Detachment

"Indifference" detachment, selling what we have", today's Gospel "lesson" (Mt 14:44-46) is fitting the Memorial of St. Ignatius whose "Suscipe" (Take, Lord) if taken seriously can motivate, or haunt us for life. Jesus presents the "pearl of great price" and a merchant who is willing to sell all he has in order to buy it.  Easy to read, not easy to do.  It's very hard to "let go" of things we've had for years, "family treasures", favorite DVD"s CD's, books, clothing, and worse, our own opinion, our own plans.  We grow attached to things, as harmless as that night seem, but as the rich young man found out, he couldn't make the leap forward to follow Jesus completely because he had many possessions, and obviously loved them more than he loved Jesus. When we discover the "pearl of great price", Jesus,  can we give up what stands between us and him so that like Ignatius, we can say, "Take Lord, receive.  You have given all to me, now I return it.  Give me only your love and your grace, that's enough for me."?
Bro, Rene

Jesus Explains

How patient Jesus was with his own disciples, taking time to explain his parables. testing and strengthening their faith over and over by calming storms, walking on water, raising the dead, showing himself on Mt. Tabor.  If he had to work so hard with his chosen band, how much more did it take for those huge crowds of followers to understand?  Most likely, some never did.  And then, how much more do we need his explanations, his "visuals", his "in your face" annoyance with our slowness to respond knowingly?  As a test, let's see how we do among "the weeds" today (assuming we are the wheat, though sometimes it's hard to distinguish). Do we show patience?  Confidence that in the end they will be separated and thrown into the fire? What is Jesus trying to explain to me today?
Bro Rene

Overdoing It

Today's Memorial of St. Martha calls our attention again to Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus...Most of us might easily identify with Martha, as we struggle with overloaded schedules, commitments, e-mail, phone and text messages, in addition to our every day tasks.  Perhaps we'd prefer to sit at the feet of Jesus as Mary did and just listen in wonder and semi-rapture at the beauty and inspiration of his words. How do we carry out our necessary duties as well as pay attention to the more necessary "duty" of giving Jesus a priority in our lives? While our hands are busy we might offer a simple, prayerful thought:  Jesus, I'm going this for you...Help me to do it with love. Or, since we all breathe, we might take a couple of deep breaths praying, Jesus, I love you. Speak; your servant is listening.  Or simply using a form of the Jesus prayer,  Jesus, I love you, have mercy on me.  Or even more simply, saying the name of Jesus.  Somehow putting ourselves in the presence of Jesus, we can satisfy the Martha and Mary in all of us.
Bro Rene

Praying the OUR FATHER

Today's Gospel gives us Luke's short version of the Lord's Prayer. (Lk 11: 2-4). It would be good to pray this familiar prayer slowly to see if it strikes us differently from Matthew's version, which is the one we use daily.  Bishop Robert Barron rephrases it succinctly: " Can you see how this prayer rightly orders us? We must put God’s holy name first; we must strive to do his will in all things and at all times; we must be strengthened by spiritual food or we will fall; we must be agents of forgiveness; we must be able to withstand the dark powers."  (Bishop Robert Barron's Daily Gospel Reflection, 7/28/19)  
A new, highly recommended short book, THE OUR FATHER, by a German New Testament scholar, Father Gerhard Lohflink, is readable and gives new insights that might help us love this prayer even more.
No matter what version, what commentary we use, the important thing is is persistence, fidelity to prayer, as Jesus goes on to tell us  (Lk 11-13).  We cannot remain strong in the faith without prayer, even when we don't receive the answer we would like.  We need to adapt more completely to "thy will be done", a lesson that engulfs a lifetime.
Bro. Rene

