Taking Up The Cross

Jesus says plainly to the Pharisees that he is going to be "lifted up", and refers to the bronze seraph serpent that saved the Hebrews in the desert. (Jn 8:28)  He, because of his obedience to his Father, chooses the cross, which becomes the instrument that saves us. He knows it will be an excruciating (root word, cruce...cross) death, but nevertheless, he willingly embraces it FOR US!  Crucifixion is no longer practiced but taking up our cross to follow Jesus has never gone out of fashion. In this last week and a half of Lent, may we not shrink from whatever cross appears in our path, and embrace it as willingly as Jesus did, for the sake of others, for our own sake. If we want to rise with the Lord, we must die to self, be emptied as he was. Then we will truly rise with him!
Bro Rene.

The Power of Forgiveness

As we look at the story of the woman taken in adultery (Jn 8: 1-11), we see two approaches:  that of strict adherence to the Law, which required stoning the woman to death, or the approach of Jesus: not condemnation or punishment, but compassion and forgiveness.  The former led nowhere except to death, and the latter, to a renewed life and a relationship with Jesus. There's no comparison..
In our own dealings with ourselves and others,  forgiveness is the key to building or rebuilding relationships with one another and with God. A teacher often finds that approaching a "difficult" student with understanding, respect, compassion and forgiveness yields better results than slamming punishment on him or her. It's the way of Jesus; it is bound to work.
Bro. Rene

Lookiing Toward Resurrection

The raising of Lazarus from the tomb foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus to be celebrated in two weeks and injects hope into the passion and sufferings of Jesus... They are not in vain.  Neither is our pain, whatever it may be at this point as our enforced confinement continues to challenge us.  Personally, Jesus suffered at the death of the friend he loved so well, for he even wept in grief.  He knew his delay in arriving at Bethany caused pain to Mary and Martha, but all was done to highlight the need for FAITH. "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes i me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who believes in me will ever die." (Jn 11: 26).  Jesus asked, Martha, "Do you believe this?" (Jn 11:27).  He asks us as well.  Now, from "the pits" we need to dig down and see how deep our faith is. Will we hold on till Easter...and beyond, till it's our time to pass from this life to the next?  We hope we have a lot of miles to go, but they will be much easier if we have faith hope and love
Bro. Rene

Trying Times

While our churches are closed, as if by some Roman Edict during the persecutions of old,  or by the force of the hammer and cycle of more recent times, the Liturgical Year moves on and tomorrow, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, or First Sunday of the Passion, purple usually covers the statues as we focus entirely on the last trying days of Jesus. We won't see the purple this year, but today's readings from Jeremiah and John (Jer 11:18-20, Jn 7: 40-53) refer to the "plot" and the machinations for assuring the death of Jesus. : "Yet, I, like a trusting lamb led to the slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: 'Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living so that his name will be spoken no more.'" Jeremiah's plight foreshadows that of Jesus, as we see the conflict among the leaders heating up and generating votes against him. The purple reminds us that these are sorrowful times, but, indeed, we need not the purple these days, the headlines will do, to remind us that these are trying and sorrowful times. Jeremiah threw his trust on God, "But you, O Lord of hosts, O just Judge,/ searcher of mind and heart,/ Let me witness the vengeance you will take on them, for to you I have entrusted my soul." (Jer 11:20).  With clean hearts and minds let us join Jeremiah in entrusting our souls to God.
Bro. Rene

Sent

Today, Jesus explains that he did not come on his own, but was sent by the Father.(cf. Jn 7: 28). Being "sent" means obedience, mission, purpose. At our baptisms we were made part of the Body of Christ, so being sent refers to us as well as Jesus. We are being sent daily to be light for others, to be hope, joy, forgiveness and compassion. Not an easy mission when our own inadequacies stare us in the face, or a critical remark cuts to the core when we are putting aside our own comforts to be of service to others.  Our struggles are much smaller than the great ones Jesus experienced with the constant challenges from the Jewish hierarchy, the self-seeking, "what's in it for me" attitude of those seeking cures, or the slowness of the apostles to understand their mission even as close as they were to Jesus.. Can we imagine the burden that all this put on him? Yet, because the Father sent him, and he knew and loved him, he was able to carry on.  So too can we, as Paul so aptly put it:  "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)   Send me, for I have come to do your will.(cf. Ps 40 2)
Bro Rene

