The Call

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 Rom 10:9-18, Mt 4:18-22 

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Mt 4: 18-22

¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.

²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

St. Paul tells us in this passage from Romans that "faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Rm 10: 17)  The first four Apostles HEARD the call to follow Jesus, leaving their nets, to become fishers of people. Advent is certainly a time for major listening to the prophet Isaiah, and through him, to what Jesus is asking of us: to be one of his followers, one to witness for him and carry on the message TODAY that he gave us 2,000 years ago. It's a huge challenge, but over these 2,000 years countless men and women have heard it and acted  upon it.  May we take some time today to LISTEN, to HEAR, and to ACT on what we hear!

Bro. Rene

Our Advent Climb

The Mountain of the Lord Is 2: 1-5 2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant Matt 8: 5-11 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one[a] in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, These two readings (yes, today we have a bonus!) set the tone for the rest of Advent. We are beginning a journey of now 27 days till Christmas. Isaiah invites us to climb the mountain of the Lord's House, and listen to his insbructions so that we may "walk in the light of the Lord." These days in the Northern Hemisphere see the days shortening and the darkness tipping the balance over light, making our longing for the Light of the World ever more poignant. This light comes with the birth of Jesus, an event worth waiting and working for. The Centurion, a non-Jew, evidently saw the light, made no bones about his femarkable faith in the power of Jesus, and was rewareded with the praise of Jesus and the cure of his servant. He models for us the faith that we pray and sacrifice for and that will grow during this Advent. "Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Is 8: 5) Bro. Rene

Contine Vigilance

Luke 25-28, 34-36 25 

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” We begin Advent with a continuation of the frightening description of "the end" that we have been reading for the past several weeks. No doubt about it, this world we now know will be transformed by the overpowering presence of the Son of God at a time known only to our Three-in-one God. While we wait, Jesus urges us to be vigilant, to live each day as if it were the last, so that we might be ready for the Laast Day, or at least, for OUR last day, The season of Advent gives us the opportunity to live more like we should all the time, in prayerful attention to the Word of God, in sacrifice, (not as much as in Lent) but in some daily practice that will cleanse our us to receive Jesus at Christmas with clean hearts. The beautiful readings from Isaiah will help us focus and redirect our thoughts and actions to the "things that are above", and merit time for extra reflection, lest we become too absorbed in shopping and worrying about family preparations, Christmas decorations and parties. Yes, it's easy for Advent to get buried, but this year, in light of the sobering reality of the never-endiing Pandemic, let's pledge today to give Advent its proper place. It's an essential time to prepare for the real significance of Christmas...the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Bro. Rene

Be Firm In Your Faith

Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” We close the Liturgical Year today and tomorrow enter the Season of Advent.In New England the trees are almost totally bare and sonw covers the roofs our homes. Definitely a new season. As we have been doing for the past several weeks, we are listening to the warnings of Jesus about "the end times", a major change in creation as we know it and the establishment of the Final and Full Reign of Christ our King. We prepare for four weeks for the birth of that King with ich readings from the prophet Isaiah,hearing to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Messiah. Each year there is something we can change or "tweak" in our spiritual lives, and in our behaviors to make our hearts better prepared to welcome the King...May we plan what we want to do, and as we burn each Advent Candle, remain firm in that plan. Bro. Rene

Signs of the Times

Luke 21: 29-33 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. What are the signs that are warning us in our times? Our snaller Sunday Mass attendance, the increasing number of baptized who now proclaim no fain in or realtionship with God and claim they don't need him, the anger, violence and disrgard for the rights and beliefs of others, the shrinking of what's left of our moral code, and the "me first" attitude that seems to be overtaking our yound adults... these leaves are visible on some of our fig trees, but there are other more positive simgs as well: young people volutneering to help the needy for a year or two before entnering their own professionions, the generous giving of time and money when disaster strikes, small pockets of devout followers of Jesus, particualraly young adults, who attend Mass more than once a week, who fast twice weekly and attend Bible Study gorups or who devote a day a month or week to help the less fortunate, the huge display of largesse to make sure every one might have a Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, these signs are plentiful too and will outshine the bad signs. Let us trust that the power of Good will win over the power of evil. Let us fear not, for God is always with us, every step of the way. Bro. Rene

