Example Speaks

 

 

Mk 9:38-43; 45; 47-48

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out

⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where“‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

"Actions speak louder than words" goes the old saying we learned as children. It sums up today's Gospel neatly and succinctly.  We need such a "bullet" to hit us between the eyes and wake us up and put us back on the right track. We slip so easily into misbehaviors by cutting corners, or by following the false dictum that "everyone else is doing it, so why not me?" No, if Jesus recommends cutting off the foot that walks us into sin, then he would also require a substantial turn around in behavior that deviates from common sense, the commandments or the law of charity.  There's no cutting  corners; it's all or nothing.

Bro. Rene 

Dear God, help me to examine my words and behaviors and discard all that is contrary to your laws. Amen

Amazed and Afraid

 

⁴³ And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Witnessing the cure of the sick and the lame, hearing the profound message of Jesus, observing his tender compassion on all as he gave of his time without cost, and hearing the prediction of his death from his own lips, surely amazed and at the same time frightened his followers. Who was this man? A question asked by generation after generation for over 2000 years. A question for us today in our world that continues to separate itself from God's teachings and delves deeper and deeper into chaos. May our prayer today lead us to amazement at the greatness of God, and to a deeper appreciation for his patience and loving care. Jesus was willing to lay down his life for us, can we lay down ours for him?

Bro, Rene

 Dear Jesus, thank you for your patient and loving care. Guide me as I continue to try to follow you and live what you taught. Amen. 

 

God's Messiah

 

 Lk 9:18-22

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

¹⁸ Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

¹⁹ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

²⁰ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Jesus Predicts His Death

²¹ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. ²² And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Evidently, from the report of the disciples, there was no clear conclusion among the people Jesus cured or who heard him speak about who he was. Jesus was interested even more in how his own disciples thought of him and received a clear and reassuring answer from Peter, "God's Messiah". He warned them not to tell this to anyone so that people could come to their own conclusion.  What if he asked me that same question, what would I say?  Take some time in your daily meditation to put some beef into your answer, even to the point of that belief requiring some sort of suffering, physical,emotional or spiritual.

 

Bro. Rene

 

Dear Jesus, help me to acknowledge with Peter that you are the Messiah, and if called to it, accept suffering in my life as you did in yours. Amen.

 

Searching

 

Lk 9:7-9

Find Him in Prayer

⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸ others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. ⁹ But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. 

We're pretty sure that Herod's interest in seeing Jesus was simply to satisfy his curiosity and perhaps witness a miracle.   On the other hand, many believers gather daily to search and pray over the Scriptures to get a closer look at Jesus, to listen more attentively to his teachings and find support and encouragement to apply them to their lives. May we listen to the invitation God may be offering to us to spend more time with him by meditating on his words and deeds.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, may I take the time to seek you sincerely, not as Herod, and allow you to feed my soul with your words. Amen.

 

A Mission Of Trust

 

 Lk 9:1-6

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Can we imagine how the Apostles felt on hearing these instructions and guidelines for their first mission?  Basically, put your life in God's hands and TRUST! As crazy as it may sound, this works! I came close to following this pattern when I walked from Assisi to Rome in 1977.  I did have a bag with a few extra clothes and I did have a bit of money, but no food and no reservations for each night. I learned, as did the Apostles, that God gives the strength for every step of the way and even takes care of "incidentals" like food and a place to sleep. I may not have worked miracles, but miracles were worked on me. I can verify by my own life that these instructions hold true to this day and I continue to try living by them.  I invite you, my readers, to try to live by them as much as possible.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to live in total trust that you give strength each day for every step of the way. Amen.

Hear and Practice

 

 

 Lk 8:19-21

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

¹⁹ Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ²⁰ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Not to disparage his mother and brothers, but to open the door and invite all of us to be his family, Jesus gives this terse response to the announcement that his family had come to see him. It is an encouraging and consoling welcome to us and a motive to live more and more a life consonant with being part of his family. We may see ourselves as outsiders, but Jesus sees us as his brothers and sisters.

Bro Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for seeing me as part of your family. May my life, my words and actions show my kinship with you. Amen. 

