Rejoice With Mary

 

 Luke 1:39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

We end the Month of May, a month dedicated to Mary, with this beautiful, yet simple feast of the  Visitation, a trip to a cousin made in haste in order to BE with her for the remainder of her pregnancy and for three months after the birth of the boy, John. What does this show us of Mary? It's what we rely on: her presence, her loving care, her concern that we have what we need...and beyond...as we live our daily challenges.  Mary's Magnificat sums it up: Yes God has blessed her (and us), but the focus is on him, his power to bring down the mighty and raise the lowly, to fill the hungry and dismiss the rich, and to be there for us with mercy.  Let us spend time with THE MAGNIFICAT and listen to Mary pray it for us.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, thank you for this feast and Mary's simple yet profound summary of your great love and care for us.  May  we spend the day singing our own Magnificat for all the wonders you have worked and will continue to work in our lives. Amen.

 

Leave Everything

 

 Mark 10:28-31

A hundred Fold

²⁸ Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

²⁹ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel ³⁰ will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Jesus reminds us that to be his disciple, we must "leave everything". Not an easy thing to do as we might have discovered  during our Lenten Journey. It takes a lifetime of 'letting go", of gradual purification of motives and actions, of major failures and slight gains. Yet, we do not cave in but keep trying. We  are in Ordinary Time now, a long section of the Liturgical Year to put into practice what we might have learned during Lent and the Paschal Season. Let us forge ahead, encouraging one another and relying on the Holy Spirit to accompany us on this life-giving journey.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, following Jesus requires commitment and grace. Help me to put my trust in you and not relent in my efforts to leave all behind and follow you as faithfully as I can. Amen.

 

 

Ordinary Time Begins With Mary

 

John 19: 25-34 

 Mary, Model and Mother of the Church

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

How fitting that this long sequence of time from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost should now enter a new phase called Ordinary Time with the celebration of the Memorial of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. As she brought Jesus into our world, now she "mother's" the Church, us, to help us carry out the mission of bringing the Good News to our time and generation. It is interesting that we gather on Calvary to receive Mary as our Mother. The Scriptures had been fulfilled, atonement for our sins achieved, the work of Jesus accomplished.  Now it's up to us. "The disciple took her into his home." (Jn 19: 17). That is what we must do now and devote ourselves with one accord in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (cf. Acts 1: 14). We as Marists are especially called to this.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, as we enter Ordinary Time, let us embrace our call to make Jesus known and loved through the prayers and example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

 

Receive the Holy Spirit

 

John 20:19-23

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Today we culminate a journey that began 90 days ago on Ash Wednesday.  Hard to believe, but we have traveled to the heart of our Christian Faith...repentance, salvation, mission. Twice in this short passage, Jesus wishes us Peace, sends us on our mission to continue his work, giving us the Holy Spirit to forgive sins and bring us to a new level of union and holiness with him. Pentecost is often referred to as the Birthday of the Church, and rightly so, for it is up to us now to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring all men and women to Jesus.  A huge task, not always faithfully carried out, but year after year we celebrate this Holy Spirit Moment to help us live this commission. Are we up for it?

Bro. Rene

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

 Pentecost Mass Preface

What About Him?

John 21:20-25

You Must Follow Me

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

As we prepare for Pentecost tomorrow, Jesus reminds us that we are not to compare ourselves with others, but to set our hearts and souls on following him totally.  It's hard to do in any generation, but lately there are so many diversions, obstacles, doubts and temptations everywhere we turn, from TV, the internet, movies, magazines to even the daily newspapers that we can easily get lost.  These are means of shortciruiting  the pure message and call of the Gospel. Instead of asking, "What about him?", or these things, we simply need to hear Jesus say to us, "You must follow me" and avoid as much as possible these "tickets to nowhere".

Bro,  Rene

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts or your faithful with purity, full devotion and attention to Jesus and we will find all that we crave and need to live a happy life in harmony with you and one another.Amen.

 

Follow Me

 

Jesus Reinstates Peter

John 21: 15-19

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

This three-fold profession of faith and love has traditionally been seen as the reversal of Peter's three denials of knowing Jesus the night before his crucifixion...Jesus does not scold Peter, or even bring it up, but simply asks for an affirmation of his faith, which Peter, in typical fashion, offers vehemently with all his heart. And Jesus then tells Peter to follow him. All is evidently forgiven.  What a beautiful template for us to incorporate into our lives...so often, we, like Peter, deny, or fail in our service of Jesus, letting fear or selfish motives get in the way of our relationship with him. As with Peter, he keeps offering us a chance to repent and come back.  He says to us too, "Follow me". May we, like Peter, do just that!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, despite my constant denials of you or failures to do your will, of patterning my life after yours, you give me chance after chance to start over.  Let this day be one of those "re-starts", but one that  will last and not need to be repeated again. Amen.

