Sprouting Seeds

St. Mark reminds us of the mysterious sprouting of seed, sown into the soil where it is buried in darkness, then a few days later begins to send shoots above the surface of the soil into the sunlight. (Cf. Mk 4:26-34). Eventually the full plant evolves, yielding its fruit and fulfilling its purpose. We all experience this pattern as we began as seed and egg in the womb of our mothers.  Nine months later, we appeared in the sunlight of the world and gradually matured into as adults with a purpose, a mission. 
Jesus did this, with most of his life hidden from the world until he began "to go public" and made his purpose known, a purpose which has affected human history since and will continue to do.
We remember St. John Bosco today, who, as a young boy, had a dream of himself working with poor, street children and bringing them to Jesus. His dream came true as he founded two religious orders, the Salesians and the Daughters of Our lady, Help of Christians, who continue to bring his dream to reality around the world. As we look at ourselves, our children, the world around us, may we remember and trust that even from the tiniest seed, the tiniest effort, with God's grace, things, "miracles" we never dreamed of, can and will happen.
Bro. Rene

Loving Without Measuring

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: "The measure of love is to love without measure,"  He must have come up with that thought from today's gospel passage, Mk 4: 21-25, where Jesus speaks about "the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you and still more will be given to you."  (Mk 4:24).  The greatest gift which we have been given is the love of God who IS love.  That gift comes to us in his Son, Jesus, and the grace flowing from him through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus wants to flood us with his love, an immeasurable love, as he and St. Bernard state, and he wants us to open our floodgates and let that love flood the lives and hearts of all.  We cannot be stingy with the love that comes so freely and abundantly to us; we are to give it as lavishly as we receive it.  Our role in the Body of Christ is truly TO LOVE WITHOUT MEASURE.  May the love of Christ, compel us so that we can say with St. Paul, "Caritas Christi urget nos."  (The love of Christ impels us. 2:Cor 14 )
Br. Rene  

Growing The Seed

The Parable of the Sower and the Seed as today's gospel, Mk 4:1-20, invites us to look at both the seed and the Sower.  The seed, thrown indiscriminately by the Sower, only reaches maturity in the "good soil."  As Jesus himself explains, the seed is the Word of God, the soil is the heart.  Where there is waiting and calm, quiet trust, (Cf, Is 30:15) the seed eventually produces its fruit. The Psalmist calls for commitment and trust, as triggers for the Lord to act. (Cf. Ps 37: 5)  Patience and a willingness to wait, work for the seed in soil, as well as for the Word in the heart.
The Sower, lavishes his seed, apparently not caring about wasting it on rocky soil, or amid brambles that will choke it.  He wants the opportunity for the seed to grow anywhere.  It cannot grow in these places unless we make the effort to removed the rocks and brambles.  We cannot do it alone, but with the help of others, our families, our communities, we can succeed in clearing the soil.  Again, patience, commitment and trust are necessary. Can we match the abundant generosity of the Sower?
Bro. Rene

Patron of Universities and Schools

Appropriately, the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas falls in Catholic Schools Week for he represents not only scholarship, but holiness, which is the fruit and purpose of the examination of and search for truth.  It is said that Jesus once appeared to him saying, "you have written well of me, Thomas, what can I give you in return?"  Thomas answered, "You, Lord,." Indeed, he had a vision on the feast of St. Nicholas, which caused him then to look upon all his writings as "straw", and devote himself to prayer and contemplation until he died at the age of 50.
Nevertheless, the Church and the world owe much to the "Angelic Doctor", as he is known,  for the  magnificent legacy he left us in his Summa Theologiae (summary of theology) and other writings, including the hymns we sing at Mass and Benediction: Lauda Sion, (Sequence for Corpus Christi), O Salutaris, and Tantum Ergo (the last two verses of Pange Lingua)
We pray that he might influence us today not only  to continue to search for and deepen our understanding of the Truth, and of our faith, but also to help us to use our education to bring us closer to God and to one another.
Bro. Rene
Note: A stunning wooden carved statue of St. Thomas Aquinas,  given by his family in memory of Matthew Navien, a Central Catholic graduate, who was killed in an accident by a drunken driver,  hangs on a pillar in the library of Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Catholic Schools Week

