Teaching With Authority

Note: Am having technical difficulties this morning. Hoping for a solution, but will do the best I can till it arrives. I can't get my screen to get vertical. It is horizontal as I write.  

Mark 1:21-28. Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. 

 Jesus speaks with authority, not only with works but through his deeds. He casts a demon out of a possessed man as a demonstration of his authority, causing the onlookers to wonder what sort of man he was that he had command of evil spirits. They spread his fame throughout the region. This same Jesus is the one we serve. Do we accept his authority in our lives? Do we do what we can to spread his fame with the same enthusiasm as these folks who witnessed his deed in person? What holds us back? What impels us to do so? 

Bro. Rene

Why Do We Worry?

 Mark 4: 35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

We read this passage over and over, chide ourselves for not believing, and then when the next "storm" comes up, we find ourselves panicking again. We need Jesus in our boat all the time. Yes, and he is there, but it is we who are sleeping...spiritually asleep! As Jesus calmed the "furious squall", so can he also calm those squalls that spring up in us as we look ahead at our TO DO list, or receive that unexpected call for help, or when we learn our credit card has been hacked again, or when we spend too much time looking for something we need, just had, but can't find.. We could easily keep Jesus fully employed. And the truth is, he is awaiting us to call on him constantly, if we wish, to display our need for him, our confidence in him, and our love for him.Why worry?  Let these "little annoyances" be the keys to unlocking the door to allow him to be fully present with us in all the tasks of the day. He doesn't mind. He prefers it. Jesus, keep me awake to your presence!

Bro Rene

Time and Trust

Mark 4: 26-34

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹ As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Anyone who has dealt with gardening or even just "house plants" knows that seeds sprout mysteriously after being watered and given time. Once the seeds have sprouted, the plants move quickly from single flimsy stalks, to rugged, sturdy plants.  If you've evver dealt with zucchini, you know how overnight, budding squash can gain inches, and, unless carefully watched, grow too big and seedy. 

Evidently, the mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds can grow tall and overtake precious garden space. Jesus wisely chose this plant as an example of how God's grace works in us: over time, and with our trust.  When we are confounded by dilemmas or overrun with demands, we need to step back, make our needs known to God, and trust that in time, he will resolve our issues. Yes, we do the best we can, but humbly asking God for help in his own good time, releases us from the paralysis that develops when we think and act as if all depends on us. Let us learn from the mustard plant, that more goes on behind the scenes than we can ever do on our own.

Bro. Rene

 

Let Your LIght Shine

A Lamp on a Stand

²¹ He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? ²² For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. ²⁵ Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

 We are blessed to be "Children of the Light", but with this privilege comes the obligation to let that light shine in the darkness. This has been true for all generations, but seems even more relevant today when the powers of darkness seem to be gaining strength.  We have been given much through our baptism and incorporation into Christ.  We are the Body of Christ in this world, and only in him will the darkness be dispelled; hence the urgent call to live his message and values so that his light might continue to shine through us.  A "tall order" as the expression goes, but a necessary one, and a possible one, if we focus on him, and ask for his help, strength and courage to be that light  Let us not be afraid to let our light shine.  The more we do, the more light we will receive.

Bro. Rene

 

Over The top

 Mark 4: 1-20

The Parable of the Sower

4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. ² He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: ³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
    and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’^[a]”

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

We see the startling picture of a farmer who lavishes seed in every direction, even to locations where it has no  promise of germinating, a clear waste of seed. Yet this optimistic farmer does not hold back, giving every seed, no matter where it is, a chance to produce.

We might like to think we are the good soil where it is almost guaranteed that the seed will yield a bountiful harvest, well and good.  But our Good God is willing to take the risk where the odds are against him, for nothing is impossible for him.

In our dealings with those who might be considered "rocky soil", do we give them a chance as did this farmer?  Do we patiently cultivate, nurture, and pray that our efforts will bear fruit? We might apply the example of this lavish seed-sower and not hold back nor give up hope.

Bro. Rene

The Family Of Jesus

 Mark 3:31-35

Who Are My Mother And My Brothers?

³¹ Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. ³² A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

³³ “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

³⁴ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Who would not like to be a brother and sister of  Jesus?  It's possible,  just do God's will.  Ah,  therein lies the rub.  What is God's will as opposed to my will?  How do I know the difference?  How can I keep from duping myself, or slipping into complacency, as did the Pharisee who justified himself by his donations to the temple? A friend, a spiritual director, someone we trust can help us retain a true picture of ourselves. Let us not be afraid to face these questions if we are sincere about being a member of the family of Jesus.