Weeding Out the Heart

Today's parable of the wheat and weeds rings a bell with any gardener...How we hate the weeds!  How much time to we spend trying to remove them so that the "good plants" may have enough water, sunshine and nutriments.  Once the weeds are gone, and all seems well, they appear two days later, readying to take over again...We are frustrated over that, not to mention the "good plants" we mistakenly pull up or damaged in the weeding process. Is Jesus right in saying "Let them grow together until the harvest," at which time the reapers will then separate the wheat from the weeds.?
If we take the weeds to be undesirable people, criminals, for example, we know from experience that "weeding them out" helps, but as with the weeds, others take their place.
If we look into our hearts, we see both good plants and bad and find a lifetime is not enough to rid ourselves of the bad.  Servant of God, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen suggests that our hope lies in Mary, as our hope.  St. Augustine said that she "was made the Mother of God more for sinners than for the just." Which aligns with the mission of Jesus, who came to save sinners, not the just.  Let's let them help us with our weeding.
Bro Rene

A USA Marist Day

For many years, young men aspiring to live as Marist Brothers received their religious habits and a year later, pronounced their first vows on the then Feast of St. Anne.  July 26th for many years saw these men celebrating their commitment in large community gatherings.  So much has changed..Religious.Habit and Vow Days moved to August 15th for a time, but now there is no set date. The "large gatherings" have shrunk as many of these professed brothers have passed on to their eternal reward, but nonetheless, the Feast of St. Anne, now Sts. Joachim and Anne, still holds a precious place in the hearts of American Marists.  These men received the seed and allowed it to grow to fruition in the fertile soil of their hearts as described in today's Gospel.  (Mt 13: 18-23), through years of teaching, good works and fidelity to their vows.  Their perseverance and spirit of joyful service reminds us all that we too can be fertile ground and the Word of God can flourish and bear fruit a hundred fold in us as well.
Bro. Rene

Seek To Serve

Caught, as human nature would have it, in a moment of ambition the wife of Zebedee and her two sons, James and John, approached Jesus with the request for High Places in his kingdom.  He challenged them and then led them to see that the real "High Places" come with self-emptying and self-giving.  James ended up as a martyr and John, preached "no greater love than to give one's life for another." (cf. Jn 15:13 ) all his life.
We are all called to serve others; it may mean simply compromising with others for the sake of peace, or it may mean leaving one's own family and country to serve the needy across the globe. May we be ready for the service to which God calls us and generously respond. We will not be able to count the blessings of a life so lived.
Bro. Rene

Nourishing the Seed

In our daily prayer or even reading today's slice of bread, or in our interactions with others,we make contact with God, the Sower of the Seed who casts it lavishly upon us with the hope that it will take root, sprout and bear fruit.  How often, however, do we allow that seed to choke in the weeds and thorns of our "to do" list, our many friends and acquaintances, particularly those who come to is via text, an actual phone call (!!!) or the internet? It's scary to look at how much time these things take away from the cultivation of our relationship with God.  Yet, we are " in this world," not "in the clouds", so we do our best spread our time to God and to the many people woven into the fabric of our lives.  Through these people and with them we do have the opportunity to cultivate our relationship with God and help them with theirs. Rather than bemoan our underachievement of "the ideal", we can turn our energy into generating hope, life and gratitude in others.
Bro .Rene

Who Is My Mother?

When Jesus heard that his mother and brothers were waiting to speak to him, he answered with the question, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (Mt 12:47).  We might ask the same question as we go about this day.  Whom will we meet, who will call "out of the blue"?  Who will ask for prayers, who will need our help? Do we brush them off as quickly as we can, or do we graciously welcome them as Abraham welcomed the three strangers?  Hebrew tradition has it that God might be present in the visitor, so let that be our guide, and yes, in doing God's will, in accepting the people who cross our paths today, for in doing God's will, we become the mothers, brothers and sisters of Jesus.
Bro. Rene