Yesterday was the official opening of Catholic Schools Week, an annual observation including gratitude, renewal and promotion.  The theme of the week this  year is LEARN, SERVE, LEAD, SUCCEED. We are grateful for the Catholic School System, begun over a century ago by courageous, dedicated congregations of sisters, brothers and priests, and now continues under the leadership of dedicated laymen and laywomen who struggle with financial and enrollment challenges to continue providing an environment where God, prayer, the Bible, the Ten Commandments and sound moral principals can be taught freely to counteract the half-truths and even untruths that are gaining such headway in our culture. Based on a solid foundation in Truth, students learn to serve others as Jesus did and thus become leaders and successes in the truest sense.  When Jesus was accused of driving out demons by "the prince of demons", he retorted:  "How can Satan drive out Satan?  If a kingdom is divided against himself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.  And if Satan has risen  up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him." (Mk 3: 23-26). The Catholic school is an effective tool in dealing with the wiles of the Evil One in our day and of keeping the kingdom, the house, on solid footing.
Bro. Rene

Overcoming Darkness

As Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, one often quoted during Advent: "the people who sit in darkness/ have seen a great light,/ on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death/ light has arisen," (Is 9:2), we are reminded of our calling to be that light ourselves, to overcome the darkness of division, selfishness, materialism, indifference, immorality, atheism and relativism that plague and erode our culture, from the individual to the family, to the nation. Jesus began his ministry of light with ordinary fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James and John, and eight others, one of whom betrayed him.  He did not choose scholars or geniuses.  We, therefore, have no excuse.  We are among those called to be light for our time.  None of us is perfect, but by simply living what Jesus taught and by following his example, we can overcome the darkness. Hidden and unknown, in our corners of the world, without the glare of spotlights or the sensationalism of headlines, we move forward, step by step in accord with God's plan and will for us, and quietly let his light shine through us.  It can be done; it must be done.
Bro Rene

God's Ways Outdo Ours

We celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul today, a man with a mission to eliminate the "New Way", the followers of Jesus.  A man staunch in his beliefs, a man of energy and determination, a man unstoppable. Yet, the man chosen by God to use his amazing gifts to Spread the New Way by his preaching, teaching and letters; an evangelizer whose impact is still felt today; a man who serves as a role model for us who are also called to evangelize, but who might think that we can't because we are not Paul.  We need to be reminded by the conversion of Paul, that God can turn  things upside down, inside out and make changes in us that we never dreamed of.  And it may be a simple as our presence.
At the March for life hundreds of thousands were simply present; one young man, part of a large contingent from a Catholic High School in Wichita, Kansas, a faith-filled athlete, spent 24 hours on a bus with two other bus-loads of students, giving up classes which need to be made up, simply to walk and show his support for life.  His presence gave hope and was powerful as was the president's speech, that things can change, and will change, because God is in charge, and his ways are not our ways.
Bro .Rene

The March For Life

Note:  Because I will be on a bus, at Mass and eventually marching in DC tomorrow, there most likely won't be a chance to send a slice of Daily Bread,  Will be back Saturday to cut a slice.  Pray for us and for the cause of the Unborn.  Thank you.