Bro. Rene

Proclaim The Gospel

 Mark 16: 15-18

The Commissioning

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

As we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul, who took the the command to preach the gospel to all creatures seriously, giving his energy, creativity, zeal and even his life to carry it out, we might reflect on how we can use our gifts, and time to continue spreading the Good News. Saul had a direct encounter with the Jesus whom he was persecuting, and it changed his life. We might not be so fortunate, but gradually our daily contact with Jesus through prayer and reflection will change us into "mini-Paul's, who can have a salutary effect on others, whether it be by a smile, a thank you, a phone call, e-mail...something that reflects a connection with Jesus and thus makes him visible.

Bro. Rene

The Call Is For All

 

Mark 1: 14-20

Jesus Announces the Good News

¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Yes, we are back to the beginning again.  Here is the core message of Jesus:  "The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.!" ( Mk 1: 15).  We can't hear it enough, as with the old "repeat after me" method some of us remember from grammar school, repetition works:  think of learning the "times tables",  intricate grammar rules, important historical dates, etc.  We can still quote them today. So to read verse 15 again, only helps to nail the message home.  This is why Jesus came, this is what we are asked to do: repent and believe.  And to cap off the lesson, Mark reminds us that, as with the sons of Zebedee, and the others later called, so are we, to spread this message as teachers and believers who live it. No small easy assignment, hence to need to have it repeated to us over and over. Thank God this comes to us on a Sunday when we CAN take some time to reflect on it and put it in to practice at first in our homes and during the weeks ahead, into our workplaces...No one is "off the hook," the call is for all!

Bro Rene

 

Was He Out Of His Mind?

Mark 3: 20-21

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ When his relatives heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Things must have been pretty rough for Jesus on this day when his own family turned on him.  We might have experienced something similar when we've gone out of our way to help other, even family, and been criticized for it by others who totally missed the point or had no idea of the sacrifice and effort involved.  But, let us take heart; we are in good company. If "they" did it to Jesus, it's a compliment if they do it to us! Take is with a smile!

Bro. Rene

 

Our Calling

 Mark 3: 13-19

Jesus Appoints the Twelve

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve^[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶ These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Don't we wish that Jesus would call us by name, assign us a job, and guide us so that we don't make any mistakes?  So simple, but not the way things are...  Multitasking, interruptions, technological failures, mental lapses.  Don't we wish it were that simple?  That's what I'm doing now..pray for the success of our Sophomore virtual retreat...God help us!

Bro. Rene

 

He Does Not Refuse Us

 Mark 3: 7-12

Crowds Follow Jesus

⁷ Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. ⁸ When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. ⁹ Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. ¹⁰ For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. ¹¹ Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” ¹² But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.

No matter how large the crowds, Jesus  does not refuse to heal and teach them.  What compassion, what indefatigable energy, what love!  Why do we hesitate to "press upon him", as another translation reads?  He will not refuse us. Yes, they saw and believed; we do not see, so maybe believing comes harder to us, but it is still possible.  May we keep this passage before us today and think of it frequently, especially before beginning each of the many tasks that await us. It bears repeating:  he does not refuse us.

Bro. Rene

Fearless Jesus

 Mark 3: 1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ² Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. ³ Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

⁴ Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

⁵ He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Following on yesterday's Gospel passage regarding the "work" of curing on the Sabbath, Jesus again illustrates that the Law of Common Sense, the Law of Charity, is the Law to follow:  "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" To our eyes, the answer might seem seem simple and obvious, so no wonder Jesus was angry at the stubborn hearts that did not "get this". To illustrate his point, again he breaks their law in order to implement his,  the Law of Love.

How often does he have to repeat his lessons on love of neighbor, forgiveness, (of self and of another) to us? When we stop and realize how far from the ideal we are, we cringe, bend the knee, ask for forgiveness and the grace to try again. We might also pray for the fearlessness Jesus exhibited when we set up a plan to conform more and more to the Law of Love.

