Lord, Increase Our Faith

 

 Mk 6:1-6

A Prophet Without Honor

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith.

In his hometown, Jesus found resistance to his teaching because he was too familiar to the local people who had known him as a child and young man growing up.  Now without a degree in theology, this carpenter was teaching them and interpreting the Scriptures for them. It was too much to swallow for them and their lack of faith and acceptance of his teaching, was amazing to Jesus.  Can over-familiarity be a problem for us?  How do "we elders" accept the "young pups" who come fresh from college or the seminary?  Do we listen to the Word, or are we put off by the youthful innocence or lack of experience of the newly ordained? God chooses and reinforces those whom he has chosen. May we be humble enough to accept God's choice.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, increase my faith and humility to listen to your Word, no matter who teaches it. Amen

Do Not Be Afraid, Just Believe

 

 Mk 5:21-43

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

²¹ When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. ²² Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. ²³ He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. ²⁵ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

³⁵ While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

³⁶ Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. ³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. ⁴³ He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Two rather spectacular miracles of healing, but also lessons for us to cast away our fears, hesitations and doubts. In a world of rampant greed, threats, loss of values, dishonesty, hatred and war, we might be tempted to "throw in the towel" or find a cabin in the deep woods of Maine and just hide away from it all.  But look at Jesus, he does not hold back but cures even unconsciously in the first instance, and seemingly beyond reality in the second.  Why should we doubt. Jesus works at a different level. We need to work on ourselves, to cast aside our fears and "just believe."

Bro. Rene

Dear God, I have prayed this many times, but again I ask "Increase my faith. Help my unbelief!" Amen.

Power Over Demons

 

 Mk 5:1-20

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

¹⁴ Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵ When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. ¹⁷ Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

This graphic account deserves a generous amount of reflection for we confront "Legion" in our daily headlines now revealing more and more lies, hypocrisy, senseless killings, wars, hatred and unhappiness than ever.. Such a daily diet is discouraging and we might find ourselves praying for an early and "happy death" to escape the misery surrounding us. But as in the case of this possessed man, Jesus is there to cast out the demons, even if there are legions of them, and we can safely say that today, there are! May we not allow discouragement overwhelm us, but turn to Jesus to cast out our contemporary demons and restore society, people to sanity and good health. 

Bro. Rene

Come, Jesus, again we need your power to cast out the legions of evil spirits that are poisoning us. Throw these demons back to hell. Amen.

 

He Taught With Authority

 

 Mk 1:21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

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

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

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

People were just beginning to see what Jesus could do: heal and drive out impure spirits, and he taught with authority. Who was this?  Jesus had them wondering as he began to unfold his mission. Step by step he revealed himself.  In small ways, in small steps he reveals himself to us. He still teaches with authority as he speaks to us through Scripture and in the events of each day. On this Sabbath may we attend Mass or our weekly Service, open our ears and hearts to encounter the healing, saving Jesus as did the people of Capernaum. May we be filled with amazement and spread what we have earned of him to others; Thar's what we  as his disciples do.

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus, I respect and accept who you are and what you teach; help me be one of your witnesses who spreads the good news about you. Amen. 

Why So Afraid?

 

 Mk 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

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

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

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

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

It seems we need to be reminded over and over that there is no reason to fear. Jesus dramatically calms the  storm and challenges our lack of faith, for like the disciples even with Jesus in the boat, we let our fears take over and we panic. Storms come often into our lives, the media scares us day in and day out with horrific "news" of corruption, killings, and cowardice. We feel like we are going to perish.  Jesus asks us why we are so afraid, where is our faith?  Let us spend time with him and  answer his telling questions.  Fr. Stephen Koeth, offers this  prayer which might become one of our favorites.

Lord Jesus, as your church—the barque of Peter—sails the sea of time, it is often beset by the storms of division and persecution. In our lives, too, we encounter headwinds and squalls: physical illnesses, wounded relationships, the grief of loss, and the shame of our sins. When we can feel as if the waves breaking over us are too much and are filled with fear, rouse our faith in you whom even wind and sea obey, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

 Rev. Stephen Koeth, C.S.C.

