Keeping Jesus Near

 Note: I was  detained in the hospital for tests and observation after discovering that I was dehydrated from Thursday till Monday afternoon.  Nothing serious was found so I've gotten the green light to begin my life again,  It was all a surprise, so I had no way to inform you.  Am glad to be back.

Today we read the familiar story of the storm on the Sea of Galillee and the sleeping Jesus. (Mt: 23-27) Needless to say, stormy winds are blowing across our planet as we experience a reduced caliber of life due to the Virus and political unrest.  The winds are blowling fiercely and we know not where to turn.  We've been forced into "captivity" somewhat and our patience and endurance have been stretched further than we ever thought possible.  Yet we are "making it", one day at a time, and, I hope, are realizing that although it may seem that Jesus is asleep in the boat, he's not, but it waiting for us to realize our dependence on him and to call him for all that we are worth.  We cannot do this alone, as we are finding out; this is a call to turn to Jesus as the disciples did and pray, "Lord, save us! We are perishing." (Mt 8: 25). 
Bro. Rene

A House Built on Rock

A very telling and clear message from Jesus today: "Build your house on solid rock."  "Not everyone who says to me, :Lord, Lord," will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Mt 7: 21) . "Everyone who listens to these word of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock." ( Mt 7: 24-25)  We clearly are called to build our house, our relationship with God, on solid ground, Who would want to build it on sand? Yet, we often find ourselves doing just that...building on the ephemeral, superficial or "popular" thought of the day, and missing the deep, time tested, gospel based truths that have carried the Church and believers for centuries. This gospel passage today (Mt 7: 21-29) bears the solid truth that our house must be built on solid rock...May settle for nothing less.
Bro. Rene

A Child Wth A Mission

We celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist today.  We celebrate the birth of only two others, Jesus and Mary, so John is "up there" with the greats.  Yet his birth is surrounded by strange happenings: he is not given his father's name, but John, as announced by the Angel Gabriel.  His father speaks after indicating that he will be called John. "Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.  All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, 'What then, will this child be ? for surely the hand of the Lord was with him'" (Lk 1: 65-66) 
When any new child comes into this world, don't we all wonder what is in store for him or her? In John's case, his life was certainly "different":  he lived in the desert until he began his pointed preaching toward repentance, baptizing those who heeded his words.  He pointed out "the Lamb of God" and baptized him; he confronted the public sin of Herod who took his brother's wife, and paid the price of his life for it. At his birth, none of these details were apparent, but that he was no ordinary child was clear from the circumstances surrounding his birth.
We were all born with a mission, granted not as dramatic as John's, but in a similar pattern, we are called to witness to Jesus, to point to him by our lives and words, to be people of goodness and hope in a world where people are losing touch with these virtues. One good life can make a difference. May we live up to that challenge.
Bro. Rene

Through The Narrow Gate

Jesus warns that the wide gate and broad road lead to destruction, i.e. "the easy way out" "cutting corners", "everyone's doing it", "it's time you WOKE to the real world.".  These attitudes which focus on ME and dispense with self-discipline and self-control may bring temporary 'HAPPINESS' but in the long run, get nowhere.  On the other hand, the Golden Rule, "do to others whatever you would have them do to you", (Mt 7:12) will get us through the "narrow gate" and bring us through the narrow road to LIFE. And not just life in heaven, but here in the "waiting room to heaven", we can find peace and joy by living this RULE which takes us away from self and focuses on how best we can treat others.
This simple formula seems to be lost in these days of ranting and raving over the past and over atrocious acts of violence and disrespect of others then and now. We can learn a lesson from fungi, the most obvious of which are mushrooms, whose root system forms a network of caring for other parts of the root systems beneath the soil...sending aid to the parts in need and insuring that the entire system survives...Worth a look.
Bro .Rene

The Perennnial Beam

Jesus again addresses our tendency to judge others, usually rashly and harshly, reminding us of the BEAM in our own eye as we concentrate on the splinter in the eye of the person we are judging. (Mt 7:1-5). We are blind to our own faults, which are often what we see in others.  So many times, when listening to the criticism of others, we want to say, "Hey, what about you?  You are the same way."  We need to say that to ourselves before we lower the beam (boom) on others.  It takes practice, reflection and concentration, to be able to do so, that's why quiet daily self-examination is necessary.  It's a good idea to take a good look at ourselves at the end of each day and see where we stand with our beam(s)!
Bro. Rene

