Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
Who Is The Greatest?
Luke 9: 46-48
Who Is the Greatest?
46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Ambition, pride, power, are traps that lurk in the shadows, needing only jealousy or self-centeredness to spring them into action. So, even among the close followers of Jesus, the question of who was the greatest arose. Jesus answered it immediately by placing a child next to him, indicating that the child's innocence, freedom from "hidden agendas" and purity of heart were the ideals that merited a place of note or greatness.in God's kingdom. It's as clear as day, but subject to the wiles of that part of us which never seems satisfied.
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, yes, "Good King Wenceslaus", whose brother, Boleslaus, a victim of envy, attacked and killed him. Just a glance at headlines tells us that such evil persists even today. May we pray for the grace to be pure and childlike, lest we fall victim to the shadows that lie hidden on our path.
Bro. Rene
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Active Obedience
Mathew 21: 28-32
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
It's easy to agree to something but much more difficult to follow through on it as today's parable illustrates. Would that there were a pill that simply made it happen. Not so easy, but with a humble trust and submission, an active obedience, we can begin making progress on this elusive but necessary goal. If tax collectors and prostitutes can do it, so can we. Jesus help me to put my "yes" into action.
Bro. Rene
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Pondering Our Mortality
Luke 9 43-45
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Death is inevitable for all of us, but it's something we naturally try to avoid talking about. The Disciples were no different, and hearing this prediction for the second time, they were even more reticent to ask about it. Who wants to hear beforehand of the impending death of a beloved friend? No, if we can avoid it by not thinking or talking about it, we will. Jesus was trying to prepare his followers for the inevitable, the reason why he came into this world, but they stuffed their ears and hearts to avoid it, even after being witnesses to months of his teachings and healings. They were slow learners as are we all. However, Jesus, lovingly, patiently, gently stays with us, prompting us with hints of the reality, that even as he had to accept death, so must we. A good thought as we go about our Saturday chores, even our daily prayer throughout the week. On Ash Wednesday we hear: "Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return." A truth which helps us keep a healthy perspective and balance in our thinking and living. Today is a good day to begin incorporating this into our prayer, if we haven't done so already.
Bro. Rene
Friday, September 25, 2020
Recognizing And Accepting Jesus
Luke 9: 18-22
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
We know not what the day will bring as the sun rises and we begin a new day. But for disciples of Jesus, the promise is suffering in the footsteps of Jesus. If, as Peter did, we recognize and accept Jesus as God's Messiah, then, it follows, as Jesus predicted, that suffering (of all kinds on all levels) is possible for us, we might even say, guaranteed. If we have chosen or will choose to be his disciple, then we can expect to bear our cross with him. It's easy to seek to avoid the cross, but, believe it or not, knowing that we are not alone, that he bore it before us and is bearing it with us, makes anything possible. May we recognize and accept the invitation to a closer friendship with Jesus, even if it means carrying our cross with him.
Bro, Rene
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A Sobering Point Of View
Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 9-10
1 The words of the Teacher,[son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say,
“Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.
While efforts to adjust our lives to the restrictions of the pandemic, these verses from the Book of Ecclesiastes hit us right between the eyes and perhaps even cause a bit of depression. The old translation , "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" takes on a new depth as "meaningless, meaningless...". Sobering, to say the least. Where do we go from here? True there is nothing new under the sun, from one point of view, but with the presence of Jesus among us, there IS something new, there is hope, there is confidence that all is NOT meaningless, and despair is not an option. From the days of the Roman Martyrs to our current day, Jesus has inspired heroic feats of love and loyalty, and incredible gifts of "self" and life. May we not let petty annoyances nor difficulties blur the larger picture, but allow hope to conquer despair, and optimism eliminate pessimism.
Bro. Rene
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
God's Messengers
Luke 9: 1-6
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
Can we imagine what went through the minds of the Twelve as they were sent on their first tour as proclaimers of the kingdom? Not too long before this they were fishermen, a tax collector, ordinary men, but now they are to go out and preach the Good News and heal the sick. Faith, courage and trust were required, They "bit the bullet" and did as told; were they surprised at their success? Yes, they were amazed and encouraged to do more.
