Wrestling With God

Often enough we find ourselves in a wrestling match with God as Jacob did in Genesis 32: 23-33. It might be a search for what to do next in life, a problem at work, distress over the direction we see our children taking, or illness, the injustices we see all around us, or sometimes even the weather. We ask why, we try to tell God what to do, we complain, we wrestle with what we want as opposed to what God is asking of us or trying to show us. While we may feel that God has struck us in the hip socket, we continue to fight.
Jesus, dealt with the same issues in the human condition: illness all around him, poverty, gross injustices, and yes, those July days in Israel can be VERY hot! Yet, rather than wrestle God about the fate of humanity, he drove out the demons he encountered, preached about the kingdom of God, the kingdom of love, compassion and justice to all, and curing every illness and disease. "At the sight of the crowds, hi heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled an abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. '" (Mt 9: 37-38). US. We are the laborers he is asking to go out and do as he did, as best we can. Rather than wrestle with God about the why's or why do I have to's, we are to show the same love and compassion he did, and so bring about the healing of the ills that so bother us. If they are bothering us, it is a call to us to take action.
Bro. Rene

We Are All Missionaries

While on this "missionary journey" somewhat in the footsteps of St. Paul, whose name I took for confirmation, traveling by car, not by boat or foot, I was delighted to discover that Sunday's Gospel,was from St. Luke, chapter 10, when Jesus sends out the 72 on their first mission. This was the same Gospel that helped me make my decision to go to Rwanda, after pondering the suggestion that I "think about going there" for nine days. The priest introduced the Mass by saying we are all called to be missionaries, and some are even asked to leave their own countries. Boing. That hit me between the eyes. Then when we sang "Be Not Afraid" after communion, my favorite hymn that I sang over and over on my walk from Assisi to Rome, I knew that God wanted me in Rwanda, so I left the Church with my now "no brainer" decision made. In speaking at the three Masses in St. Joseph Church in Massillon, Ohio, I told the story and challenged them to be missionaries right there in their own parish, their own city. The organist underscored my message by spontaneously having us sing "Be Not Afraid" at the Offertory.
How can we be missionaries in our own parish or city? By living our faith visibly, talking about it in conversation; by affirming the goodness in others by telling them what we see in them, or by encouraging them in their projects, plans a dreams. We can have an especially powerful effect on youth, especially of high school and college age, by commending them for what they are doing, or, if needs be, nudging them back on the right track. Even by e-mail from long distances away, we can console those who have lost loved ones to illness, or an unexpected accident, as I was able to do today after reading some e-mails that had come in while I did not have access to the internet. It's really simple, we just have to do it! Like the 72, we'll be filled with joy and amazement with the results. We are all called to be missionaries.
Bro. Rene

The Power of Family

No doubt the Fourth of July saw many family celebrations, picnics, gatherings, or calls.  How good it is for families to be together like that, to see how the young ones have grown, to encourage parents to continue their excellent jobs of raising their children and to give the elderlies a chance to see the blessings they have brought to this world.  Such was the case with the Gompers "clan" of Wheeling, WV where two gatherings were held, and where sixty family members celebrated not only our independence, but also one another. Such power, such hope.
At the same time, the Marist Family around the world is moving closer to the International Marist Youth Gathering in Rio prior to the World Youth Day.  It will be a chance for youth from around the world to come together as Marist Family and sense their power to MAKE A CHANGE, the theme of the gathering.  Attending will be a contingent from the USA, a perfect piece for the YEAR OF VOCATIONS during which a stronger effort will be made to encourage young men to consider the Marist Brotherhood, the priesthood or the consecrated life in general.  May our prayers be with those in Rio during the week of July 17, and throughout this year.
A boost to all families is the news this morning that Pope Francis has opened to the door to sainthood for Blessed John Paul II, who will be canonized by the end of the year.  This great friend of youth will continue to inspire them and all as St. John Paul II.  Let us rejoice and be glad, for all is good.
Bro. Rene