Reading Vs. Meeting

Jesus presents a very salient point in his confrontation with the the Jews as we read in John 5: 31-47. Most poignant and applicable to us is his zing: "You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life through them,  even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come ME to have life." (Emphasis mine) (Jn 5: 39-40). Wow.  This hits home, we read, study, even become experts, but if we haven't met Jesus, come to know and befriend him, we are as good as dead.  It's all in the relationship.  We have to know Jesus personally, love him and experience his love for us...a two-way street. Mary's pondering becomes key...pondering the Scriptures...the Gospels, Psalms, Epistles...using them as tools to see into the heart of God, and thus,of Jesus...Placing ourselves in the scenes so vividly recorded by the Evangelists. seeing Jesus with people --how he interacts with them, and thus with us...hearing his words of comfort, wisdom and challenge...assured all the time of his infinite love of us...And taking time during the ordinary tasks of the day to meet Jesus in the events and people, the twists and turns, surprises and changes of plans that harry us and cause us pause. Jesus is there waiting to be known and loved.  May we not bury our heads in books, but open our hearts to meet him and love him..
Bro. Rene

Mary's YES

The Solemnity of the Annunciation comes as a bright spot in Lent and in these times of uncertainty, as fear as well as the actual virus continue to spread. The startling invitation to be the mother of the Most High's Son, the Lord God had to have rattled Mary.  She asked only one question: "How can this be since I have no relations with a man?" (Lk 1:34) The angel's answer was enough for her and she plunged into the unknown with a resounding YES, a small word that changed the course of history forever.  She not only became the Mother of Jesus, but ours as well, as she stood at the foot of the cross.  We are in the hands of a faith-filled, loving, risk-taking mother.  May we find confidence in her as did St. Marcellin, when time after time the day, not only the future, looked bleak and unpromising...His faith resembled Mary's and serves as a model for ours. Whatever God is asking of each one of us, may we offer a faith-filled YES!
Bro. Rene

Desiring Healing

"Do you want to be well? Jesus asked the 38 year veteran of the five porticoes at tjhe pool called Bethesda. (Jn 5: 1-16).  The man does not say yes or no, but explains his dilemma at not being able to be the first in the pool to receive the promised cure when the waters were stirred. Nevertheless, Jesus takes pity him and orders him to take up his mat and walk. He even does this on the Sabbath, again showing mercy is greater than the rules.
But what about us? Do we too not desire healing, physically or spiritually?  These days when COVID 19 has nearly shut down the world, a desire for exemption or healing is foremost in our minds. People are turning to prayer, realizing that medical science, is doing as much as it can and preventive measures encouraging staying at home, are not the full answer.  We need the healing power of Jesus, the Soter,(Greek) Salvator (Latin) Savior--one who brings healing. Come Lord Jesus.
Bro. Rene

Our Call For Healing

We stand in the shoes of the royal official (Jn 4: 43-54) these days, asking the Lord to remove the Coronavirus...Pope Francis is leading prayers and giving his Urbi et Orbi blessing in great faith, the faith that moved Jesus to heal the man's son.  No doubt each of us is praying with similar faith for our families, friends, co-workers, ourselves and people around the world for protection and for healing.  It is a time that demands faith in God's loving care and healing power, but in our impatience, we long for an immediate answer and immediate relief. We are scared as we hear daily of the rapid spread of the virus and increasing number of deaths. Yet it is a call for a deeper faith and greater need to put our lives in line with God's plan. Good will emerge from this.  I's s somewhat evident now and will become more so in the months ahead.  With the extra time we have, may we use it to sit quietly and confidently with God.
Bro Rene