 

Whoever Has, Will Be Given More

 

 Luke 8: 16-18 

A Lamp on a Stand

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. ¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. ¹⁸ Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

This simple, common sense illustration of light and darkness reminds us that we all have a special, unique light to bring to the darkness of this world.  We are not to hide it, but to allow it to illumine our path and to help others see and walk on theirs. The more light we have been given, the more we are called to give others and thus will receive even more ourselves. Let us take time today to reflect on the unique light we have been given and commit ourselves to let it shine brightly to others. 

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to let the light you have given to me shine through me to all the people I encounter today. Amen 

Who Is The Greatest?

 

  Mk 9:30-37

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

³⁰ They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, ³¹ because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” ³² But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

³⁶ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Jesus again predicts the startling news of his impending condemnation and death, but the Apostles "don't get it". Later on we find them arguing about what's really on their minds: who was the greatest among them. Patiently, he tells them that whoever wants to be first must be the last and the servant of all.  As a good teacher, he illustrates his answer with a concrete example. He takes an innocent child into his arms and tells them and us to welcome one another as we would welcome a child into our arms. It seems easy, but when we think of  people who disagree, annoy,or try to control us, we see the challenge. Let's take some time today to examine and reflect on how we relate to people, especially those we find difficult and ask God to help us see and love them as he does.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, open my heart to welcome all who come into my life and love them as my sister or brother. Amen.

 

Follow Me

 

 

  Mt 9:9-13

The Calling of Matthew

⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, one time tax collector and later, Apostle and Evangelist. We  owe much to him for his detailed account of the life of Jesus, his teachings, his miraculous cures, his suffering, death and resurrection.  What a story!  Where would we be without it? He immediately left all to follow Jesus and later pass on his experiences in writing to us. The popular TV series, THE CHOSEN, gives us a detailed picture of the "Pre-Follow Me Matthew", a tax collector becoming less and less enchanted with his profession.  He was ripe for the call and left all to follow it. It took courage and daring. Jesus still calls us to follow him in one way or another.  Are we ready to answer as did Matthew?  That's why taking time each day to LISTEN to Jesus, who still calls through the circumstances of our lives or directly via that "inner voice", is so important, so fundamental to our spiritual growth.  What is he calling me to today?

Bro. Rene 

Dear Jesus, when I hear your call, help me to answer it unreservedly as Matthew did. Amen.

 

Women Contributed Much

 

 

 Lk 8:1-3

 Women Disciples

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

These short verses give a welcome thumbs up to the women who accompanied Jesus, providing for him and the Twelve out of their own means. When we think of it, someone had to provide food and perhaps even "laundry service" as the itinerants moved from village to village. It seems that these women voluntarily offered to do as much for "the mission" as they could.We have to remember that women in those days were kept in the background. With Jesus, however, they played a more prominent role. Mary, above all, exerted her motherly care at Cana and followed her Son to Calvary. Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Risen Jesus. Through the centuries women have been prominent witnesses and companions to the followers of Jesus. St. Mother Teresa stands out as the most recent example. May these women inspire us to use our gifts and our lives to minister to others as best we can.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to use whatever gifts I have to follow you faithfully and serve others unselfishly. Amen.

The Saving Power of Faith and Love

  

Lk 7:36-50

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

³⁶ When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. ³⁸ As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹ “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The guests at this banquet were astounded by the boldness of the woman who certainly broke "protocol" by approaching Jesus while he was at table, washing his feet with her tears, drying them with her hair and anointing them with precious oil.  How better could she show her desire for forgiveness and acceptance and her love.  She certainly puts most of us to shame and challenges us to find some way  to express our faith in and our love for Jesus in a concrete way.  Whose feet can we wash today?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, increase my faith and my ability to demonstrate it by my words and actions. Amen. 

Can't' Win?

 

 

 Luke 7:31-35

 A Tough Crowd

³¹ Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not cry.’

³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ ³⁵ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

We get a sense of the frustration Jesus was experiencing as he relates this comparison; people heard but did not respond. Are we any different? Day after day, week after week, we hear the Gospel, we might even reflect on it for a time but little change is visible in our behavior. It seems that Jesus can't win with us as he couldn't with the people who actually heard his voice. We can change that. It's time for us to hear the music and dance to it!  Let's begin NOW!