Gratitude

Note. I'm still in this "edit mode" and will be till someone comes to my rescue. The Gospel for today followes the theme of the last judgement,so I thought I'd substitute this short passage from Tobit on gratitude. Tobit 12: 6 Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done foor you, by blessing and extoling his name in song. Before all menn, honor andn proclaim God's deeds and do not slack in priaisng him. May we do this by attening Mass today or certainnly as we gather at our tables. May this truly be a day of THANKS GIVINg! Bro. Rene

Stand Firm

Luke 21: 12-19 Note: I hit some button yesterday and the slice comes out like this and so do all the others I've written...I don't know how to correct it. Can anyoone help me? 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. Stong words, stern warning, but reassuring promise. Perfect for our AGE (as the were for all that came before us.) Life is not easy, challenges face us daily, we seem doomed to the Evil One,tragedy and destruction, but let's not forget that not a hair of our heads will be be lost. Let's help one another remain strong and firm in our faith, convications and right behavior. "Stand firmm, and you will win life." Bro. Rene

Signs of the End

Luke 21: 5-11 The Last Judgement 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[a] 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[b] a fish, will give him a snake instead? Read full chapter Am having endless technological difficulties this morning. Been workin on this for almost an hour! The mantra to take from this is TRY, TRY, TRY again. Read over verses 9-11 and repeat them in your mind over and over again. God does hear us and answers our prayers. Bro. Rene

Giving All

 Luke 21: 1-4

The Widow’s Offering

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

These four short verses challenge us to an extreme level of generosity and trust,  Imagining giving ALL we have! The widow makes us blush with shame, but her example sets the bar for us.  What can we give not only from our pocketbook, but also of our time, our experience, our personal talents, our presence?  The two small copper coins are literally all she had, but symbolically call us to give of ourselves.  This is the second time in two weeks that we hear this story.  Isn't it time to put it into practice?

Bro. Rene

Hear His Voice

 John 18: 33b-37

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

³³ So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” ³⁵ Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” ³⁶ Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” ³⁷ Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Today is the final Sunday of our Liturgical Year and the Feast of Christ the King, an observance inserted into the Liturgical Calendar in 1925 by Pope  Pius XI to combat the growing secularism and withdrawal from things sacred spreading across the world at that time. If it was bad then, what would Pius XI say about today? We certainly need to work at putting Christ not only back into Christmas, but into every aspect of our lives and dealings with each other.  Church attendance was already suffering before the Pandemic, and took a huge hit during it.  It has not recovered since.  Millions did tune into Mass on TV but that temporary alternative has become an unfortunate permanent alternative. Stories of sexual abuse by priests and religious are appalling and have shaken, if not destroyed trust in our religious leaders. The pursuit of material goods, money, power, age-old curses, seem more widespread than ever. It's certainly time for a change, and reform, a re-direction. If each one of us takes action in cleaning out "closets", redirecting our priorities, seriously listening to and practicing the teachings of Jesus we can be instrumental in restoring our relationship to God and serving the King of Kings.  "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts:"  (Ps 95: 8)

Bro. Rene

God Of The Living

Luke 20: 27-40

The Question about the Resurrection

²⁷ There came to him some Sad′ducees, those who say that there is no resurrection, ²⁸ and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children; ³⁰ and the second ³¹ and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. ³² Afterward the woman also died. ³³ In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

³⁴ And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; ³⁵ but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, ³⁶ for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ³⁷ But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. ³⁸ Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him.” ³⁹ And some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” ⁴⁰ For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

As we approach the end of this liturgical year, our Gospel passages reflect on "the end themes":  life after death, all being made new, reward and punishment.  All very sobering.  Where do I stand?  Do I believe in life after death, eternal life?  It boggles our limited imagination to grasp a life without time, an endless NOW.  It can be scary or exciting, threatening or consoling.  At the very least it can be motivating for us to live what we have been taught and learned from our own reflection on what Jesus has told us.  Certainly our Loving God wills what is best for us, being all Good, he cannot wish evil; That's our choice.  May we listen attentively and act trustingly on what the "God of the living" teaches us.

Bro. Rene

 

Drive Out The Intruders

Like 19: 45-48

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

⁴⁵ And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, ⁴⁶ saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

⁴⁷ And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, ⁴⁸ but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

The merchants who placed themselves strategically in the temple really had no right to be there, as Jesus dramatically demonstrated by driving them out.  The people who "hung on his words" had it right.  

We can so easily be side-tracked by our families, jobs,  the endless list of "things to do", or the clutter of  junk mail and  unwanted catalogues that arrive daily and pile up on our desks, chairs and floors, not to mention the junk that appears on the internet..  And how about our minds besieged by "the news",  our plans, our wants, and our worries? Would that Jesus would come and cleanse us of all these things.  Well, he can and does when we STOP, sit or kneel quietly and let him drive out these intruders and allow his peace to replace them.  All we have to do is take some quiet time and picture him cleansing our "temples".