Fear No One

Three times in today's gospel passage, (Mt 10: 26-33) Jesus tells us to fear no one nor nothing, except the one who can halm both body and soul...Our worst fears are conjured up in our own minds by a packlist of "what if's"...ready on the shelf when a new twist comes into our lives...Jesus reminds us of the Father's love, who takes such good care of swallows. Will he not take even better care of us?
As we celebrate Father's Day in the USA, may we remember this loving, protective and guiding Father and allow him to drive all fear out of us.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Bro. Rene

Mary' s Immaculate Heart

Following yesterday's celebration of the loving and Sacred Heart of Jesus, comes this Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, given prominence by Pope Pius XII when he dedicated the world to her Immaculate Heart in 1944, but long in the devotion of devotees of Mary. From Gabriel's greeting to Mary, "Hail full of grace" (Lk 1:28),  Simeon's reference to the sword of sorrow piercing her heart, (Lk 2:35) Mary's "pondering these things in her heart," (Lk 2:19) to the devotion to it spread by St. John Eudes in 17th century France, Mary's heart, symbolizing her love for Jesus has become widely accepted by the Church in art, liturgy and prayer. As with the Sacred Heart, Mary's heart too burns with the fire of her love, and overcomes suffering to reach us "where we are.". It seems in these days especially, we need her prayers and the assurance that she is with us.
This prayer, composed by seminarians at Moreau Seminary on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, might help us appreciate this feast day and Mary's role in our salvation.
Ever-loving Father, in your goodness you made Mary the mother of your Son and of all your sons and daughters. In her Immaculate Heart, you give us a model of fidelity to your holy will and of unconditional love for all people. Through her motherly intercession, help us to imitate her example and join our hearts to yours that we may live with you forever. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 
Bro.. Rene

Heart To Heart

We celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a feast highlighting the immense andn boundless love Jesus has for us. The image of the Sacred Heart portrays a loving figure of Jesus, full of tenderness and love, a love emphasized by his exposed heart on his breast, encircled with a crown of thorns and topped with a burning flame surrounding a cross.  It's the heart of one who burns with love, but also has suffered in bringing that love to us.  It's a reminder that no matter how real and ardent love is, there is always an element of pain and suffering, and surely most evident in the love Jesus has for us.  Yet, he does not hold back, but invites us without ceasing to come to him with our labors and burdens to find rest and refreshment as we take upon ourselves his yoke and burden. (cf. Mt 11: 28-29). May we take some time today to find refuge in those loving arms, to allow the heart of Jesus to touch ours,  and return that burning love as best we can through our love of our neighbor.
Bro. Rene

Praying With Simplicity

Today, St. Matthew presents us with "The Lord's Prayer", (Mt 6:7-15),a simple, direct acknowledgment of who God is and what our dependence on him means...He is the Creator, of heaven and earth, the All-Holy, and reminds us that doing his will above all is why we are here.  We then ask for our daily bread, material as well as spiritual, our need to forgive as well as to forgive others, as well as guidance away from evil and temptations. We  have recited this prayer from our youth, but annually it comes up in the daily gospel as a reminder that we ought to pray it with more attention, for, indeed, it is simple and complete deliniation of how to pray and for what to pray.
Bro. Rene

Hidden

As Jesus talks about fasting, prayer and alms giving, he advises that we perform these acts without fanfare, but hidden from view, so that only the Father can see them. (Mt 6: 1-6,16-18). Like Mary, we remain in the background, as much as possible, and see to it that others benefit from our acts of kindness, penitence  and prayers, while we don't look for anything for ourselves.  Doing Good Quietly, is what Jesus advocates.
Sometimes it's hard, as in the case of First Responders or COVID workers, who, especially these days, deserve all the thanks and acclaim we can give them. However, in all that we do, we can do it first for the Lord, and, if there's any acknowledgement for it, let it come from him.
Bro. Rene