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help us to listen to your teachings, embrace them and live them. Amen.

Keep Watch

 

Matthew 25:1-13

 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Not that Jesus meant to scare us, but simply to keep us vigilant, he proposes this parable which has become hauntingly familiar to us.  When things are going well, when our lamps are full of oil and burning brightly, we can easily slip into complacency without a thought for tomorrow, or even for later today. This, Jesus teaches, is dangerous and could find us unprepared to deal with life's surprises and unpredictable challenges. The daily newscast inevitably has a story about an auto accident or a house fire that was not in the daily planner. Beginning our day with a prayer for openness to God's plan is a smart way to be prepared for the unexpected.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, your plan for me is best. Help me to be watchful and open to it, trusting that no matter what, all shall be well. Amen.   

Such Faith

 

 

  Luke 7:1-10

 Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. ² Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. ³ When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵ for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” ⁶ And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸ For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ⁹ When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” ¹⁰ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

The centurion, nameless for the centuries, stands out as an exceptional man. A Roman centurion, itself indicating  dedication and leadership, but one who endeared himself to the people of Capernaum by his love of their nation and his building of their synagogue. His faith and humility, "just say the word" and "I am not worthy to have you come under my roof" stand out here and his words have become part of the Mass as we prepare to receive communion. His confidence in Jesus moved him to cure the servant. Would that we had an ounce of his qualities. But why not? We can begin today by reflecting on these verses and pray that we might imitate what we ponder.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, let me learn faith, humility and confidence that my prayer might be more effective in bringing healing to myself and others. Amen.

Paying the Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 8: 27-35 

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

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

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

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

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

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

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

The Way of the Cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Today's Gospel calls us not only to BELIEVE but to put our lives on the line for it, carrying our cross, whatever it may be.  We can somewhat easily say with Peter, "You are the Messiah", but even in our daily interactions with others, deny him by cow-towing to the thinking and ways of a society of values and practices drifting further and further from God. We let "human concerns" govern us. A true follower, however, is willing to sacrifice his or her life for Jesus and the gospel, and in so doing will find LIFE. If the cross is not part of our life's equation, are we truly following Jesus? Let's take some extra time today to reflect on our behavior and attitudes.  Are they in concert with the teachings of Jesus, or are we subtly slipping into an easy way of life that leaves God on the back shelf?  If Peter, thinking he was defending Jesus. was influenced by Satan, what makes us think we might be immune to his cunning ways? Stop, pray, and look in the mirror.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, keep me on the straight and narrow and do not let me be deceived by the Evil One. Amen. 

 

For God So Loved The World

 

  John 3:13-17

 Sent To Save

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.”

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.

We have in a nutshell the mission of Jesus.  Thank you Nicodmus for your questions and your willingness to listen. John 3:16 appears everywhere, on billboards, on posters at ball games, on holy cards. Jesus came to SAVE us. He willingly took on our humanity and suffered the most painful death, death on a cross, that man had devised to that point. Today we exult, we honor, we lift up that cross, we adore it, because we have been saved by it. As we pray today in the usual fashion, beginning with the sign of the cross, let us stir up prayerful attention and gratitude to Jesus for using that once ignominious sign as now a sign of his love for us and the key to our salvation.  Thank you, Jesus.

Bro. Rene

We adore you  O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.

The Speck vs the Beam

 Note: The internet at Mary Immaculate is extremely SLOW this morning. Please forgive the late appearance of my 5,000th slice of Daily Bread!

 

 

Luke 6: 39-42 

 The Blind  Leading the Blind

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

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

Jesus teaches us to begin reform with ourselves, not with our neighbor.  We can be so consumed by the faults we see in others, that we are blind to our own. A test would be to ask others what they see as our weak areas or where we need to improve. Scary, humiliating, but helpful. Dare we try it today?