Bro. Rene

Being Flexible

Mark 2: 23-28

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

²³ One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. ²⁴ The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

²⁵ He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ²⁶ In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

²⁷ Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

We see the wisdom and practicality of Jesus in his response to the pharisaic objection to his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath. If he insisted that they observe the letter of the Law, he would have been surrounded by a dozen hungry and unhappy men. It made sense to suspend the Law to feed the hungry, and gives us the principal by which we still abide:  "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."  Yes, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus can carry us over the roughest challenges, and learning from him to be flexible and considerate of the needs of others as well as our own, is a way to put into practice the Law of Love, over the Letter of the Law.

Bro. Rene  

 

Be Willing To Adapt

 Mark 2: 18-22

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

¹⁸ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?”

¹⁹ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. ²⁰ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

²¹ “No one sews a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²² And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

Changes are always taking place and resistance to them is part of the process.  Jesus advises us to be open to the new lest both old and new be lost.  Living in these days of "radical" changes in our lifestyles, the tendency is to want the tried, and true, the familiar, the comfortable. Again, it's prayerful discernment with God and with others (a spiritual director,  for example) that will yield the direction we should follow.  Let us not be bound by the old, but let us not lose sight of it as we move forward. A delicate balance!

Bro, Rene

 

What Am I Looking For?

 

John 1: 35-42

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Verse 38, "What do you want?", is often translated, "What are  you looking for?" and, as such might resonate with us in these days in a more poignant way,  as death is hitting strangers, family and friends in frightening numbers. Are we looking for safety, meaning, or God's will?  Or something we can't put our finger on? The death of a friend or close acquaintance who a week ago was healthy, is scary.  Am I ready to leave this planet and enter eternal life?  Is "my house in order" in case the doorbell rings and the taxi to paradise is in the driveway? Or, if I am to linger here longer, how best can I use the time and my talents to better serve the Lord?

The Baptist invited Andrew and John to join him, which they did, and it was the beginning of a huge turn in their lives.  Today, Sunday, a day of rest an prayer, is the perfect time to accept the invitation of Jesus and ponder with him what he is asking of us.

Bro. Rene

P.S. This slice of bread was  prompted not only by the Gospel, but by the news of the death this morning of a Good Marist Brother, Br. Donald Nugent, from the Corona Virus.  He had not been ill prior to contracting the virus and after being hospitalized less than a week, went home peacefully.  May choirs of angels sing him to his rest..

Jesus Still Calls

 Mark 2: 13-17

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

¹³ Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵ While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

What was so compelling in the two brief words Jesus spoke to Matthew that fateful day? "Follow me."  Or was it some discontent in the heart of Levi that made him ripe to answer the call so abruptly?  Indeed, whatever the reason, something powerful, life-changing, occurred, and we are still benefiting from the moment Levi left his money table and followed Jesus.  At his house later, Levi gave a dinner for his fellow-tax collectors as well as some Pharisees, who objected to the presence of the sinful guests. Jesus nailed their objection directly:  :"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  (Mk 2: 17). This answer merits commitment to memory for it serves as an anti-dote to any self-righteous thoughts that might find themself lodged in our heads and hearts.  These thoughts tend to creep in unknowingly  and need to be swept out from time to time. Let us keep the brooms active day after day so that we can heed the constant call to follow Jesus with the total abandonment Levi models for us.

Bro. Rene

 

Seeing Their Faith

 Mark 2: 1-12

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

We can just picture the four men carrying the litter with their paralyzed friend trying to angle their way through the doorway to enter the crowded room. Seeing it was not going to work, they carrying their patient to the roof, remove enough tiles to be able to lower him into the room above the heads of the crowd.  What a project, what determination, what love, what faith! Their faith is what moved Jesus not only to heal the man, but above all, and first of all, to forgive his sins. Yes, the people were right to praise God from something they had never seen before.

Catholics are blessed to have the Sacrament of Penance, which assures them that after confessing their sins, they are absolved, given a clean slate, and the opportunity to go and sin no more. If not successful in this, they can always go back, as many times as necessary to ask forgiveness, and are encouraged to do so. With Covid 19 keeping us home bound, we can still approach the Lord and ask his forgiveness, keeping in mind that he sees our faith as he saw the faith of those porters 2,000 years ago.

