The Gift of Peace

 

  Jn 14:27-31a

 Fear Not

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.

Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. For three years they have been together day and night,  witnessed  countless miracles and have experienced a love that surpassed any they have known before. This intimacy  will end when Jesus returns to the Father; it will necessitate a whole new way of living each day. Jesus assures his followers that he will still care for them and be with them, although in a different way. And so it is today, he is with us in the Eucharist, in prayer, and in community. He gifts us with his peace and encourages us to proceed fearlessly, assuring us that his love will never end.  May we live this day, our entire lives in peace and confidence.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for the gifts of your presence and peace.. May we live in confidence that you are with us always. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit

 Jn 14:21-26

 We Need The Holy Spirit

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.”

²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

As Jesus prepared his Apostles for his departure, so he prepares us who have just celebrated the 5th Sunday after Easter and are moving closer to the Ascension and Pentecost. These are days to deepen our prayer and open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit so that we might fulfill our mission to bring others to Jesus as they did. We cannot do it alone; we need one another, we need the Spirit. Let us pray daily, "Come Holy Spirit."

Bro. Rene

Dear God, send us your Spirit so that we might fulfill our mission to make Jesus known and loved. Amen.

Remain In Me

 

  Jn 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.

Our post-resurrection reflections on living the Christian life continue today with the familiar and beloved image of the vine and the branches. As grapes depend on a connection to a healthy vine, we cannot bear fruit that will last unless we are firmly connected to Jesus. We cannot pick and choose or cut corners, no, we must be firmly attached to the root and source of our life. We remain in Jesus through prayer, study and good works. We must be consistent in these, lest they lose their attraction and power to transform us into faithful disciples who carry on the mission of Jesus.  As grapes wither when cut from the vine, so do we when separated from Jesus. 

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are the vine, we are the branches. May we always remain connected to you. Amen.

Jesus And The Father Are One

 

  Jn 14:7-14

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.

Sometimes we are blind and miss the obvious. The Apostles had witnessed many miraculous healings and yet still did not "get it." But thanks to their "blindness" we have a clearer explanation from Jesus and his own encouragement to develop and deepen our faith. He and the Father are one. He tells us to ask for anything in his name and he will do it. What more do we need?  Let us not be afraid to ask. Just Do It!

 Dear Jesus, you have not secrets. Deepen our Faith and help us to present our needs to you with confidence that you will answer our prayer. Amen.

Don't Worry

 

  Jn 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."

Jesus reminds us that he is WITH US in all circumstances despite our feelings that we are alone or the burden we bear is beyond our strength. We tend to let things pile up and forget that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life."  The Apostles had lived closely with Jesus for three years and the prospect of life without him was frightening.  We've most likely had that feeling at times ourselves.when illness or the loss of a job left us "high and dry."  There is no need to panic, but there is an opportunity to renew our faith and confidence that Jesus will see us through. Let us put our trust in him and not in ourselves.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Help me to cast aside my doubts, discouragement and fears. Amen.

The Great Commission

 

Mk 16:15-20

 Preach the Gospel to All

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.”

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Mark, we receive the task of preaching the Gospel to all creation, a huge task that is still in progress. The latest figures estimate 1.3 billion Catholics and overall,  2.6 Christians in a world of 8.1 billion  people.  There is much work to do.  May I do my best to teach others and lead them to the Faith by my living it sincerely, so that my "actions speak louder than my words."  The Apostles began this work 2,000 years ago; it' s up to us to continue it.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to take my role as a teacher of the Faith by living it as best I can. Amen.

The Light of the World

 Jn 12: 44-50

Jesus Speaks for the Father

⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵ The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. ⁴⁹ For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. ⁵⁰ I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

A quick look  at our world reveals darkness, confusion, foolishness and even despair. Wars, incredible destruction of life and property, the loss of respect for life and for God himself are frightening and seem to have no answer or possibility for resolution. But Jesus tells us that he has come into the world as light so that anyone who believes in him should not stay in darkness. Believing in him, following his teachings is the answer to the world's chaos and enables knowledge of and contact with the Father.  Only in Him does life make sense. May we wake up and see the Light and live by it!