Prayer For Unity

 John 17:20-26

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

In a world so divided, filled with hate, some say on the brink of WW III, this calming, loving, assuring prayer of Jesus settles the murky waters slapping at our shores. He knows us, and the propensity we have as a people for self-aggrandizement, pride, and "doing it my way," none of which bring the happiness we seek. No true meaning and peace in this life come only with union with him, "that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (Jn 17: 26). Let us reflect on this passage and  particularly on this last verse so that we may own it, live it and find peace.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, your love for us is immense and the answer to our restlessness. Help us to redirect our thinking, our behaviors and our powers so that we may experience the  fullness of your love and in union with you, share that love with all who come into our lives. Amen.

Sanctify Them In Truth

 

  John 17:11b-19

 That They May Be One

¹¹ And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

We continue with the "Priestly Prayer" of John 17 in which Jesus expresses his deep love and desire for unity with us. As he was hated and pursued by the powers of evil, so too will his followers be; he prays that his Father "keep them from the evil one" (Jn 17: 15) who works against them from outside as well as from within. We know of the persecutions the of the Apostles and early Church as well as throughout its history.  Recently and sadly, reports of sin and corruption within the Church have come to light in the multiple cases of child sex abuse by the clergy. A report of  nearly 2 thousand cases has just been made public in Illinois. Jesus prayed for his followers and consecrated himself that they (we) also may be sanctified in truth.  Let us continue that prayer for the victims, the victimizers and ourselves, that we may be made holy in the Truth, live the ideals of the Gospel and not fall prey to the lies of the Evil One.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God, grant us the vision and grace to accept your desire that we  live and love as you did. Forgive our failures and help us to be holy in your Truth. Amen.

Bro. Rene

All For God's Glory

John 17:1-11a

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.

Jesus spoke these words at the Last Supper, but they are fitting to hear again in this interim period before Pentecost next Sunday. Jesus prepares to return to the Father, glorifying him for the mission about to be accomplished. And he continues his prayer for the loyal band he has chosen to continue his work, the Apostles and us, his chosen 2,000 years later.  When we question our calling, when we are frustrated or confused, we can turn to this prayer Jesus offered for us. He's with us in our struggles.  He will see us through. We live and work for his glory, not ours.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for your loving kindness, confidence in and prayer for us. You are with us, even when we feel we are alone. Keep reminding us of your mighty presence and keep poking us to move ahead with greater confidence, trust, love and assurance. Amen.

 

Jesus Comforts And Strengthens

 

John 16:29-33

Take Heart

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." (Jn 16:33).  How right Jesus was about the troubles we face in this world.  We in our own lives constantly experience tugs and pulls that stretch us to our limits, if not beyond.  A look at our world gives an even grimmer picture. With Jesus and his victory over "the world", we have the assurance that we can make it thought whatever we are facing today and in the days ahead. The key is to remain united to Jesus through daily prayer, time set apart in reflection and meditation, as well as "little prayer pauses" throughout the course of the day....little conversations with Jesus, as with our best friend...words of thanks, or requests for guidance.  He is with us; let us take heart and call on him.  He will not let us down.

Bro. Rene 

Dear Jesus, thank you for accompanying me through each day with its challenges as well as with its good moments.  Help me to keep you with me and to find my strength and comfort in you. Amen.

That We May Be One With Jesus

 

John 17:1–11a 

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

Chapter 17 of St. John is often called "The Priestly Prayer of Jesus", for he prays as the leader of the community, our leader,  our community, for unity with his Father.  This is a prayer for a new life, one in UNION with the Father. "Now they know everything you have given me comes from you.: (Jn 17: 7). "...protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one." (Jn 17: 11). To be one with the Beloved...Jesus wants this; we strive our whole lives for it, because as we grow in our faith, we realize that this is what life is all about. Jesus prays with warmth, calmness and yet with intensity for this union.. Can we?

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus, you seek union with us with all your heart. Stir up the desire for union with you in our hearts, helping us to cast away anything or anyone who would stands in the way of this union, for, as St. Augustine prayed, "Lord our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Amen. 