Love Your Enemies

As in yesterday's gospel passage, today, Jesus again encourages us to "go beyond" the human: not only to give up one's "cloak" for another, or walk the extra mile, but to LOVE our enemies.  A tall order, but as he said, even the pagans love those who love them; his followers must go a step further: love those who do not love them, love those with whom they disagree and find difficult or are poles apart from them. Again, we have the example of Jesus who laid his life down for all, and after his resurrection, appeared to those who had abandoned him and wished them "Shalom" (Peace).  It takes a big, loving heart to do this, but if he could do it, why can't we?
Bro. Rene

Missed the deadline

Note...Sorry I missed the deadline today....Will be there tomorrow.

The Gift Of The Holy Eucharist

As a "bookend" to Holy Thursday, today the Church draws special attention to THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. Long known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, the new name enhances and makes very clear what might be lost in the Latin, Corpus Christi, The Body of Christ. We celebrate this sacrament of intimacy with Jesus, the closest we can come to him before union with him in heaven, as he offers himself under the appearances of bread and wine, and becomes part of our physical anatomy.  He is indeed, food for our body and soul, more than a statement of his love for us, but actually a means of becoming a living part of us.  The corona virus has kept most of us away from this physical union and given us a deeper longing and appreciation for it.  As churches slowly open, while safety rules are still observed, this GIFT is now becoming more available.  With deeper meaning we can hear, "Happy are those who are called to this banquet" And can say: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but say but the word and my soul shall be healed." The Body of Christ. Amen.
Bro. Rene

The Wonder Worker

Christians of many denominations honor St. Anthony of Padua as the "Finder of Lost Objects". It is amazing that after a short prayer to him, the missing object inevitably appears. However, Anthony's real ministry and fame were centered on his dynamic preaching, often accompanied by miracles, He is thus recognized as a Doctor of the Church and "The Wonder Worker."  When word spread that he was on his way to a town to preach, businesses would close and all would gather to hear him; as a result, many a conversion took place. Even in his own life, his "evolution" from an Augustinian Friar in his native Portugal, to his becoming a Franciscan in Italy, reveals how God's call works very much in the framework of our daily lives. In Anthony's case, when the relics of Franciscan Martyrs came to Lisbon, he was moved to want to carry on their work, and headed for Moslem territory in Africa, but illness and  Shipwreck turned his course to Sicily and eventually to Assisi where he met St. Francis, and decided to "leave all" to follow him.  By "chance" he was called upon to preach where his eloquence and conviction earned him the mandate from Francis himself to devote himself to preaching. In only 11 short years, he had become a Force that confronted indifferent and hostile hearts and brought them to Jesus. May he not only continue to find our lost objects, but help us find our way to a deeper friendship with Jesus.  St. Anthony, pray for us!
Bro. Rene

The Sanctity Of Marriage

Jesus makes it clear that marriage is intended to LAST, since it is a commitment of two persons to give themselves totally to each other. (Mt 5: 27-32). No side-glances, no wishful thinking or regrets. It should be entered into with permanence in mind, giving confidence and joy to the couple to proceed together as one flesh, one person. Such a commitment is demanding as well as rewarding, as love makes the "rewarding" outweigh the "demanding." Everything in life that is worthwhile in life is demanding, not just marriage, but few are as fulfilling and rewarding.
Let us pray in thanksgiving for couples who have discovered this, as well as for couples planning on marriage, that they may do so with serious reflection, and preparation. May joy and peace be theirs as they enter into deep communion with each other to grow in holiness.
Bro. Rene

Being Attentive To One Another

Jesus demands that we to MORE if we are to enter his Kingdom: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt 5:20). Noted for keeping every "jot and tittle" of the Law, to surpass the is a might big challenge. So it is with simply "not killing" but not judging as well...that which goes on in the mind and often finds its expression in words and deeds...To avoid falling into the judgement trap, it might be well to be attentive to the person we are prone to judge, find out what's going on behind the scenes, and then treat him or her accordingly.   We will find less judgement and more love and compassion.
Bro. Rene