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are the Light of the Word; guide us to Truth and Life. Amen.

 

Jesus Protects His Sheep

 

 Jn 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.”

Jesus is the Messiah and the Good Shepherd of those who hear his message and live it. May we this day seek to put our trust more and more in our Good Shepherd, to listen to his voice and to follow him wherever he leads us.  He will not allow us to make wrong choices or go astray.  If, perchance we do, he will do all he can to bring us back to the fold. 

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd: I place my life in your loving care. Amen.  

 

I Am The Gate

 

  Jn 10:1-10

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

How blessed are we to have such a caring, protective shepherd! These verses are full of assurance, care, and love. Jesus assures us that he knows us, will guard and guide us, as does a Good Shepherd, and keep us from all harm. May we put our worries, concerns and fears aside and give ourselves confidently over to the care of our loving Shepherd,

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you guide and care for me and keep me from harm. May I live this day without fear and confident in your loving care. Amen.

I Know My Sheep

 

 Jn 10:11-18

The Good Shepherd

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.”

The beloved and popular image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd still speaks to us who have little or no contact with sheep, nor do we consider ourselves as sheep.  Yet, the tenderness, protectiveness, loyalty and love of the Good Shepherd console us and encourages us when we feel lost, adrift or unsure. Our Good Shepherd not only protects us, guides us to green pastures and seeks us when we are lost, but has laid down his life for us. What a consolation, what a motivation to proceed fearlessly and confidently. May our reflection on these few verses and our experience of the Good Shepherd's presence and care in our lives encourage us to walk with confidence into the unknown or each day as well as inspire us to be good shepherds to those in our care or to those who are actually lost...for the moment.

Dear Jesus, you are my beloved Good Shepherd; help me to be a good shepherd to others. Amen.

 

To Whom Shall We Go?

 

  Jn 6:60-69

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! ⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. ⁶⁵ He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

After listening to Jesus describe himself as the "Bread of  Life" which will be available as food for the journey of life, many found this too much to accept and turned away from Jesus. They could not accept nor believe. Peter answered for the Twelve, and for us, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life..and are the Holy One of God." Where do I stand? With those who who walked away or with those who stayed?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, let grant me the faith and fidelity to remain with you despite the challenges I face daily. Amen.

 

 

Eat This And Live Forever

 

  Jn 6:52-59

My Flesh Is Real Food

⁵² Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

⁵³ Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. ⁵⁷ Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹ He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

What a great gift: food that will enable us to live forever! Yes, Jesus no long walks this earth, but remains with us in the HOLY EUCHARIST. He wants to be with us as intimately as he can, so he enters our bodies, our hearts and souls, as food and drink so that he can be truly one with us. How can we not take advantage of this as often as possible, even daily?  Can we not arrange our days to include time to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist? Jesus wants to be one with us, part of our daily lives.How can we deny him?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for this great gift, your presence in the Holy Eucharist. Help me to partake of it as often as possible. Amen.

 

The Living Bread

 

  Jn 6:44-51

Eat This And Live Forever

 ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

The myth of the Fountain of Youth has fascinated us for centuries and the search for it still goes on. Does it exist? Will it ever be found? But we do know that the Bread of Life is real; it does exist and is available to us daily. Jesus has left us with this gift in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. My we grow is appreciation for this Bread of Life and make every effort to partake of it as often as possible.  If we were offered a million dollars daily by going to Mass, we would be there, wouldn't we?  The Eucharist is worth more than a million dollars.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you are the Bread of Life; help me to receive you as often as possible. Amen.