Ask In His Name

 

 John 16:23b-28

Ask And You Shall Receive

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

All of us have needs and a good many of us bring them to God daily; sometimes these prayers are answered just the way we want, but many times, it seems these prayers go unheeded.  Not so, "Ask and you shall receive and your joy will be complete." (Jn 16: 24) When it seems that our prayer was not answered, it's because God's answer is different from what we are asking for, from what we expect.  God knows our needs better than we and gives us what he knows is best for us. When we seek healing and are not healed right away, we might instead receive the gift of patience, the gift of having something to offer for others in union with the pain and sacrifices Jesus endured. The answer to our prayer might not always be what we want, but what is best for us at this time.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, open my heart, trusting in your great love, to receive what you know is the best answer to my prayer at this time. Amen. 

 

From Grief To Joy

 

John 16:20-23

Joy Forever

 ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Don't we need to hear this? It seems like every time we turn around or watch the news there is some tragedy staring us in the face and challenging our faith. Jesus does not deny there will be grieving and suffering, there will also be a time for joy, much joy and ultimately everlasting joy. Our Heavenly Father will give us the joy that no on can take from us. Let us put our trust in this consoling promise and let our hearts be filled with joy that overflows to others.

Bro.. Rene

Dear God, in many ways we live in a valley of tears, but you dry  them with your love and replace them with joy.  Help us to let you turn our tears into smiles of joy. Amen

Jesus Has Not Left Us

 

Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

As we celebrate the Ascension of the  Lord today, we commemorate his physical departure from this earth, but certainly not his presence with us...We have been reading his preparatory talks about his love for us and the sending of the Holy Spirit who will help us continue his mission, so he remains very much with us "to the very end of the age." The completion and fulfillment of his three years of ministry lies with us and he has helped us as we see in the history of the Church over 2,000 years.  No, he has not left us, but  let us even with more fervor carry out the work of evangelization that he started and turned over to us.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for being with us, giving your life for us and commissioning us to continue your work. Continue to give us the grace to carry out our mission with faith and zeal.

 

The Spirit of Truth

 

 John 16:12-15

 When The Spirit of Truth Comes

¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

(NB. There was no slice of Daily Bread yesterday because I was in the hospital (turned out all was well...just a precautionary measure). When I tried the internet at home, I found it was down for some updating. Evidently it came back during the night.). 

Our final Gospel before the Ascension, tomorrow's celebration... We have been under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for 2,000 years and as history shows us, we wouldn't be here today without the presence of the Spirit. He makes known the will of the Father and Jesus and gives us the grace to put it into practice. Yes, it would be wonderful to have Jesus in person preaching from town to town, country to country, but instead he has commissioned us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to continue his work. Let us respond and carry it out as best we can.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you came to "set the ball rolling" and gave us your Spirit to guide us.   Help us to carry out your work faithfully, confidently and lovingly, just as you did. Amen. 

 

When the Advocate Comes

 

 John 15: 26-16: 4a

The Work of the Holy Spirit

²⁶ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. ²⁷ And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

16 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. ² They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. ³ They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. ⁴ I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you.

Jesus predicted trying, difficult times for his followers, all of which have come true over the centuries from the early persecutions, religious wars to today with abortion and euthenasia advocates miltating against the gift of life, human trafficking, the war in Ukraine and the threat of more, even world-wide war. The further we block the Spirit and turn our backs on Jesus and his life-giving teachings, the further we march into chaos and doom.

Let us fervently pray that our human family will allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to change our hearts to live as Jesus taught us. The alternative is death to all we know and love.

Bro Rene

Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your divine love and move our wills to sccept the teachings sof Jesus and live them with courage and strength.  Amen.  

 

Not Orphans

John 14: 15-21

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

As we approach Ascension Thursday and Pentecost, Jesus assures us that we will not be left "orphans" but will continue to be with us through the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Spirit of truth. He will live with us, be within us and guide us. This we will see as the timid apostles come out of hiding and with strength and the grace of God begin speaking fearlessly about Jesus and converting thousands. The promise of the Holy Spirit is made to us as well and our mission is to bring the love and teachings of Jesus into our families and communities. Let's open our hearts to receive him, taking time from now until Pentecost to pray, COME, HOLY SPIRIT, FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL AND ENKINDLE IN US THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE.

Bro. Rene

 

Not Of The World

 

 John 15:18-21

The World Hates the Disciples

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹ They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

As did Jesus, his followers must stand apart from and challenge the values of the world. It is clear that our present age of secularization, immorality and faithlessness is no friend of Jesus. So much more the need for those who still believe and follow him not only to oppose these trends, but to offer their counterparts, as we have seen in our previous Gospel passages on LOVE. Jesus reminds us that we are not of this world, not greater than he, and must follow him to the cross, but yea, as well to the RESURRECTION!  We might suffer, but we can't lose.

Bro. Rene  

Dear God, despite the challenges of a world that has drifted away from you, my I renew my determination to remain faithful to you, willing to accept suffering and rejection, but confident that in the end "we shall overcome." Amen.

