Cone After Me

 Matthew 4: 18-22

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

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.

What  power of attraction did Jesus exercise over Peter, Andrew, James and John!  They left their jobs, their families, to follow this man who had no home, and no job.  What a risk, or did they see something in him that was beyond the ordinary?    This was only the beginning of a three year experience of walking from village to village watching Jesus heal and hearing him preach, and doing the same at his command. 

Do I hear the invitation to "Come, follow me"?   How best can I follow him, even if I am married and have a job?  There is plenty of time and room to follow him more closely.  Will my Advent reflections and prayer help me to be a more active disciple than I have already been?

Bro. Rene

O, Christ, we have heard your voice. We have felt your eyes upon us. And we have turned and dropped our nets. We follow you, with one shaky foot after the other. What will you have us do now? We follow you not because we know where you lead us, but because we know it is you, O Christ, who leads. Our hands often itch for the sureness of the nets we knew before. But now we hold our hands open in faith. Lead on, Master, to deeper and wilder waters. Amen.

  Rev. Michael Thomas, C.S.C.

Seeing Jesus

 

 Luke 10: 21-24

With A Child's Eyes

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

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

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

Jesus was filled with joy through the Holy Spirit because he too saw with the eyes of a child, whose simplicity, trust and innocence  keep fear,  worry and unnecessary complications at bay.  We usually make things worse than they are; children don't; they haven't been "poisoned" by the negatives that all too soon creep into our minds and stifle us. May our prayer and reflection this Advent bring back  the child in us, allow us to see Jesus,  and fill us with joy over the things that really matter.

Bro. Rene

Good and loving God, give us the gift of childlike wonder this Advent season. Open our eyes to see the awesome truth that lies at the heart of each and every day: that you have shown us the Father and have allowed us to hear the eternal Word. Fill us with hope. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.

Good Things To Come

 Is 4: 2-6

The Day of the Lord

² On that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the beauty of the survivors of Israel. ³ And it will come about that the one who is left in Zion and remains behind in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. ⁴ When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of  Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of  burning, ⁵ then the Lord will create over the entire area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. ⁶ And there will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.

As we begin Advent, we read Isaiah's prophecy of the Day of the Lord...the day when God's kingdom will be established, when the filth of sin disappears and a glorious peace prevails.  We need this reminder when we look around us and see so much bloodshed, injustice and suffering. Jesus came to undo that pattern, gave us foundational principals and guidelines and left us with the task of putting them into practice.  Alas, our track record is very poor, but the weeks of Advent year after year give us a time to return to the basics,  and through prayer and sacrifice, return to the Lord.  Let us not waste a minute of this opportunity to set our lives and our local communities on the straight path.

Bro. Rene 

I appeal to you, O Master, to draw from beneath the surface of my own self-assuredness an ever- keener awareness of the suffering around me. Though my dwelling place may not seem a worthy abode for the overwhelming breadth of your presence, may others find there a place to wait a while with me and find a humble expression of your loving compassion. Amen

.Rev. Don Fetters, C.S.C.

 

Keep Watch

^{Matthew 24: 37-44} 

^{Be Ready}

³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Advent reminds us that "we have not here a lasting city", and the world as we know it, will come to an end and all will be made new.  Scientists estimate that there are billions of years ahead of us, but a look at the daily headlines nowadays filled with some atrocious shooting or some other aberration,  or frightening  climate change factors, makes us wonder if "the end" might be here sooner than we think.  Jesus tells us to "Be Ready."  That was two thousand years ago.  Are we ready today?  It doesn't seem so, though to some, it can't come soon enough.  We might use these four weeks of Advent to put our own house in order, spend some extra time reflecting on the rich daily readings from Isaiah, and ready our hearts to receive Jesus at Christmas with renewed hearts and faith.

Bro. Rene

 

Be Vigilant

 

 Luke 21: 31-36

Pray For Strength

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.

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.”