Br. Rene

When Seeds Do Sprout

 

 Mk 4:26-34

The Parable of the Growing Seed

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

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

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

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

If you have ever planted seeds you know what it is to wait, see them sprout and eventually produce their plants and fruit that nourish and delight us. Jesus uses the mustard seed, a tiny seed, to illustrate how his Word grows and bears nourishing fruit in those who believe and accept it. We can look back at St. Francis of Assisi, praying in what remained of the church of San Damiano and hearing the voice calling him to "Rebuild my Church which as fallen into ruins." Thus the Franciscans came to be and continue to build the Church around the world!...Or, St. Marcellin, being called to found a congregation of teaching Brothers 'to make Jesus known and loved." His answer to the call bears fruit now in 83 countries around the world!  "Small beginnings, greater ends", as the song by Donovan goes in the film, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon."  We are all capable of moving something small into something greater.  May we allow God to plant his seed in us and bear the fruit he will cultivate.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, here is my heart, plant your seed in it and let it bear fruit. Amen.

 

The Great Commission

 

 Mk 16:15-18

Go Into The Whole World

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

 Mark concludes his Gospel with the great commission to all of us to spread the good news, to preach the Gospel to the whole world. For two thousand years the disciples of Jesus have been doing this, but there is still much to be done, especially now when so many are rejecting Christianity because of scandals or just plain bad example. St.Paul would be "preaching his head off" if he were alive today, scolding us as well as encouraging us. Let us renew our commitment to the teachings of Jesus and take up the commission to spread his Gospel, the Good News, by our words and actions.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to renew my duty to spread to spread your Good News by my words and actions. Amen.

 

 

The Greatest Comandment

 

Jn 15:9-17

Love Each Other

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. 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. 

We have read and meditated on these words many times, but each time we do we see something else, something consoling, something challenging.  St. Francis de Sales, whose Memorial we commemorate today, is able to piece it into the practical: "Let us make our way through the low valleys of the humble virtues. There we wills see roses among thorns; charity shining forth amid interior and exterior affliction, lilies of purity, and violets of mortification. We ought to love above all others these three small virtues, meekness of heart, poverty of spirit, and simplicity of life, together with those common labors of visiting the sick, serving the poor, and consoling the afflicted. Yet let it all be done freely and without anxiety." 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, let me not hold back in keeping you command to love one another. Amen.

Doing God's Will Makes Us Family

 

 Mk 3:31-35

 Brothers and Sister of Jesus

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

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

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

To be  part of Jesus's family!  What a gift, to have Mary as our mother and Jesus as our brother! All we have to do  is to accept and do God's will.  But that is quite a challenge. How do we know what God's will is, and how do we move our lazy and often reluctant wills to conform to the will of God? That's why prayer time each day, with a friend or group of friends helps and encourages us to discern God's will and do it.  We need each other, we need time for prayer with them as well as time for prayer alone with Jesus. Take a few moments to be with Jesus, and then later ask a friend to join you in prayer.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, I want to be part of your family. Help me to spend time in prayer with my brothers and sisters. Amen.

Let Us Unite in Prayer

 

 Mark 3: 22-30

National Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Unborn. 

A House Divided Cannot Stand

²² And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

²³ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷ In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Jesus faced opposition from the teachers of the Law, the leaders of the Jewish faith community, as we see in this brief passage. "The truth hurts," the saying goes, and Jesus minces no words. He makes sense: a divided kingdom cannot stand, and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven. As we as a nation honor the unborn and seek to insure the dignity and life of every child, even the unborn, may these words of Jesus reminds us that there is no compromise here. Life is life and it is sacred from the moment of conception. May we as God's children, God's people, stand firm on this principle and help others come to support it as well.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God, life is a precious gift. May we support it from the moment of conception to its last natural breath. Amen.