Bro. Rene

 

"If You Had Known"

Luke 19: 41-44

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

⁴¹ Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, ⁴² saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, ⁴⁴ and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

The days, months and years seem to fly by faster, the older we get, and so often we miss the point of why we are here, and how we can best use the time God has allotted to us.  The tears of Jesus are a call to us to "wake up", know and practice "the things that make for your peace". But we focus our attention on the passing and the paltry, rather than on "the things that matter." We surrender to an enemy who beguiles us with the promise of prosperity and happiness, only to find ourselves shortchanged in the end.  What in my life is causing Jesus to weep? There is still time to change what needs to be changed and with his help we can do it. Just ask and it will be done.

Bro. Rene

Using Our Gifts

 Luke 19: 11-28

The Parable of the Ten Minas

¹¹ While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. ¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Each one of us has received SOME UNIQUE gift from God which makes us different from our brothers and sisters, but because we are not totally like them, we tend to hesitate in stepping forward as did the third servant in this parable. How can we best use the gifts we have been given? It's "risky" only in our own minds.  God would not ask the impossible of us.  Speak to a friend about what he or she sees as our unique gift. and ask for his or her help in using it.

Bro. Rene

 

 

 

 

 

Zacchaeus Rewarded

Luke 19: 1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Notice the zeal, sincerity and enthusiasm of Zacchaeus: he climbs a tree like a kid for a better view of Jesus, he welcomes him gladly, he confesses that he gives half his possessions to the poor, and will repay (the Greek word indicates that he already does) four times the amount of overpaid taxes... A good man, no wonder Jesus wants to eat at his house! It is a fitting reward for his goodness.

Would that we could "boast" of such good deeds as Zacchaeus performed...but perhaps we do or can do right now.  What is holding us back? 

Bro Rene 

 

Lord, I Want To See!

Note:  this is unfinished...check again tomorrow..

  Luke 18: 35-43

A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

This  is Luke's version of the cure of Bartimeus, which we recently read in Matthew.....Again the plea to see, physical sight, but spiritual as well as we make this our prayer.  We are so blind to the workings of God in our own lives, in the beauty of people and surroundings,  the world, the universe, and the very Word of God! Lord, open my eyes and heart to your presence, and let me not only find joy myself, but help others do so as well.

Bro. Rene

The Second Coming

 

Signs of the End

 

Mark 13: 24-32

²⁴ “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
²⁵ the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

²⁶ “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

For centuries the description of the Last Days inspired fear as it grimly reminded the Faithful of "the end of the world".  Today, we read these verses less literally and even with some indifference, so detached from God and the Word of God, are we. Yes, there are Scripture scholars who explain the literary form and caution the reader not to be frightened by taking these verses literally, but do agree that at some point, Jesus will return to establish his everlasting kingdom, at a time we cannot predict. For sure, we have not here "a lasting city" and the goal of putting the Gospel into to practice in our lives remains valid. Rather than be frightened by the figurative language, or dismiss it as pure exaggeration, let us focus on how we can best purify our lives and live the Gospel as if this were our one and final opportunity, and prepare our hearts and behavior for the weeks of Advent, and the Christmas Season soon to be upon us.

Bro. Rene

Pray Often and Persistently

 

 Luke 18: 1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ² He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. ³ And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

⁴ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

In this day and age of instant this and that, we might find it harder than ever to accept God's rhythm and timing in answering our prayers.  Sometimes we might realize that we no longer remember who that person is we've been praying for all these years, but it is best to keep the name on our list, for God will answer in HIS good time. And often enough we run into that person again and can bring joy to him or her when we say that we've been praying for them.  It also is a confirmation to us to know that our prayers have helped someone going through a very dark time, and that indeed, we should not stop praying for an intention because God will eventually answer the prayer, even if out of exasperation, as did the unjust judge in the parable.

Bro. Rene

What Is Inportant?

^{Luke 17: 26-37} 

^{Saving and Losing}

²⁶ “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. ²⁷ People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

³⁰ “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. ³² Remember Lot’s wife! ³³ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” ^[36] 

³⁷ “Where, Lord?” they asked.