The Magdalene's Mission

We celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene, loyal follower of Jesus, even to the foot of the cross, and "Apostle to the Apostles."  Why this title?  When she finally recognized Jesus and clung to him with love and determination never to lose him again, Jesus asked her to carry out a very important task: to tell the Eleven and others that he was alive and was going to join the Father. Mary did his, even meeting with their skepticism, and assuring them that she had "seen the Lord." (Jn 20:18).  Perhaps she would rather have remained at his feet, but, no, she had a job to do for him.
We have moments of "consolation" when all is going too right to be true, and we wish to cling to them, but like Mary, we have a job to do...besides recognizing Jesus in our neighbor, we are commissioned as she was, to tell the rest of the world the good news that he is risen from the dead.  Let today be a little Ester, and by our actions (and words, if necessary), spread this good news..
Bro. Reme

Learning from Jesus, Martha, Mary and Lazarus

The familiar story of Martha's complaint to Jesus that she needed help with the meal, but her sister, Mary simply sat attentively at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. Jesus reminds Martha that she is "anxious and worried about many things." (Lk 10: 41).  That is the real problem...They have to eat and someone needs to prepare the meal, but there's no need to be worrying about it. In many cultures, time is not a factor.  When the meal is ready, then people eat. Action is necessary, as Jesus tells us in Mt. 25...feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirst, etc.  Listening to Jesus, is important for all of us, and is the one thing that will continue into the next life, as Pope St. Gregory the Great pointed out centuries ago. Lazarus is not even mentioned in this tale of the Bethany family, nor is there even a recorded word from his mouth in the new testament, yet he is referred to several times as "Lazarus, whom Jesus loved."  "Lord, the one whom you love is sick." (Jn 11:3). Just his quiet presence was enough to win the love of Jesus, as pointed out in a recent talk by Maris Brother General Councillor, Br. Josep Maria Soteras. Whatever our role in the family, the community, it must not be compromised by unnecessary worry and anxiety.  That's today's lesson for Jesus, Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Bro Rene.

A Difficult Task

How could Jesus' healings not make him famous?  Yet he expresses his desire that the people not spread word about him.  A difficult request for them and a fence-walking task for him.  He wants to proclaim justice but he does not want todraw attention to himself.  In our own lives we face the call to be witnesses and proclaimers of justice.  Can we find a way to do so without calling attention to ourselves?  In the way of  Mary, doing good quietly, we might have the solution.
Bro .Rene

Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus makes a startling statement when the Pharisees confronted him for allowing his disciples to pick grain on the sabbath because they were hungry:  "If you knew what this meant,  I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath." (Mt 12:8). It's the same as if Jesus had said, "Ii am God and my law of mercy takes primacy over your man-made laws, especially when they do more harm than good."  God is a God of mercy, the "Lord of Mercy," who bends over backwards to help us realize that mercy and love are the key elements of treating one another and of respecting and loving God. What good are the laws if they make me rigid and oblivious to the needs of my neighbor who needs compassion, understanding, forgiveness and assurance that he or she is lovable and loved by God?  My actions need to demonstrate this more than a perfect check list of the laws I keep. The Law of Charity:  Love or God and Neighbor, overshadows all the other laws, for rightly lived, it encompasses all of them.
Bro. Rene

Being Childlike

"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to the childlike." (Mt 11: 25).  Do we merit being childlike, or is it something we receive as a gift? We marvel at the sincerity and simplicity of the 4 year old who tells you everything that comes to his or her mind, and always with a big smile as if it were indeed, some divine revelation. Can we retain that simple approach to the day despite the headlines, our worries and concerns? We might try sitting quietly with Jesus and laying those concerns before him, asking him to replace them with his peace.  Then we might be able to smile and find joy in our summer flowers or the words of wisdom from a 4 year old.
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Overlooking the city  of Haifa in Israel and the blue Mediterranean Sea is Mount Carmel, where Elijah defended the faith against the prophets of Baal and where a group of monks set up a chapel dedicated to "Our Lady of the Place." On this day in 1251, Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him "the scapular, a narrow apron that covered the back and front of it's bearer, and has become a symbol of "the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession , who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer." (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy) Smaller versions of the scapular exit as well, consisting of two squares of brown or green material connected by two thin laces...Mary continually reminds us that she lovingly watches over us and lights our pilgrim path to a stronger union with her Son. May we receive her motherly care as we would from our own mothers.
Bro. Rene