As Jesus warns us clearly about "the end times", may we on this last day of the Liturgical Year sharpen our awareness of the "traps" that can bring us down,  and firm  up our resolve to stay vigilant and on the watch for the attitudes and behaviors that do not come from God, but from the Evil One. Our generation is filled with these and they can subtly or even blatantly make their way into our thinking and acting.  May we always "Be on the Watch."

Bro. Rene

O God, our life can be overwhelming at times. We are filled with anxiety, distracted by sin, and fall into complacency. Grant us the grace and strength to be faithful to you. Help us to remember the promise of your kingdom and the glory that awaits us. Keep us ever vigilant in the life that you call us to. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Brian C. Ching, C.S.C.

My Words Will Never Pass Away

Luke 21:29-33

 

The Kingdom Of God Is Near

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.

Jesus continues his discourse on the "End Times", warning us that when all the catastrophes his been describing, come to pass, we'll know "it's over."  For centuries there have been earthquakes, and disasters similar to the ones Jesus talked about, and yet NO END YET.  One could look around today, and say, "Yes, this must be it", but the sun continues to rise and set.  It seems there is no way of predicting the final end.  Better we not dwell on it, but rather put our energy into making the present as good, peaceful and loving as Jesus described and gave us the tools to accomplish:  love one another, serve one another, forgive one another, find strength and nourishment to do so in the Eucharist. We have no secrets, we just need the guts and conviction to put these things into practice and make the kingdom of God a reality.

Bro. Rene

 

 

 

A Day For Gratitude

 Luke 17: 11-19

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a] met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Gratitude is such an essential factor in our daily lives, and it is a great blessing to have a whole day devoted to giving thanks to God  with our families.  It's a nightmare travel time, but so worth the effort that there's no holding back.  People want to be together, so they drive through heavy traffic or fly from crowded airports where they have waited for hours to boar a plane so they can  share a special meal, and especially  extend love and gratitude to God for the blessing of family and the other countless blessings he daily s showers upon us. 

In the above story, 10 lepers were cured, but only ONE returned to give thanks.  We join with him, and without looking for approval, may we hear God say in our hearts, "Rise and go, your faith has made you well."

Bro. Rene

 God, you have made us and blessed us richly. All that we have comes from you. May we never lose sight of our dependence on you and may our whole lives be a sign of our gratitude to you. Help us to give without cost just as we have received without cost. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Br. Jimmy Henke, C.S.C.

Perseverance Will Secure Our Lives

Luke 21: 12-19

Trials Will Come 

 ¹² “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 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.

Not a pretty picture, yet history has corroborated these predictions, and we survive to this day.  Faith is stronger than the wiles and tools of the "enemy"; the example of the martyrs over the centuries and to this day inspires us to bear with direct and subtle obstacles and even direct persecution.  May we not lose heart and sing along with so many others, this popular hymn:  "How can I keep From Singing?"  “No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I’m clinging. Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

Bro. Rene

O, Christ, our lives pattern your own. You were beaten and spat upon for loving a world unused to love. We, however, expect not to be hated by the world, but admired by it; not to be betrayed, but to succeed. Save us from the lie that your name, Jesus, will bring us only success, praise, and power. Give us the endurance to suffer because we have become such great lovers of the world that we bear you in our very bodies. Amen.

 Rev. Michael Thomas, C.S.C.

Signs of the End

 

 

 Luke 21: 5-11

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁸ He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Endings are tough to swallow:  the end of a good book or movie, the end of a happy career or of a loved one's life.  We seem to hate change and love the status quo, but Jesus reminds us forcefully that the things of this life will pass away.  As we come to the end of this liturgical year, we need to be reminded that "we have not here a lasting city" and this world as we know it will too pass away.  We are called to focus on the essentials: how much we loved God and neighbor, how far did we go in being a "person for others."  If we have a good record with these, then we will have no fear of the end.