47 yeas ago, yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down the Roe v Wade decision sparking the
deaths of an estimated 60 million unborn children, to date. January 22, 1974 saw the first "March for Life" with approximately 35,00 attending and with the promise that the march would continue until respect for life at all stages was restored and the need for abortion eliminated.  A lofty goal, certainly, but 46 years later, the March continues, tighter restrictions on abortions have been imposed, (although at least two states have gone very far left, allowing abortions right up until delivery, and allowing a child who survived the abortion to die without any effort to help he or she to live. Murder by neglect, one might say). This year President Trump will speak at the rally, the first president to do so, and in his typical fearless way, will lend the support of the highest office in the nation to the Right To Life Movement. May this year's march raise further awareness of the evil of abortion and the need to return to all the 10 commandments, especially, the commandment, "Thou Shalt Not Kill!
Bro. Rene

Facing The Giants

David confronts the giant, Goliath, in today's first reading and with boldness, courage and FAITH, soundly defeats him. (1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51) We come across many such "David vs. Goliath" situations in our own day, a glance at the headlines fills our cup with them and they seem so formidable that only with the qualities of David, especially his faith, can we not only deal with them, but defeat them.  As God was with David, and with us in our own past confrontations with these "giants",  he will be with us now.  Let us confront them with David at our side.
Bro. Rene

Lord Of The Sabbath

At the time of Jesus, the Sabbath was taken extremely serious:  the number of steps on that day were prescribed, no work was aloud, not even cooking, for meals had to be prepared the day before. When the Pharisees expressed their disapproval as they observed the disciples of Jesus picking heads of grain, they were coming from this strict context.  Jesus, however, gives us a fuller perspective, in saying that certain laws, such as the law of charity, service to another, feeding the hungry, take precedence over man-made laws. The Sabbath was intended to give us a chance to rest and focus on  our spiritual lives if we are to maintain balance and our humanity in a world over work and frenzy. Stepping back to BE with the Lord of the Sabbath is what's important and what needs to be restored in our families and culture today. (cf. Mk 2:23-28)
Bro .Rene

Fasting

Today's gospel finds the disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees, objecting because Jesus and his disciples do not fast.  Jesus reminds them that wedding guests do not fast while the bridegroom  is with them.  He is the bridegroom and is with them, but the day will come when he will not be and then they will fast. (cf. Mk 2:18-22),
Jesus is not walking among us as he did in Galilee, so in a sense, we might say these are the days he was talking about..Although we strive to make him present in our day, and he is present in the Eucharist, it would seem, just from looking around us at the increasing numbers who have lost their affiliation with "organized religion," the churches of all denominations, the code of moral behavior found in the Ten Commandments",  and have lost respect for themselves and others, even the unborn or elderly, this is the "desert period" Jesus to which Jesus alluded and is definitely the time to fast. "By prayer and fasting, you will cast them out." (Mt 17:21)
What is the best kind of fast?  Our first reading, 1 Sam 15:16-23, stresses the value of obedience over sacrifice. To turn over our will to another as manifested not only in a direct command, but also dictated by the needs of others, which often entails the "sacrifice" of our TIME, is a tangible way of bridling self-centeredness, division and indifference, as well as for showing God's loving care. By putting God and our neighbor ahead of ourselves, we can again strike up the music at the wedding feast!
Bro .Rene

Called to Be Holy

In his greeting to the Corinthians, Paul acknowledges that he has been called to be an apostle and that they have been called in Christ Jesus to be holy with all who call on the name of Jesus. (cf. 1 Cor 1). John the Baptist testified that Jesus was certainly the holy one upon whom the Holy Spirit descended is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit' he is the Son of God. (Jn 1:33-34)   We who have been baptized have also received the Holy Spirit, and have become sons and daughters of God, imperfect as we might be, but faced with the life-long task of measuring up to that new identity. We are assured that the strength to do this, as Isaiah said, "I am made glorious ij the sight of the Lord,/ and my God is now my strength!" (Is 49: 5).  On this Sunday dedicated as always to "resting in the Lord", may we basque in the light  and salvation that God has given us, and resolve to live up to our call to holiness..
Bro. Rene