Not Easy

As Jesus instructed his disciples (and us) for the mission to which he calls us, he reminds us that at times it will require some hard decisions and actions.  Leaving home, friends and familiar routines and places "takes guts", as the saying goes.  Jesus used the sword as an example fitting for his time...Yes, sometimes it will require sword like words to hit home what is right and what is wrong.  In our "all inclusive age", are we forgetting this?  Is everything relative, or are there some absolute objective truths that may not be easy to swallow, but are indeed, the only answer? The cross is part of the package.  If we are not able to say, "It's hard being a disciple of Jesus," it means we are not really one...yet...let's keep trying...And at the same time, act of kindness as in giving a cup of water to the thirsty, is not a difficult thing to do and can carry a powerful message.  May we ponder these challenges and again rely on the grace of God to carry us through.  "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)
Bro. Rene

Who Is My Neighbor?

When a scholar asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus reminded him of the Great commandment to love God and neighbor. (Lk 10: 25).  Elaborating on the question, "Who is my Neighbor?" Jesus gave us the beautiful and challenging parable of The Good Samaritan. (Lk 10: 330-37).  The question has been asked for 2,000 years and the answer remains the same:  keep your eyes open, don't let anything stand between you and the person in need, and give unselfishly of your resources to help that needy person.  Recognize him or her as a child of God and be willing to offer time, compassion, financial aid...whatever it takes...to help that person heal. There is a danger of being used or taken advantage of, but that didn't seem to bother the Good Samaritan.  He interrupted his business trip to give help, and promised to stop back to check on the victim on the way home.  We presume that he found him in good health.  His example and results are the measure for us, for Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."  (Lk 10:37).
Bro. Rene

Nothing to Fear

Being fully human,  Jesus was totally aware of one of our greatest enemies:  FEAR. Not only do we fear real "enemies", but we let our imaginations create "monsters" that don't exist at all, allowing us to conjure up the worst scenarios that cause us to hesitate, run , or freeze.  We fear what people will think of us, so we hold back from standing up for the truth, for our belief in God, or for our giving financial aid to those less fortunate.We sit on our potential because we fear that God might be asking too much from us and that we might fail.  So, why even try?  We choose to remain :"flat" and  hidden in our own "safe zone."  Jesus reminds us that God takes care of sparrows andknows the number of hairs on our head...Are we not worth more than a sparrow?  Is fear a chemical condition that can be remedied with a pill or injection?  Or can we find the remedy in prayerful reflection on his Word?  Spend time with Mt 10: 24-33.  Don't leave it until you feel peace displace fear.
Bro. Rene

Not All Peaches And Cream

As part of the commissioning of the Disciples (and us) in Matthew 10, Jesus presents a realistic portrait of what to expect, proved and verified over the centuries by the martyrs and others who suffered some sort of persecution, mockery or rejection.  Certainly a path of thorns and brambles, not peaches and cream.  Jesus walked that path ahead of us, and sustains us as we walk in his footsteps. There is no road without pain, no victory without suffering. The wolves are all around us, but learning from both the serpents and the doves, we can learn through cunning and simplicity to make our way to our destined end, and along the way be an inspiration to others who observe us keenly and find meanng and support for their journey from ours.  We are not alone, they are not alone. May we never forget that.
Bro. Rene

Rejoice With the Benedictines

For over 1,500 years, the Rule of St. Benedict has guided men and women to eternal life, providing a clear path to the living out of the Gospel through work and prayer.  Those who enter the Benedictine community foresake all, taking on the vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience,.  Stability requires that a Benedictine vow to remain a member of a particular monastery for life.  That community is the seat of life and ministry till death.  Not quite as impossible as it might appear, for it has worked a millennium and a half!
Today at St. Anselm Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire, a young novice will pronounce his simple profession, his vows to live the Benedictine way of life for the next three years.  He will then have the option of making his Solemn vows for life.   Let us thank God for calling Brother Basil and ask God to bless him with the graces to live these vows faithfully and let us ask God to help others follow in his footsteps, as well as to bless us all with the grace to live our vocation as best we can whatever our calling in life might  be.  With God, all is possible!
Bro. Rene