Bro. Rene

Gracious Father, you are our comfort, our guide, and our shield through the turbulent tide of personal trials and humanity’s distress. When the troubles of this world rise up against us, give us firm resolve to speak your truth and share your mercy. May we faithfully cling to your wisdom, made flesh in Christ Jesus and dwelling with us in the Spirit. For you are God forever and ever. Amen.

 Rev. Geoffrey Mooney, C.S.C.

The Presentation of Mary

 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.”

This Gospel at first appears to have nothing to do with today's Memorial of the Presentation of Mary in the temple as a young child by her parents Joachim and Anne, but when we look closer we do see a parallel.  The widow, as poor as she was, gave "all she had to live on." to the temple.  Mary, certainly gave all she had to become the mother of Jesus, a blessing attached to much suffering, yet she was willing to give herself totally to God's plan, and evidently to us, as her many apparitions throughout history bear testimony that she wants nothing more than for us to know and love her son.  We, as Marists, are dedicated to that same end;  may we rededicate ourselves to it today and make it the foremost use of our time and energy.

Bro.Rene

Spirit of Love, inspire us to give all we are and all we have to the building of your kingdom. Help us to realize that any abundance we have is not for our own good, but for the good of others. May we learn to enter into the spirit of the widow who gave her all so that others might benefit, even in her poverty. Divest us of anything that might slow us in the building of those places where you live and reign, Amen.

 Rev. Steven Newton, C.S.C.

Is Christ Our King?

 

 Luke 23: 35-43

God's Messiah, the Chosen One

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the official name of this last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Sunday before Advent begins next week. (Can Christmas be far behind?)   Today's Gospel does not paint a picture of royalty, of kingly crowns and garments, or luxurious palaces, but a "criminal" hanging on a cross, a man bloody from whip lashes, and wearing a crown of thorns.  It's the Good Friday Jesus, the Messiah who came to save us as he did the "Good Thief", and open the gates of Paradise. His death, followed by his resurrection set the pattern for us:  die to self, die to sin, unite with Jesus through our baptism and living as he taught, yes, even commanded, loving God above all and our neighbor as ourselves.  Is Jesus the center, the king of our lives?  We all might give a weak "most of the time" answer, but today let us proclaim our faith as did this "Good Thief" and live it better than we have in the past. May Jesus truly be the King of our lives as he is King of the Universe.

Bro. Rene

Jesus our Savior and King, you reign from no lavish throne or exclusive palace, but rather showcase your power in humble submission upon the wood of a cross. Yours alone is the glory for all ages, and yours is the name we exalt above every other name. Enfold us into your gentle rule where charity and compassion greet us on the way to your eternal kingdom. Have mercy, we pray. Amen.

  Rev. Geoffrey Mooney, C.S.C.

The God of the Living

 

 Luke 20: 27-40

The Resurrection and Marriage

²⁷ Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. ²⁸ “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. ³⁰ The second ³¹ and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. ³² Finally, the woman died too. ³³ Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, ³⁶ and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. ³⁷ But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ³⁸ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

³⁹ Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” ⁴⁰ And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Jesus does not fall for the trickery  of this question, "whose wife will she be?" Rather,  he speaks of hope for an everlasting life in heaven, beyond what we know "here below", where there will be no marriage.. May we trust the words of Jesus that we will be "like the angels", God's children, children of the resurrection, alive and with God forever and ever.  It boggles the mind, but so shall it be.  Jesus has said so.

Bro. Rene

You are the God of the living. Don’t let me think otherwise, by lingering on futile questions that put that truth to the test. Without your vision of what is to come, I’m limited to what is and to letting so many things hold me back. Free me to go beyond my own limited understanding to the world to which you draw us more and more each day. Amen.

Rev. Don Fetters, C.S.C.

Cleansing Our Hearts

 Luke 19: 45-48

Jesus at the Temple

⁴⁵ When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. ⁴⁶ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’ but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

⁴⁷ Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸ Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

We might picture Jesus coming into our hearts and finding them cluttered with junk from the internet, our pride or laziness, or whatever might blur our vision of what's right or wrong, or what God is asking of us, or of what we know God has called us to. Let take time to see what is superfluous in our lives and  invite Jesus to drive it out of us.