Week of Christian Unity

Today begins the annual Week of Christian Unity when Christians pray daily for the unity of the Church, a house divided since the 16th century when reformers, addressing the corruption in the Church of Rome, or for more personal reasons, as in England under King Henry VIII when he broke away from the Church of Rome.  Within our memory are the Popes John XXIII and Paul VI who wrote strong pleas for a return to unity.  Ut Unum Sint...that they may be one...the powerful encyclical of Pope John XXIII based on the priestly prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper:  (Jn 17: 21)...is still valid today, perhaps more so than ever in our gravely divided world.
A look at today's gospel, Mk 2:13-17, shows us that division appears even when a good thing has been done.  Levi just gave his his post as tax collector, took on a new name, Matthew, and became a new man.  Wanting to celebrate this change, he threw a party, inviting Jesus and his disciples, other tax collector friends as well as scribes and Pharisees.  Criticism soon made its way to the head table:  why was this man eating with tax collectors and sinners?  Matthew was extending hospitality to ALL, yet suffered for it.
The theme of this year's Church Unity Octave is hospitality, based on the hospitality shown on the island of Malta to the shipwrecked Paul, companions and crew.  "They showed us an unusual kindness...." (Acts 27: 18-28: 10)
Shouldn't this attitude of welcome be the earmark of the people of God who profess on faith, one baptism, one Lord? (cf. Eph 4:5-6).
Bro. Rene

The Power To Forgive Sins

Early in his ministry, Jesus was acclaimed for his miracle working, but eventually, the "honey moon period" was over and opposition began to arise.  When Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof, the Pharisees challenged him for doing something only God could do, but being God, he healed the man, showing that he could both forgive sins and heal bodies. (cf. Mk 2:1-12) What a consolation to us, to know that the power to forgive sins continues through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and is available to us in our Churches at regular times, or by personal appointment. Even, daily, we might ask God to forgive us, for we are indeed sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness...
Bro. Rene

Be Made Clean

What a relief must the leper who came kneeling before Jesus begging for a cure have felt when he heard the word, "I will do it.  Be made clean." (Mk 1: 41). Most of us will never hear those words addressed to us because of our leprosy, but "uncleanness" can take many forms:  a sinful habit, a negative attitude toward life in general or some person or institution in particular,  unjust criticism of authority, cronyism, cynicism, pessimism...and on and on..   The sacrament of Reconciliation provides the opportunity to hear words, as consoling as those the leper heard:  "I absolve you of your sins", spoken with the authority  of Jesus:  "whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven".  Relieving, encouraging, helpful in moving ahead clean and motivated to start a new phase in life. May we approach Jesus with the same urgency and confidence of the leper,  be set free and as he did, despite the strong caution of Jesus not to, spread the word, the there is healing for our "unclean" behaviors.
Bro. Rene

Responding to God's Calls

Today's readings, 1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20 and Mk 1: 29-39,suggest two possible ways of responding to God's call. Everybody loves the charming story of the boy Samuel's initial confusion upon hearing his name called three different times while he slept. Thinking it was Eli's call, he presented himself to him, but finally, when Eli realized what was happening, he instructed Samuel on what to answer:  "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." (I Sam 3: 9).  Samuel began listening to God who's call eventually led to his becoming an effective, accredited prophet.  The Psalmist expanded on Samuel's response, adding a willingness to SERVE.  "Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will." (Ps 40: 8a, 9a)
Sometimes the call comes through the situation in which we find ourselves.  Jesus entered the house of Peter to find his mother-in-law suffering from a fever. Her illness was a call to him for a healing, which he did,  and  upon rising from her bed, she began to serve him and his friends.  No "call or invitation was necessary.  She simply responded to the needs of those present, as did Jesus, when the crowds of infirm arrived outside the house.  He saw their needs and responded with healings and expulsions of demons.
What is God calling me to today?  How is he calling?  How am I responding?
Bro. Rene