The Daily Summons

"Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and ave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to cure every disease and illness." (Mt 10:1) Two thousand years later, he summons each one of us as we lift ourselves out of bed to enter he day to in some way bring joy, healing, hope and assurance that the "Kingdom of heaven is at hand."  He calls us by name; he walks with us, encouraging us not to fear, but to trust that with his help we can be as effective as these first disciples.  Look back at yesterday and see how God worked with and through you, even in the most simple and undramatic tasks.  Yes, even in our daily routine, we can be proclaimers and healers.  Accept the summons willingly, as did the Twelve.  Be surprised.
Bro. Rene

The Struggle Goes On

Our first reading today describes what has now become the strange wrestling match between Jacob and some unnamed man. Jacob's feistiness  enables him to wrestle the entire night and win a blessing from his opponent; yet leaves the scene limping after a telling blow to his sciatic muscle. How much can be read into that encounter?  Our constant battle between our will and God's, or the temptations that besiege us daily, or that endless "to do" list?  Jesus faced similar "matches":  crowds of people seeking healing, answers to their questions, abundant harvests and not enough laborers.  "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." (Mt 9:38).  True then, today and always, it seems. The struggle goes on.  St. Paul labored ceaselessly against enormous odds, and never gave up, remembering the words Jesus spoke to him, "My grace is sufficient for you."  (2 Cor 12:9). So too for us.  From the on-going wrestling match, blessings will come.  Not to fear nor worry.
Bro. Rene

Miracles

Our Gospel gives us two rather spectacular miracles, both based on FAITH, and show the power of Jesus's presence and compassion...While he is on his way to the bedside of a dead girl, a woman touched the hem of his garment and was cured of a 12 year malady.  Just by the touch of a garment, yet a touch based on her faith that that was all she needed to do.  She was right...(Mt. 9: 18-21).  Then, Jesus simply took the dead girl by the hand and she arose. (Mt. 9: 22-26).
We wonder why we can't have such results when we pray for the cure of an autistic child, vocations to the consecrated life, or whatever might seem like a "worthy" miracle...It's hard to accept our own lack of faith, but that might be just the reason nothing happens...Nothing?  Well at least we might benefit from knowing that we need to pray for a deeper faith.
Bro Rene

Missionaries At Home And Abroad

Though not officially dubbed "Mission Sunday", the annual reading of the "missioning" of the 72 disciples reminds us that we are all called to be missionaries, some even to leave their own country. Sent two by two to towns and villages, these first missionaries were told to live simply, offer peace and mingle with the people, staying with them, eating with them and bringing them the good news of God's kingdom. An amazing formula that has worked and continues to be effective at home and abroad. Yes, missionaries, ambassadors, witnesses for Jesus are needed at home as people slip away from community, especially a faith community, into clusters characterized by people whose ears are plugged with ear buds and eyes cast down on a hand held device which serves as a dance floor for their fingers. Someone needs to crash the barrier with the simple joy of conversation and the beauty of a smile. Eventually people will respond admitting the loneliness of their lives and hunger for "something more."  Time, patience, flexibility and willingness to leave our set ways will enable us help others discover WHO has been absent in their lives. Then we too will return to Jesus as did these 72, rejoicing at the wonders God has wrought through us.
Bro. Rene