He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year we are asked to evaluate the value of the things we consider important in the light of what our purpose in this life really is. Is it only about eating and drinking or is there something more?  Jesus clearly indicates that there is. A telling verse that has changed behaviors over the centuries is verse 33: "Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it." Elsewhere  Jesus puts it< "What does id profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul:?" (Mt 16:26)  Sobering thoughts as we prepare to being a new Liturgical year in a few weeks. Today in the weeks ahead, may we look at our priorities, the use of our time and talents, and judge if we;are giving the proper effort and energy to what is really  important.

Bro. Rene

 

God's Wisdom and Kingdom

 Luke 17: 20-25

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

²⁰ Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, ²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

²² Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. ²³ People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. ²⁴ For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. ²⁵ But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.

The Nature of Wisdom

There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible, ²³ beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.
²⁴ For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
²⁵ For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.
²⁶ For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.
²⁷ Although she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
in every generation she passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God, and prophets;
²⁸ for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.
²⁹ She is more beautiful than the sun,
and excels every constellation of the stars.
Compared with the light she is found to be superior,
³⁰ for it is succeeded by the night,
but against wisdom evil does not prevail.
8 She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,
and she orders all things well.

Today is BONUS DAY: These two excellent Scripture Readings, Veterans' Day, two Marist Encounters, and the Feast of St. Martin of Tours.  What wouldn't we give for Wisdom!  Well, it's spelled out here, was lived by St. Martin and implemented on 11/11/18 with the signing of the Armistice that ended the brutal fighting of World War I.  Judging from the condition of the world today, however, Wisdom is still far from governing us, as failure after costly failure testifies. We need to take the Word of God seriously; we need to beg for God's help to remove self-centeredness, we need to welcome the grace and peace of God into our hearts and pass them on to others. Perhaps that should be the theme and our resolution today as we honor those who have served and are still serving.  St. Martin was a soldier but gave us his sword after an encounter with Christ in the form of a poor beggar.  May that same beggar speak to us today  and help us advance the kingdom of God even by one small step.

Bro. Rene

Gratitude

  

Luke 17: 11-19

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

As we were growing up, how many times did our mother or father remind us to "Say thank you?" If they were successful, the habit persists even to our adulthood, so the message of gratitude in today's gospel passage probably just needs a bit of "dusting off."   Perhaps we've grown lax in thanking God for the many blessings and answers to out prayers that he showers upon us daily: just breathing without even thinking of it, for example. Or how about the food on our breakfast table, or getting safely to our morning destination, or our families, friends colleagues?  All so easy to take for granted, and yet marvelous free gifts. Well, let's begin NOW to say, THANK YOU, GOD! 

Bro. Rene

 

Zeal For Your House

 John 2: 13-22

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts

¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

¹⁸ The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

²⁰ They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

We celebrate the magnificent basilica of St. John Lateran, the seat of the Diocese of Rome and the Pope's official Church as Bishop of Rome. Part of the basilica dates back to 324 A.D. when it was dedicate as a place of worship, transformed from a home of the Lateran family. 

Our Gospel passage reminds us  that the House of God should be restricted to worship and not be a market place or anything else. We also have a hint of the Resurrection.  May we keep this as a holy day remembering that God not only dwells in our churches, but also in us!

Bro. Rene

Increase Our Faith

 Note: for some reason yesterday's slice did not appear; it should be here today.

Luke 17: 1-6

Sin, Faith, Duty

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. ² It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³ So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. ⁴ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

⁶ He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Jesus sternly warns us about causing people to stumble, especially the young.  The use of "bad language" within the earshot of these youngster often leads to imitation, it being a sign of "adulthood". So too with tales of cheating, taking (stealing) tools from the boss or company, drinking, sexual exploits, "dirty jokes"' the list goes on and on.  Such talk is an invitation to the millstone.

In equally succinct form, Jesus advises forgiveness and encourages us to have faith, even as small as a mustard seed.

We can read these sayings of Jesus, agree with them, but not let them have any effect on our behavior. "Aye, there's the rub". Instead, let us begin now to clean up our "act", and become more forgiving and believing. If we ask for God's help, he will grant it.  How much better would our homes and our workplaces would be if we straightened out our behavior in these three areas!

Bro. Rene 

She Gave From Her Poverty

 

 Mark 12: 38-44

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

³⁸ As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

In today's Gospel Reading, Jesus warns us of false teachers and praises the sacrifice made by the poor widow. Both have something to say to us.  How easy it is to fall into complacency, even pride) about our religious practice:  "I go to Church on Sunday,  I give generously to the collection, I greet everyone and they greet me. The honor me and respect me.  What else is there?" Jesus intimates that there is much more, and uses the poor widow and her measly offering as an example.  She gave from the heart, she gave from the bottom drawer of her possessions...Where do I stand as I look at myself in the reflection of the prideful and the humble?]

