often and in droves.  We can't respond to every one, but perhaps ONE donation might make the difference in someone's life. Generously have we received, generously we can give. (must give?)  What do you say?
Bro. Rene;

Jesus At Work

Note:  Seems like the deadline for posting has changed, but I'm not sure to WHAT.  There will be two slices of bread today...today's and yesterday's...I think.

Today,  the newborn King of the Jews, whose birth attracted Magi from afar, now stands before the men in the synagogue at Nazareth and proclaims  his mission, (Lk 4:14-22), quoting from Isaiah.61:1, to proclaim liberty, healing and mercy, a message that reaches far to the ends of the earth and for all times. It is a mission that Jesus has enlisted  us to continue.  Our peaceful presence as believers in Jesus unbinds people from their knots of anxiety and doubt, and helps to heal psychological and spiritual wounds as his Spirit works through us. Our words and actions soothing or challenging, give sight and freedom to the blind and hard of heart. Let us not walk away from our mission for it is Jesus at work through us.
Bro Rene 

Open Hearts

The recounting of Jesus walking on the water in Mark 6: 45-52 reminds us of hos susceptible we are to missing the message God continues to repeat to us. When the disciples saw the figure walking on the water toward them, the thought it was a ghost and were frightened.  Jesus told them to "take courage and not be afraid." The wind died down, and they were astounded.  These two miracles (walking on water and  calming of the wind) occurred after Jesus had just fed the five thousand, but the apostles still did not "get it." "On the contrary, their hearts were hardened." (Mk 6:52).
This can happen to all of us, our hearts harden from routine, busyness, doubt, fear and anxiety, even after God has blessed us with "miracles" minor or major, as we might have experienced over the Advent/ Christmas Season.  Our jaded hearts are blind to these miracles and cause us to fail to believe that God sees my needs and takes care of them...all the time.   We saw his attentiveness in the multiplication of the loaves, or the equivalent in our lives, but still doubt and fear. Only with open hearts can we be attuned to God's loving care. With open hearts we can hear Jesus say to us, "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid." (Mk 6: 50), Dear God touch and open my heart that I may receive the loving care you daily lavish upon me.
Bro. Rene

Abundance

Yesterday it was LIGHT.  Today, BREAD. (Mk 6:34-44) And, evidently lots of it.  Something like Christmas gatherings and post-Christmas delights of turkey sandwiches and weeks of Christmas cookies in such abundance, that it seems they will last till Ash Wednesday,  (March 6).  Jesus is not only attentive to the hunger of the crowd, (not lost in pie-in-the-sky-preaching), realizing that they have gone all day without "breaking for lunch", but he creates an on-the-grass fast food service, making sure that all have their fill, so much so, that twelve wicker baskets of "left-overs" bear testimony to his largesse.
It is with this "abundanza" that God treats us with his grace, his favors.  He is attentive to our needs and fills them to overflowing, giving us even more than we need.  Why do we doubt when our prayer isn't immediately answered?  The scene of the 5,000 men being amply fed and the twelve baskets of scraps should chase away our fears and anxieties.  Yes, Virginia, he knows, he sees, he provides. Stop fretting and trust!
Bro. Rene

Shining The Light

The day after Epiphany with its shining star, Wisemen and gifts, we shift to the stark reality of "Life After Epiphany",  an episode in the life of the Infant, now in his adulthood, when his cousin John is in prison and he begins his task of preaching and healing, of being the Light in the darkness of our world of sin sickness and pain.  An abrupt turn, but the reason why the Son of God took on our human nature.
While we might be tired from the holidays, or fighting a cold or the flu, today's Gospel (Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25) reminds us that we too have a mission to bring light to others, to give hope, to teach and heal by our love. It's an on-going task that needs to be done, no matter how we feel.  Our Advent and Christmas reflections were geared to help us come into closer contact with Jesus, to tighten the bonds of love and service, to follow in his footsteps and be his voice and helping hands in our circles. He is our Light, he is our strength, he enables us be the continuation of his Light.  What we have received, may we not hesitate to give.
Bro .Rene

Paying Him Homage

12 days after Christmas, and in the commercial world and for some families, it's over.  No more Christmas music or decorations in stores; a shrinking number of homes decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas trees on the curb waiting to be picked up, life as usual. But no, it's Epiphany, "Little Christmas" and in some countries, this is the gift-giving day when children get all excited to receive their special gift, because this is the day when the wise men bestowed their gifts on Jesus.  We do not bear gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but we do have our hearts, our love, and our homage to bring to Jesus.  We must keep Christmas alive, not only in this season, but all throughout the year. May our love, our compassion, the gift of our time, our adoration and homage to Jesus and our loving service to all be our Epiphany and Ordinary Time gifts.
Bro .Rene