When and How to Celebrate

Because of the Victory of the Resurrection, we have reason to celebrate daily.  How can we be glum, even with the daily diet of gloom and negativity that insidiously invades our day via dire or gossipy headlines on Yahoo News...or most news channels.  No, to time to wither as an old wine skin but to put new wine, the good news, into new wine skins, hearts renewed by daily prayer, reflection on Scripture and the life of a saint.
Today we remember, for example, Maria Goretti, who died tragically while resisting the advances of 19 year old Alessandro Serenelli   Not only did she preserve her purity, but forgave this assailant and was instrumental in his repentance and total change of life.  A story for our day, with so much sexual abuse rampant along with fear, hatred, and retribution. There can be joy that flows even from the most tragic events.  By keeping the new wine in our "new hearts" we can see the blessings in even these evil deeds, and thank God for them...
Bro Rene

Levi's Conversion

Three sentences detail an enormous change in the life of Levi, (Matthew) the tax collector: As Jesus passes by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.  He said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him." (Mt 9: 9)  Was it that easy, that simple to give up a lucrative position and follow a stranger?  Perhaps there had been some malcontentment brewing within Matthew, and he needed only a two-word prod to tip the teapot.  Perhaps there was something irresistibly magnetic in the presence of Jesus and his simple yet direct invitation. A conversion, an acceptance of Jesus as friend and leader, took place instantly and over the years grew even deeper.  Such an invitation is made to us daily..."Follow me." Can we, like Matthew, respond so quickly?  So totally? Worth a try.
Bro. Rene

Independence Day 2019

Freedom is a special gift from God, and true freedom means accepting God in our lives, his love and his laws.  It does not mean doing what I want without regard for others as expected in the command to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. I am not "free" to step on the toes of others for my own satisfaction.  Liberty really means the freedom to become fully  who God made me to be and to allow, even help, my neighbor to do the same.  A wonderful concept and key to celebrating this day.  May God help us to fully appreciate our gifted nation and to do all we can to insure its fidelity to its ideals and goals.
Bro Rene

Be Believing

St. Thomas, the Apostle, often called "Doubting Thomas" an epithet commonly given to anyone who expresses doubt or skepticism, is really a kindred spirit to us all, for when have we not fallen into some moment of disbelief or needed to pray, "Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief"?  Jesus confronted his doubting apostle with gentleness and firmness, asking  him to touch his wounds and in so doing being touched to the core and fortified to become "the Apostle of India" and receive the crown of martyrdom. As Jesus restored Thomas's faith, he also set the stage for us:  "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (Jn 20:29). Jesus gives us the eyes of faith to see him in others, in God's plans for us and in those secret and quiet moments we give to him daily.  We have every reason not to be unbelieving. but believing.
Bro. Rene

Facing the Storm With Faith

Today's brief story of the sleeping Jesus in the boat as the storm winds raged always seems ever applicable as "storms"  come up daily and without warning.  Bringing up children these days seems more challenging than ever as contacts outside the home often bring up storms withing the home as parents try to reason with and convince their children that what they hear from others is not always good for them, or that parental restrictions and rules are for their good, even though the parents of their friends are not as strict.  How to be a Good Parent is a question that parents face daily, and as the apostles experienced,  Jesus seems to be sleeping just when he's needed. Yet, as in that day in the boat, he is there, can and will calm the storm, again asking, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith"?  (Mt 8: 25)  Call and wake him.
Bro. Rene

The Path to Discipleship

Today's Gospel lays clear the path to true disciple ship:  a radical relinquishment of even what seems most fitting and natural, for example, burying one's father, or expecting a comfortable pillow each night. See Mt 8:18-22).  Jesus might be speaking in typical Hebrew exaggeration, but the message is clear.  If one wants to follow Jesus,  there can be no strings attached.  Either we follow or we don't...no stipulations, no modifying conditions, if's and's or but's.  Such a call is not for everyone, but for those who accept it, the reward cannot be measured.  Can on put a price-value on knowing and experiencing endless love, profound joy and peace?
Putting one's life entirely at the disposal of Christ opens to door treasures that stretch the imagination, providing a taste of heaven on earth, a lifelong experience in the depths of love.
Bro Rene