Seeking Humility

Note:  Still don't know why no slices of bread appeared yesterday...  Hoping for the best today.

 Luke 14: 1, 7-11

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

⁷ When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ⁸ “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹ If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. ¹¹ For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

Who  among us likes to be told what to do or how to behave?  That's what we do to help children grow up to be responsible and productive adults, so it no longer applies to us when we have grown up, we think to ourselves.  But, do we ever fully grow up in the ways of God?  There is always something God wants of us, wants to teach us, and often takes a strong hand in trying to lead us to the level of being what he had in mind when he created us. We might think we've "made it", but he keeps nudging us further, to a greater compliance with his will so that we reach our potential magnificence.  How often did Michaelangelo stop and think his David was as good as it could be, and then kept on carving till it got even better?  Or the Sistine Chapel ceiling?  The virtue of humility enables us to be corrected, refined, and brought to greater perfection.  When we accept this and admit that "there's always room for improvement"  God will move us from the "last seat" and invite us to go up higher.  Lord, help me to see the purpose of humility and be willing to pay the price to achieve it.

Bro. Rene

 

 

 

 

The Law Of Charity

 

Note:  Yesterday another mystery....the whole slice of Daily Bread did not appear...May it will today along with this one...Am I losing my mind?

Luke 14: 1-6

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. ² There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. ³ Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” ⁴ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

⁵ Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” ⁶ And they had nothing to say.

Again Jesus demonstrates that the Law of Charity supersedes the Letter of the Law. He makes it seem so obvious, but to the "blind", he is a renegade, acting in total disregard for the binding laws imposed on the people through the interpretation of the Pharisees.  Yes, they were unable to answer his questions because the answer was so simple. They would have to have agreed with him, and that they did not want to do.

How do I stand when presented with a choice where the answer is plain and simple?  What do I fear? Why do I remain silent too?  Search my heart with me, O Lord, and help me find the truth that you plant there daily.

 

Yearning For God

(Note:  For some reason, yesterday's slice did not make it to our tables; look for it below this slice as today 's bonus.)

Luke 13: 31-35

Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

³² He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ ³³ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

³⁴ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. ³⁵ Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

With his own life threatened, Jesus continues to focus on his mission, and we hear him express his longing to gather the people of Israel, the chosen people, and lift them to the next level graphically expressed in the timeless image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. No wonder he wept for Jerusalem and all of us who ignore or refuse his loving invitation. Most of us have experienced some form of this rejection and know the pain that Jesus felt to some degree. Being God, he must have felt it ever more keenly, yet he continues to yearn for us.  Many of the Jews escaped his loving embrace, but those who accepted it found a joy and happiness that even martyrdom could not erase, and, indeed, even enhanced their elation.

How are we responding to the invitation to come under the loving wings of Jesus?  To allow his love to transform us fully into the persons God created us to be?  We might think "we've made it," but evidently there's MORE, SO MUCH MORE! Why do we hesitate, why do we fear?  Let us pray for the humility to allow Jesus to have his way with us, trusting that he wishes no harm, but GOOD beyond our wildest imagination.

Bro. Rene

 

Also Called

Luke 6: 12-16

The Twelve Apostles

¹² One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. ¹³ When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: ¹⁴ Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, ¹⁵ Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

On this special day for Marists, when St. Marcellin encountered the dying Jean-Baptiste Montagne,this gospel is especially appropriate... (I'm being interrupted, but here goes anyway...)  The death of this young boy, illiterate in the faith, triggered St. Marcellin to act on his dream of starting a group of  Brothers (eventually the Marist Brothers) to teach the faith to the most neglected and immediately following the death of Jean-Baptiste, he enlisted two young men to join this project.  From their modest beginnings on January 2, 1817 till today, the Marist Brothers have been teaching the faith and are now in 83 countries around the world and have enlisted the aid of countless lay people, "Lay Marists" and "Marists of Champagnat" to help them.  This is a good day to reflect on what I can do to join the Marist Mission even in some small way.

