Come, Follow Me

 

Mark 10: 17-27

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But he ^[a]was deeply dismayed by ^[b]these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

²³ And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “^[c]Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

As we move toward Ash Wednesday and Lent, we too are faced with choice.  What can we "let go"   to make this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving effective in cementing our relationship with Jesus? We all have "possessions" whether material or not, our wills, our :"having it my way", our self-centeredness.  When we look at our lives, there's lots of room for improvement, for we are truly "works in progress". Jesus is inviting us to take a step further this Lent toward a total self-giving and readiness to do it HIS way, not ours.  What is he asking of me this Lent?

Bro. Rene 
Let us pray:
Christ our teacher, you call each of us to be free of the things that enslave us, and enter into true freedom as children of God. Open our hearts, that we may accept your invitation, “Come, follow me.” Give us the grace today to commit our whole selves more fully to you. Help us especially this day to overcome any attachments in our lives that prevent us from following you as fully as we can. Amen.

 Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

First Things First

 

 Luke 6: 39-45

³⁹ He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴ Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

As we prepare for Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday this week, let's take a good look at what might be a priority focus that will help deepen our relationship with God and upgrade our interactions with our neighbors. How blind we can be, how judgemental, how critical of others, , etc. It's time for us to look deeply into our hearts, for what is there is what affects our outward behavior. "Create a clean heart in me, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.": (Ps 51: 10)

Bro. Rene

Childlikeness

   

Mark 10: 13-16

Let the Children Come to Me

¹³ And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

A wonderful lesson from this very graphic scene and dialogue.  We can just see the joy on the faces of the children and of Jesus as they play and he lays hands on them to bless them in front of their parents. A slice of life and energy contrasting to the stodgy protectiveness of the Apostles, who were still learning who Jesus was. May we learn to relax in our efforts to follow Jesus and take to heart this loving interaction with children, not only accepting the kingdom of God as a little spontaneous and innocent child, but also by treating and welcoming all children as Jesus did.

Bro. Rene

 

What God Has Joined Together

 (Note:  Looks like yesterday's slice is what you will receive today; maybe this one too.  Still working on the solution.)

 Mark 10: 1-12

Teaching About Divorce

10 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

² And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” ³ He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴ They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” ⁵ And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ⁷ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

¹⁰ And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹ And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, ¹² and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

It is heartening to read that the rash of marriages postponed by COVID-19 is keeping reception venues hopping, a testimony to the innate need for a public celebration of a couple's love. The real essence of a wedding, however, is the exchange of the wedding vows and commitment to each other before God.  It is a sacred thing, and in the Catholic Faith, a Sacrament more than just a ceremony. It's  the beginning of a long road with many unforeseen twists, turns and challenges as well as joys. Without the conscious presence of God and the need for and support of his grace, it is very hard to accomplish; hence the too-large number of divorces.  Jesus, evidently from this passage, is not a fan of divorce, to say the least.  Let us all then pray for married couples that they invite God daily into their relationship and ask for him to bless and guide them in their desire and attempts to live a happy, faith-filled and life- lasting marriage.

Bro. Rene  

Avoid What Leads To Sin

 Mark 9: 41-50

⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. ^{[44]  45} And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ^{[46]  47} And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’

⁴⁹ Everyone will be salted with fire.

⁵⁰ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

It takes "moxie" boldness, and strength to be a faithful follower of Jesus.  He challenges us adults with tasks ranging for the simple giving of a cup  of water to the huge and important task of avoiding scandalizing children, looking at the wrong things and thus poisoning our minds. We are to be "salty Christians" whose actions follow upon not only our word, but the words and teachings of Jesus.  Not easy to do.. We need to keep the salt shaker handy and fill it every day.

Bro. Rene

 

No Jealousy

 (Note, of course you see we haven't as yet  found the solution to the daily publication of our posts.  There will most likely be two today, but why, I don't know. We are still looking for a solution)

 

 

Matthew 9: 38-40

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism

³⁸ Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”

³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ For he who is not against^]us is on our side.

God works where he will and though whom he will.  Who are we to set limits on him? Rather, we should rejoice that good is being done, as Jesus proposes, and set aside any petty jealousies that might be creeping into our thinking. May we look ay the good that is being done and not be upset over who does it. 

Bro. Rene 

Christ our Lord, you take joy when others perform mighty deeds in your name. Take joy in us, by giving us the grace to perform good works for others in your name. May others come to know of your love and your healing presence through the charity that you inspire in us. Amen.

  Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

 

 

 

 

Upon This Rock

 

  

Matthew 16: 13-19

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¹³ When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

¹⁴ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 Recognizing a central authority guided by the Holy Spirit in these days of muddled truth, controversies, sinful behaviors, dividing factions, is essential if the mission of Jesus is to remain effective and able to guide us to salvation. Peter's confession of faith, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the rock of truth on which our faith is founded." May we pray for the humility, courage and conviction to remain faithful to Jesus through those he as appointed as our leaders.

Bro. Rene

Help My Unbelief

 (Note: still no resolution to the erratic appearance of these slices of bread.  It did not appear at all yesterday or so far today.  No explanation.  Faith and patience!)

 

  Mark 9: 14-29 

 Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

¹⁴ And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵ And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. ¹⁶ And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” ¹⁷ And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. ¹⁸ And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” ¹⁹ And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” ²⁰ And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” ²⁶ And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. ²⁸ And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁹ And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

A very charged scene as we tune into an argument, frustrated apostles who could not drive the evil spirit from the possessed boy; an exasperated Jesus over the lack of faith he found, even in his chosen ones; the boy, unconscious on the ground, and finally, a peaceful resolution of this "learning experience". The lessons are clear: Faith is the key to working miracles, effecting change, discovering true life, and prayer is essential to make things happen, even miracles!  As long as we are following Jesus, even as long as our whole life, we'll still need to pray as this father did:  "I believe help my unbelief" A simple but essential attitude and prayer. Go for it!

Bro. Rene. 

Are We Listening?

 

 Luke 6: 27-38

Love for Enemies

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Today's Gospel passage is full of "opposites", e.g. "do good to those who hate you", " love your enemies""lend without expecting to be paid back", be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful",  all things that go against "common sense" or "good business."  Why is Jesus demanding so much of us? It seems he wants us to move up a peg or two or more from the behaviors that flow from  from our weakened human nature resulting from the Fall in the Garden. These commands of Jesus reverse the effects of Original Sin and put us back on track again.  Do we hear him speaking to us?  Are we listening?  Yes, that is the question, not just physically hearing or reading these words, but actually hearing them with our hearts and changing our behavior as a result?  That's the other half of these challenges, the most difficult, and yet, the most rewarding. Let us take time this Lord's Day to sit with them,  absorb them and eventually incorporate them into our daily dealings with each other...

Bro. Rene

Listen To Him

 (Note: Yesterday's Slice  appeared at 3: 33 am PST. It is available today.  I wonder if this slice will too?  Your guess is as good as mine)

 

 Mark 9: 2-13

The Transfiguration

² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

As the days fly by, full of "things to do" and "plans" modified, postponed or eliminated, we begin to realize that we suffer from "overload" and need to slow down or stop before we "crash".  We need a Tabor Time when we can focus on Jesus, and above all, LISTEN TO HIM! How much of our prayer time is our thoughts and words running as haywire a our activities? Let's MAKE some time today just to sit, kneel or BE in the presence of Jesus on our own Mount Tabor, shut down our racing brains and tongues and just LISTEN!

Bro. Rene

God of wisdom and truth, make yourself known to us and to all people, as the one God, living and true. Affirm your truth in our lives that we may be witnesses of your unchanging presence and shine with your glory. May the life and teachings of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, be our salvation and guide. Amen.

Rev. Brad Metz, C.S.C.

 

 

A Paradox

 (Note:  at least the Slice appeared yesterday, the day on which it was written. Still a mystery to be solved).

 Mark 8: 34-9:1

The Way of the Cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mk 8: 36), or as  in a more familiar translation, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?" (Mt 16: 26),  both cut deeply into the "stinking thinking"  that has cursed the human race since the Sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden, Today's emphasis on material wealth, so visible, for example in the recurrence of Ponzi Schemes and the never ending pursuit of material goods at the cost of honesty, integrity and often the hurt to or destruction of families, totally disregards this paradox and is the source of pain and unhappiness.  What does it profit anyone who basques in wealth but who is unhappy or worse, loses his soul? The answer is obvious, yet many still do not see it.  May we pray for them as well as for ourselves that we don't fall into this age old trap . The cross is not as attractive as material wealth, but in the end, it is what leads to eternal wealth. 

Bro. Rene

Wno Do You Say I Am?

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

³¹ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

 

This passage reminds us that Peter was a "work in progress" in one instance receiving praise from Jesus for his bold declaration of faith, and in the other, a strong rebuke for his lack of understanding of the mission of Jesus.