Reasons To Rejoice

The Fourth Sunday in Lent is called Laetare Sunday from the Latin Entrance Song, (Introit) Laetare Jerusalem et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis. "Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her."  The Gospel of the cure of the Man Born Blind, speaks to us, that we too might be cured from our blindness and as he did, bring the good news to others...that light and sight are possible to one who believes in Jesus. The man, who remains nameless, nevertheless has an impact on us, especially at this time of "darkness" due to the Coronavirus..He gives us hope that the Light of Easter will shine again. Let us not lose heart, but continue to look to Jesus and adore him "I do believe, Lord.." (Jn 9: 38)
Bro. Rene

Humbly Praying

As we experience continued restrictions on our activities, we read today the humble prayer of the tax collector, beating his breast and praying, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." ((Lk 18:13). He acknowledged his state and the God who only could grant him mercy.   Is this our state of mind now?  And if  so, forced into it as we are, we are in good company and in the right time:  Lent.  Is not this the time to humbly recognize our weaknesses, faults and sinfulness and approach God for mercy and forgiveness?  May we not be afraid to make the prayer of this tax collector our prayer.  As the prophet Hosea poetically put it:
Come, let us return to the Lord,/ it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; / he has struck us, but will bind our wounds./ He will revive us, after two days;/ on the third day he will raise us up,/ to live in his presence.(Hos 6: 1-2)
Bro. Rene

Loving God Above All

At this half-way point in Lent and in the midst of the COVID 19 Curfew, we need to hear Jesus reiterate the great commandment:  Love God and love neighbor.  Jesus, the God-man embodies both, for in living him we love both God and man. Our stay-at-home time is giving us the opportunity to read, pray and reflect on how we are loving God and our neighbor. It's a time for God to heal us, and shower us his love upon us, as Hosea says, to help us blossom like the Lebanon Cedar, the olive tree, the grapevine and bear fruit that will last (Hos 14: 5-8)..  This is one of the benefits of the Corona shutdown, let us not waste it
Bro Rene 

Faith-Filled Availability

As we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron of the Universal Church, we honor a man of deep faith and trust in God's plan for him, even though it deviated from his plan, a man who used his gifts to protect, guide and sustain his family, the Holy Family. Much was demanded of Joseph, so much so that dreams and angels were used to make God's plan clear to him. Joseph's immediate response to these "outlandish" directives remains forever an example to us as to how we must respond to God's requests to us.  They are, most of the time, NOT what we had in mind, but we learn from Joseph that accepting God's plan and acting upon it is what will make us holy.  And holiness is the purpose for which we were created. "Be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy." (Lev 20:7) May we work to become as faith-filled and available as St. Joseph, whose actions speak louder than eloquent sermons or thousand page books.  St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
Bro Rene

Fulfilling the Old

In the Book of Revelation we read:  "Behold, I make all things new."  (.Rev 21:5 ) In today's gospel, Jesus declares that he has not come to abolish the  Law or the prophets, but to fulfill them. (Mt 5:17). The "newness" is his broader view of the overshadowing power of the Father's love.  Yes, there must be order, and rules to maintain that order, but they must be observed int he context of his great love.  We are living through examples of this now, one of which being the suspension of the obligation to attend weekly Mass. As we look for the common good, and the necessity to limit gatherings of people, the law of love takes over and the obligation is suspended.We tend to be harder on ourselves than God is.  May we pray for God-like hearts that help us better understand the law of love.
Bro. Rene

Cslled to Forgiveness and Mercy

When Peter asked Jesus how often must we forgive? ((Mt 18:21), Jesus gave him an answer that means, "endlessly".  It might be shocking, but that's how God forgives us...Over and over again...Where would we be if he didn't? So, we too are called to do the same.  True it's not easy, but again, something for which to strive.  Lent is a good time to focus on this and to look ahead at our behavior after Lent. Forgiveness and mercy are God-attributes and aren't we trying to live up the the image and likeness in which we were created?  As we sit home, victims of COVID 19, we might pray and reflect on this, since we have the time.
Bro Rene