Bro. Rene

Slow Growth

 Luke 13: 18-21

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

¹⁸ Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”

²⁰ Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? ²¹ It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Yes, the mustard seed grows into a tree and  yeast-driven dough multiplies 3-4 times its original size.  Can you imagine how much dough 60 pounds of flour would make? How huge would the mixing bowl be? How many loaves would result?  One could start a bakery!  The seed and the yeast have these things in common: tiny quantities and TIME, with accompanying labor, patience and care. A tee does not grow overnight, nor does dough rise in a minute...Warmth, moisture, trust and time do their trick.  And so it is with our spiritual growth.  We set our hearts on a deeper relationship with our loving God, we have all the directives and helps Jesus left us as well as the sacraments and guidance of our spiritual leaders,  our cultivators, if you will, who help us grow and keep focused during the LIFELONG process. The "old self" must die, for the "new self" to grow.  A constant challenge and sometimes, battle. There's no escape.  May we learn to put ourselves totally in the hands of the Divine Cultivator and Bread-maker!

Bro. Rene  

 

Common Sense

 

Note: There should be two slices of Bread today...I forgot to hit the publish button yesterday!

 Luke 13: 10-17

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath

¹⁰ On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, ¹¹ and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” ¹³ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

¹⁴ Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? ¹⁶ Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

¹⁷ When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

We continue to read of the wrangles between Jesus and the "authorities" over the precepts of the Law.  Yes, law and order are necessary for the smooth functioning of any group, particularly a religious group.  Without boundaries, the purpose of the group melts into the world around it and loses its distinctive purpose,  But there is a higher law, that of charity. Would one withhold feeding the hungry because of a Sabbath Law?  Obviously not, intimating that  common sense reveals what makes most sense. Scrupulous observance of the law, or as often said, "the letter of the law kills, but the spirit of the law gives life" is the answer.  In this story, Jesus is following this dictate and sets the example for us...The Law of Common Sense,  the Law of Charity over the letter of the Law.

Bro. Rene 

Love of God and Neighbor

 Matthew 22: 34-40

The Greatest Commandment

³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{" 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.^{" 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Reading daily headlines, one would think that no one ever heard of the Great Commandment.  Hatred, ripping one another apart, rancor, disrespect, are rampant. yet the formula for peace, harmony and becoming fully human is summed up succinctly, and needs only to be lived.  "Aye, there's the rub." It takes daily effort fortified by prayer, and reflection to put the "greatest commandment" into effect.  Who are the people we find difficult to love?  There's the  starting point. Let us ask God NOW for the grace to see them as he sees them and to remove from our hearts any past words or interactions that prevent us from making a new start in loving them.

Bro. Rene

Jesus Is the Key

 

Luke 12: 54-56

Interpreting the Times

⁵⁴ He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. ⁵⁵ And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

We expect accurate weather forecasts given all the sophisticated instruments that aid our eyes and ears, yet, how often do these forecasts fall short and display the fallibility of science? The political and medical storm in which we are living these days seems beyond interpretation.  Why?, How long?, Who's to blame? are questions that remain unanswered.leaving us depressed or grasping for SOME explanation. We search with patience trying to remain positive. Our prayer today might be that our dilemma and search might lead us to a greater peace and deeper trust in the God who does not will evil for us but longs for a closer union with us. More than just a sign, He sent Jesus to show us his love and the way to find it. Again we hear the familiar message:  Trust and do not be afraid... All shall be Well.

Bro. Rene    

Who Likes Division?

 Luke 12: 49-53

Not Peace but Division

⁴⁹ “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! ⁵¹ Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. ⁵² From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

An old adage has it that "a house divided cannot stand." History has verified this over and over again, And yet the "Prince of Peace" is here advocating for division! Jesus is so on fire for the spread of his message and kingdom, that he is ready to sow the seeds of division to obtain it.  This would be "good division", a separation of the complacent, self-centered from the eager, enthusiastic, those on fire.  The kingdom of fire hs no room, nor time for the slugs who will hold back and not give their all. The Pandemic makes it even harder for the fire to blaze, but perhaps is just what we need to stoke up the flames.  How would Jesus handle himself, his mission, his life if he were with us today?  His fire would still be blazing, wouldn't it?  How about mine?

