Being Shrewd or Prudent

We can amaze ourselves at how shrewd we can be, as was the overseer in the Gospel Parable: Luke 16:1-8.  The "wise" steward took it upon himself to lower the debts owed to his master so that when he lost his job, he'd have a host of friends to help him get back on his feet.  Jesus comments on his actions by admitting that "the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.' (Lk 16:8).  Yet aren't we the ones who seek the guarantees and perhaps go the extra mile, "just in case."  Are we looking out for ourselves or are we being genuinely charitable, or looking out for the good of others.  The recent political campaign with its bundles of promises "for the good of the country"  make us stop and wonder, "Really?"  We cannot judge the motivation of others, but we can look at ourselves to see if "campaign rhetoric or promises" have crept into our own prayer and actions.  We might discover that shrewdness which Jesus commends but does not recommend.
Bro. Rene

Finding the "Lost"

In today's Gospel from St.Luke, we hear the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin.  The shepherd and the woman don't rest until they find the lost items and their joy echoes among God's angels.
As I come to this final day of our Marist Youth Encounter Christ retreat with 50 Central Catholic students, I too rejoice as I hear over and over again students regret their "drifting" away from prayer and Mass and pledge to amend their ways.  The prayers and sacrifices of many people back up what we attempt to do through talks, small group discussions, the sharing of faith and the building of community.  The formula works; we just keep chipping away and it becomes evident that the power and grace of God accomplish more than we can do or even anticipate.
The passage from Luke 15:1-10 bears, demands much reflection and gives much consolation.  May it be the focus of our prayer today.  "Seek and you shall find." (Mt 7:7)  Not just empty words!
Br. Rene

Putting Jesus First

Jesus speaks strongly about the necessary mindset for being one of his disciples:  "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and other, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.....everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple."  (Lk 14:  25-26, 33).  Does he mean this literally or is he using hyperbole to make a point?   Scholars agree that the "hating" is not to be taken literally, but is to be seen as an accepted means of emphasis, as we would use bold print, italics or an underline to stress a point.  But carrying our cross and renouncing possessions need to be taken seriously. The underlying message is that Jesus must come first in our lives.  If not, we fail to have the freedom to live out his full message and to follow him as closely as we can.  Fall house cleaning, readying for Christmas, these things we do naturally can help us to rid our homes of unnecessary THINGS, and in the same way, a cleaning out of our attitudes, a prioritizing of our values, an honest evaluation of our relationship with Jesus can clear the decks and allow us to put Jesus first.  Then all else will fall into place.
Bro. Rene

"He Emptied Himself."

In the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul quotes an early and popular hymn, known as the "Emptying Hymn".  It is familiar enough to us even to this day.  Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped,.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and, found in human appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.  (Phil 2: 5-  )
Appropriately, this passage falls on the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, a powerful presence in the Counter Reformation and Cardinal Archbishop of Milan.  Born wealthy and "privileged" he emptied himself, living simply and humbly after ordination and consecration as a bishop, and working tirelessly for the poor, using his own resources to feed them and treat them during an epidemic of the plague in 1575.  Despite his small stature, a speech impediment and his soft spoken voice, he reformed the clergy who had drifted far from the ideals of priesthood and ministry, was instrumental in re-convoking the Council of Trent after a 10 year "recess" and began the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) to educate children and adults.  He died worn out by the indefatigable expenditure of his energies at the early age of 46 in 1584 and was canonized in  1610.  He took pastoring seriously, and followed as best he could the example of Jesus.  Needless to say, we need more Charles Borromeos in our own time. It is said that he always answers prayers, so let us pray to him for the necessary reform of the clergy and Church and the re-evangelization of  Christians today.
Bro. Rene

God Works Best Through the Poor and Lowly

Jesus constantly challenges us but also provides examples of people who accept those challenges to show us that they are not impossible for us.  At the home of a Pharisee who had invited Jesus to dine with him, Jesus challenged him not to invite friends or people who could reciprocate by inviting them to their homes.  Rather, he said, "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.  Blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you." (Lk 14: 13-14).
We celebrate a man today who did just that:  St. Martin de Porres, a mulatto born in Lima, Peru to a Spanish nobleman and his freed-slave mistress.  Abandoned by his father, he offered his services as a young boy to the Dominican Friars, doing all sorts of menial chores.  He had learned to cut hair and some rudiments of medicine, and because of his willingness  to do anything  he was asked, and because of his prayerfulness,  the Dominicans eventually allowed him to take vows as a lay brother. His ministry of healing led him beyond the Friary to the poor of the city, something like Mother Teresa in our day. His healings were often miraculous, and one story describes him passing through a locked door to attend a quarantined patient inside.  He was so gentle and loving that he spoke to mice and rats.  None of his "clients" could pay him back, naturally.  His life was so powerful that he has become the patron of those of mixed race, hair stylists, public schools, public health services and those involved in social justice.  He lived Luke 14: 13-14, showing us that it is not impossible
Bro. Rene

Praying For The Dead

The Mass Readings for All Souls Day are used today, even thought it's a Sunday.  It seems strange hearing a "funeral Mass"  on a Sunday, but it's not only a good way to begin the month of November, dedicated to the Holy Souls, but also a way to remind us of our own mortality and the need to pray for the dead.  We know the power of prayer, and admitting that few of us will leave this life so perfect that we can enter directly into heaven, a time of purification and time for the prayers of others to help with that purification is necessary.  God's mercy works regardless, but being involved in releasing these souls is a spiritual work of mercy, fitting right in with the mercy of God.  May we pray earnestly for the souls in purgatory not only today, but the whole month of November, and beyond.
Bro. Rene

Celebrating the Saints

We begin the month of November not only with a chill in the air, but with the celebration of the saints, those people who have lived their lives as best they could according to the teachings of Jesus and who now live with him, the Father and Holy Spirit in peace, shining like the sun in the Divine Presence.  We use images with which we are familiar to describe the kingdom of heaven, eternal bliss and the beatific vision, but as St. Paul told us, "eye has not seen nor ear heard nor has it entered into the heart to man what God has prepared for those who love him"  1 Cor 2: 9)
The recent film, Heaven is For Real, based on the book of the same title, give us somewhat of a picture through the eyes of a four year old, but even that is certainly not the entire picture.  Saints have appeared back on earth; Mary has made her mark in the field of apparitions; miracles in their name verify their place in heaven; the stamp of canonization as well attests to their holiness, but heaven still remains a mystery, a promise, a hope.
The important thing is for us to concentrate on doing our BEST to live as Jesus taught us, in love, compassion, forgiveness and justice.  In so doing we get a foretaste of what the kingdom is; we don't have to wait for death, but can ease into it even here on earth, now, already, but not yet fully complete.  May this day be one that inspires us; may we spend time in prayer with our favorite saints, canonized or not, and allow them to help us follow in their footsteps.
Bro. Rene