The Power of Prayer

Today's readings underscore the amazing power of prayer.  The parents of Samuel, Elkanah and Hannah, prayed, made pilgrimages, and offered sacrifices so that they might have a child.  Eventually, God  responded to those efforts and Hannah gave birth to a boy who became the leader and prophet, Samuel.  Early in his ministry, according to St. Mark, Jesus cast out an unclean spirit even without the possessed  man's prayer.  Jesus saw his distress and acted immediately. 
We might grow discourage or impatient because our prayers are not answered right away, but we can be sure that the God who created the universe, is aware of our situation, and will act in our best interest in his own time. Sometimes the answer we seek  just "pops up" without even the offering of a prayer.   Mark noted that Jesus taught with authority.  Evidently, he acted with authority as well.  Our faith needs to be stronger and we need to be more trusting and patient, for God sees and knows our needs better than we do.
Bro.  Rene

Seizing The Day

As we begin Ordinary Time, we find Jesus plunging into his ministry with speed and force. (Mk 1: 14-20).  His message is clear:  "Repent and believe the good news" and he wastes not time recruiting James and John, Peter and Andrew.  As Jesus accepted his mission, so did these men with their direct YES.  Mark writes with a sense of urgency; his gospel is the shortest, and he wastes no words.  There's work to be done and we must seize the day:  no time for committee meetings, no "sleep on its" night after night.  NOW.  JUST DO IT.  Once the YES has been given, ACTION should follow.  God's grace will make it possible for us as it did  for Jesus and his disciples, in case if we have any hesitation.  Seize the day!
Bro. Rene

Living Our Baptism

The Advent/Christmas cycle comes to an end today and Ordinary Time begins, with this also the First Sunday in Ordinary Time. We read of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan in a desolate place, the lowest geographical piece of land below sea level on the planet to emphasize that the Son of God came to save all, not just those in "high places", not the righteous, but sinners. We who have been baptized have been baptized in Christ and share his mission; we need  to be renewed in Christ daily through the workings of the Holy Spirit, through our prayerful and loving presence and service to others.  Our joyful, hopeful manner, a simple smile, or an  encouraging word can do more than we will ever know to bring Jesus to others. May we too be those beloved sons and daughters in whom our Father is well pleased.
Bro. Rene

He Must Increase

Before John the Baptist was imprisoned, both he and Jesus were baptizing and it seems that more people were going to Jesus than to John, prompting his disciples to be upset enough to bring it up to him.  (Jn 3: 26),
Despite his "ferocious" preaching, John in all humility knew his place as one who was merely to prepare the way for Jesus, who "must increase", while John faded into the background and gave the stage entirely to Jesus.
In all that we do, center stage must be given to Jesus, our talents and gifts being meant to serve HIM, and not pull attention toward us. Ann effective "mantra" or prayer for us to keep things in perspective, is John's statement, "He must increase, I must decrease."(Jn 3:30)
Bro Rene

Healing

The story of the Leper in today's gospel (Lk 5:12-16) pinpoints the reality of our fragile human nature. As mighty as the body might be, as we see weight-lifters , body builders, cross trainers, and athletes making the rest of us look small and weak, and as marvelous as the body is to recover from sickness or accidents involving broken bones, it is subject to ailments from leprosy to the common cold. How many times do we receive requests for healing prayers? The list grows daily.  Today's story highlights "the direct approach" "and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostate, pleaded with him, and said, 'Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.'" (Lk 5:12)  As word of the healing spread, great crowds assembled to hear Jesus and be healed. Jesus accommodated them but also would withdraw the deserted places to pray. Anyone involved in being asked for this and that over and over, knows the need to do just that.  Why not be pre-emptive, and make it a regular practice to withdraw to a quiet place to pray in advance for those who will inevitably be asking for healing?
Bro. Rene