How often do we have "purple moments" and find amazing insights falling from our lips, only to contradict them by our actions...We too are "works in progress" stretching the patience of Jesus, no doubt, but as with Peter, still a disciple with a destiny he never could have imagined at the time. Jesus corrects him, chides him, but doesn't give up on him and eventually places the leadership of the  mission to spread the Good News on his shoulders. So too with us, he needs us, blunders and all, to bring his message to the people of our day.. May we not let our imperfections hinder or stop us..  Peter learned and grew stronger and wiser; so can we.

Bro. Rene

​​Jesus our Teacher, you challenged your disciples to know you more intimately, and so come to recognize you as the Christ. Help us never to be content with our knowledge of you, but always to desire to know and love you more. Bring our hearts to rejoice in Peter’s confession that “You are the Christ” – our salvation and the fulfillment of our lives. Amen.

  Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

(Note: no doubt you received three slices of Daily Bread yesterday as did I.  " Who can explain it, who can tell you why?  Fools give you reasons; wise men never try"...Oscar Hammerstein)

 

Wait Patiently

(Note:  two slices appeared during the night. Still a mystery.  Let's see what happens today.) 

 

 

Mark 8: 22-26

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

²² They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. ²³ He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

²⁴ He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

²⁵ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. ²⁶ Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

It seems strange that most times it seems that our prayers are not answered, or are only answered partially;  We get discouraged and just let it go.  Watching Jesus cure this blind man in steps is a call to wait patiently for the answers to our prayers, the solutions to our dilemmas, to whatever we seek.  God is not an Ogre, but kind and compassionate as we see in Jesus. What we seek will come in God's time, not ours.

Bro. Rene  

Christ Jesus, you touched the eyes of the blind man twice before he was fully cured. Grant us confidence in your persistence in the face of enduring troubles or sin in our lives. Help us to know that you never leave us, that you will continue to heal us, that your love is greater than our weakness. Grant us faith that we will one day see your love for us clearly and distinctly. Amen.

 Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

Help Us See Your Blessings

 Note: There should be two slices today.  Still don't understand why yesterday's did ot appear.

 

Mark 8: 14-21

 Why Don't You Understand?

¹⁴ Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

¹⁶ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? ¹⁸ Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

²⁰ “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

²¹ So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

Jesus might well ask the same question of us, "How is it you do not understand?  Have we not seen "miracles" in our lives, as when "impossible" predicaments are suddenly resolved or softly settled without the ripple we were expecting? We see so often with only our eyes and not with the eyes of faith. We let our own fearful imaginations govern our thoughts and push us into the "doubt trap".  When we find ourselves there again, we might interrogate ourselves as Jesus did with the questions in verses 17-21. Lord, that I may see your blessings and not let my fears blind me.

Bro. Rene

 
Lord, in your miracle of the loaves and fishes your disciples did not recognize that you were revealing to them how close and abundant was the Father’s love for them. Help us to recognize the blessings of our lives, and grant us hearts of gratitude for the gifts you have given to us. Make us, too, generous with our gifts, that others—especially those in need—might also know of the extraordinary generosity of your love. Amen.

Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

Jesus Sighed Deeply

 (Note: Somehow our slice was published yesterday.   Let's see what happens today!)

  

Mark 8: 11-13

Seeking a Sign

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. ¹² He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” ¹³ Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

As we celebrate St. Valentine's Day with cards, flowers, other gifts and dinners "out", we do not think of Jesus sighing deeply in exasperation as he is again confronted by the Pharisees. In a sense he is THE Valentine, Love itself, yet some did not see him this way. May our Valentine's cards, good wishes and kindnesses to each other today overshadow the absence of love so evident in our world. May our love and faith-in-action replace the sigh of Jesus (and others) with a smile!

Bro. Rene

That I May Be a Blessing to Others

(Note: Am in Esopus NY at a loss on how to connect to the internet.  A friend came to my rescue, but we are not sure when this will be posted.  Hoping it will be later this morning)

  

Luke 6: 17,20-26

Blessings and Woes

¹⁷ He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon.

²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
²² Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have already received your comfort.
²⁵ Woe to you who are well fed now,
    for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
²⁶ Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Praying over Luke's succinct version of the beloved Beatitudes, we find a simple rule of life that will help us live together as God's children and spread the reign of his love in our weary world. It's a matter of reversing the incompleteness and imperfection of the human condition and allowing God's grace to transform them into sources of grace and spiritual grace.  How curses and hateful behaviors can be sources of blessings is part of the mystery of "God's ways" in the "Divine Economy".  Let us invest in this "market", be blessed and be sources of blessing to others.