Bro. Rene

Much Will Be Required

 

 ^{Luke 12: 39-48}

 ^{Expect the Unexpected}

³⁹ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

⁴¹ Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

⁴² The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? ⁴³ It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵ But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

⁴⁷ “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸ But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

As startling as it may seem, we are approaching then end of the Liturgical Year and our readings gradually will help us prepare for it as well as for the beginning of the new year.  Jesus warns us, as he warned his contemporaries, that, as Shakespeare put it, "the readiness is all."  We have not here a lasting city, and this stark reminder is a notable indication to straighten up our affairs and be prepared to meet our Master when he arrives.for we know not the day nor the hour,  

Bro. Rene

Be Ready

Luke 12: 35-38

Watchfulness

³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. ³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

Our days are filled with surprises ranging  from a dishwasher that will not work to the news of a loved one's unexpected death.  Compound this with deafening political rhetoric and Covid threats,, real, imagined or exaggerated,  it's no wonder we feel anxiety building within, and want to escape. The core message for today is WAIT and WATCH.  Remembering  God's past overtures and "deliverances", being alert to his presence at this trying time, as well as talking out our feelings with others can calm our troubled spirits. We might pray, "If you, Lord, have accompanied me this far on my journey, will you abandon me now?  Increase my faith and trust that truly, all shall be well.

Bro. Rene

 

True Treasure

 Luke 12:13-21

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

¹⁶ And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

¹⁸ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The fight with greed and the insatiable desire for more material goods weaves its way through our history and never seems to end. We never seem to be satisfied.  Jesus is clear on this:  "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist in possessions." Easier said than done, as the parable illustrates. Would that we worked with the same energy to become rich in what matters to God as we do for earthly treasures. Giving our lives for others in small ways or in big, as did the North American Martyrs, whose Memorial is today, in acts of loving service, and in generous sharing of ourselves, we can build up true treasure.  May God and those who have done this before us help us to put this way of "treasure building" into action today!

Bro. Rene

 

Giving God and Ceasar Their Due

 

Matthew 22: 15-21

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax^[ to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

While cleverly answering the Pharisees, Jesus also gives us the proper perspective for living in this world but not being a slave to it.  "Repay to Caesar what is Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." How often do we muddle our accounts, usually short-changing God, and succumb to the pressures of materialism, "political correctness", social rejection or our own self-inflicted fears? The restrictions imposed on us by the Covid Virus, the lies and manipulations of the US presidential election campaigns challenge us and even impede us from making sound decisions. Jesus gives us the proper formula to follow. Let us put our trust in its time-honored truth.

Bro.  Rene

 

Trust In The Spirit

Luke 12:8-12

 

Remain Faithful

⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

These words of Jesus, though a warning of the challenges that waited for his disciples, are still valid in today's confused and tumultuous world, where disagreement, political division, the pandemic and a disconnection from God make the persecutions of old seem like "a piece of cake."  Like St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose memorial we celebrate today, we need to stand fast and live out this gospel passage. Trusting in the Holy Spirit and remaining faithful, even in these days, are essential and will see us through the worst of times. A simple solution, but as challenging as the era in which we live. May we take heart in knowing that men like St. Ignatius saw the "bright side" of their brutal martyrdom, and  have given us the convincing example, that we can follow. 

St.Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us who may be faltering and need your example and God's grace to make it through this "vale of tears."

Bro Rene

 

Eliminate Fear

Luke 12: 1-7

Warnings and Encouragements

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

At this time of Corona Virus fears and hateful political exchange, this teaching of Jesus hits the nail on the head. If God so protects the sparrows, how much more does he protect us, especially from the faults  hidden to us but so evident to others? Yes, we too can hide behind "the hypocrisy of the Pharisees" either knowingly or not, but we need to be on guard, and not let our fears hold us back from living in the light. Let  us pray and act as children of the light and not be hampered by our fears or those sown by the Evil One.