Freedom, Our Inalienable Right

Fireworks brighten the skies across America as we celebrate our Independence Day, first declared in 1776. In Rwanda on this same day, the 19th anniversary of liberation from the three month genocide which took the lives of over a million people, is being marked by parades, speeches and general celebration, perhaps even fireworks. There certainly is something to celebrate when the human spirit frees itself from oppression, be it overt or subtle. Long ago, the Israelites fled through the Red Sea to escape the oppression of Pharoah, an event which previewed the ultimate liberation from from the reign of sin by the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Our liberty, our freedom, is sacred because it comes from God and is intended for all.  We have often failed in acknowledging this basic truth, but a reading of our Declaration of Independence today, would help us to again appreciate this gift and this right.  The US Conference of Bishops has given us a prayer that might help us appreciate more deeply what we celebrate, and the need to work for the complete ideal:
Almighty God, Father of all nations,
 you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).
We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundtion of human rights, justice and the common good..
Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties.
By you grace may we have the courage to defend them for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land,.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and the in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Happy Fouth of July!
Bro. Rene

The Flight of the Butterflies

As the news fills us with sorrow, anger, even terror these days with the stories of the tragic deaths of 19 firefighters in Arizona, the riots in Egypt and the on-going healthcare mess, we need to hear the words of Jesus spoken to two elderly women in London in the late '30's and recorded in a spiritually uplifting little paperback entitled: God Calling. Jesus said at that time prior to WWII, but as if speaking to us today: "Do not weigh your spirits down with the sins and sorrows of the world. Only a Christ can do that and live. Look for the loving, the true, the kindly, the brave in the many all around you." (p. 136). Not only is there beauty and reassurance in the people around us, but also in nature to an equally astounding degree. This came home to me again yesterday as I watched an amazing and beautiful documentary on the migration of the Monarch butterfly. The film traces the life-long search of Ed Urquart and his wife Nora for proof that the Monarchs migrate from Mexico to as far north as Canada and over three generations return to their mountain of origin in Mexico. Close up photography reveals the mating, laying of eggs, and hatching of the butterfly as never seen by the human eye. Explanations of how these little creatures manage this long trek make the jaw drop and can only lead to admiration and awe. If God so cares for these little ones, in echo of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, then why, oh why, are we so upset when things seem so out of control? Is not God also aware or our needs, and has he not endowed us with even greater capacities? May we humbly bow in gratitude and allow wonder to lead us to him. There is much to be learned from the flight of the butterflies. Bro. Rene

Knowledge of the Heart

The goal of our lives, the aim of prayer as a means to this end, is to know, love and serve God. Knowledge can be intellectual, experiential and intuitive. All three can and should be part of our daily path to God and lead us to the truth that the better we know, the easier it is to love. Study, needs no explanation: we read, we listen to speakers, we discuss with friends, we learn from one another. If we pay attention to our everyday experiences and those of others, and reflect on them, we learn in a more lasting way, one that we do not tend to forget, for we have lived them. Our intuitive knowledge, the knowledge that seems to come "from the gut" or that we describe as simply "being there" in our hearts, is perhaps the truest and most direct knowledge, but the one we seem to trust the least. And yet, it is this knowledge that is the most direct, for it is linked to the heart, it flows from the heart, it touches and moves the heart. It's the knowledge/love that in an instant can bring two people together in the love of friendship. It is the knowledge/love that brings us into the heart of God, and vice, versa, God into our hearts. All we need to do is trust it, and, as Mary did at the Annunciation, receive it. Christ came to be born in her because of it, and Christ can be born in us. "Behold the servant of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your Word." Bro. Rene

Remembering the Lord's Kindness and Mercy

As we approach Independence Day, it is good to remember that we are not fully independent FROM God, but only find real independence IN God, for then we realize how much everything depends on his loving kindness and mercy. As I prepare for a three-week jaunt around the country (I'll be leaving shortly), I am much aware that even in packing and remembering this and that, God is there helping me...and people, who wish me a safe trip, remind me that angels will follow me. I look forward to making the Marist Brothers known in other parts of the country, as well as seeing friends along the way. The financial support we will receive will help our work continue in missisonary lands. it is all good. Your prayers and support are needed and welcome. As I sit behind the wheel, I'll be able to pray and reflect on God's mercy now and the many times I have driven these same roads. I may not have internet access all the time,but urge all readers to put your hands in the kind and merciful hands of God. Bro. Rene