Bro. Rene  

Asking For Help

 Mark 1:40-43

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Like the leper, we have many needs that seem beyond our strength and the capability of others to help us. Imagine the plight of this leper:  an outcast, and patient sufferer from the pain caused by the disease.  His one hope was in Jesus, about whom he had heard so much.  He begs on his knees, and expresses not only his wish, but his belief that Jesus can cure him if he so desires.  A beautiful, simple act of faith and confidence.  Our translation here reads, "Jesus was indignant", but other manuscripts say, "Jesus was filled with compassion.", which makes more sense.  The Latin translation states his response in two terse and powerful words, "Volo. Mundare." I will it;  Be cleansed".."Made clean."

Two thousand years later, we continue to benefit from this lesson on the prayer of petition:  Be humble enough to get down on our knees, politely insert the "If clause" (If you are willing), and express our faith, "you can make me clean." Or whatever our petition might be.  If we don't pray this way now, we might learn from this brief passage and model our petitions after it.

We might question both the admonition not to spread the word of the cure, and the man's total ignoring of it. Commentators have expounded extensively on "the Messianic Secret", but in summary we might boil it down to the desire of Jesus to await his good time to reveal himself, and, simply from a human standpoint, to avoid the time consuming crowds who came to beg for cures. Despite his initial desires, we see that time after time, Jesus never refused those who came to him in faith for help.  May we humbly, yet boldly, present out needs to him, confident that in his time and in ways best for us, he will grant them.

Bro. Rene

Taking Time to Pray

 Mark 1: 29-39

Jesus Heals Many

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

These two scenes come up again and yet never seem to wear out from over-exposure, but always  have some relevance to our current situation.  We see Jesus the Healer, working overtime, not only for family, but for ALL who came to him.  After what must have been a tiring day, he's up early,  before dawn, for quiet prayer, which is interrupted by the call to heal and preach.  Jesus does not complain, but declares that this is why he came.  This was his vocation, and later, as we know, took him to his death and resurrection.

How often do I feel overwhelmed with demands, some of which tax me to the limit, or the never-ending "to do list"?  Besides my personal agenda,  these turbulent times, be they world-wide, or national, have a draining effect on me, even if subtly.  In the midst of all this, do I still take time, even if I  have to rise early, to devote myself to quiet prayer as Jesus did?  If don't, how can I expect to keep afloat with the waves battering me on all sides?

Bro. Rene

Teaching With Authority

 Mark 1: 21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

If we were in the "classroom" of Jesus, hearing him with hundreds of other "students", wouldn't we too be amazed at his teaching...the Carpenter's Son!   Where did he get such knowledge, such authority?  It was because of his sureness, his conviction, his directness, his simple and maybe even frightening honesty, that he won over these eager "pupils." And when challenged by the unclean spirit, he again exercised his authority and drove the demon out.  What a way to underscore his teachings! He was fearless. He was right. No doubts, if's, and's or but's about him.

Our "watered down" world has strayed from authority and balks at being told what to do, let alone what to believe.  And look where that attitude has put us! We might long for the return of Jesus to set things straight again,  but from what he said, he won't be back until the end of time.  It's up to us to take up his words and put them into practice.If each of us did that, what "a wonderful world" this would be! With his authority behind us, let's begin NOW!  JUST DO IT!!!

Bro. Rene

Without Delay

 Mark 1: 14-20

Jesus Announces the Good News

¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

"The time has come".  Jesus said this 2,000 years ago as he began his ministry. His career as a carpenter was over, John was imprisoned, now it was his turn, and he lost no time, at least according to Mark. The shortest Gospel moves very quickly from scene to scene, event to event, almost taking our breath away as we read it.  The core of the messages is "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news." To help spread this message he quickly recruits Peter, Andrew, James and John, who as quickly leave all to follow him.

What about us?  Do we hear these words addressed to us?  Can we leave our habitual ways, our plans, even our jobs to answer the call of Jesus?  Perhaps being stripped of our usual way of life by the Pandemic, we have learned that we CAN get along without  what we thought were necessary things and break out of habits we thought were essential to answer a higher call? The statement, "The time has come", is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.  Can I answer as swiftly, "without delay" as these first disciples?  What is God asking of me TODAY?

Bro. Rene

Living Our Baptism

^{Mark 1: 7-11}

⁷ And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

What son (or daughter) would not love to hear these words from the mouth of a loving father?  What a great moment for Jesus, to be so lauded:  The Father's voice, the Spirit in the form of a dove, and the beloved Son, one God in three persons, as the formula for the Holy Trinity would be declared after centuries of pondering. It was becoming clearer to "the carpenter's son" that he was here to do more than just carpentry.  Following his baptism, he would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting in the desert, and emerge with a better picture of his mission. 