Bro. Rene

What Do You Want of Me?

 (Note: We diverge this morning from our usual format for a taste of this poetic poem/prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, a mystic and yet practical spiritual guide, as we daily try to deepen our personal prayer and reflection.

Loving the Wisdom of God

I am yours and born for you.

What do you want of me?

Majestic and Sovereign,

Unending Wisdom,

Kindness pleasing to my soul; 

God sublime, one Being Good,

Behold this one so vile,

Singing of her love to you:

What do you want of me?

Yours, you made me,

Yours, you saved me,

Yours, you awaited me,

Yours, I did not stray.

What do you want of me?

Look at me, Sweet Love

Sweet Love, look at me,

What do you want of me?

 Simply take some time to let this prayer come from the heart.

Bro Rene

Fulfilling the Law

Luke 11:42-46

 

What Really Matters

⁴² “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

⁴³ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

⁴⁴ “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”

⁴⁵ One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”

⁴⁶ Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.

As we read these "woes" , even though they make reference to some practices no longer used, the basic idea is that we can get sidetracked in minutiae and miss the real point. Fulfilling obligations for their own sake while missing out on being just to our neighbor and loving of God and neighbor, does not "cut it" with Jesus.  Placing burdens on others without helping them carry them is not fulfilling the Law.  Jesus was very direct with the Pharisees.  What would he say to us? 

Bro. Rene

The Solution Is Closer Than We Think

 

Luke 11:37-41

Jesus confronts an Expert of the Law

³⁷ When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. ³⁸ But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.

³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰ You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

Most of the time the solution to a problem is much simpler than we think. Here, Jesus attacks the core of the problem, that which lies within:  "greed and wickedness".  If all it takes is almsgiving to eliminate these vices, what are we waiting for?  Almsgiving, provided it is not just "surface giving," but from the heart, can have a purging and healing effect on the vices that bloom within.  When we are generous to the poor, may our generosity come from our hearts not just our wallets.

Bro. Rene

Seeking Signs

 Luke 11: 29-32

The Sign of Jonah

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰ For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Seeking signs seems part of the human fabric. Ancient peoples had their "seers", fortune tellers still make a living, and election predictions continue to lure and fascinate readers. In this passage, Jesus expresses his impatience with "this wicked" sign-seeking generation. We all seek some assurance and guidance when making decisions, true, and a commendable practice at that, but to have such certainty that faith no longer plays a role, is seeking too much. There needs to be leeway for faith and trust which will bring us closer to one another and to God, something that seems to be slipping from our thinking and behaving.  THE sign is Jesus himself.  Can we do any better? What more do we want when we have his life and words to guide us?  What we need to do is spend more time with him to receive his "blessed assurance."  Begin now!

Bro. Rene

Not All Will Come Or Be Accepted

Matthew 22: 1-14

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, ² “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, ³ and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. ⁴ Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ ⁵ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, ⁶ while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. ⁷ The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. ⁸ Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. ⁹ Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ ¹⁰ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. ¹² And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This parable not only underscores the generosity of the king, but his frustration as well.  Ignored, rejected by the invitees, he was so disappointed and  frustrated  that he sent his troops to destroy them and then invites any and all to take their place. The hall was filled with these guests, but one, however, was not wearing a wedding garment and was cast out into the darkness.

Where do I stand among these? Am I an invited guest who refuses to attend?  Am I among the "subs" who have gladly accepted the invitation and are happy to be in the banquet hall?  Or am I the one who ignores protocol, or the minimum demanded of a guest (a wedding garment) who seeks to sneak in without fulfilling what is expected from me? Food for thought on this lovely Sunday.  God bless every one of you loyal followers.