Playing the Prophet

Prophets might be looked upon as kooks, fanatics, harbingers of doom, scary types.  Rightly did Jesus say they are not accepted in their own home towns.  Why, because they speak the TRUTH, and the truth is not always what people want to hear. In our first reading from the second Book of Kings, we read of Naaman, an army commander who had leprosy and was willing to go to the prophet Elisha for a cure, he was angry when the prophet told him simply to bathe in the river Jordan, expecting something more dramatic.  However, he submitted to Elisha's directive and was cured. Naaman did not want to hear the simple truth, but it worked. (see 2 Kgs. 5:1-15)  We usually react as he did, but only in learning and accepting that God, in simple and unexpected ways, touches and heals us. 
Do we realize that he calls us to be his witnesses, his prophets, in simple, everyday ways?  If we live the truth and speak it to others in word and action, we too are prophets, needed prophets. May we become more and more attuned to the Truth and pass it on without fear or hesitation.
Bro Rene

National Day of Prayer

In light of the spreading Coronavirus (COVID 19), President Trump has designated today as  National Day of Prayer and it is being endorsed by the Marist Community as well.  The Archdiocese of Boston has suppressed (for the time being) the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. Other Congregations are also suspending services, creating a National Church-less Sunday, a historic landmark. In lieu of going to church, however,  it would make eminent sense to spend extra time today at home in prayer, though the tendency might be to return to the grocery store to clear whatever is left on the shelves, as as been going on with a vengeance.  Calm, peace, perspective and common sense will result from time spent in prayer, whereas worry and even panic will only make matters worse.
Read the gospel for today, the story of the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman (Jn 4: 5-42). See how an normal desire for a drink of water led to the peace of soul and conversion of this  woman.  An encounter with Jesus calms the anxious heart and changes lives. Take time to make that encounter today, Be changed, be at peace.
Bro. Rene

Lavish Love

Does it seem possible we are approaching the half-way mark in Lent?  A good time to review our Lenten Plan and to spend some time today reflecting on the Father's Passionate and unlimited love for us as described in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which serves as our gospel reading for today.. (Lk 15: 1-32). Despite their sins: the younger son's insulting demand for his inheritance and his departure from the family farm to a life of loose living, and the elder son's pride and refusal to accept his brother's return, the two young men receive the same compassion and forgiveness from their loving father. What a signal for us not to despair when we look at our past and our actions today.  We fail daily, but our Father is always there with a hug, a new robe, a ring and a party! What an incentive for us to be full of hope and joy, and for us to lavish this same love on others!  Go for it!
Bro. Rene

We Are Capable Of Brutality

Our readings today bring out two cases of outrageous brutality.   From Genesis 37, we hear of the brutal attempt of jealous brothers to dispose of their brother Joseph, their father's favorite, first by proposing to kill him outright, then mollifying this to dumping him into a dry cistern, and finally selling him to a group of Ishmaelite traders for 25 silver coins. Brothers set against brother: brutal!
The gospel relates the parable of the tenants who mistreat the servants of the land owner, through beating, killing and stoning. Not once but twice and then killing the son of the owner. Their wickedness is brutal and appalling.
We, like the chief priests and Pharisees can be as brutal to the endless loving kindness of God by our rejecting his love through substituting our petty wants and whims for what God expects of us. Jesus has given us a clear template of what he wants from us: first of all, our complete love, and love for our neighbor, forgiveness, compassion, faith and trust. Lent is a time to work on these expectations, to incorporate them more deeply into our behavior and become at least one step closer to being another Jesus. Maybe we open ourselves today, to taking that step and even one more
Bro. Rene