 

No Longer Servants

 

 John 15:12-17

The Great Commandment

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

Friends, no longer servants, beloved of Jesus, chosen, appointed to bear fruit, commissioned to love one another as he has loved us. Doesn't this short passage give us the opposite of so much going on in our country, in our world, and a boost to live joyfully and lovingly?  The accumulation of things or accolades will not make us happy.  Loving others, being loved by them, will.  Jesus speaks with great tenderness to assure us of his love. What greater motivation do we need to share our love with all?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for your enormous love for us.  May we not ignore it but accept it, live according to it and share it unreservedly with others. Amen.

Love Me As I Have Loved You

 John 15:9-11

Remain In My Love

 ⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

In these three verses we have the formula for a lifetime of peace and happiness.  It's no surprise that LOVE is proposed as the key to and foundation of a happy life, for GOD IS LOVE and his greatest desire is to fill us, embrace us, shelter us in that love.  He wants us to know we are lovable and not only capable of receiving his love, but of sharing it with others. Is this a great mystery? Are not the four Gospels an explanation and demonstration of his love? Let us spend time with this short passage, let it sink in, pray that we live it, and find the complete joy promised to us. 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for your love; help me keep your commands so that I might find life and happiness in your love and help others to do so as well. Amen.

Remain in Me

 

John 15:1-8

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Again another passage rich in imagery, truth and encouragement. No matter how long we've lived, we've found that alone we can accomplish little, if anything.  It's our connection with Jesus, our life in him, the true vine and source of our strength, our life, really, that helps us live, reflect and bear witness to him. If he is not the vine of our life, and we not the branches, what good can we do? Let us renew our desire and efforts to be the branches of the Vine who is Christ Jesus. There is MUCH food and drink for us in these eight verses. May we take the time to eat and drink as much as we can today.

Bro. Rene 

Dear Jesus,  you are the vine and we the branches. May we bear the fruit that comes from the life you provide, and become providers of that fruit to others. Amen.

Peaceful Waiting

 

 John 14:27-31a

 The Gift of Peace

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, ³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

As we approach Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Jesus gives us the consoling gift of peace and tells us not to be troubled nor afraid. We can imagine how important these words were for the Apostles who had lived so closely with Jesus for nearly three years, but how even more important are they for us who live in s time of decaying values, family life, and morality. Jesus promised the "Prince of this World", the Holy Spirit, to help us understand more fully him, his mission and our role in it.  We wait patiently and peacefully in a world of chaos for the Spirit who will help us understand and live what Jesus taught, and for which he gave his life and then restored it, that our lives might be restored and saved as well.  We are faced with questions, difficulties and challenges, but we are not alone. The Spirit is with us to guide us through this foggy forest.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for your peace, advice and encouragement not to be troubled or afraid. Send us your promised Spirit so that we might remain fearless and faithful to you.  Amen.  

Love Brings Us Home

 

John 14:21-26

 The Advocate Will Teach Us

²¹ Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” ²² Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, [then] what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. ²⁴ Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “I have told you this while I am with you. ²⁶ The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.

Love is the basis and essence of our relationship with God. The keeping of the commandments is an act  of love; certainly a deep relationship with Jesus through prayer, meditation and service to others increases our love and draws God closer as he loves and reveals himself more and more to us.It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to love and who brings us home. Let us pray this day for a growing and deeper love of God, so that he truly is our Rock, our END ALL and BE ALL.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, I have said many times that I love you; never tire of hearing me repeat it; Give me the grace to love you with all my heart and being, and spread that love to others. Amen..

 

Doing Greater Things

 

 John 14:1-12

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

We recently heard this Gospel passage, but in view of the Ascension coming up a week from Thursday, we are called to meditate on it again. We can imagine the fear the Apostles were feeling at the prospect of losing Jesus again, having lost him on the cross, then regained him when he rose from the dead. Although Jesus spoke these words before his death and resurrection, they are appropriate here before the Ascension, and especially for us at this time of rampant secularization and downright immorality.  We need to put Jesus at the center and live our lives according to his teachings...they are all that really work, and are the antidote to the disguised evil that seems to be overtaking the world today. Jesus told the Apostles and us that HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Clear and simple, and if we base our lives on that foundation, we will do greater things than  he did...Seems impossible, but look at what St. Francis Xavier or Mother Teresa have done...outreach and evangelization world wide. How great would it be if there were more such saints?  What can I do in my  community or beyond, by my living a Christian life, by my writings, or by becoming a "missionary" at home or  abroad? "...whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, what are you calling me to do? Open my ears and heart that I might do great things for you, because with you nothing is impossible. Amen 

 

Show Us The Father

 

 John 14:7-14

Belief In Jesus

⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

When I read this passage I realize how weak my faith is.  Jesus makes it clear that belief in him will  enable us to do greater things than he did.  I don't see that YET in my life.  Perhaps in the future, but it won't happen without my asking for a deeper faith and for trying to act more and more by and in that faith.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, I want a deeper, firmer faith that does not waiver in times of trial, stress or challenge. Help me see these as opportunities to grow in faith and not feel sorry for myself or begrudge you for putting me through these opportunities to follow you with a firmer faith. Show me the Father and help my unbelief fade into belief.