Bro. Rene

 

Blessed Are We

 

^{Luke 11: 27-28} 

^{True Blessedness}

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

In this short verse, Jesus invites us into the world of his family.  He does not deny the role and holiness of Mary but opens the door to include all who hear the Word of God and obey it.  He opens the door, yes, but the rest is up to us.  How do we conform our actions, our words, and our relationships with others, to this blessed level? Life is constantly throwing cure balls at us leaving no room for complacency or the self-congratulatory attitude such as, "There, I've mastered it; I can now sit back and relax."  Nor so, McGee, there's an unending call to do more, to be more  We trust in God's loving grace, as we keep on striving for true blessedness.

Bro. Rene 

 

A House Divided

 Luke 11: 15-26

Whoever is not with me

¹⁵ But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” ¹⁶ Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

¹⁷ Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. ¹⁸ If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹ Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²² But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

²³ “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

²⁴ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

Division leads to downfall, a proven adage, which Jesus uses to set the  Pharisees straight, and us too.  We live at a time when evidences of division are rampant not only in this country, but in the world, from the poorest countries to the most politically powerful. What fuels this discord? Fear, jealousy, hatred, the desire for power and control, are some possibilities. It is clear that love is absent, and that the door is wide open for the powers of evil to step in and cause chaos. Jesus offers a solution: have him on your side; ask him to drive out demons and guard the house; accept his kingdom based on love. We cannot overcome or eliminate division without him.  Come, Lord, Jesus, make us One with you and one another. 

Bro. Rene

Persistence in Prayer

 

Luke 11: 5-13

Ask And You Shall Receive

⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

We often, if not all the time, find ourselves facing challenges or decisions that come at us with such  force and frequency that we almost become paralyzed about what to do. Jesus encourages us in such cases to keep on asking for his help, and believe it will come.  We lose heart and momentum when that help seems too long in coming, and fall into fear and unrest.  Yet, these words of Jesus encourage us to keep asking, keep trusting and hoping that our help will come in due time.  Can we hang on to something so indefinite, on one hand, yet so assuring on the other?  I'd put my eggs in his basket and trust in his word over that of even my closest friend. Jesus does not disappoint.

Bro. Rene

Our Lady Of The Rosary

 

Luke 11:1-4

The Lord's Prayer

11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ² And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
³ Give us each day our daily bread,
⁴ and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

The worldwide honoring of the Rosary dates back to the victory of the Christians over the Muslims in the battle of Lepanto in 1571.  Three years after, its initial title, Out Lady of Victory, was changed to Our Lady of the Rosary, and was observed  world-wide, as it still is.

Today's Gospel passage of Luke's Lord's prayer, underscores its prominence in the recitation of the Rosary, during which it is said six times. As we ask Mary 53 times to pray for us "now and at the hour of our death", we remember our need to honor the Father, remember our dependence on him, ask for forgiveness, as we forgive others, and seek assistance in avoiding temptation. With Mary on our side, how can our prayer go unanswered?

Bro.  Rene

The Balancing Act

LK 10:38-42

One Thing is Necessary

Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Martha's reaction to Mary's absorption with  Jesus could easily ring a bell with us, especially those of us involved in ministry. What began with some control and limit, often ends up consuming our time and relationship with family and others, like speeding downhill on a roller coaster.  At least at the bottom of "the big hill" we slow down for a bit as we mount the next one. But our ministry can get totally out of control and leads to complaints against those who don't, in our estimation, "do their share", or we fall into the self-pity attitude of "I'm the only one who does anything around here."  As Jesus intimated to Martha, there is a balance between work and attentiveness to others, work and attentiveness to, contemplation of him.  Finding ways to blend the two takes work and time, an ideal worth striving for. Let's begin today to work toward that balance.

Bro . Rene 

 

Will I Help?

Note:  I just noticed that yesterday's slice was never published...Look for it with today's.

 Luke 10: 29-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The familiar parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to look carefully at ourselves as well as others, particularly those who have been cast aside by society, or even just in our own minds. Street people come to mind, the person with the cardboard sign standing on the curb at a traffic light, the dozens of mail solicitations we receive daily asking for help for the unfortunate...on and on.  We can't help everyone, but as this generous Samaritan did, we might help at least one.  The Good Samaritan "had mercy on him", a quality we might pray to develop and make part of our living of the Gospel.