To Fulfill

In today's gospel passage, Jesus assures his listeners that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. (cf. Mt 5:17).  The old law was strict and clear, based on the fear of punishment. Certainly, when the Jews drifted from it over the centuries, they were punished, and even led into captivity.  Picture a parent teaching and disciplining a young child, using language the child will understand...some sort of punishment, usually a deprivation of "freedom" for a time. But then, as the child grows older, the parent can explain and give reasons why such and such is a rule in their home. As a loving relationship grows, the child obeys and responds in love.  So too with Jesus, as he motivates us away from the fear of punishment, to a loving, willing response. Indeed that is the fulfillment of the Law.
Bro. Rene

Taking It Seriously

After the Beatitudes, Matthew swings into the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" images to make clear the idea that following Jesus means permeating our world and drawing forth from it what is good, as salt enhances the flavor of our favorite (or not so favorite) dish.  It means bringing light into the darkness and illuminating it with the Truth and with the Love that comes from God.  We are not Christians to be comfortable, but have a serious commitment to action, to "making it happen."  The Beatitudes set the template against which we live out the Good News. Daily prayer, reflection on the Word of God, experiencing its POWER, and fortified with grace, we can accomplish what seems impossible.  Nothing is impossible with God.  We have no excuse. Let's roll up our sleeves and begin NOW.
Bro. Rene

How "Lucky" We Are!

Our Gospel Passage for today is the Beatitudes as recorded by St. Matthew, (Mt 5: 1-12). They are a second branch of expectations and outlines for living as God would have us live.  The Ten Commandments are direct and clear, as one would dictate to a child. "Do this. Don't do that."  The Beatitudes are for a more "mature audience" suggesting, pointing to but leaving latitude for choice and interpretation. Bishop Robert Barron sheds more light on them by referring to the Greek word translated into English as "Blessed" or "Happy" but can also mean "Lucky".  "Lucky are those who are poor in spirit, who are not saddled by material things, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Mt 5:1). Do I want to be part of the Kingdom? Then I am lucky enough to have the suggestion to detach myself from inordinate reliance on things and put my resources, material and spiritual, at the disposal of God.  How lucky I am to have a God who cares so much about me that he proposes in a gentle, tender manner the way to the Kingdom.  We are happy, blessed and lucky indeed. May we respond in a gentle, tender way.
Bro. Rene

For God So Loved The World

Jn 3:16.  Can't escape it. The greatest gift God has given us, over and above our own gift of LIFE, and the beauty of one another and this planet, is Jesus Christ, his only Son. Though a distinct Person, the Son is still intimately bound to the Father through the exchange of their love.  To send this Son to us, to become one of us and to die for us, is the extreme act of love. Parents go through some of this as they watch their children grow, become more and more independent and fly from the nest to follow their own calling. There is a twinge of pain, but that is overridden by the joy of seeing the results of a healthy family life and upbringing of the children.  So God the Father was glad to send Jesus to us and to see him fulfill his mission of reconciling the human family with their Creator/Father.
The Church honors Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Blessed Trinity, and encourages us to praise,  thank, and express our love for the God of Love the Source of all love.
Bro.. Rene

St. Marcellin Champagnat

Today we celebrate the life and contributions of St. Marcellin Champagnat, Founder of the Marist Brothers.  It's amazing how his simple faith and deep humility helped him overcome odds we would deem "unfair" today and has placed him in a spotlight as a "super hero",. which he would gladly deny and shun.  He would be the first to say, it was not he, but Mary using his open and willing heart to devise a way that would ensure the prominence of her Son, Jesus, as THE MAN to come to know and love. We continue to do so today through our schools and other works among those most in need. It is encouraging to know that no matter what gifts God has given us, they can be used to serve him and lead others to him. We pray that we may put our trust more and more in Jesus through Mary and St. Joseph, who also played a major part in raising Jesus from infancy to manhood, turning our lives, talents and unique gifts in service to others, particularly, "the least favored.".  St. Marcellin, Champagnat.  Pray for us!
Bro. Rene