Doing The Father's Will

 

 Jn 6:35-40

 Hunger Not

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Jesus calls us to a deep, radical FAITH and gives us his own flesh as the food to nourish and sustain it. What we need to do is set aside our fears and doubts and allow him to feed us with his own flesh and blood. He states very clearly that it is not the Father's will to lose anybody along the way, hence he provides the best food possible: his own flesh and blood. May we look to him with deeper faith each day, know his love and care and come one day to enjoy the eternal life he promises.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for your deep love which nourishes us and helps us do your will. Deepen my love and faith in you. Amen.

The Bread of Life

 

 Jn 6:30-35

A Lasting Sign

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirst."

Jesus knew that we need bread for the journey of life. What better food than his own flesh and blood in the outward form of bread and wine?  The holy sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily, making the bread of life conveniently available to us. If we cannot attend daily Mass, then we can at least attend weekly on Sundays. What can be more important than partaking of the Bread of Life? Yet startling statistics indicate that Mass attendance is very low...in France, less than 10% of Catholics attend on Sundays. We have drifted from the Bread of Life and wonder why all the chaos in the world. Do we have to be "rocket scientists" to see the connection?  Let us get back on track and return to the altar of God and receive this life-giving Bread.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to be a faithful communicant and allow you to feed my soul with the Bread of Life as often as possible. Amen.

 

Setting the Stage

 Note: the internet in our house was "down" this morning so I could not produce this slice of bread at the regular time. I hope it brings nourishment whenever you are able to pray with it.

 

 Jn 6:22-29

²² The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. ²³ Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. ²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Hungry for Jesus, or just hungry?  Free bread, yes, but setting the stage for the discourse on the Bread of Life, and ultimately, the Eucharist. Jesus teaches by using concrete situations and examples. The lesson to follow is a huge, major one, so Jesus is careful to prepare his audience well for this is the Bread that will nourish his followers in the coming centuries, and still does in our time. Faith is the firm foundation needed for the understanding and acceptance of this lesson. May we be as eager to partake of this bread that feeds the soul, as the people were to eat of the bread that fed their bodies.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for this precious Gift. Help me to appreciate it more and more and partake of it as often as I can. Amen.

 

We Are Witnesses

 

  Lk 24:35-48

³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

We continue to focus on the resurrected Jesus. We see his efforts to convince his Apostles that indeed, something new, something "impossible" had really happened: he was alive but in a new form and that they had a job to do: to go and tell the whole world about this. Indeed they did and we continue to do so, but there are still more non-believers than believers. There are 2.8 billion Christians, only one third of the world's population.  In a world on the brink of a major war, when the number of "nones" or people with not church affiliation or faith is ever increasing, we are in a similar situation to where the apostles were that first night. We are meditating these days on the Resurrection and praying for the coming of the Spirit. May our faith grow stronger and our mission become clearer,  to spread the Good News, and in Marist terms, "make Jesus known and loved."

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to understand my mission  and grant me the grace to carry it out. Amen.    

Don't Be Afraid

 

 Jn 6:16-21

Jesus Walks on the Water

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

We can picture the storm and feel the fear in the seasoned fishermen heightened by the apparition of Jesus walking on the raging waters. When they allowed him to enter the boat, the storm ceased and they safely reached the shore. How often do we panic when faced with choices affecting our future or the future of those we love? Or when overwhelmed with trials we feel we can't handle, or when Jesus seems to have abandoned us? Yes, life has it's "storms" but each one is an opportunity for us to cast aside our fear and allow Jesus to come into our boat. He is the ONE who calms the storms in our lives. May we always turn to him when we feel we are perishing. He will not disappoint us.

Bro Rene 

Dear Jesus, so often I feel tempest-tossed with the demands of my daily life and the choices I have to make. Cast away my fear,  come into my boat and calm the raging waters in my soul. Amen.

