All Hallow's Eve

Today's Gospel finds Jesus expressing his sadness and frustration over the cold reception and lack of response Jerusalem gave to his work there.  We see his tenderness as he laments, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" (Lk 13:34). Almost like mourning the death of a loved one.  Appropriate for the Eve of All Saints, All Hallows, as it was once known, and as an introduction to the month of the Holy Souls.  Both occasions see us gathering to celebrate the dead, some who are with God in heaven, and others, needing further purification before they can enter the fullness of their heavenly reward.  As with so much of our experience, joy and sorrow mix.  So with the costumes and candy of Halloween, and the triumph of the saints, there is the sorrow of the loss of our loved ones.  May we take some time today in the next two days to sip from both cups...and, as always, give thanks to God.
Bro. Rene

Entering Through The Narrow Gate

We all carry too much baggage:  haunting memories of past deeds, fears of "being discovered",  anxieties over our ability to do an assigned task, a false sense of unworthiness, etc.  With these on our backs and in our carry-ons, we'd never get through the narrow gate unless one by one we put them down, or let them go.
Asking Jesus for help to do this will lighten our load and free us to squeeze through...or, even better, let him pull us through.  Without his him, his grace, his help, our baggage will keep us from enjoying the freedom he desires for us and that awaits us on the other side of the gate..  May we begin today by asking him to unburden us and pull us forward.
Bro Rene

Small Seeds

Jesus uses the mustard seed and yeast to explain how the Kingdom of God is to develop. (Lk 13: 18-21) "Small beginning, greater ends", wrote Donovan for one of the songs in the Franco Zefirrelli classic, Brother Sun, Sister Moon. We know from our own experience that seeds eventually surprise us with large plants, or a mound of dough, given time and warmth, will double in size.  So too with our faith, simple and childlike at the beginning, but stronger and more pervasive as we grow up. Communities, Congregations, organizations often begin with small numbers, and then increase beyond imagination. Two young men in the small village of LaValla in southern France were the foundation stones of the Marist Brothers, now 3,400 strong in 83 countries of the world. May we continue to cultivate and nourish the seed of Faith planted in our hearts and help the Kingdom of God to expand as our faith touches the hearts of others.
Bro. Rene

Montagne Day

Our Gospel passage for today, the Feast of the apostles Simon and Jude, recalls the calling  the Twelve Apostles and fittingly applies to the event that triggered the foundation of the Little Brothers of Mary, AKA the Marist Brothers.
Father Champagnat, newly arrived curate in the parish church in LaValla, was called to the bedside of a dying 17 year old, believed to be Jean-Baptiste Montagne.  Appalled by the boy's lack of knowledge of the Faith, Fr. Champagnat gave him a quick catechism lesson to prepare him to meet God, which he did later that day.  Determined from that event to put his plan to start a congregation of teaching brothers, he recruited two young men from the parish to help him in the task of making Jesus known and loved.  They moved into a house renovated by Fr. Champagnat himself on January 2, 1817, just about two months after this encounter.
Jesus chose twelve , Marcellin chose 2, but the ripple effect has reached billions. We pray and hope that we might help contribute to this "tsunami" by responding generously to the call to discipleship we might be hearing in our hearts.
Bro. Rene

Pray With Humility

Humility is often :"forced" on us as we time and time again find ourselves not meeting our own standards, not even able to get to bed when we wanted. We continually face the reality that we "are not in charge.  As we look at the contrast between the Pharisee and the Publican in today's Gospel, we see what true humility is: a full acceptance of our need for mercy, for we are indeed, incomplete, imperfect, and yes, sinners.  (Lk 18: 9-14).   We cannot list all the "good" that we do, for it might be done for the wrong reasons, out of pride, or self-satisfaction, or even self-aggrandizement.  But to say, quietly, "Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am a sinner," turns everything over to God; He will raise us up rather than we raising ourselves up.
Bro, Rene