Bro.Rene

Dear God, open my eyes to see what needs improvement or redirection in my  own life, rather than in my neighbor's. Amen

A Real Challenge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Luke 6:27-38

Love for Enemies

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

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

Judging Others

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

Jesus proposes radical love.  Love enemies, do good to those who hate or berate us. Hold back from no one, etc.  Each verse is a challenge and a program for a lifetime.  If we all put these teachings into practice, how different would our families, our workplace, our world, our lives would be. Let's take some time today to come back to these verses, reflect on them and take concrete steps to implement them in our behavior. Let's also as for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the grace to follow his directives and promptings. Remember the song, "What the world needs now is love sweet love"? Let's not just sing it, let's DO IT!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, as you have loved us, so may we love one another. Amen.

The Beatitudes in Luke

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 6:20-26

 

 ^{A Game Plan For Life}

²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:

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

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

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

Luke's shorter version of the Beatitudes is complemented with the consequences of their opposites, the "Four Woes" A pattern for life is clearly laid out and deserves daily reflection and effort for implementation. Even if we take just one at a time, we'll find plenty of challenge and hard work.  The effort, however is worth it. We need more "Beatitude People" in this world as it separates itself at remarkable speed from our loving God. May each one of us renew our efforts to live the Beatitudes and help to stem, if not reverse this downward trend.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus help me to become one of your "Beatitude People." Amen. 

No Limits With Jesus

 

 Note: I'm still writing from the hospital and am late posting this because of all the medical activity that goes on each morning...It's finally quiet now...Thank you for your understanding and patience.

 

 

 Luke 6:12-19

 The Twelve Apostles

¹² One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. ¹³ When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: ¹⁴ Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, ¹⁵ Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Blessings and Woes

¹⁷ He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸ who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, ¹⁹ and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them.

We get a clear picture of Jesus in these eight verses....He prayed before making his selection of his close followers, including Judas, a necessary part of the plan for our redemption, and then preaches and heals, including all. This was his mission and he went about it with energy, confidence and power. There was much more to come, but he got off with a rolling start. He stands as a model for us as we begin our day. Who will need healing by word or prayer? Who will need a listener? Who will need a helping hand?  We are Jesus in the flesh for our day. Let's be as lavish and generous with our gifts as he was.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, let me not hold back, but do as you did, being prayerful and generous with our time and gifts. Amen.

A Cure on the Sabbath

  Luke 6:6-11

 Slavery to the Law

⁶ On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. ⁷ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. ⁸ But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

⁹ Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

¹⁰ He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. ¹¹ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

A wonderful, testing question: "which is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"  Jesus makes no bones about healing the man, another case of charity over the letter of the law.We might keep this in mind as we go through our day and come across needs that require "over the fence" attention and care. Love takes precedence.  "Give it a chance", as the song goes.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, let not rules blind me and paralyze me when the Law of Love is needed. Amen. 

Be Opened

 

  Mark 7:31-37

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

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

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

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

Don't we all suffer from deafness and muteness? Do we hear the Gospel message, talk about it with others or  put it into practice?   Probably not, or not as much as we ought. The world and its Godless values and behaviors is disintegrating, and unless there is a return to God, it is doomed. Not to be a doomsday prophet, but only one who looks at his own life and asks, "Am I doing even the basics of  what Jesus asks?  How blind and how dumb am I in my reaction to the gun violence and disregard for the lives and property of  others that feeds our daily newscasts and papers?  When the deaf mute was cured, he spoke plainly and the onlookers were natural publicity hawks for Jesus. We each have a role to play in making the Good News and Good Works of Jesus known to others.

Br. Rene

Dear God, let me be opened by you and be your publicity agent. Amen

 

The Old Is Better

 

  Luke 5:33-39

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

³³ They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

³⁴ Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? ³⁵ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”

³⁶ He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. ³⁷ And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. ³⁸ No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. ³⁹ And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

In these days when the sacred seems to be not only ignored, but derided ;and debunked, we need to heed the meaning of this parable. The new wine, or the latest fad, is not necessarily the best and certainly does not blend with the old.  Why are we always looking for something different or exciting, something which has not passed the test of time?  Why not give the old wine a decent chance, a savoring taste and discover the goodness that has always been there? A look at our society, our declining values, increasing numbers of suicides, tells us that the "new" (which means the neglect of the old) is not the answer. Let us give the old a chance, resurrect it and discover that it is better.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, bless us with an appreciation of the old wine and help us give it a place of honor at our tables. 