One Man's Inluence

Although born in England and baptized Winfrid, St; Boniface is known as "The Apostle of Germany: and  looked upon as the Englishman who has had the most influence in Europe. Ordained at 30, he had a desire to be a missionary and despite an aborted first attempt, returned under the commission of Pope Gregory VII and with a new name, Boniface, returned to what is now the Netherlands and proceeded further north into Germany where he made many converts, and founded schools and monasteries. His cutting down of the "sacred oak" without harm to himself convinced people that he was a man to whom they should pay attention. He was murdered at the age of 73 as he prepared to confirm a group of believers.
Although we'd like to have the benefit of outstanding prodigies to accompany our efforts to live a productive life like that of Boniface, we share his simple faith and can follow his example of determination in our own every-day lives.  We don't have to cut down a sacred oak, but our goodness and humility can be more effective than we imagine.  May God work through us!
Bro. Rene

The Great Commandment

When one of the Scribes asked Jesus which was the first of all the commandments, Jesus replied to love God alone with all of one's heart, soul, mind and strength...and to love neighbor as oneself. A compact and neat formula, but the template for a lifetime's efforts. (Cf. Mk 12: 28-29). To love with all one's being demands inner strength and a depth of commitment that stems from the core of our being.  It does not flinch when challenged or faced with discouragement, doubt or weariness.  It overcomes these, being the strongest force we know, for it flows from the essence of God.  It is not just an abstraction nor a fantasy, but a reality that moves us to give all for the sake of "the other."
The pandemic brought love out of us all in ways we never before imagined, and yet, simultaneously, the effect of the absence of love have come forward in frightening ways in the racism, violence, burnings, shootings, lootings and riots we have seen across the nation and world. We hope and believe that the power of this first and greatest of commandments will prevail.  Each one of us in our little corner of the world needs to take this commandment seriously and put it into action.
Bro. Rene

Called To Holiness

The Church celebrates the martyrdom of St. Charles Lwanga and 21 other young Ugandans in the 1880's who stood up against their king rather than sacrifice their faith. They stand today as models of a simple, steadfast faith.when we are confronted  with brutality, violence, injustice and blatant hatred, just as they were.  They were marched to a place of execution and burned to death in bundles of dry branches, a painfully excruciating death but a small price for the love of a  God they had just recently come to know.
St. Paul wrote to Timothy:  "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control.....He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began...." (2 Tim 1: 6,7,9)
The young Ugandan Christians lived these words and by their witness teach them to us. It was not their efforts alone, but the power of Christ working in them. May we have ears to hear and hearts to follow the grace of Christ working in us.
Bro. Rene

Render To God

In their attempt to "trap" Jesus, the Pharisees took a big risk when they asked him about paying the Roman tax,  If he said, yes, he would be supporting the foreign oppressors; if no, he would be in violation of the law.  Jesus effectively avoided the dilemma, asking for a coin, which surprisingly the Pharisees produced, and pointing to the image on the coin, told them to "Render to Caesare what was his, and to God, what was his.(Mk 12: 17)
Raising this to a spiritual level, we might ask whose image is on the coin of our souls, and admitting, "God's image", then our task is to give to God all that he has given us. which is plenty, from family to faith, to health, friends, talents, and gifts...When we look at all this, we cannot but be overwhelmed.  What small price to return these gifts to God by sharing them lavishly with others as he has done with us?
Bro. Rene

Mary, Mother of the Church

Two years ago, Pope Francis inserted an optional Memorial to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, into the Church calendar on the Monday after Pentecost. This is most appropriate, for it was the union of Mary and the Holy Spirit that brought forth the Incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus, into the world.  When Jesus gave Mary to the beloved disciple, John, at the foot of the cross, he gave her to us as well.  She was present with the Apostles gathered in the upper room in the interim between the Ascension and Pentecost,  and remained with them in prayer as they began their mission to evangelize the world.
We as Marists have the special role of modeling the love, compassion and maternal qualities of Mary to replace the often misrepresentated image of the Church as legalistic, institutional, and sometimes harsh and cruel, as in the days of the Inquisition.We are called not only to make Jesus known and loved but also to put a maternal face on the Church, to make her more loving, tender and welcoming to all, as Jesus turned no one away. St. Theresa of Lisieux said that “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother”.  The  Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,  reflects that heart, invites us to reflect it as well, as we seek imitate her motherly gifts and qualities.
Bro. Rene