Time to Repent

Repentance is a constant theme with Jesus and the Church sets time aside for it at two major periods in the Liturgical Year:  Advent and Lent, but it is also something recommended for Fridays, to commemorate the death of Jesus on Good Friday...a death that freed us from our sins and gave us the opportunity to be "born again", and as time goes by, to return back to God over and over again after we fail, regress, sin. The parable of the fig tree graphically recounts God's mercy and the need for time " to get it right." (cf. Lk 13: 6-9).  Jesus is not really talking about a fig tree and fertilizer, but US and the need to nurture ourselves, renew ourselves, turn from sinful ways, in a word, repent. May we have as much patience with ourselves in this repetitive process as he has with us, and may we never despair about eventually bearing the fruit we were intended to bear from all eternity.
Bro. Rene

The Signs Of The Times

"Red sky at night, sailors' delight", a familiar adage indicating tomorrow's weather, not so much used now with Doplar Radar and "Acu-weather" taking over; all still underscore our efforts to read the signs that will influence our future activities. This was as true in the time of Jesus as it is in our time and he uses it to scold the hypocrite who are so good at reading the weather signs, but not the signs of the ills in their lifestyles. 
We too could take a scolding in this as well. 
A recent survey has indicated a huge decline in church attendance, baptisms, first holy communions, and confirmations, provoking the question, "How did this happen?"  The indicators have been there for years, but we failed to see them; now it's very late, but not too late to reverse the trend;  When Chesterton was once asked  "What's wrong with the world?" he answered, "I am."  Yes, the reversal starts with me. How can I live my life better?  What needs to be changed in me?  Starting there will have an inevitable ripple effect.  Let it not be just words, but deeds...TODAY!
Bro. Rene

Cleansing With Fire

Jesus spoke with passion about his desire for the fulfillment of his mission, "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already burning!" (Lk 12: 19). He was weary of the excuses he found justifying inaction, indifference, division and even hostility, even though his own words sound violent;  He set the stage for weeding out those less than passionate about living a life of love, compassion, forgiveness, hospitality and service. If it took fire to cleanse and purify, then let it be done, separating the pure metal from the dross.
As we look into our own history and hearts, do we find that fire or would we be those needing elimination, or at least a wake-up call?
Bro. Rene

Much Wil Be Demanded

"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Lk 12:48).  Scary, if not discomforting words. People whose lives seem to be on the endless receiving end of requests, asks, even demands begin to deduce that they must be one of those people so gifted that much is being demanded of them.   With the bar is set that high, the question arises, "How will I ever meet these endless demands?"  The answer is as close as the Jesus who is with us at all times.  "I can do all things through  Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13). To test this, keep track of the many "to do's" on your list in the morning.  Formidable.  Look back at the list as you put your head on the pillow.  Somehow, most or all were done.  Never thought it would happen, but it did...time and time again.  Nothing to fear or let overwhelm us.  With Jesus we can do it all.
Bro. Rene

Staying Alert

Wedding  parties go long, in some countries, all through the night.  Those waiting for their boss's return from such a celebration might be fighting off sleep till dawn.  Jesus used this fact in his warning to stay alert, to be ready for the Master's Return.  (Lk 12: 35-38).  Words well taken when papers are full of sudden deaths, by car accident of shooting.. Medical reports from routine tests can reveal life-changing news.  Better to be ready than be taken by surprise.  Fidelity to prayer and good works, even when nothing exciting is going on, is a solid way to keep alert and be ready.
Bro. Rene

Not In Big Barns

Jesus is very clear that our future security is not in big barns. (Lk 12: 16-21).  In the Post-Christian era, where God has been forgotten, churches, schools are emptying and more energy is put into beautiful homes, yachts, cars  travel, and fine food, our hunger and thirst for God has been replaced  by these "big barns" we substitute for God.  Death eventually intervenes, and our hearses are not accompanied by U-Hauls. We certainly can't take any of our "treasures" with us.  No, says Jesus, our real treasure is in "what matters to God". (Lk 12:21). At Mass today, we prayed after communion:  "Grant, O Lord, that benefiting from  participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present and prepared for the gifs that are eternal."  Without an eye on eternity and the things of God, we are bound to be crushed when our "big barn" collapses.
Bro. Rene