They Left All

 

 

  Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

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

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

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

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

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

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

We can imagine the astonishment of Simon Peter and his companions as they  pulled in their loaded nets. Jesus knew exactly how to "hit them" with his power...the boatload of fish spoke volumes to these fishermen, a clear and powerful sign that Jesus was no ordinary man, but one worthy  of being trusted, of being followed. So the fishermen left their boats and nets and followed Jesus.  Does this event speak to me? Often we find ourselves in a "low"...with an empty net despite all our efforts to be good, to help others, to be cheerful and upbeat, to keep and practice our faith. Again and again, Jesus invites us to "lower our nets", to turn everything over to him, and he will fill us beyond our wildest dreams.  We need to leave our wants and discouragement behind and follow the directives of Jesus.  In so doing, we'll find our nets full and overflowing.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, again I ask that I let you run my show.  Increase my faith and trust in you, fill my net to overflowing and help me to leave all to follow you. Amen.

A Man For Others

 

 

  Luke 4:38-44

Jesus Heals Many

³⁸ Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. ³⁹ So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

⁴⁰ At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. ⁴¹ Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

⁴² At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. ⁴³ But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” ⁴⁴ And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

In this early chapter of Luke, we see Jesus the Healer and Jesus the Teacher. He heals at sunset and no doubt into the darkness of the night, is up at daybreak pursued by the people but leaves them to continue his mission of preaching throughout Judea. Jesus, the generous, energetic man for others sets the bar for us, his followers. Could we keep pace with him?  What CAN we do?  We need to take time to be with him as we begin each day and ask him for HIS agenda for us and try as best we can to fulfill it....day by day, one day at a time.  We will be surprised at how much we can accomplish and how much he helps us do it.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, you set the tone and the pace for my own mission as I walk in your footsteps. Tell me what you want of me today and I will do it.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authority and Power

 

 

  Luke 3:31-37

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

³¹ Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. ³² They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

³³ In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ³⁴ “Go away! 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!”

³⁵ “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

³⁶ All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

We might become discouraged from time to time when it seems our prayers are not heard. We are tempted to think that Jesus can't or won't drive away what's irking us or weighing upon us. Then we come across this magnificent yet simple and direct display of his power. Yes, he can and does heal and even casts out evil spirits. May we grow in faith to trust his authority and power and invite him to drive out our doubts and hesitations.

Dear Jesus, increase my faith and drive out the demon of mistrust that makes me hesitant to believe. Amen.

Our MIssion

 

 

 

 

Luke 4: 16-30 

 Rejected

¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

²³ Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. ²⁵ I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. ²⁷ And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

²⁸ All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. ³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Jesus seems to have had mixed reviews after his first appearance and teaching in his hometown synagogue. "They were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips." But then the skeptics chimed in with the usual "Who is he to be teaching us? Isn't he just the carpenter's son?" The people wanted miracles, but Jesus wanted their faith.  Neither happened and Jesus had to escape for fear of his life.  What sadness and frustration he must have felt.  He wanted to give them "first dibs" at his teaching and they rejected it and him. Do we cause sadness and frustration to others, to Jesus, by our refusal to accept or bend? Do we have hard hearts like the people of Nazareth? As we rest from our Labors this day, may we take some time to examine our attitudes and behaviors. Hopefully they won't be the same as theirs.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, open my ears and heart to hear and follow through on your teachings. Is that not our mission?  Amen

 

Honoring God With Our Hearts

 

 

 

 

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 That Which Defiles

7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus ² and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. ³ (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. ⁴ When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

⁵ So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

⁶ He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
⁷ They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

¹⁴ Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. ¹⁵ Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” 

²¹ For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. ²³ All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

There is so much available to us these days, things that can uplift us, things that can defile us. The internet  provides easy access to the sublime as well as to the degrading. Jesus asks us to look inside of ourselves and if we find the makings of that which will separate us from him or from one another, we should clean them out as fast as possible. The Pharisees made the washing of hands and other externals the measure of their holiness, but their hearts were far from God. As we pray this day, let us examine our hearts and purge all that does not belong there and fill them with God-thoughts and God-love.

Bro, Rene

Dear God, cleanse my heart and fill it with love for you and your people. Amen.