Responding to the Call

 

Mk 1:14-20

Jesus Announces the Good News

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

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

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

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

The time had come, John the Baptist had prepared the way, and was now in prison and Jesus was gathering his helpers. They responded instantly to his call, although they may not at the time have fully understood it. They left their families and jobs to be with Jesus. What trust, dedication! For two thousand years men and women have left their families and jobs to answer the call from Jesus to follow him more closely. Even in our muddled world, the call still goes out and people still answer.  Over the past 50 or 60 years, however, the responses have been less than needed and for sure "the laborers are few" as we see from the closing of Catholic schools and parishes. Perhaps we might direct our prayers today and during the upcoming season of Lent toward the need for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, the need is great and the laborers are few. Send us more workers into the field to carry on your work. Amen.

Madness or Holy Zeal?

 

 Mk 3:20-21

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law

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

These two short verses give us a glimpse of how Jesus was perceived by some: his energetic preaching and healing, his "outlandish" message, his TV Evangelist popularity, who could explain it, and would it ever stop?  Jesus was on a mission and his zeal caused astonishment and distrust, but this did not stop him. In case we're tempted to join the critics, let us stop and see the whole picture, especially his love for us and his zeal to share that love and set us on fire with it. May we turn the crowd's criticism toward ourselves and see that it is we who are mad for not giving Jesus full reign in our lives.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to climb on board with you, accept you and your teaching and become one of your zealous disciples. Amen.

Sent On A Mission

 

 Mk 3:13-19

Jesus Appoints the Twelve

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

Jesus not only called, but appointed the Twelve to carry out the mission of spreading the Good News he came to proclaim. Unfortunately, or in God's plan, one did not remain faithful and betrayed Jesus, who then was crucified.  Yet it was the plan of God that Jesus should die to redeem us from our sins; Judas was the unfortunate instrument in bringing this plan to fulfillment. Let us leave Judas to the mercy of God and concentrate on the Eleven and our own mission to help bring bout the kingdom.  We all have a role and by living our faith we give witness by our lives as well as our words that being  disciple of Jesus is a high calling to be honored by every fabric of our being.  Let us pray for fidelity to this calling and trust that God will give us the grace to carry it out a best we can.

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus, as you called the Twelve, so you call me, in in some small way to follow you and help bring about your  kingdom.  Help me to answer your call with a generous and trusting heart. Amen.

Where Are The Crowds Today?

 

  Mk 3:7-12

Crowds Follow Jesus

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

As disconcerting as it might have been for Jesus to be inundated by the crowds who wanted healing, he might be just as disconcerted by the lack of crowds or interest in his message today. A growing decline is evident in smaller congregations gathering on Sundays and even in the closing of churches due to empty pews or lack of clerical leaders. Where is the spark of faith?  What can I do to kindle a renewal of my faith and that of the faith community to which I belong? People blame others, i.e. the clergy scandals, the this and that's but in the end it comes down to each individual to do some sincere soul searching and cast out whatever is holding them back from full participation in their faith communities. May our reflections renew our fervor and help us bring others back to the practice of their faith.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, renew my spirit and practice of the faith and use me to help others renew theirs. Amen.

Charity Over Rigidity

 

  Mk 3:1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

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

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

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

Jesus broke the Sabbath law by healing the man with the withered hand on a day when "work"  was forbidden. Mark inserts that Jesus was angry and distressed at the stubborn hearts of his critics, who did not see that healing this man's infirmity was a greater good than strict observance of the Law. Jesus followed the "Law of Charity" and by so doing, encourages us to do so as well. Let us try as best we can to incorporate this law into our spiritual lives.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, following your example, help me to incorporate the Law of Charity into my spiritual life. Amen 

Good Common Sense

 

 Mk 2:23-28

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

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

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

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

This scene gives us perspective, the perspective of Jesus, regarding laws.  Not that we are to flaunt them irresponsibly, but certainly in the case of going hungry verses keeping the law, to "bend" them or suspend them for the greater good is preferable.  Jesus shows us that a rigidity that clashes with common sense is not what he advocates.. Reflecting  on this scene gives us perspective and demonstrates that the "Law of Charity" overrides obedience to the "letter of the law". 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, keep me focused on the law of charity over slavery to the letter of the law. Amen.