Beefing Up Our Lenten Observances

The Book of Proverbs provides a challenging list of things the Lord detests (Prov 6:16,19) and the gospel for today adds a few more. Our Lent is not for the wimpy nor the faint of heart, but demands honest, muscular reckoning with the way we live our lives and uncompromising change.  In Proverbs we read:
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush int evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 
In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, (Lk:16:19-31) we meet a man who could make a significant difference in the life of poor Lazarus, but just does not care enough to do so.  Not caring enough...something subtle that might not even cause a twinge of conscience until we examine our behavior towards the less fortunate and realize that we too are guilty.of "not caring enough", or of "not caring" at all! Certainly a quality the Lord must detest.  Today is a good day to make an examination of conscience, see where we stand and DO something about it.
Bro. Rene

Seeking To Climb Higher

Ambition is a good thing, as it motivates us to climb higher than we thought possible, whether it be in the workplace or, even more importantly, in the spiritual life  To aspire to greatness, to leave mediocrity behind, to realize our potential and be the best we can be, are noble and noteworthy goals. When the mother of James and John approached Jesus about placing them at his left and right in his kingdom, she might have had only worldly ambition in mind, but provokes an answer from Jesus which puts ambition in its proper perspective: "Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man dd not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mt 20: 26-28). Where is my ambition taking me this Lent?
Bro. Rene

Humility Is Truth

St. Thomas Aquinas gave us this fact, "humiltas veritas", "Humility is truth,"succinct, yet with a depth beyond these two words.  We heard it often in days gone by, but not so much today, as the question, "Quid est vertias?" (What is truth?)  from the lips of Pontius Pilate (Jn 18:38) seems more relevant now with today's mass murder of the truth from politicians to the media. "Humility is admitting that God is God and I am not", Bishop Robert Barron poignantly states.  It is, however, the reality of who I am, with gifts and weaknesses, dreams and disappointments, and a generous spirit that puts itself at the service of others.  It sees self as who it truly is, and others as they truly are and accepts both.  Jesus describes it aptly in Matthew 23: 1-12, summing it up in his oft-quoted "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Mt 23;12).  May we live humbly the truth of who we are so that God may exalt us.
Bro .Rene

Be Merciful

In today's gospel passage, Jesus presents a tall order:  "Be merciful,  just as your Father is merciful."
(Lk 6:36).  He continues with telling us to stop judging.  We cannot be merciful if we are carrying a view of someone that is based simply on appearances.  Everyone has a story, one which we may not know and which may add a different dimension to what appears on the surface.  We need to let go of preconceived notions or opinions if we are to be merciful.  God's mercy is without limit, which we fail to grasp because it far exceeds our capacity to be forgiving, compassionate and merciful.  It is the ideal to which we strive, and attainable only with HIS help. Lent is the ideal time to work on being as merciful as the Father, or in the words of Pope Francis, to be "mercy-ing", making it a verb, an action. Let it be something we DO rather than just talk about.
Bro. Rene

Our Transformation

Note, if you were looking for a slice of bread yesterday and did  not find it, I apologize.  I totally lost track of time and was an hour behind.  Now we've jumped ahead, so the slices should appear on schedule.

Picture a world transfigured by the acceptance of the glorified Jesus in all his bright, blinding splendor:  a world of tenderness, where fear is driven away by the tender touch of Jesus.  "But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise, and do not be afraid.' (Mt 17: 7). A world when all realized that each one of us is a truly beloved child of God and lived accordingly.  It would truly be a "Wonderful World" about which we could sing and in which we could be fully at peace.
The ideal can become real even today if we spend time meditating on the Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-9), and ask God to transform us, little by little, step by step into people of tenderness, kindness, compassion, faith, forgiveness,  trust, love and joy.
Bro. Rene

Be Reconciled

This morning Jesus commands us to be reconciled with anyone who stands in the way of our loving fully our neighbor as ourselves. Disrespectful words and thoughts alienate us from one another and eventually lead to disrespectful behavior and violence. We see more and more of this lately, so the need to take the words of Jesus to heart is more necessary than ever.  A look at history reveals a pattern that violates who we are and the purpose for which we were created, and certainly militates against the Great Commandment.  May this Lent be a time when we clean up our thinking and our judgments and ask God to help us to see all people as he sees them. The desire for reconciliation is the beginning of a needed movement to ACTION.
Bro. Rene