Bro. Rene

 

Not For Nohing

 Matthew 21: 33-43

The Parable of the Tenants

³³ “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. ³⁴ When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

³⁵ “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ³⁶ Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. ³⁷ Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

³⁸ “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

⁴⁰ “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

⁴¹ “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

⁴² Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’^?

⁴³ “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

This parable is obviously a parallel to the attempts God has been making for centuries, to have us accept his emissaries, his prophets, and eventually his own Son.  They all suffered rejection, some, even death. God never lets these human responses discourage him from continuing to make overtures to us.  Perhaps we could take some time on this "Sabbath" to pause and look back at his interventions and attempts to assure us of his love for us, for me as an individual, and look at how we accepted, ignored or rejected them. It might be time to clear the old balance sheets and start a new one, one of happy and peaceful acceptance, for it is not for nothing that God keeps approaching us, and attempting to entice us into greater trust and confidence in him, for even though his ways are not always our ways, they always turn out for the best.  Trust him.  It is out of love that he keeps approaching us.

Bro. Rene

 

A Day Of Joy

Luke 10:17-24

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

It's rare that the Gospels speak directly about Jesus being joyful, although we might surmise it. But here, seeing the joy in the hearts and stories of the seventy-two as they recounted tales of there "first missionary journey", his heart too fills with joy, so much so that Matthew notes it.. Does this not give us a closer bond with Jesus and further insight into who he is: a man with a mission, yes, but a man who like us rejoices at the good news of success, especially that of our friends?  Does this not spur us on to carry out our day with joy, so that we may give joy to Jesus? May joy and enthusiasm mark our day, our attitude toward whatever we need to do, and may we share these gifts with everyone who crosses our path.

Bro, Rene

 

Holy Guardians

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
MT 18:1-5,10

The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.”

How blessed we are to have our own personal guide, assigned to us from birth to death, and when we move to heaven, will be our friend for eternity.  How many times have I come close to a horrible accident while driving and actually felt the protection of my angel, Leo?  I should be long dead if it were not for him.  Or how often do I feel his strength and presence when in a difficult situation.  My love for him grows daily, knowing that he is always there, even though I neglect to acknowledge him or thank him.   Sorry, Leo, I will make up for it today when all of us are reminded of this great gift and the need to say THANK YOU!

Bro Rene

Our Mission Too

 

Luke 10:1-10

English Standard Version

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. ² And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

The Mission of the 72 reminds us that we too have a mission to bring the Good News to others as they did, even though we find ourselves short-handed and understaffed.  Though we might be small in numbers, we can still bring peace and hope to others.  Yes, the "wolves" will be scouring about with notions of futility and feelings of discouragement  in an effort to block us from fulfilling our mission, but we cannot yield to his wiles, but rather keep our eyes on Jesus.  In him alone is our hope, our strength, our salvation and with him all things are possible. 

 As we honor St. Therese of Lisieux today, we also reflect on her short life, curtailed by tuberculosis; yet even in those few years as a Carmelite Nun, she carried out her mission which teaches us that fidelity in small things, confidence in God and love of all, make sanctity accessible to us all. St. Therese, pray for us!

Bro. Rene

Bro. Rene

Not An Easy Road

Note: An unforeseen interruption prevented the posting of this slice of bread yesterday, therefore, I gladly send you two slices today.  Bro Rene 

Luke 9: 57-62

The Cost of Following Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ⁶² Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Enthusiasm can sometimes blind us to the stark realities that lurk in the shadows and cause us to falter, stumble, or stray from our la-Dee-dah path. People are not always as enthusiastic as we, strongly present alternatives flowing from their fearful or cynical view of life, and seek to impose their bleak view of life upon us. Even the enthusiastic would-be disciple can find excuses to prevent him (or her) from a full commitment, as Jesus points out   It is the rare person who can follow through and follow Jesus in deeds not just in words. Let us pray that we might be willing to pay the cost of following Jesus.

Bro. Rene