The Lord Is Your Keeper

One of the brief but poignant "gradual psalms" that serves as a model for growing into the person Jesus describes in Luke 17:34 is Psalm 121.  The short, gradual psalms were sung by pilgrims on their way to worship in the temple in Jerusalem. "Gradual" is the chosen name, indicating proceeding step by step.  They contain detail that one would observe while walking, with references to mountains, heat, the sun, the moon, shade, and God's abiding presence:  "he neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Ps 121: 6).  The pilgrim is reminded of God's fidelity and is called to submit entirely to his loving care.
In today's Gospel, (Luke 17: 26-37), Jesus reminds us that "whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it, will save it."  (Lk 17: 34).  A paradox for sure, but one based on the freedom and peace that abandonment to the care of God will provide, as the pilgrims found in Psalms 121.   If we look upon the Lord as our keeper, then it will easy for us to "lose our lives", i.e. let go of our plans,  be there for others despite the things we have to do, let the car entering from a side street have its way into the flow, and take time for prayer, even though we think we have something more important to do.  May I suggest that you take Psalm 121 and Luke 17:26-37 and pray with them several times today.  Let God be our keeper.  We will find the time we didn't think we had to accomplish what is important for us today.
Bro. Rene

Missionary Dynamo

Frances Cabrini a "sickly" child grew into one of the most dynamic missionaries of the 20th century.
Refused by other orders because of her poor health, she helped her family on their farm in the Lombardi region of Italy.  The parish priest asked her to become a catechist, and loving this work, she gathered other young women to help her.  These became the first Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and she became known as Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini.  She took the name, Xavier, because she wanted to evangelize China as did St, Francis Xavier, whose intent was left unfulfilled because of his untimely death.  Pope Leo, XIII, however directed Mother Cabrini and her sisters to head West instead of East., and thus she arrived in New York City in 1889 to work among the Italian immigrants.  She founded an Orphanage in West Park, NY on land that evidently had no water.  She planted a medal, a lo, a well digger found water in that spot.  This was one of the many miracles she worked, as her Order spread as far west as Denver, and south through Central and South America.  A little slip of a woman, her small stature belied the magnitude of her faith and love.  She serves as an example to those who work in Catholic education and healthcare.
In a world in which once stalwart Catholic countries are losing members, where so many of today's Catholics are foggy about their faith and even the existence of God, the work of the missionary is needed as much now as in any time past.  It so happens that our CCHS freshmen will be making a one-day retreat today, where we hope to lift the fog and help them to come to know and love Jesus a bit better. .
Your prayers, as well as the intercession of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini are needed!  Thank youl
Bro. Rene

Giving Back

A recent Wall Street Journal article addressed the age old question:  Does Money Bring Happiness?
Answer, NO.  Yes, there might be a temporary "high", but looking deeper at purchases or extravagant vacations, people admitted that they did not find happiness...lasting happiness.  What did bring happiness were experiences and giving to charity, or just helping others.
Yesterday, Veterans Day, several local restaurants provided meals for Veterans.  One owner said, "It's a wonderful thing to give back."  He found joy in serving 1000 free meals to those who had sacrificed, even jeopardized, their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms and prosperity that we have today. In Acts, (20:35)  we read, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  The truth is there for the taking.  May we put it into practice today.
Bro. Rene

St. Martin's Cloak

Providentially, the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours falls annually on Veteran's Day (Armistice Day).  The story of Martin's  iconic cloak is well known:  as a young soldier he cut his cloak in half on a cold winter's night and gave the other half to a shivering beggar.  That night in a dream he saw Christ wearing the cloak and saying, "Martin has given me half of his cloak."  A catechumen at the the time, Martin conpleted his preparation and was baptized.  He also refused to fight in an upcoming battle, saying he would only fight for Christ.  He is the patron of soldiers and conscientious objectors.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, we pray that Martin's cloak cover our veterans, protecting those now serving, restoring  hope to those maimed in body and spirit, covering  with mercy those who lost their lives, and bringing together enemies in reconciliation and peace.  If, indeed, nations could place themselves under Martin's cloak which, cut in half, binds the giver and receiver in solidarity, we might be able to reach the final and lasting Armistice that ineffectually culminated "The War to End All Wars."
St. Martin, pray for us, give us the generosity and courage that brought you closer to Christ. Help us to find true peace by loving all as our brothers and sisters.
Bro. Rene

Liberia Benefits from Marist Solidarity

The Ebola crisis in Liberia is still not over.  Our school remains closed as the country continues the battle against this dreaded disease, but the good news is that funds collected from our Marist Schools as well as three Brothers of St. John of God and a Franciscan Sister have arrived in Monrovia and have enabled St. Joseph Hospital to reopen.  Now malaria and the other common illnesses can be treated.  This is a sign of hope for the people as well as a sign of the solidarity of the Marist Family in this country.  Let us continue with out prayers for the complete restoration to normality in that beleaguered country and others suffering from this plague. 
With Thanksgiving just a couple of weeks away, it's also time to bond together to provide food for Lazarus House and other institutions which provide Thanksgiving meals for those who can't afford them.   In all of this, let us offer prayers of thanksgiving for all that we have and for the ability and generosity to help others.
Bro. Rene

St; John Lateran

The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Pope's basilica takes precedence over the 31st Sunday of in Ordinary Time because the basilica stands as a symbol of the entire Church, not just of seat of the Pope's Office as head of the Church.  It is a celebration of US, the People of God, the Church guaranteed to prevail over the forces of evil till the end of time when Jesus will come in glory to claim his Kingdom.  The basilica itself, the palace of the Lateran family, was dedicated in 328 AD and has been rebuilt after fire and eathquakes have destroyed it, again a symbol that no matter what attacks the Church suffers, it will continue to carry on its mission. 
Today the Church faces apparently insurmountable problems arising from within as well as from without.  Persecutions abound in the Near East, China, and in subtle ways, even in our own country. Some bishops are allegedly not happy with the pastoral style of Pope Francis; people are not happy with the closing or merging of parishes and schools; recruitment to the priesthood and religious life is scant and scary.   We could easily fall into worry about the future.  A look at history and especially the words of Jesus, in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always till the end of the age." reassures us, gives us hope, and the energy to "rebuild."  May we find joy in the promise of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit working within the Church and within us.  Happy Feast Day!
Bro. Rene

Strength for Everything

St. Paul tells his beloved Philippians and us that despite his confrontations with hunger, and need, being well fed and living in abundance, he is able to bear all "through him who empowers me." (Phil 4: 13).  He has learned "indifference", part of the "first principle and foundation" that begins the Ignatian 30 day retreat.  For it is in laying aside our wants, the things we think we can't live without, and coming to see that the strength that will carry us through anything is the gift of God himself, that we are able to accept and work with anything that comes our way. 
We can imagine that Mary learned this as, before, or after she uttered her "YES" to the invitation to become the mother of God.  We are humbled when we think that the God who created this universe hears and answerr our prayers, loves us beyond measure and is always at our side.  How much more humbled must Mary have felt to carry that God in her womb?  She did and in so doing she shows us how we can find the strength for everything in the power of God.  All we have to do is step aside!
Bro. Rene