Waiting

As our culture grows more impatient daily, despite Instagram, Twitter, drone "same-day" delivery, or maybe because of these, we expect everything to be FAST...from food to answers to our prayers.  When we have to wait, we become rattled,  lose our peace and tumble into the complaining pot. But who hasn't had to wait, even with the fastest technology at our beck and call?  Can we learn something from waiting, particularly when our prayers seem to get lost in some storage bin, and no response is immediately forthcoming? Today's Gospel, (Lk 18:1-8) give us some insight into the answer.  If the unjust judge eventually broke down to grant the widow's persistent pleas, how much more will the God of Love and Compassion grant our requests?  Justice will be done, prayers will be answered, says Jesus, but also asks: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk 18:8) Will he instead find impatience and a missed opportunity to grown in faith?
Bro .Rene

On-Going Persecution

When we hear "persecution", we most likely think of the 300 year period of the intermittent Roman persecutions and martyrs, but today's Memorial of St Jean de Brebeuf,. Isaac Jogues, Rene and the five other North American Martyrs that persecution, as predicted by Jesus, would continue from his own time until the Second Coming. It is acknowledged that the 20th century was the bloodiest of centuries because of the two world wars, but it is not as widely known as the century of the most martyrs. Even today, persecution, direct and indirect goes on, a call for us to realize that our faith, if lived as it should be, is not a private affair, but public, and as such is open to ridicule and persecution. Would we be singled out for persecution by our zealous living of our faith, or would our half-hearted, lackadaisical practice of the faith provide the cover for us to escape?
Bro .Rene

Harvesters

Even at the time of Jesus, there weren't enough laborers for the Kingdom he was trying to establish. (Lk 10:1-2) We might find some consolation in being assured that we are not alone, although today the shortage seems much more acute and affecting larger numbers as parishes and schools close or combine, and the ranks of traditional "harvesters"  grow thinner.  Jesus told his followers to ask the Master for more workers, and so must we, as well as be ready  to step up to the plate ourselves, doing whatever we can to bring the Good News to others by our actions and words.
Bro. Rene

Using Our Gifts Well

In today's Gospel, Jesus continues to scold the  Pharisees for not using the gifts with which God has blessed them.  God's gifts are intended to be accepted, lived and used to bless others. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes ,"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience....Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." (Col 3:12, 14). Wouldn't our families, our cities, our world be better if we made  these virtues, these gifts, the template of our lives?  When we know someone who has integrated these gifts into his or her life, we feel such peace, such strength, that nothing seems impossible, even living this way ourselves.
Bro. Rene

Heavy Burdens vs. Merciful Love

Today's heavy-handed "woes" to the Pharisees and all who impose heavy burdens of guilt and demanding religious practice (Lk 11:42-46) demonstrate his desire for merciful love, which in the 17th century was made very clear and tangible through the devotion to his Sacred Heart fostered by a cloistered nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and her spiritual director St. Claude de la Colombiere. . Jesus appeared several times to St. Margaret Mary with his flaming heart visible on his breast as a sign of his immense love for all of us,  Images of the Sacred Heart adorn homes, schools, and churches, many of which bear the name, Sacred Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart helped reform the Church in France and around the world, as emphasis was placed on the love and mercy Jesus has for us. The practice of attending Mass on nine consecutive First Fridays, is still held dear, and followed faithfully as a way to recall Jesus's love and to spread it to others. May we use today to spread that mercy and love rather than impose unbearable burdens on others.
Bro. Rene

Giving Alms With A Clean Heart

Jesus proposed that giving alms would clean the inside as well as the outside of the person, for it is easy just to wash the outside of a cup, while leaving the tea stains or coffee grounds on the inside. 
Giving alms can be done superficially or out of guilt, but not with the love that purifies the act and cleanses the heart. To be effective, almsgiving or any good deed needs the foundation of a pure heart, the right reason for the act. As Fr. Richard Gula wrote: "Almsgiving corrects greed when we start from within to reach out beyond self-interest. Connecting hearts and hands in doing corporal works or mercy brings us to the deepest dimension of God's law of love." (Give Us This Day, October 15, 2019, p. 161).  When we see our hands as the instruments through which God blesses the world, as St. Teresa of Avila said, we are working out of  God's love, which alone gives worth to all things."
Bro. Rene