Bro. Rene

Lord, you made us temples of the Holy Spirit, and yet so often, we make of our temples a den of thieves. Turn our hearts back to you. Inspire us by the gift of your Holy Spirit that we may be instruments of your justice and lasting peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

  Br. Jimmy Henke, C.S.C.

They Did Not Recognize Him

 Luke 19: 41-44

Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴² and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴ They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

We tend to blame the people of Jerusalem for failing to recognize and accept Jesus, but aren't we all to some degree as blind and unresponsive as they?  How many "miracles" has Jesus worked in our lives, and yet we stubbornly ignore his presence among us, and his call to us to follow him more closely! If only we would give our hearts more completely to him, how much peace we would enjoy.!  No use "crying over spilled milk", let us begin now to welcome Jesus fully into our lives and show how much we love him by our service to those in need. 

Bro. Rene 

Dear Lord, as it was in Jerusalem of your time, so it is with us today: your Word of peace, unity, and reconciliation goes unheard and unheeded. The walls of hostility and division are strong, and we know they exist in our own hearts and minds also. We pray not only for our own conversion to your ways, but also for the conversion of our nation and our Church.

 Rev. Herb Yost, C.S.C.

Use Your 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.

Clearly Jesus wants us to use whatever gifts we have been given by the Father unselfishly, fearlessly and confidently. They were given to us for a purpose and if we are afraid to use them, or with a sense of false humility, tuck them away in a closet, we are being unfaithful to the God who wants us to use them.  We insult God and cheat our neighbor if we do not use them for the good of another or of the community where we live and serve.  Today, let us take time to reflect on how we are using our gifts and make adjustments where necessary.  God will help us; we need to take the first step.

Bro.. Rene

We believe, O Lord, that you are consummate fairness. You know all the circumstances in our lives, our strengths and our weaknesses. We have been given the gift of life in our birth and the gift of your spiritual life in our baptism. Help us, we plead, to give back our self to you as you gave us of your very self in eternal life.

 Rev. Nicholas Ayo, C.S.C.

To Seek, To Save The Lost

 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.”

Here we have Jesus on his way to Jerusalem where death awaits him, but he takes the time to move into the life of a tax collector who has climbed a tree just in order to see him. This effort is rewarded by a self-invitation from Jesus to eat at his house, which, in turn provokes a conversion in the life of Zacchaeus, who, recognizing his sins, turns back on them and sets out a chart of new behaviors.  Contact with Jesus does it again, for Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and here was one who climbed a tree to seek Jesus.   A perfect moment, another soul for Jesus to save. 

As we approach Advent, are we thinking of how we can clean up our lives, reach out to Jesus and invite him to  into our lives in a deeper relationship?  Will we be able to "dine with him" as we feed the poor, or participate in a clothing drive?  Can we make time to spend with Jesus in prayer and renew our enthusiasm as one of his followers?  What can we learn from this exciting moment in the life of  Zacchaeus?

Bro. Rene 

Lord Jesus, come, stay at our house! Interrupt our lives. Turn everything upside down! Rouse us out of our humdrum torpor, our apathy, our complacency. Surprise us with your nearness so much so that we, like Zacchaeus, will climb the tallest tree just to get the slightest glimpse of your face. Prepare our hearts to receive you with love. Amen.

Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.

Faith Heals

 

 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.

How simple, how straightforward is this blind man's prayer!  How profound his faith.  No wasted words, and Jesus, seeing the man's faith, cures his immediately.  Can we learn from this encounter that Jesus answers our prayers, even heals us, if we ask him as simple and directly as this blind man did? Lord, increase my faith, trust and boldness when I pray. 

Bro. Rene 

Lord Jesus, the blind man knew what he needed, and wasn’t afraid to keep asking aloud. Grant us his persistence and courage. You know we have many needs. In voicing them, we give voice to the needs of all, and thus bring your healing to all. Remove our fear and timidity, please, so that we can bring your healing to others. Amen.