Bro. Rene

 

Feed My Soul

   

Mark 8: 1-10

 Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

8 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, ² “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. ³ And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” ⁴ And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” ⁵ And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” ⁶ And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. ⁷ And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. ⁸ And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. ⁹ And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. ¹⁰ And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

Can you imagine going without or having very little food for three days:?  Evidently, Jesus captivated the multitude with his teaching, and, of course, his healing, but now we see how even further his compassion goes: he feeds them. Yes, he feeds their bodies but this miracle assures us that he is sensitive to our spiritual hunger and will feed our hungry souls. Let us not be anxious or fearful when we express our desire for more "spiritual food" (or even don't express it, not wanting to "bother" him with our "petty needs".) As we see here, he knows us and our needs and will take care of them, often in a "miraculous way". Dear Jesus, you know me and what is best for me. Feed my soul as you fed the multitudes to that I can feed others.

Bro. Rene

Open My Heart Too

 (Note: No slice posted yesterday; no explanation, no solution yet.  Working on it.)

 

Mark 7: 31-37

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

³¹ Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. ³² There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

³³ After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴ He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). ³⁵ At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

³⁶ Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. ³⁷ People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

In so many ways, our tongues, our thoughts, our desires, are tied by fear or lack of faith, yet we see how easy it is to get the help we need from Jesus.  Just ASK! We might say that we've tried that,and nothing has happened. The people had seen Jesus cure others and were sure and with deep faith believed he could and would help this man.  Perhaps our first step should be to ask Jesus to open our hearts to a deeper, more solid faith, then entrust him with our request.  

Interestingly enough, this Gospel passage comes to us on the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Just the word, Lourdes, conjures up miraculous healings that have occurred  for well over a century. Illnesses of the body, or soul are still being cured, reinforcing our faith that miracles still happen. Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief!

Bro.. Rene

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Persistence in Prayer

 Mark 7: 24-30

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

²⁴ Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. ²⁵ In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. ²⁶ The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

²⁷ “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁸ “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

²⁹ Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

³⁰ She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

An amazing yet simple approach to prayer: Be direct and persistent. This mother would not take "no" for an answer, and by her faith "won" the cure she sought.  Do I have such faith and confidence when I pray? Lord, teach me to pray as this woman prayed. 

Bro. Rene

A Knowing Heart

 (Note: still haven't solved the mystery of how to publish our Daily Slice on the same day it was written. Working on it.)

 

 Mark 7; 14-23

What Defiles a Person

¹⁴ And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: ¹⁵ There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”¹⁷ And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. ¹⁸ And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, ¹⁹ since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) ²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Blaise Pascal said it well:  "“The heart has its reasons that reason does not know." The heart is capable of evil, as Jesus says (verses 21-23) but it also is the seat of goodness. Our task is to allow the heart to let goodness prevail over its sinful inclinations.   

Bro. Rene

 Lord Jesus, you teach us the way of the pure of heart, that we might see God more clearly, and so love God more fully. Help us to overcome the weakness and sin in our lives that prevent us from loving you and others with all our heart. Give us patience, perseverance, and confidence in your loving mercy for those sinful habits and behaviors that we find particularly difficult to overcome. Help us to know that your love for us is greater than our capacity to sin. Amen.

  Rev. Louis Delfra, C.S.C.

Lip Service

(Note: still searching for a way to have these slices posted at 10: 00 am or earlier. We shall overcome!)

  

 Mark 7: 1-13

Traditions and Commandments

7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, ² they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. ³ (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, ⁴ and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) ⁵ And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” ⁶ And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
⁷ in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

⁸ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

⁹ And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! ¹⁰ For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ ¹¹ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— ¹² then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, ¹³ thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

It's easy to fall into lip service or keeping the letter of the Law with great "bravo" and satisfaction, perhaps even pride, while missing the point of cleansing and purifying our hearts and motivations. We swell with   pride, rather than bow in humility. Evidently, the Pharisees were missing the point of the Law, and were giving more attention to the traditions they had developed. They had crossed the line and Jesus called them on it.

As we look at our own lives, we might see similar patterns creeping in; hence the need to keep vigilant and take these words of Jesus seriously, to keep ourselves from falling into the mentality of the Pharisees.