Reluctant Prophets

When God calls us to do something out of the ordinary, we naturally balk and look for excuses to escape his invitation. We're not alone in this.  Recently,we've been reading about Jonas and his reluctance to carry out God's wish that he preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. Isaiah and Jeremiah, two of the greatest prophets, expressed their reluctance  to follow the call:  "I am a man of unclean lips," (Is 6:5)  "Ah, ah, ah, I cannot speak for I am but a child" (Jer 1:6). Saul had to be knocked down and confronted byJesus himself before he took up his vocation.  Where would WE be if their reluctance had prevailed?  We can find all kinds of excuses, but Paul said it best when he wrote, "The weak things of the world, God has chosen to confound the strong and the foolish he has chosen to confound the wise: (1 Cor. 1:27). We grow in our faith as gradually we learn  that being "stretched" beyond our limits (I can do all things in him who strengthens me  Phil 4:13) we can  live more compassionate lives, and be able to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, be companion to the prisoner, comfort the brokenhearted.(cf.Mt 25).  When and how can I put aside my reluctance and accept my call?
Bro. Rene

Gratitude

How often as toddlers to teens did we hear our parents remind us to say, "Thank You"? It was ingrained deep enough to last a life-time, but still we might not express our gratitude enough to God for ALL his gifts, taking most of them for granted, or even as "entitlements." Students simulating the plight of the refugees on our southern border during the LaValla Weekend at the Marist Brothers Center for Spirituality in Esopus, New York, had the opportunity to be deprived of their shoes, and be supplied with cheap flip-flops for the day.  At the debriefing, one student said he never gave thanks for having his own shoes, until they were replaced with the flip-flops.  Sometimes we have to be shocked into the realization of how blessed, and at the same time, how ungrateful we are.
The ten Lepers in today's gospel (Lk 17:11-19) were quick to ask Jesus for a cure, but only ONE returned to say thank you...Are we that one, or one of the other nine?  Might be a good idea on this Sunday "day of rest" to take stock of our blessings and say thank you for each one.  That should occupy a good part of the day!
Bro. Rene

Hearing and Observing

One day while Jesus was speaking a woman called out to Jesus to express her admiration not only for his words, but for the mother who nourished and raised him: "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." (Lk 11:27).  A beautiful compliment that would swell pride and joy in any mother, who are often the unsung heroines hidden behind the scenes. Yet Jesus replied, "Rather, blessed ar those ho hear the word of God and observe it." (Lk 11:28). In living and obeying God's word we too are blessed and might be considered mothers who nourish and bring up others in the faith. What an honor, one that comes from time spent listening to and pondering the Scriptures, reflections and homilies composed by others, or imitating the good actions of others.  We learn from others and become teachers ourselves through our example.  Blessed indeed are we.
Bro Rene

A House Divided

"A house divided cannot stand", a wise old adage that has proved itself true time and time again.   Today's gospel passage finds the crowd accusing Jesus of using the power of Beelzebul, to cast out demons...using the power of evil to cast out evil...a contradiction.  Jesus refutes them and asserts that it is by the power of God that he drives them out, but warns that the insidious demons don't stop at being ejected, but continue to prowl for other prey. (cf. Lk 11:15-16).
In our own lives, resisting temptation seems to bring only temporary peace, before the next onslaught occurs. It is a never-ending battle, but calling upon Jesus, simply by repeating his name over and over is effective in downing the devil, but more so, a life lived with a conscious effort to be AWARE of his abiding presence in and around us is a sure guarantee of victory.  Bound to Jesus in a loving relationship we prevent our house from being divided, rather, it keeps it whole and invulnerable.
Bro. Rene