Bro. Rene

We Cannot Serve Both

 Luke 16: 9-15

The Futility of Wealth

⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

This is a hard Gospel for a world that revolves around the pursuit of wealth.  How much energy is spent on amassing it? How much suffering results from the selfish hoarding of it? How much injustice, from the dishonesty often associated with the acquiring of it?  How much unhappiness from the love of it? Yes, we need money to buy the essentials for survival and the good we can do for so many.  It is a question of balance.  When money dictates our morals, then we know we are off-balance.  Jesus states it simply: "You cannot serve both God and money."  Period.

Bro. Rene

The Need For Shrewdness

 Luke 16: 1-8

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

16 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was ^]wasting his goods. ² So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

³ “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

⁵ “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ ⁷ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ ⁸ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

I t might seem shocking that the unjust steward receives praise for his manipulations but Jesus is calling us to ACTION!  We talk about "how bad things are getting," yet what do we DO about it?  We are not going to change THE WORLD, but we can influence the community (ies) in which we live and work by adding the Christian perspective to conversations and exchanges of opinions, or simply by adding our silent, supportive presence to good actions begun by someone else.  We forget the power of presence,  but it is a force, sometimes mightier than hundreds of words. The :"Unjust Steward" receives praise for his shrewdness; but if Christians (or I) were even half that shrewd in putting my weight behind the Gospel, what a difference I (we) could make!

Bro. Rene

Never Give Up

 

Luke 15: 1-10 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman having ten silver coins,^[a] if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus gives us this encouraging message of persistence and joy at a time when we need such a boost, as the number of lost sheep and coins seems to increase daily.  Even in our own lives we find ourselves slipping in faith and practice in discouragement as more and more scandals appear and the number of abuse cases from the past increases. Jesus was criticized for dining with those regarded as sinners, but he felt that all was not lost and that a compassionate presence might bring them to repentance and to the joy that they had forsaken for the paltry joy they had substituted for "the real thing." Whether it be searching for the lost sheep or the lost coin, the effort was worth it.  If so for these things, how much more for a "lost soul"?  And if that "lost soul" were I, how much more would I appreciate his time and effort to search me out, find me and reward me with "a second chance"?  May I follow the example of Jesus, be slow to judge, and endless in patient persistence.

Bro. Rene

Carry Cross, Renounce Possessions

  

 Luke 14: 24-33

The Cost of Being a Disciple

²⁵ Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Being a Follower, or Disciple of Jesus is not an easy commitment, as Jesus himself outlines. Life's aches and pains are already heavy, but to reject family (when asked), to pick up our cross(es), follow Jesus, and "give up everything" seem more than humanly possible. The cost, in human, material terms, seems over the top, but fixing our focus on Jesus who took on our human nature, truly becoming one of us (Divinity becomes humanity) is even more astounding.  Reflecting on it gives us some some clue of the price Jesus, the Son of God, was willing to pay so that we might come to a small understanding of his limitless love for us. Looking at it this way, we see that there is no price to great for the privilege of being one of this disciples.

Bro. Rene

 

He Will Raise Us Up

³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

A day dedicated to prayer for all the deceased.  We usually make it a point to remember family members and friends who have gone on to eternal life today and for the rest of the month of November. It is a good and healthy thing to bring back memories of those who have given us life, guided us, been our friends and inspirations and helped us be who we are today.  Our Faith tells us that they live on in heaven where we hope to join them in God's good time.  While we walk this earth, let us not forget them nor the example they set for us.  This is "their day", let us do our best to honor it.

Bro. Rene

 

Called To Be Saints

Mt 5: 1-12a

The Beatitudes

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As we read this passage on the Solemnity of All Saints we see the template for sanctity laid out plainly before us, and find encouragement in its simplicity and practicality. Sanctity is not "pie in the sky" impossibility" but a doable way of living that demands eyes to see and a heart to implement.  While honoring all the saints who have done this, we are also opening ourselves to the call, the vocation, to be saints ourselves.  We have the good fortune of living as contemporaries of saints such as Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II whose lives and deeds are very familiar to us. We can look at them to see how it's done, through simple deeds done with extraordinary love, and go and do likewise.

Bro.Rene