A Mission To The Poor And Oppressed

Today's gospel passage recounts the "inaugural address" of Jesus in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth.  (Lk 4: 14-22.  He chose a passage from Isaiah:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,/ because he has anointed me/ to bring glad tidings to the poor; / He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives/ and recovery of sight to the blind,/ to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (Is 61:1-2, 58,6). He made it clear from the beginning that he came for those in need, and not for the comfortable and self-satisfied. His actions and words over the next three years followed that outline, and continue to be carried out through us, if we sincerely take up his mission and truly walk in his footsteps. St. John echoes the words of Jesus:  ""This commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 Jn 4:21), yes, the one who is struggling, or even the one who has lifted his heel against us. 
Bro. Rene

Continuing Assurance

In this final week of the Christmas Season, we have seen the manifestation of Jesus to the Magi, the feeding of the 5,000 men plus their families, and today, his walking on water and the calming of the wind and waves.  (Mk 6:45-52). The manifestations continue in very concrete fashion, feeding people and the calming of a storm, The admonition of Jesus, " Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" and his climbing into the boat with the frightened apostles are assurances that he remains with us (Emmanuel) in all circumstances, even when we think we've reached our limit and will totally fall apart and crash.  This scene, this "manifestation"of his on-going presence with us, is our continuing assurance  that we will not perish.
Bro. Rene

Putting Love Into Action

St. John  speaks simply and directly about his favorite subject, LOVE, in today's first reading:  1 Jn 4:7-10.  "Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten  by
God and knows God." (1 Jn 4:7). The gospel for today, Mk 6:34-44, recounts the feeding of the 5,000, astonishing in itself:   5 loaves and two fish feeding 5,000 men, not counting women and children, with 12 baskets of fragments  left over.  In his introduction to the miracle, Mark calls attention to the compassionate, tenderhearted Jesus, whose heart was moved to pity for the people who were "like sheep without a shepherd" and who needed to hear his message.  So he taught them until nearly dark;  then, aware of the time and their hunger,  he asked the apostles how they could feed them.  Not letting the objections of the apostle discourage him, he went ahead with this simple, yet spectacular banquet on the green grass. Yes, love in action means feeding the hungry, having compassion on those who are lost, spending time listening, encouraging, just being with people who might be depressed, elderly or recovering from illness or surgery.  It is giving whatever we have, even Saturdays or  Sunday afternoon, to "feed others."  "Let us love one another because love is of God.
Bro,. Rene

A Door Keeper

St. Andre Bessette whose poor health almost prevented him from becoming a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Montreal, served the community and the people of God for 40 years as the doorkeeper to the school and to the graces of healing for thousands through the intercession of St. Joseph.  His simplicity and humility brought him close to St. Joseph and to the people who sought healing.  Eventually the Oratory of St. Joseph atop Mont Royale has come to welcome 2 million visitors a year.
St. Andre's life reminds us that it is the weak and despised of this world that God has chosen to confound the wise and strong.  May we not hesitate to be the doorway of grace for all who come to us seeking entrance to healing of body or soul using the gifts that God has given us, be they small or great.
Bro. Rene

Leaving All to Give All

Note:  a further apology...I was so intent on composing yesterday's post that I lost track of time and missed the deadline.  Look for two slices today, this and one below it...

We celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord a day earlier than the traditional January 6th as we enter the final week of the Advent/Christmas Season. We look upon this event as the revelation of Jesus to non-Jews, to the Gentiles, to the world.  "Jesus came all" is the message, but there are other aspects that can help us in our own spiritual quest and longing to find the Lord Jesus and make him the central part of our lives.
Signs and dreams are not out of the question as we have seen in the stories of Mary and Joseph, from the annunciation to the return from Egypt.  The Magi saw a very tangible star:  we call it the "Star of Bethlehem.  Astrologists have been able to reconstruct the heavens of 2,000 years ago and have discovered the phenomenon of the convergence of Venus, Jupiter and the star Regulus, to form a BRIGHT STAR over Bethlehem at the time or the birth of Jesus.
The Magi left behind their families and occupations to follow that sign, a pattern that we need to follow when God's signs indicate he is asking MORE of us than we anticipated. Their quest was satisfied and in return, they offered gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor the child.  What treasure from our own hearts can we offer to him?  In many countries, today is the day of gift giving. What a wonderful gift it would be to give our hearts, our ALL to Jesus, not holding anything back!  "Take, Lord, receive, all I have and possess; you have given all to me, now I return it.  Give me only your love and your grace, that's enough for me." (St. Ignatius of Loyola).
Bro. Rene

What Are You Looking For?