Boldness in Prayer

If Jesus said to his disciples, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you," (Mt 7:7),  we have to assume he meant it. For as he goes on to say, which one of us would give a stone when asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake, when asked for a fish? Jesus is God and we take him at his word. More often than not, the response is better than we asked for or anticipated.  We need not fear to be bold in presenting our requests. needs and desires, not as beggars cowering before a prince, but as friends, simply laying our needs and desires before the Prince of Peace, who loves to be regarded as our best and most trusted Friend.
Bro. Rene

God Answers Our Prayers

We read about the "conversion" of Nineveh in today's readings..."the sign of Jonas"...Jonah 3:1-10, and Lk:11: 29-32)God answers prayers:  Nineveh turned away from its path of destruction, a sign that we need not give up on prayer, even though the answer might be long in coming.  The sign that is our verifier, the sign of the cross...Jesus crucified, with apparently all LOST, but three days later, all regained.   That's the pattern to keep before us, especially in the darkest moments. During Lent, may we look lovingly and at length on the crucifix. and assure Jesus of our confidence in his willingness to answer our prayers.
Bro. Rene

Give Prayer A Chance

In our efforts to draw closer to our loving God this Lent, taking more time for prayer should be a priority. There's nothing like quiet time at some point in the day, early morning before launching into the usual hustle and bustle, or at the end of the day, to reflect back and see how God has been at work in our hearts.  Jesus gave us a simple and powerful prayer that deserves a major place in our prayer life, as it does in the prayer of the Church, at Mass and at each of the Hours of the Breviary, the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed faithflly in monasteries and now by more and more lay people. "The Lord's Prayer", the "Our Father", gives recognition and honor to the God, by acknowledging him as the Father  who we can approach with the confidence and intimacy of a child; whose name we make holy by our lives lived in accord with his will;  who feeds us, forgives us, and keeps us safe from temptation and evil.  Does he not deserve more attention than we usually give him?  Praying the Our Father slowly, reverently, thoughtfully each day during Lent will effect major gains in our relationship with Him. Let's begin today!
Bro. Rene

You Did For Me

Bishop Barron aptly wrote:  "To love Christ is to love the ones whom Christ loves." Today's gospel passage, the famous Matthew 25: 31-46, describes who those "ones" are:  the hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, prisoners, the poor, the sick...all...When we serve them, we serve Jesus; when we don't, we ignore Jesus.  Perhaps that's motivation enough for us, especially during Lent, to turn away from ourselves and turn outward to others. Jesus has given himself to us, and for us; can we not "pay it forward"?  What a blessing it is to find out at the end of a meal in a restaurant, that some good soul has paid your bill...especially if it's a total stranger.  It humbles us, makes us grateful, and want to do the same to someone else.  Well, Jesus has paid our bill, big time...It's our turn to pay for someone else's.
Bro. Rene

Facing Temptation

Temptations come.  It's part of the human condition from Eden to the wilderness where Jesus fasted, to our own hearts today.  The Evil One does not rest and gives exemptions to no one.  He hits us where we are most vulnerable as we see in the first temptation Jesus faced based on his hunger  (Mt  4:1). To use "magic" to turn stones into bread would have been an abuse of his power and and contradiction to his mission of being the bread of life in word and sacrament. The same with throwing himself off the parapet of the temple for no reason than to test God's providence. "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." (Mt 4: 7). Finally, the devil, knowing that Jesus came to save the world, tempts him with the easy way to do so, worship him! (Mt 4: 9).   Jesus vehemently dismisses him, "Get away Satan." . "The Lord your God shall you worship and him alone shall you serve." (Mt 4:10). The Devil is sometimes as direct as this, but more often, subtle, and cunning, leading us in small, disguised steps to trick us little by little into thinking that what tempts us is "really not that bad". Before we know it, we're hooked and fallen. The best way to deal with these diabolic enticements is to use the words of Jesus. "Get away, Satan". It worked for him; it will work for us.
Bro. Rene