Perhaps today, as we ponder this scene, we might renew our own commitment to be followers of Jesus, avoiding sin and the occasions of sin, but more especially devoting our time, talents and energy to continue to "preach" the kingdom of God through our words and actions.

Bro. Rene  

 

 

He Must Increase

 John 3: 22-30

John Testifies Again About Jesus

²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. ²³ Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.) ²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. ²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.”

John's humility sets the bar for us.  He was called, given a determined spirit and indefatigable energy to prepare the way for Jesus by his preaching and baptizing, but was humble enough to know that when Jesus came on the scene, his work would be done and he could "pass the baton" to him.

No matter what we have done, great or small, we are mere instruments in God's hands, and certainly, we are not the only ones. He will call others whose deeds will outshine ours. Easy to swallow if we keep the attitude: "He must increase, I must decrease." 

Bro Rene

Reaching For Help

 

Luke 5:12-16

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

¹² While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

¹⁴ Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

¹⁵ Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

We can learn something about our prayers of petition from this healing:  We see the leper falling to the ground, and imploring Jesus directly for a cure. Jesus, in turn, reaches out his hand, touches him, and in so doing, heals him.  There's motion and action here, not just words. Not that this is the "magic formula" for a favorable answer to prayer, but it does demonstrate the engagement of the whole person in the request.  Our prayers can become cerebral, and in a sense lose their genuineness...In this incident, it is clear what the leper wants; he does not sugar-coat his request and receives an immediate answer.  How do I pray when I'm in desperate need, or in any need?

In this vein, another illustration of the power of direct prayer comes from New Orleans, where Mary, for her prompt intervention and response to prayer, is honored as Our Lady of Prompt Succor. In the early 1800's a convent of Ursuline Sisters was teetering on closing because of a lack of Sisters. Their petition to the Pope was answered and several sisters came from France to join them.  When a huge fire threatened the convent in 1812,, the sisters prayed and the winds shifted...Sounds like a Hollywood twist, but it really happened. A few years later in 1815, when the outnumbered Americans were fighting the British, the sisters prayed, and word came to them during their Mass that the British had been defeated. 

May we not hesitate to reach up to heaven for the help we need.

Bro. Rene

 

Fulfilling The Scripture

Luke 4: 14-22a

Jesus Reads from Isaiah

¹⁴ Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵ He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.

After recovering from his 40 retreat in the desert, Jesus appears in the synagogue in Nazareth, reads from Isaiah to the amazement of the crowd, who later want to throw him off a cliff.  Jesus experienced his "ups and downs' as we do, but never loses sight of his mission, so clearly delineated by Isaiah. Reports of him had already been circulating as stories of his healings spread like wildfire.  Here he was, the carpenter's son, who had probably done work for some of them, now speaking boldly of his call to bring good news to the poor, freedom to prisoners, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed.  His hearers welcomed his message but a few verses later after hearing him elaborate on it, turned against him.

Don't we wish to make a positive impact on others by our words and actions, by putting Isaiah's words into our lives,  but even after some success, we might find ourselves ignored, misunderstood or rejected?.We might not be brought to the brink of a cliff, but the going can be rough...May we set our course steadfast as Jesus did, and bear the rejection as well as the applause.

Bro. Rene 

 

Don't Be Afraid

Mark 6: 45-52

Jesus Walks on the Water

⁴⁵ Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

⁴⁷ Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, ⁵² for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Mk 6: 50).  We should have a tape of these works running non-stop to shoo away the fears that plague us at every turn, it seems.  What makes our faith so fragile after having lived a life-time of "near falls" and dramatic rescues?  Must be something connected with Original Sin; we never feel secure enough when the waves rise or something unexpected appears before us. It's worse, when something ordinary, someone we know, something we've done over and over, begins to frighten us. Perhaps we seem overwhelmed because we've begun to think that we have "to do it all", and forget that Jesus is by our side to help us. I wonder how many times these words of Jesus came to mind after his Ascension to heaven and the Apostles were out there "one their own" preaching and being hauled before the magistrates, and yes, even put to death? We might try today to alleviate our unfounded fears by hearing Jesus speak these words to us. Again, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Bro. Rene