 

A Preview

 

 Jn 6:1-15

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), ² and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. ⁴ The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

⁷ Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹ “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Just picture 5,000 hungry people, five loaves, two fish and 12 baskets of "left-overs".   Truly a spectacular miracle! Not only does it show Jesus's compassion for the crowd, but sets the stage for the gift of himself in the Eucharist.  He knows and takes care of our physical and spiritual needs and does something concrete to meet them. Does this event embolden us and give us confidence to proceed when what we face seems impossible? When we hunger for guidance, or strength to bear illness, disability, or difficult choices, is not Jesus there with the solutions?  May we learn to put our trust in him and be confident that as he fed this multitude, he will take care of us.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you demonstrated your loving care in a spectacular way by feeding the 5,000. Help me to trust that you will satisfy my needs as well. Amen.

Believe In The Son

 

  Jn 3:31-36

 God Gives The Spirit Without Limit

³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

As we journey toward Pentecost, Jesus tells us to keep our sights on "the one who comes from heaven" who "speaks the words of God" and that "God gives the Spirit without limit." Jesus has not abandoned us, although he has ascended to heaven, but has sent his Spirit to accompany and guide us. We can easily doubt that Jesus is still with us as we watch most of the half hour nightly news. The last minute or two of happy, "feel good news" barely compensates for what we've just been watching. There were no such newscasts in the time of Jesus but fear and pessimism know not the limits of time, for they exist in all eras. But the gift of the Spirit gives us hope and "renews the face of the earth." May we grow in trust and faith in the all-powerful Spirit.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, send us your Spirit and drive all fear and distrust from our hearts. Amen. 

Live By The Truth

 

  Jn 3:16-21

 God's Great Love

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

St. John has given us one of the most popular and beloved statements of Jesus that is quoted everywhere, even on banners waved at ball games: John 3; 16, "For God so loved the world that he gave us  his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but might have eternal life."  It's all there: believe and receive eternal life. Of course, the belief includes action, putting that faith to  work.  Both take effort, but both are gifts as well. If we relish God's love and put it into action in our lives by loving our neighbor, then we are "living the gift."

Bro Rene

Dear God, you so loved us that you gave us your Son; help us to so love our neighbors that we give our lives for them. Amen. 

Believe!

 

  Jn 3:7b-15

 Born of the Spirit

⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

This conversation with Nicodemus sets the stage for the need  and coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Although Nicodemus struggled with the idea of being "born again", he did become a believer as we see at the crucifixion of Jesus. We might find ourselves also struggling with our Faith, even in these days so close to the Resurrection, so let's listen to Jesus as if he were talking to us, rather than to Nicodemus. It might be worth reading this whole segment in John 3: 1-21.  We have just renewed our Baptismal promises, let us strengthen our faith commitment and live it more fully.

Bro  Rene

Lord Jesus, increase my faith and help me live it with fearless conviction. Amen.

The Annunciation

 

 Lk 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

For anyone  who has devotion to Mary, and especially for Marists, this Gospel passage is the cornerstone of our spirituality:  to be open to God's plan and to willingly say YES to it as Mary did. Trust, love, faith  surrender all play a part in the FIAT of Mary, and in ours. Did Mary know all that her submission to God's will entailed for her? Did she see herself bidding farewell to her carpenter Son when he began his mission, or when she stood beneath his dying body on the cross, or beholding his risen body after his resurrection? Did she see herself still mothering his Body, the Church, and caring for each of us as her own? All were included in her faith-filled YES. She did not hold back and stands forever a model for us.

Bro. Rene

Dear Mary, as you accepted God's will so totally, help us to do the same. Amen. .

Lord, Increase My Faith

 

 John 20:19-31

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.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

We may be in the boat with Thomas, especially these days with senseless shootings multiplying randomly, the on-going wars in the Ukraine and Gaza, scandals exposed in governments and businesses, more and more churches closing and polls revealing increasing numbers of people with no faith or church affiliation..  Yet, even "Doubting Thomas" came to believe when challenged by a fearless, loving Jesus who did not want to lose this apostle with so much potential. Thomas believed and his unbelief opened the door to those on the threshold of similar doubts.  And amazingly, the numbers of people attending Holy Week and Easter Services were astoundingly high in many places this year..  It's not over yet, and, no doubt, Thomas who went on to be the Apostle of India is still at work helping doubters to find and accept the Truth, that Jesus is alive and ready to help us come out of our unbelief..