Rev. Herb Yost, C.S.C.

Let Go, Let God

   

Luke 21: 5-19

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

⁵ Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ⁶ “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

⁷ So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”

⁸ And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. ⁹ But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

¹⁰ Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. ¹³ But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. ¹⁴ Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or ^]resist. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head shall be lost. ¹⁹ By your patience possess your souls.

Reading this passage you'd think you were reading a current newspaper.  Many of these predictions are happening now, and have been over the centuries.  Yet, here we are. The warning is not only about these natural catastrophes, but it a call to us to put greater trust in God's plan, to incorporate it into our lives. As always we need  to pray for a deeper faith and trust in his plan, and put a greater effort into living that faith and trust, not just giving it lip-service. May we truly let go of our fears and let God have his way; or as we say in AA,  "let God be God!"

Bro. Rene 

Gracious Father, you are our comfort, our guide, and our shield through the turbulent tide of personal trials and humanity’s distress. When the troubles of this world rise up against us, give us firm resolve to speak your truth and share your mercy. May we faithfully cling to your wisdom, made flesh in Christ Jesus and dwelling with us in the Spirit. For you are God forever and ever. Amen.

Rev. Geoffrey Mooney, C.S.C.

Persistence in Prayer

 

 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?”

How long should we pray for someone or something important for ourselves or others?  Once may do, but usually it takes much more than that, for our prayer will not only benefit others, but it also helps us to grow closer to God.  The more time we spend in prayer, the more our hearts grow in love and in confidence with God; we learn patience, and good old "stick-to-it-iveness", a virtue sorely needed in our "fast-food" culture. The prayer for another's intentions or needs can and will help us as much as it helps them.  Let us not fret that we are bothering God, but take heart knowing that he relishes our confidence and trust in him,  loves to hear from us  and never tires of us.

Bro. Rene

Our Father, have you heard our cries? Have you heard our calls, our small voices, hoarse and tight? You tell us not to lose heart. Wash our hearts with grace so that we may trust your promise, so that our heavy hearts will not be lost in the night. You promise to send your justice, bright and burning. Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth? Give us this faith, O God. Quicken our hearts, spark and winnow our hope into a flame of love that expects your justice, and rejoices when it blossoms. Amen.

Rev. Michael Thomas, C.S.C.

Soberning Warnings

 

^{Luke 17: 26-37}

^{The Day of the Son of Man}

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.”  ³⁶Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”³⁷ “Where, Lord?” they asked.

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

We might find ourselves a bit frightened by this stark description  of the return of the Son of Man. but Jesus wants to remind us that "we have not here a lasting city", and that we must be on the alert to receive "the call", whether or not it is for me personally or for the whole world. Complacency is dangerous and indifference, even worse. Do we ever think of living each day as if it were our last?  If we did, our daily interactions, our thoughts and plans would be much different, we'd be better people and the world would be a better place. As we remember our Veterans today, may we remember the great wars that took so many of our military and millions of civilians, whose ordinary life span was cut short. They still serve us today by reminding us of the shortness of this life as well as the value of trying to preserve what we have. May we heed their message as well as the stark warnings of Jesus.

Bro. Rene

 Dear Lord, On this November 11th, we ask for an additional outpouring of grace and strength on all who have served in our armed forces. Only those who have served can understand the cost of time, sweat, and heart required to protect that which we cherish. May their sacrifices always be remembered and their hearts be filled with peace and love. Amen.

Micheal F. Brooker, Colonel USMC (retired)

The Kindgom of God Is Among Us

 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.