New Wine Into New Wineskins

 

  Mk 2:18-22

 Jesus Questioned About Fasting

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

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

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

Jesus came with a new message, a new approach to the spiritual life, one that fostered new life rather than a series of rigorous rules, especially as long as he was with his disciples.  There would be a time when fasting and penance would be followed, but not while he was with his apostles. There is a place for rigor in our spiritual journey as we will soon be experiencing with Lent which begins on February 14th. Even now until Easter men following the Exodus 90 program are performing rigorous daily penances and deprivations in order to cleanse their hearts and devote them more totally to JESUS. May we find the new wine, the teachings and example of Jesus and incorporate them into our spiritual journey which will always have a mixture of spiritual freedom and rigorous asceticism.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God thank you for guiding me to you, ultimate joy and spiritual freedom through a balance of  prayer, good works and asceticism. Amen.. 

The Compelling Call

 

 

Jn 1:35-42

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is our world much different from the world Jesus experienced? The Romans occupied Israel, the Jews were taxed, "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer", as the song goes.  Except for major improvements in communication and transportation, it's pretty much the same now as then.. People are still searching and Jesus is still calling, "Come and you will see." Ah, there's the invitation that can make all the difference. It captured Andrew who brought Simon Peter to Jesus, followed by James and John, and eventually the rest of the Twelve, not to mention the huge crowed who came for cures.Finding and following Jesus give meaning to our lives and fill us with joyful energy to live each day and in small ways, or even large and dramatic ways, experience the presence of Jesus and move us to bring others to him. As with these first disciples, it starts small but then grows and grows.  Might I take some time today to see where I stand, what my role is, what God is calling me to, and how I am answering the call?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are calling me to follow you and bring others to you..Grant me the courage and grace to answer your call. Amen.

Follow Me

 

  Mk 2:13-17

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

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

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

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

Levi heard the compelling command, "Follow me", and did just that, leaving his post as tax collector, becoming an Apostle and immortalized author of one of the Gospels.  As a young man, a tax collector working for the unpopular Roman conquerors, did he have any idea that his name and writings would still be influential 2000 years later? Of course not, but that's how God works with us, calling us to his plan which far surpasses anything we might dream up. Does Jesus still call today?  Yes, even amidst the din of rampant materialism and massive indifference, he calls. Some follow.others hesitate, and more reject the call. What is Jesus calling me to do? May I have the openness and generosity to respond with the decisiveness and confidence of Levi (Matthew).

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you continue to call us to follow as you called Levi.  May we respond with his courage and readiness to leave all to follow you. Amen.

 

One Of Our Many Blessings

 

  Mk 2:1-12

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

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

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

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

Jesus was not blaspheming when he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  By curing the man's paralysis, he showed that he had power to do both spiritual and physical healing.  No wonder the crowd was amazed for indeed they had never seen anything like this.  We take confession and the forgiveness of our sins for granted because we are so used to them, but if we stop for a moment and give some thought to this process it really is astounding  as with so many other things in the practice of our faith, that we take for granted. May we stop, reflect on the mighty power of God and give thanks, for indeed it is extraordinary and we'd be at loss without it..

Bro. Rene

Dear God, you have blessed us with the gift of forgiveness of our sins. May we not take this and your many other gifts for granted. Amen.

 

Be Clean

 

 Mk 1:40-45

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

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

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

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

In two words, Jesus changed a man's life. Despite the order not to tell anyone, the cured man spread the news  everywhere.  How could he not? Perhaps we have received healings and "cleansings" even in some less dramatic way. Have we had the enthusiasm to tell others about God's powerful workings in our life? We might be able to win others to Jesus by bearing witness to his goodness to us...Something to consider.