Note:  apologies are due to all of you for the absence of yesterday's slice of bread.  I had so much on my mind, so many little tasks to do within a short period, that I totally FORGOT to cut and post a slice...the first time, I think, this forgetting since I began posting in 2009.  Very sorry and hope it won't happen again. 

"What are you looking for?"   I could easily answer:  "My hearing aids that have been missing for a month." Or "my January Magnificat that I saw in the mail weeks ago when it arrived," or, of all things, "my St. Anthony prayer card."  But the question is more penetrating than that, and is one that should be on our lips daily.  When Jesus asks this question of John's disciples, they answer with another question:  "Where are  you staying?" ( Jn 1:38).  Jesus invites them to come and see and they spend hours with him.  There's the key, spending time with Jesus, listening, with hearts ready to be ignited with love and a desire to serve, ready to change, if necessary,  If we have set a goal, a "New Year's Resolution" to deepen our relationship with Jesus, then that will demand sacrifice, the giving up of other enticing activities or pleasures, to spend time with him.  These hours will yield what we seek and make the "sacrifices" entailed seem meaningless in view of the gains made in coming to know and love Jesus more.  We will become more like the friend we love and the more we are "at home" with him, the more we become a doorway for him to pass through to others, and others to pass through to him.  May we never underestimate the miracles that can happen as we spend more time with Jesus...Andrew, the brother of Simon, told him about Jesus. Simon then met Jesus and became Cephas, Peter, and the rest is history.
Bro. Rene   

Preparing the Way for Jesus

The gospel for today, John 1:19-28, recounts John's declaration that his mission was to "make straight the way of the Lord," (Jn 1: 23), to prepare hearts to receive "the Lamb of God.".  A fitting prototype for three saints whose mission was along these same lines:  St Basil the Great, St.Gregory Nazianzen and St. Marcellin Champagnat.  The former two are Doctors of the Church and take their place among the early Fathers of the Church, Basil the Great, being the founder of Eastern Monasticism and defender of the faith, as was Gregory, Bishop and once a monk in Basil's monastery.  St. Marcellin, without the acclaim given these two men, in his quiet way, was a dynamic force and model of faith in God and trust in Mary, as he set out to found a congregation of Brothers who for the last 203 years have been making a forceful impact on the world through education and commitment to Mary's way of pondering the mystery of God's presence , and of doing good without fanfare, but nonetheless very effectively.  Now in 83 countries and with the ranks swelling with Marists of Champagnat, our lay colleagues, we continue to prepare the way for Jesus by making him known and loved through our example and our teaching. We give thanks for this great privilege and mission and pray that MANY others join us in this work that seems even more necessary today than it did 203 years ago. May we continue to be faithful to the wisdom and zeal of these great men.
Bro. Rene

The Mother of God

We've had the Nativity scene before us for a week; today we acknowledge the Mother who carried the Son of God in her womb, as any mother, for nine months, before placing him in the manger for all to see. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church, puts it, "Mary , the all-holy, ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because the Spirit had prepare her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men." (CCC 721). It's almost incomprehensible to think of the Creator placing himself in one of his Creatures, but, as we believe, "nothing is impossible for God," this is the reality. And as a bonus, it God's all-wise plan, Mary is OUR mother too, given to us as she stood at the foot of the cross.  She stands with us as she did with Jesus in his suffering and in his triumph.  Let us find a place for her in our hearts and spend some time today with her pondering the Gift of her dual Motherhood.
Bro. Rene