Believing And Asking

How often does our daily prayer consist of a list of requests?  We always seem to be asking God for something, and rightly so, for he is the supplier  of  all needs, the giver of all gifts, and likes to be asked, especially when we do so in faith.  "The Lord is good to those who hope in him,/ to the soul that seeks him." (Lam 3:25). Hence, today's word of Jesus about the man begging his friend for bread at midnight, his persistence, and final compliance with his request.  "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Lk 11: 9-10). Jesus reminds us that we are not dealing with a Scrooge, but with a loving Father.  Let us believe and not hesitate to ask, nor be disappointed when the inevitable answer comes not at the time or in the way we'd like it.
Bro. Rene

God's Mercy

The story of Jonah with its captivating image of the storm at sea and Jonah's three day stay in the belly of a large fish, concludes with the Ninevites repenting and Jonas angry enough to die.  His preaching worked, God's mercy forgave the Ninevites, but Jonah was not happy with this turn of events.  His value system, evidently did not allow for mercy and he pouted.  Anger clouded his vision as he sat in the burning sun, but God sent a plant to provide shade, and Jonah's mood immediately changed.  But when God sent a worm to kill the plant and it no longer provided shade, Jonah's joy turned to anger again, so bad that he wanted to die. Jonah certainly rode an emotional see-saw,  but
is not Jonah a picture of us?  We accept God's mercy only when it applies to us, not to others,  and when things go against our plans or comfort, we become angry and pout. When that happens it's  time to put on the eyes and heart of God's mercy and put our inner Jonah to rest.
Bro. Rene

The Better Part

In our world of "infinite demands and busyness" where our brain circuits are ever red and sleep suffers, it's time to take some time as Mary did, and sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha, in today's gospel passage (Lk 10: 38-42) is a vivid picture of ourselves....even to the point of complaining about her sister's lack of involvement in the meal preparation. When we get crabby and fault-finding on top of our physical fatigue, it's time to stop, sit at the feet of Jesus, say nothing, just listen, just BE.
Bro. Rene

Mary, Our Good Samaritan

The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary calls to mind the power of the Rosary, experienced over the centuries and in the lives of so many contemporaries, but also blends nicely with the Good Samaritan parable that serves as today's gospel. Devotion to the Rosary is part of the legacy of St. Dominic and the Dominicans, and received major underscoring after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 when Pope Pius V asked for the rosary to be prayed as the Christian Navy faced the much stronger and larger force of the Turks.   What seemed like an unlikely victory actually came to pass, and the original feast called Our Lady of Victory was established.  It was soon changed to Our Lady of the Rosary.
As Jesus pointed out in the parable, our true neighbor is one who goes the extra mile to show mercy for  another, even a stranger.  Mary, Mother of Mercy, does just that, for as a mother, she counts not the cost of spreading the mercy of her Son to all who ask for it. She is our Good Samaritan.
Bro .Rene

Unprofitable Servants

The longer the Apostles were with Jesus, the more they realized how weak their faith was, so today we find them asking, 'Increase our faith." (Lk 17: 5).  Jesus replies that faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move trees at whim.  A mustard seed is small, so Jesus is not demanding much, but then he goes on to remind us that rather than be discouraged by routine obligations, and recognizing that we have simply done our duty, if done with a grain of faith, they make us much more than "unprofitable servants."  May we be graced to see that even these simple daily tasks can be "profitable", for as St. James said, faith without works is dead, (Js 2:14-26) but the opposite is true too:  works without faith are not enough.
Bro. Rene

Real Success In Mission

We read of the exhilaration the 72 disciples expressed upon their return from their first mission, amazed that "even the demons are subject to us because of your name." (Lk 10:17).  Jesus is glad for them but also takes them a step further, telling them that they should be rejoicing more because their names are written in heaven than because they drove out demons or cured people. (Lk 10:18-19).
As we carry out our mission, we may have our moments of being "on a high", but the wise words of Jesus ring true for us too:  our names are written in heaven, yes, even when "success" has evaded us. The sincerity of our hearts and efforts outweighs a successful record, and it is for this that Jesus remembers us and inscribes our names on his heart.
Bro. Rene