Bro Rene

Dear God, let me not hold back on revealing the marvels you have done for me. Amen.

Prayer and Healing

 

 Mk 1:29-39

Jesus Heals Many

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

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

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

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

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

Out of the goodness of his heart and love for Peter, Jesus did no hesitate the heal his mother-in-law and the many who came later to be healed, yet he rose early and took time to go apart to pray. When Peter found him, Jesus resumed his mission of preaching, driving out demons and, we assume, healing. He was focused on the needs of the people and devoted his time to meeting them. We can safely say there was not a selfish bone in his body and that he certainly used his gifts to serve OTHERS. We don't have to be geniuses to realize that this is our calling too as disciples of Jesus: to use our gifts for the benefit of others, and to do so effectively, prayer must be a key part of our day. May God give us the grace to accomplish our mission.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you effectively healed and taught. Help me to continue this effective pattern as best I can. Amen.

The Authority of Jesus

 

 Mk 1:21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

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

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

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

As we begin this period of Ordinary Time, we see Jesus teaching with authority and casting out evil spirits. No time wasted. His reputation spread and  people were amazed. In our day, when churches are closing because people are not attending; when scandals in government and business appall us; when war with its killing and destruction daily shock us, we might wonder where Jesus and his authority are.  He's still here, but it is we who have turned our backs to him. Let us take stock of our use of the time God gives us and see where and how we might restore Jesus to his proper place in our lives.  And  part of that restoration is helping others do the same in their lives.  One by one, we too can cast out the evil spirits that plague our time.  We have the authority of Jesus on our side.

Dear Jesus, help me to cast the evil spirit from my life and help others cast him from theirs. Amen.

 

Our Mission

 

  Mk 1:7-11

⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

We read this Gospel on Saturday but since this is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, of course this has to be the Gospel Reading today. Though sinless, Jesus presents himself to the Baptist to receive his baptism, an act of humility, for our sake, paving the way for our own baptism. He receives confirmation from above, "You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased." Then Jesus goes off to the desert for 40 days and returns to begin his mission, the reason he was born, to secure our salvation.  As we reflect on this perhaps while putting away our Christmas decorations, we might consider our own mission.  Was it strengthened, or clarified during this Christmas Season? Is there some way I can join John and Jesus in helping others redirect their lives to God's loving arms and plan for them?  Or am I simply being called to make prayer more of a priority in my life, and let God take it from there? Let us listen to the voice from heaven.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, as you did with Jesus, affirm and guide me to do what is best to serve you and my neighbor. Amen.

 

Finding Jesus

 

  Mt 2:1-12

 The Magi Visit the Messiah

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

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

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

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

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

This beautiful story of the search for the newborn king never ceases to fascinate us for we can relate to it in many ways.  Our whole lives are focused on finding the Messiah, and we travel many miles over the  years searching, inquiring, studying, trying, seeking help and finally finding. We bring not gold frankincense and myrrh, but our own gifts, our own selves, and we offer all to him, our Savior.  Our lives are changed and we do not, cannot return to "life as usual".  No, something has changed, we have changed. We have seen the Lord, and despite our meager gifts, he has gifted us with the even greater gift of a new way of living, indeed, the way to eternal life.  Let us remain with the Magi until we find the newborn king and present our gifts, our lives, to him.

Bro Rene

Dear God may I never tire of searching for you, of the journey to find you, and when I do, may I gift you unreservedly with the gift of myself. Amen. 

After Me

 

 

Mark 1: 7-11

⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

With the Baptism of Jesus, John's mission is complete.  He had come to prepare the way for the Messiah, and now the Messiah had arrived, was recognized as such and was confirmed by the voice from heaven, "You are my believed Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1; 11). John baptized with water but Jesus would baptize with the Spirit and a whole new era would begin. It is here where we come in, where we benefit from this Baptism of the Spirit and are truly born again. Let us rejoice, be glad and hear the words of the Father applied to us, his beloved sons and daughters with whom he is well pleased.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for the gift of my baptism which has made me a member of your family.  May I live up to this close and life-giving relationship. Amen.