 

Jesus Feeds Us

Mark 6:34-44

 

Jesus Feeds 5,000

³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁵ By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶ Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketsful of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

This rather spectacular miracle assures us that not matter what our hunger is, for food, solace, patience, deliverance, love, Jesus is aware of it and will supply it.  The miracle took place slowly as the crowd formed into groups of 50 and 100, and the disciples distributed the fish and bread to them from their baskets, gradually becoming aware that no matter how many times they handed out food, their baskets were never empty, and to boot, when all had eaten, 12 baskets of "left-overs" remained!  Two questions"  1. Why do we fret when it seems we have reached the end of our endurance and our basket seems totally empty?  2: What can I do to help fill the empty baskets of others?  Food for today's ponderings.

Bro. Rene

 

The Mission of Jesus

Matthew 4: 12-17

Jesus Begins to Preach

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴ to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
    the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
    Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶ the people living in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
    a light has dawned.”

¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4: 23-25

Jesus Heals the Sick

²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. ²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Today's Gospel  moves us quickly from the Birth of Jesus, with the star and references to LIGHT, to the actual place and mission of that LIGHT as Jesus begins his work of teaching, proclaiming the Good News and healing We are still in the Christmas Season, but we now begin to see what the Birth of Jesus means: healing from our weaknesses and sins, repentance, and salvation through the death and resurrection of the once-child, now God-Man, Jesus.  While we might still have our Christmas decorations and creche on display, the meat of the matter is their deeper significance.. May we remember it as we enjoy them this final week, and, as Mary did, ponder it in our hearts.

Bro. Rene 

 

Joining The Magi

Matthew 2:1-12

The Magi Visit the Messiah

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Epiphany story fires the imagination: Astronomers from "the East", the mysterious East, no specific country mentioned, the large star, the travel by camel, the interview with Herod, and his murderous intervention, the homage, the symbolic gifts, the return home by another route...A great plot that has inspired art, music and drama for centuries.

For us today, it serves as a reminder that Jesus came for all, and deserves all our efforts to find him as well as to be open to let him find us. Once the connection has been made, we proceed differently, "take a different route", one that may not seem to make sense according to some standards, but makes a lot of sense spiritually. What is the Child asking of me today?  What gift do I bring to him? How does my relationship with him affect my relations with others? Let us take some time today to join the Magi as they adore this Child and offer him their gifts.

Bro. Rene   

 

Celebrating Our 204th Birthday

 Is 58:11

The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.

Jn 1: 19-28

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders^[a] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

²¹ They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

²² Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”^[b]

²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

²⁶ “I baptize with^[c] water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

As the Marist World celebrates the founding of the Marist Brothers in 1817, these readings help to pinpoint our on-going mission to make Jesus known and loved, strengthened and comforted by the promise of God's constant presence and guidance.  The Mission of the Marist Brothers and Lay Cohorts is as needed and relevant as it was in post-Revolutionary France.  As we look at that situation, we might exclaim, "What a mess!" but as we look at our own, we could easily exclaim the same thing. Yet, Marcellin, fired by a fervent desire to rectify the situation through education, did not let the obstacles stop him.  So too, we cannot and are not letting today's huge obstacles stop us.  There is much vitality in the Institute, young men are still joining us with that same desire to make Jesus known and loved.  May we be confident that God will give us the grace necessary to achieve this end as he has for the past 204 years!

Bro. Rene

Mary, the Mother of God

Gospel: Luke 2: 16-21

Pondering Them in Her Heart

16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.

18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

With all our attention focused on the New Year, the farewell to the "bad" pandemic old year, the lamenting over curtailed Christmas and New Year's celebrations, today's Solemnity, Mary, Mother of the Lord, can easily take a back seat.  Our Gospel reading,, however, keeps us focused on the Motherhood of Mary and invites us to ponder in our hearts, as she did, the meaning and implications attached to the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. God, becomes a little child, one who would grow up, preach, heal, die and rise from the dead in a gigantic effort to show how much he loves us. "Who are we that he has loved us so well?" What can we do to return even a small portion of that love in return?  It might seem cheap and paltry in comparison, but anything we can do to improve relations with one another, to forgive, start over, reach out to those who suffer or are unhappy might be a place to begin to make this a truly Happy New Year. "Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen"

Bro. Rene