Jumping to Conclusions

There's a song from the Mickey Mouse Club of fifty years ago:  "Don't jump, jump to conclusions; they always bring delusions."  True then, ages ago and still today.  We read in today's Gospel how Nathanael, even before meeting Jesus, jumped to the conclusion that this man must be a "loser", hearing that he came from Nazareth. "What good can come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46).  After meeting him, however, his opinion took a 180 degree turn: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God" (Jn 1:49). 
Today we remember St. John Neumann, an immigrant from Bohemia whose heavy accent. shortness of stature and threadbare clothing at first turned people "off", as the saying goes.  But beneath that distracting exterior was a Bishop and saint!  Oops..."my bad", the people must have said when his holiness became more and more visible as his life of servant priest unfolded.
When we find ourselves impatient with people who have heavy accents, are hard of hearing or forgetful, we might recall the little ditty above and these two examples and ask for patience and forgiveness for jumping so soon to delusional conclusions.
Br. Rene

Come and See

Hearing John the Baptist proclaim, "Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew, brother of Peter and another disciple. followed Jesus who asked them what they were looking for, and told them to "Come and see." (Jn 1: 35-39).  They spent the afternoon together and whatever took place changed the path of their lives forever.  They met Jesus.  That's all it takes. When we come to know Jesus, a power is given to us to do what we never thought possible.   These post-Christmas days, like the other side of Advent, as we meditate on the Incarnation and attempt to plumb the depth of its implication and meaning for us, give us the opporunity and invitation to "come and see"...spend time in quiet and reflection (pondering) of the love which prompted the Son of God to take on our humanity so that we might know him and love him in return.  May we put our trust in him that we might follow the path he has in mind for us, as did Andrew. John, James, Peter and the other Apostles.
Bro. Rene

The Holy Name of Jesus

Note;  This slice was intended for yesterday, January 3rd...Please benefit from it today.

The name, Jesus, means "God helps" The angel Gabriel gave this name to Joseph for the child in Mary's womb because "he will save people from their sins." (Mt 1:21).  The reverence and honor given to the name Jesus used to be accompanied by a slight bow every time it was pronounced, and was a matter of confession when used in vain or as a cuss word.  Using just the name Jesus, can be a powerful prayer, repeated over and over when all we are at a loss for "the right" words. We are calling on him as the lepers or blind did as Jesus walked by.  He would stop, pay attention to them and grant their requests, satisfied that their faith was strong enough to support their calling.  Where do I stand with the name of Jesus.  Is it part of my swearing or part of my prayer?  Holy Name of Jesus, move me to to greater and and respect.
Bro. Rene

202nd Birthday

On January 2, 1817, Father Marcellin Champagnat opened the doors of a renovated but simple house in LaValla, France to two young men, Jean Marie Granjon and Jean Baptiste Audras, who would become the first Little Brothers of Mary. From these humble beginnings, the Marist Brothers have spread to 83 countries and continue to play a strong influence in the lives of young people, especially those most in need, helping them to develop a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus.  A man of faith and complete trust in Mary, our Good Mother, he undertook the "impossible" and made it possible, a theme taken from the Scriptures, exemplified by Mary and Joseph, and repeated over and over again throughout these two centuries+.
Disciples of St. Marcellin, strive to imitate his love of Mary his desire to bring Jesus to those who don't know him.  May we as Marists rededicate our lives to that mission as we move into this New Year.
Bro. Rene

Note:  Tomorrow's slice of bread will arrive on Thursday,January 3.

Today, besides being New Year's Day on the secular calendar, is both the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God and the World Day of Peace on the liturgical calendar.  How fitting to begin the new year by honoring the other of God, the Theotokos, God-bearer, and by praying for peace, a reality that continually eludes us in our individual lives and in our world.  Certainly, our Mother and Queen of Peace is the one to approach, for peace, which,  it seems, does not come with our efforts alone, but with the grace of God.  We need God's intervention for what seems so impossible for us alone to find.  Amidst our continuing family celebrations and football games, might we find time to attend Mass, Worship Services or for personal prayer for peace in our hearts, our family, the lives of our friends and in our world.  As the song should go, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with God!"  Mary, Mother of God, lead us to the path of peace, the peace which only the Father can give.
Bro Rene