As we look at ourselves and what God has already done for us in our lives, we too can take courage to do whatever Jesus asks of us. He will give us he fortitude and the tools to be his messengers and do even what seems impossible to us.
Bro. Rene
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
The Family Of Jesus
Luke 8: 19-21
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Jesus presents a "golden opportunity" for us to become members of his family: simply keep the word of God and put it into practice. Perhaps not so simple when trying to be family with those who disagree with us, who are never satisfied, who always have the better way, the only way to do things, whose moods shift like an undulating wave ranging from satisfaction to unsatisfaction in a matter of minutes, or whose lives center on themselves. Yes, putting God's word into practice demands prayer, patience and purpose. May we not give up our pursuit of this ideal, remembering that grace makes all things possible.
Bro. Rene
Monday, September 21, 2020
God Calls Us Too!
Mt 9: 9-13
The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
God works mysteriously in our lives, no doubt about it. Looking back to our childhood, most of us had no idea what adulthood would hold for us. Sitting at his tax table, Levi (later, Matthew), had no idea that this itinerant preacher's command, "Follow me," would have such an impact on his life or on the millions who would read his gospel in the centuries to follow.
Perhaps the lesson for us today, is to come face to face with the God of mercy, and trust that he will give us every help we need to be faithful disciples, as Matthew was, and in our own small (or big) way have a lasting impact on the people with whom we interact daily.
Bro. Rene
Sunday, September 20, 2020
God Is Not Unfair
Is 55:6-9
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.
This passage from Isaiah compliments today's Gospel about the payment of the men who were hired last to work in the fields but who received the same payment as those who worked a full day. (cf. Mt 20: 1-16). The landowner's generosity left a bitter taste in their mouths for they failed to remember that God's thoughts are not ours, nor his ways ours. No, they are far above, perhaps even beyond the reach of our impaired (and sometimes self-centered) understanding. Hence, the need to sit with Isaiah today...a perfect reflection for "the Lord's Day". May we not miss the opportunity on this day of rest to retool our thinking into the ways of the Lord's...at least to add some fuel to this life-long process. Tune into and turn to 'the ways of the Lord."
Bro. Rene
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Patient Endurance
Gospel: Luke 8: 4-15
15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
The Parable of the Good seed is well known, but leaping out to us in today's restricted world, it the above verse...sometimes including the phrase "patient endurance" for "perseverance" or "persevering." How apt for our time or restricted movement and gatherings. How long, O Lord?" as we echo the plea of the captive Israelites. May we succeed through meditation and personal prayer to wait patiently till this period passes.
Bro. Rene
Friday, September 18, 2020
Suporting One Another
Luke 8: 1-3
Women Accompanying Jesus
8 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
These brief verses provide a picture of the daily ministry of Jesus and the women who provided for him (and, presumably, the apostles). We could easily forget these daily nitty-gritties, (such as eating) when we read of the miracles and teachings, all of which could not have taken place without this support group. The picture becomes complete when we see that these human needs were provided through the generosity of these women.
In our own lives, especially if we are trying to live a good, Christian life, the support of others is crucial. One of the fastest growing groups in the USA (and perhaps the world) is the "Nones"...those who no longer claim any religion or church membership."Religious affiliation? NONE!" There have been other periods like this in history so we are not to panic, but rather maintain our confidence in the love of God and the power of grace, support one another in our faith and pray for those who have strayed. God is "in charge" and will eventually see to a rectification of this situation. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess 5:16)
Bro. Rene
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Loving Much
Luke 7: 36-50
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This encouraging passage is for all of us. Like the repentant woman, we have a boxcar load of faults and sins coupled to what we might deem as a smaller load of goodness. She did not let that daunt her because she loved with a great love. That's what Jesus saw and experienced, and thus not only accepted her washing his feet, but forgave her sins as well. It is the love in our hearts that will save us, despite our sinfulness, and it is that love on which we need to learn to rely; that is what touches the heart of Jesus and wins us forgiveness.
Bro. Rene
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
No Win?