So Much With So Little

Today the Church honors St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most popular and beloved saints of all times.  Christians of all denominations love him and his statues can be found in gardens and parks.  Lately, he has become the Ecology Saint for his love of animals and all of creation.  Certainly, his Canticle To the Sun bears witness to this.  But there is more to Francis than just sweet flower picking.
On the contrary, he put into practice what the prophets and Jesus taught: repentance, a reversal of life-style, a turning around from sinfulness to saintliness.
Born to a wealthy merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis grew up having all he ever craved, and generously spent his father's money to entertain himself and his friends.  Captured and imprisoned during a battle with neighboring Perugia, he began a slow turn-around which culminated with a complete break from his family and acceptance of God as his sole provider and Father. In giving up everything, he became God's instrument in a major reform of a Church that had lost it's way in worldly power. Thousands of young men and women followed him even in his own lifetime, and his impact is still felt today. Working simply with poverty, simplicity and absolute trust in God, he was able to shore up a tottering Church. Do we need another Francis today, or to we simply need to put into practice what he lived?
Bro. Rene

Challenging Mission

St. Luke's 10th magnificent 10th chapter begins with the commission of the 72 disciples the difficult task of bringing the Word to every town and place he planned to visit. (Lk 10: 1).  Even at the beginning, the number of "laborers" was insufficient, and the need for recruits and object of prayer. In addition, he sent them as "lambs among wolves" for they in many ways would be devoured but an unfriendly population, a tale the runs through the post-resurrection persecution of Saul, the 300 year Roman persecution, the 19th, and 20th century persecutions in Asia, to the current anti-Christian persecutions, direct and subtle of today. The "missionaries" were to carry no tools, clothes, or food, but to rely on the providence of God working through people to sustain them, a command that Francis of Assisi followed to a T, but which has been nearly impossible for most others. Yet, the commission remains, and, relying on the power, grace and supply of God, we can carry it out. As we grow older we realize we must keep moving or our joints and muscles freeze up, so too on the spiritual level, we can't stop, but must move forward or the mission dies and the Kingdom of God suffers. "What is impossible for human beings is possible for God." (Lk 18:27)
Bro. Rene

Someone To Watch Over Me

A popular Gerswhin tune, Someone To Watch Over Me, can be applied to our Guardian Angel, whose Memorial we observe today. As far back as St. Basil in the 4th century, the tradition has been handed down, stemming from the Exodus story of the pillar of fire and the pillar of smoke protecting the Israelites, that God has assigned a special messenger (guardian angel) "to light and rule, protect and guide" us through life. How many times have we hesitated in making a turn or pulling into another lane, only to find that if we had done so then, that mysterious car which appeared out of nowhere would have hit us. May we give thanks to our angel today and join with him/her (?) in singing the thrice fold-holy holy holy in praise of our loving God.
Bro. Rene

A Saint For Everyone

Although God calls ALL of us to holiness, we seem to cringe in fear or a false sense of humility at the thought of becoming a saint.  This might come from comparing ourselves to the great saints whose lives are so full of extraordinary deeds that we can't imagine ourselves in their shoes. In recent  years, the Church has canonized men and women whose lives overlapped with ours, who were in the news constantly, photographed and travelled extensively to the point that we feel we actually knew them, yet even they seem to have done the "unreachable".
In 1925, a Carmelite Nun from a little convent in the unknown town of Lisieux, France, was canonized and has become one of the most popular saints of modern times, because her road to sanctity, "The Little Way" is within reach of  us all. She simply did the most insignificant tasks in the silence of her community with great love.  We can do that in our families, workplaces, on the street, in the supermarket, wherever. Her autobiography, THE STORY OF A SOUL exposed Therese's life and Way to millions, who responded with a resounding "YES.  I can do that too."  She has become the patroness of missionaries, pilots, the sick, florists and countless parishes and schools around the world.  May she continue to drop her rose petals upon us and spend her heaven continuing to do good for others, as she promised.
Bro. Rene