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, increase our faith and help us to confess, "My Lord and my God!" Amen.

 

 

It's Up To Us

 

  Mk 16:9-15

 Our Great Mission

⁹ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. ¹¹ When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

¹² Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³ These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Mark's Gospel concludes with the command or commission to preach the Gospel to all nations and for two thousand years this has been done and is on-going today. It's a task that never ends, it seems, so this  final command is as relevant today as when Jesus first uttered it. How can I carry it out? I can try to live the teachings and example Jesus gave as much as possible, and in conversation, writing and teaching, pass the message on to others, beginning with our families, work places and church communities. It's amazing how powerful a word or action might be. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as he guided the apostles, our first teachers and preachers.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, guide and and teach us how to carry out the Great Commission in my circle of family friends and co-workers. Amen.

Jesus Feeds Us

  

Jn 21:1-14

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

In this third appearance after his resurrection Jesus again shows that he is alive and attentive to our needs. He knows we need convincing, nourishment and a strong faith to continue his work. As he provided these for them,  so does he for us today. Let's put ourselves on the shore with him and allow him to feed our hungry and maybe even doubting souls.  We need strong, unwavering faith in these days of so much "non-faith" and attempts from all sides to erode even what is there.  How many churches are closing and being turned into condos? How many people admit they have no faith. How many people are seeking psychological help?  How many people are committing suicide? Something, SOMEONE is missing, and Jesus is feeding us and asking us to feed others. Let's JUST DO IT!

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, as you fed your apostles, feed and strengthen us to be your Apostles today. Amen  

You Are Witnesses

 

Lk 24:35-48

³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

 It took awhile for the Apostles to fully realize that Jesus was alive again; he ate before them, showed them his wounds, shook off their unbelief and clearly explained his mission and theirs...and ours!  We are his witnesses, we are to bring the good news to our generation. As we take even a cursory look at our world, we see that all is not right. It's up to us to do something about it..to live our faith sincerely and without compromise, and share it with others. The WOW of the Resurrection is  2000 years old. The WORK of the Resurrection is NOW. It never ends.  Are we up for it?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus help me to be a faithful witness of your Resurrection and bring this good news to others. Amen.

They Recognized Him

 

 Luke 24:13-35

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

How the presence of Jesus changed confusion, disappointment and sadness into joy! We can empathize with the disciples in their state of confusion after the crucifixion of Jesus, the disappearance of his body and rumors of his resurrection. A lot to assimilate, but Jesus, in his usual convincing and powerful way sets the record straight..How often do we walk in the state of mind of Cleopas and his friend, when we lose perspective?  Jesus does not want this confusion, and is always there to help us recognize him and find him again at our side.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to recognize you "in the breaking of the bread" when I think I've lost you. Amen. 

Called By Name

 

  Jn 20:11-18

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹¹ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹² and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³ They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” ¹⁴ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

¹⁷ Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

What if I were weeping outside the empty tomb and heard Jesus call my name?  What would be my reaction? Joy? Relief, a heart bursting with love?  All of these? And would I not be so fortified, so strengthened in faith and love that nothing would ever discourage me again? That would be my hope, my goal. This Octave Week of the Resurrection challenges us to deepen our faith in the Risen Jesus and to joy in his victory over death and sin and his call to share that with me. He calls us each by name as he called Mary and invites us to believe with a rock-bottom, lasting faith and trust in his love, no matter how bleak the circumstances we face at this moment.  He is truly risen and shares that risen life with us. May we live each day with joy, fortified by the Risen Jesus.

Bro, Rene

Dear Jesus, you have truly risen from the dead. Why should I fear or be sad? Let me live joyfully in OUR new life! Amen.