The Powerful Call

 

 Jn 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” ⁵¹ He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

A simple command, "Follow me," and Philip left all to follow.  Nathanael, like most of us, expresses a bit of hesitation until Jesus gets more specific with him. "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." (Jn 1: 48) God has a plan for each one of us and calls us in various ways to fulfill it. And, despite our playing deaf or actual refusal, he will keep at us until we respond favorably and generously. Why do we ignore or fight? Jesus always wins. Nathaniel's declaration of belief, of faith, puts the words in our mouth for us: may his prayer be ours, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel." (Jn 1: 49)

Bro. Rene

 Dear God, help me to respond with generosity as did Philip and Nathanael when you ask me to do something for you. Amen.

 

Come, And You Will See

 

 John 1:35-42

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We can imagine that the four hours the two disciples spent with Jesus inflamed their hearts, so much so that Andrew, one of the duo, found his brother Simon, and compelled him to meet Jesus, an encounter which changed the  life and name of Simon forever. We also can have such encounters with Jesus in our quiet prayer, in our reflecting on a Gospel passage such as this when we listen quietly to the words of Jesus or see him in action in our imaginations. May we take up the invitation to Come and See and right now sit quietly listening to what Jesus is saying.  We might be quite surprised! 

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus, when you speak, let me give you my full attention and place my heart and soul fully in your hands. Amen.

 

This Is God's Chosen One

 

 Jn 1:29-34

John Testifies About Jesus

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Today  is the optional memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus. Richard Rolle, a fourteen century mystic and writer of devotional books and biblical translations, wrote, "Truly, the name of Jesus is helpful and must be loved by all who desire salvation.  He well desires his own salvation who busily keeps within him the name of Jesus." John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God and testifies that he is the Chosen One, filled with the Spirit of God who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and take away the sins of the world. We are still in the Christmas season, and as part of our reflections on what the effects the Birth of Jesus has had on us, we might ponder the name of Jesus, treasure it, give thanks for it and spread respect and devotion to it. 

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, I love and treasure your holy name. May I be a witness to it and help others appreciate and love it as well. Amen.

Preparing the Way

 

Jn 1:19-28

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

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

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

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

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

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

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

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

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

This seems like an Advent passage rather than a  post-Christmas one, but on this day when we Marist Brothers of the Schools are celebrating the 207th anniversary of  of our founding, it is a fitting reminder of our mission to continue  preparing the way for Jesus in the hearts and lives of our students.  When so many families are unchurched, when students know so little about the Faith, our Marist Mission to make Jesus known and loved is more needed and necessary than even in the first days of our existence in post-revolutionary France. Like John the Baptist, we prepare the way, we touch hearts, we introduce Jesus  and pass on his teachings as best we can. We pray today that we might remain faithful to this call and that many others, might hear it and heed it.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for calling St. Marcellin and the Marist Brothers to follow in the footsteps of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord and make him known and loved. Call many new members to further this mission. Amen.

 

Mary Our Good Mother

 

 Lk 2:16-21

 Mary Treasured These Things

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

As Marists, we have a special  and privileged relationship with Mary, our Good Mother, so this Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God enables us to put her on center stage today to honor her for her obedience to God's will, to thank her for her on-going 'Mothering" of the Church, her prayers and many appearances over the centuries to keep us on the right track of fidelity to the teachings of her Son. She has a special place in Marist Spirituality as our Good Mother and First Superior. We begin each day with the Salve Regina and end it with a Marial prayer or hymn. We strive to do good quietly as she did and above all do our best to make her Son known and loved. Let us make time today to ponder and treasure with Mary the Gift of her Son and the gift of our Marist Mission..

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for Mary our Good Mother; may we honor her by being faithful to our Marist Mission of making her Son known and loved. Amen