Luke 7: 31-35
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Do you sense exasperation and even frustration as Jesus voices his observation of people's response to the efforts of those sent to offer them a way to God? It is quite evident, but in the end, Jesus affirms that wisdom will conquer deaf ears and hardness of heart. In these days of great effort to "carry on" in spite of the limitations imposed on us by the pandemic, we might feel a similar frustration, but Jesus assures us as well, as he did to his listeners, that wisdom will prevail. We are called to trust and keep moving forward. In and with Jesus, we will win!
Bro. Rene
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Our Lady of Sorrows
Luke 19: 25-27
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
In this short passage, matched by Simeon's prophecy of a sword of sorrow piercing Mary's heart, (Luke 2: 33-35) we have a glimpse of the suffering heart of Mary. Pregnant before her marriage, and subject to scorn, to the foot of the cross, Mary knew sorrow, but did not let it incapacitate her. She moved forward in trust and hope despite these trials and serves as an inspiration to us as one who suffered real pain and sorrow, but remained faithful to God.
Many people are in mourning as they deal with the loss of family and friends because of the corona virus. Many others go about their lives as normally as possible, but with a tinge of fear lingering behind the many "What if's?" they face daily.We can more easily identify with Mary of Sorrows this year than we have for the past 60 years. May we turn to her in confidence for courage, strength, hope and peace.
Bro. Rene
Monday, September 14, 2020
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
John 3:13-17
13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
The familiar passage, John 3:16, is a fitting one for this feast which commemorates and celebrates the finding of the true cross in 320 A.D. by St. Helena, and it's finding again in 649 A.D. after having been lost. There are relics of the true cross in our churches, and hopefully in our hearts as we remember the suffering Savior giving his life for on this ignominious instrument of death. We take time today to honor the cross, and thank Jesus again (can never do it enough) for his sacrifice made so lovingly in order that we may live. Thank you, Jesus!
Bro. Rene
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Mercy Above All
Mt 18: 23-35
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant9 fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Perhaps one of the most challenging requirements for being a disciple of Jesus is that of forgiving someone who has wronged us, or even inadvertently irks us. It simply seems to go against nature. We're still in the eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth brand of thinking and acting. The proposal to have mercy and forgive yanks us out of this pit, but not without some resistance and consternation. However, keeping an eye on Jesus, who suffered incalculable pain when he was arrested, falsely accused, whipped, and crucified, despite all of this prayed to his Father to "Forgive them, for they know not what they do," we have the model for us to follow and the grace to put it into practice...Let's start today, if we haven't being trying already.
Bro. Rene
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Known By Its Own Fruit
Luke 6:43-49
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Build Your House on the Rock
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
As we celebrate the memorial of THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY, we encounter the "good tree" who produced not only good, but the best of fruit, Jesus Christ. Mary's willingness to accept the proposal to mother the Son of God, required a faith and trust that makes whatever faith and trust we have pall in comparison. Yet Mary's faith poses a goal for which we can strive and be assured that she will help our efforts. In the simple and popular prayer, THE HAIL MARY, we petition her to "pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." She, like the rock to which Jesus refers, provides a solid foundation and model for us from which to learn and from which to derive the strength and persistence to make a daily effort in prayer and action to deepen our faith and make us known as effective witnesses by the fruit we bear.
Bro, Rene
Friday, September 11, 2020
The Beam In My Eye
Note: Continued gratitude to those who are submitting suggestions for the printed volume of Bro Rene's Daily Bread. Step by step we will get there. We still have a long way to go; I will have a clearer idea after this weekend. God bless you.
Luke 6: 39-42
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The training of a good disciple requires a good, hard look at oneself. The old adage, "no one is perfect" is important here if we are to have a positive influence on others. Yes, self-scrutiny is necessary, as well as an admission to and acceptance of what I see, are the first necessary steps. I cannot have any positive influence on others if I am not credible myself. Without becoming overly introspective or scrupulous, seeing the "beam in my eye" gives perspective to the speck in the eye of my neighbor and.gives me a sense of proportion so everything keeps its proper dimensions. Be it a plank or a beam, may we work on ourselves before pursuing the job of "overhauling others." (Thanks, Professor Henry Higgins!)
Bro. Rene
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