Bro. Rene

 

Recognizing Jesus

 Mk 6: 53-56

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴ As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. ⁵⁵ They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. 

Can we imagine the excitement that the presence of Jesus mustered? Crowds gathered, people ran to be cured.  No doctor nor hospital was ever so popular. We might say it was basically a "what's in it for me?" or "something for free" attitude which we all know is a strong motivation, but evidently this didn't stop Jesus, who hoped to touch hearts as much as heal bodies. Despite all our sophistication, indifference to God, and rampant agnosticism, wouldn't Jesus experience the same crowds today? 

How can we tap into this basic desire for healing and help ourselves and others come to know and love Jesus?

Bro. Rene 

Jesus the Christ, when the people of Gennesaret saw you, they recognized your healing power and the love and power of your teaching. Wherever you enter our lives, help us to recognize you and to be open and responsive to the healing and the Gospel message you offer us. Give us the grace to be instruments of your healing and grace in the lives of others. Amen.

 Rev. Louis Delfra, C.S.C.

They Left All and Followed Him

 Luke 5: 1-11

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

How admirable  were Simon, James and John to leave their boats and nets to follow Jesus and "fish for people"! Had they not agreed to this mission, where would we be?

What is Jesus calling me to do? What to leave behind?  What risks to take? Basically, what to do at any stage of my life to help with the task of bringing others to Jesus?  Our mission is ever growing and expanding; never can we rest on our laurels thinking, I am finished; my work is done.  Not as long as we can walk and talk, and even beyond that, when we can't do those simple things. There's always some way to follow Jesus and spread the Good News. Can I leave all and follow him?

Bro. Rene

Heavenly Father, you have given us all that is good. You constantly call us to put out into the deep in service to you and to one another. Give us the courage to listen to your commands, and to be fearless in our baptismal call to holiness. Help us to find ways to serve rather than to be served, even if those ways may be small or unseen by others. May we be faithful in our vocations to do your will rather than our own, and make you known, loved, and served. Amen.

Rev. Neil Wack, C.S.C.

 

Important Refreshment

 

Mark 6: 30-34 

Rest Awhile

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³ But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 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.

Important in life and ministry is proper rest, otherwise fatigue blocks effectiveness,, small things become "major issues", we lose confidence and the desire to keep on going. God rested on the 7th day, ans so should we, and even at some point each day...for prayer, silent reflection, or refocusing out thoughts and motives, or remembering we are in God's presence and what we are so busy doing is worthless unless we are doing it for him.  

Bro. Rene

Dear Lord, as we go about our homes and work, let us bring your presence with us. Let us speak your peace, your grace, your mercy, and your perfect order to all we meet. Give us a fresh supply of strength to do our work. Let even our smallest accomplishments bring you glory. When we are confused, guide us. When we are burned out, infuse us with the light of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being our source of life! Amen.

Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.

Help Us Rely On You

( Note: We seem to be stuck in Pacific Standard Time.  Am trying to return to Eastern Standard Time. Could use some help.  Thank you.)

  

 Mark 6: 14-29

The Death of John the Baptist

¹⁴ King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ¹⁷ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” ²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's^[d] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

 The human condition is fraught with jealousy, deceit, cowardice and injustice, yet despite the atrocities that ensue, the power of faith prevails over the power of death,  for Jesus stands with us.  Yes, John lost his earthly life, but gained eternal life. This prayer helps us keep the proper perspective and encourages us to rely on God. May we make it our own.

Bro. Rene

Lord, you suffered the news of the death of your herald and companion John the Baptist. Yet you also discerned in his death the power of his faith, for he was willing to give everything for his belief in God. Be close to us and those we love in all our trials. Help us to rely on the power of our faith in you, that our witness in times of trial may be a light for others. Amen.

Rev. Louis DelFra, C.S.C.

Healing of Body and Soul

 

The Mission of the Twelve

 Mark 6: 7-13

⁷ Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

⁸ These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. ⁹ Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. ¹⁰ Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

¹² They went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³ They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

As we remember St. Blase today and receive the blessing of our throats, we are invited to join in the mission of the Twelve: to bring healing of body and soul to our families, our work places and our communities.  A tall order, but one that is possible with the grace of God and with our fidelity to little things, like a kind word of praise or a simple thank you. We can mend hurts and  restore people's broken self-images by giving them the feeling that "they count" in our eyes and God's.  Let's not be "stingy healers", but spread the gift of simple healing to all. 

Bro. Rene