 As we approach Advent, our Gospel passages are preparing us for the Coming of Jesus at the end of time. Life, this universe, all will be changed and be raised to its final form. This concept is far beyond our ability to grasp when science tells us that what we have now has been developing for billions of years.  Our space telescopes are finding systems millions of light years away that we never new existed.  The universe seems endless. Who are we in this grand system of stars and planets? And, two thousand years after the coming of Jesus to our planet, we are still far, far away from the kingdom he came to establish.  We, like the Pharisees might ask when this perfect kingdom will come, but the answer Jesus gave them still holds true.  It is in our midst already, when we empty ourselves of our selfishness, and give Jesus our love and allegiance, turning our hearts totally over to him and his teachings.  It's here when we love one another, forgive one another, and use our gifts and talents to serve one another.  Let's not look to the sky for the Kingdom, but to our everyday interactions with one another.

Bro. Rene 

God of all time and seasons, as autumn turns to winter and the days grow shorter, we remember and hope for your holy light in our lives. Give us your grace to see that where there is love, we find you among us—your kingdom here and now. Forgive our failing to love, to reconcile, to be converted. Fill our hearts with your love and give us the courage and strength to share it freely as your beloved sons and daughters. Come Holy Spirit—enkindle with us the fire of your love! Amen.

Rev. Bradley Metz, C.S.C.

Keep The Temple Clean

  

 John f2: 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 Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, "The Pope's Church.", a magnificent building dating back to the time of  the Emperor Constantine, who donated it to the Christians of Rome in 334 A.D. The pope is its pastor. 

 Our Gospel passage describes an angry Jesus, cleansing the Temple of Jerusalem of merchants and money changers whose presence was an insult to the purpose of the Temple.  It's so easy to slide into misuse of "the holy", as seen even today when tourists enter St. Peter's or St. John Lateran, of the other magnificent churches and basilicas in Rome and begin snapping photos of the statures and art work, while the Blessed Sacrament, tucked in a corner (our of reverence), is neglected.  Today, if Jesus were there in person,  he might stand at the door whipping the cameras out of the hands of the visitors and remind them (and us) that this is the house of God, keep it clean and use it for prayer. We might apply this admonition to the "temple" of our bodies:as well. Keep them clean, and rid them of misuse and misthoughts, and use them to serve God and one another..

Bro. Rene

Good and loving God, in a world full of office buildings, stores, businesses, and factories, you give us the gift of churches, sanctuaries where we can better learn to see your presence among us. Enkindle our hearts with zeal for your house! That all people may marvel at the God who chooses to have his house among us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.

Unworthy Servants

^{Luke 17: 7-10}

^{Doing Our Duty} 

7Suppose. one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? ⁸ Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? ⁹ Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Our tasks never end and little praise or thanks do we get for them.  We have simply done what we had to do, what is expected of us.  We tend to want more than this, but  Jesus reminds us that we are simply "unworthy servants".  May we learn to be content with the privilege or serving God and others as best we can without looking for lavish praise.  As another translation reads, "We are unprofitable servants." To God belongs the glory, not to us.

Bro. Rene

Let us not boast, Lord God, about our accomplishments in your service. What good we have done has been due to your help, grace, and inspiration. Let us be aware of your assistance through fidelity, honesty, courage, and faith. If we are at peace both with ourselves and with others, it is due mainly to your help in keeping us from bitterness, hate, or jealousy. Let our kindness to others reflect your kindness to us. Amen

Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.

 

Watch Yourselves

 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.

These few verses present a daily, lifetime challenge. How can we avoid causing other people to stumble by our less than perfect actions or by our indifference or outright ignoring their needs or sufferings?  We get so taken up with our own small worlds, our own lives, that we ignore others. Indeed, we can and must ask for an increase of faith, as did the apostles, for that is the basis for counteracting our self-centeredness and indifference to the needs of others or of our uncharitable behavior toward them. A daily examination of our behaviors will help us keep an eye on ourselves and uncover the weaknesses and failures we need to work on and eliminate.

Bro Rene

Gracious and forgiving God, grant me the wisdom to recognize and rebuke the sin I may cause and often do not see. And may your loving forgiveness which has been repeated so many times in my life, inspire me to treat with enduring patience and kindness those whose actions provoke the same. Amen.

Rev. Don Fetters, C.S.C.