 

The Way To The Father

 

 John 14:1-6

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

How appropriate is this passage at a time when the powers of evil are rampant and seem to spread more widely every day, with threats of greater conflicts between the "great nations"; the lack of moral direction and lack of faith in so many; when traditional morals are being dumped or turned inside out.  What kind of world do we have today, and, gulp, what will it be like tomorrow? But Jesus tells us , "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Faith in him, Faith in the Father, following his teachings, following him who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. There is our answer. If each one of us made Jesus the focus, foundation and center of our lives, we could reverse the downward trend we see all around us. Let us take time today and every day to deepen our love of and commitment to Jesus and live his teachings, and in our corner of the world turn it back to him.

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus help me to put you as the focus and center of my life, for you are THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Amen.

 

Remaining Faithful

 

 John 13:16-20

¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

¹⁸ “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’

¹⁹ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

We are appalled and disgusted with the  betrayal of Jesus by Judas, but today's passage calls us all to accept Jesus, not on our terms, but on his. Judas was looking for a leader to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel as a sovereign nation. Not God's plan. And we know "the rest of the story", as Paul Harvey was wont to say. Ours is to accept Jesus and his mission to save us and give us the opportunity to be faithful disciples who would carry on his mission and eventually enjoy eternal life with him. Not an easy task, that's why our daily prayer for strength to carry out this mission faithfully is paramount.

Bro. Rene

Lord, thank you for the call to be one of your faithful followers who keep your words and mission before us always, even when distraction or discouragement attack us Amen.

Ask In His Name

 

 John 14:6-14

 Only Through Jesus

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Who will deny that he or she has daily needs that they find impossible to meet on their own? Thankfully, Philip spoke up with his innocent lack of understanding..."Show us the Father and that will be enough."  Jesus retorts with this direct assertion of who he is and how the Father speaks and works through him, and that presenting our needs to the Father through him will find them resolved. Perhaps our first need, our first request, might be for an increase of faith so that we can absorb into our minds and hearts this basic lesson Jesus present to us today.

Bro. Rene

Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life, as I have so often prayed, increase my faith to be able to make today's Gospel the rock solid foundation of my prayers and of my life. Amen.

Listen To His Voice

 

 John 10:22-30

Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims

²² Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

We wonder if God hears our prayers when we look at our world today, shootings and random killings almost daily, the growth of Satanic cults, increasing divisions in our country and in the world, greed, self-centeredness in relationships and personal behaviors...so many things contrary to the teachings of Jesus.  He faced opposition and rejection of his teachings in his own time...enough  to land him on the cross on Calvary. He offered eternal life and they refused it. May we take a good look at our lives to see where we stand; are we with him or against? Let us listen to his voice, invite it into our hearts and live according to HIS teachings, not those of the world.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, as we look at the chaos around us, let us turn to you in prayer and action with a deeper commitment to live according to your word, not that of our crumbling world. Amen.

St. Joseph the Worker

 

John 10:11-18

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

We continue the theme of the Good Shepherd we began yesterday, but apply it to the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker and Religious Brotherhood day.  St. Joseph, a carpenter, nevertheless shepherded his family with all his time and gifts, especially his quiet but powerful faith, accepting to marry the already pregnant Mary, traveling to Bethlehem and Egypt and settling to the life of a carpenter in Nazareth. His fidelity to his mission from God stands as a strong example to all, especially to those who work "by the sweat of their brows" to support their families.

Following his example, Religious Brothers quietly serve as other Josephs in education, health care, and obediently responding to needs in the Christian and growing non-Christian communities around the world.  Rarely in the headlines, Brothers follow the example of Joseph by putting themselves totally at the disposal of God, following Mary's simple instruction to the servers at Cana: "Do whatever he tells you." In so doing, we truly are Good Shepherds!

Bro. Rene

 Dear God, thank you for the example of St. Joseph and for the service and dedication of Religious Brothers. May we strive to be humble, obedient companions along side of them.