Advent began with the call from its major figure, John the Baptist for repentance, a change of life, and as we approach the end of the Advent/Christmas cycle, he appears again with his final word to us: "I must decrease, he must increase." (Jn 3:30). This is what makes John's joy complete, and ours too. We might think of a vacation in Hawaii or skiing in Switzerland, winning the Powerball, or a secure job with Goldman-Sachs as the source of complete joy, but these or their equivalents fail to satisfy. Accomplishing our mission, fading into the background after guiding others to the full Christian life, is the true fulfillment of our assigned life's task and the source of the joy that John humbly presents to us. If our Advent/ Christmas observances are to bear fruit, this is where we should be now...decreasing in life's spotlight, and fostering the increase of attention on Jesus.
Bro. Rene
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Friday, January 8, 2016
Bold Faith
We sometimes wonder why nothing happens. "Same ol' same ol'. " Could it be that we are too passive and not bold enough to take the initiative to MAKE something happen? In today's Gospel, a leper breaks the rules and customs of his time, does not use his bell to ward off other people, and approaches Jesus asking directly for a healing. Jesus responds immediately, reaching out to him, touching and healing him. (Lk 5: 12-16), If he had not approached in this bold act of faith, he would have continued in his leprosy and eventually died from it, but with the cure, his life was totally changed.
St. Marcellin founded the Marist Brothers with this same kind of bold faith, beginning with two young men who needed much education and formation. He faced crisis after crisis, but continued with bold confidence in Mary and in our Heavenly Father.
Br. Florentius, founded Central Catholic in this same manner: with 50 students, three brothers and no money. Thousands have been educated at this school which thrives 80 years after its beginnings.
In our own lives, do we approach Jesus with such bold faith? If not, it's time we did.
Bro. Rene
St. Marcellin founded the Marist Brothers with this same kind of bold faith, beginning with two young men who needed much education and formation. He faced crisis after crisis, but continued with bold confidence in Mary and in our Heavenly Father.
Br. Florentius, founded Central Catholic in this same manner: with 50 students, three brothers and no money. Thousands have been educated at this school which thrives 80 years after its beginnings.
In our own lives, do we approach Jesus with such bold faith? If not, it's time we did.
Bro. Rene
Thursday, January 7, 2016
The Command To Love All
St. John doesn't leave room for excuses or rationalizations when it comes to our obligation to love everyone: "This is the commandment I have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother/sister." (1 Jn 4: 21). It's easy to love those with whom we agree or share similar likes and gifts, but the people who are "hard" to like, either by their actions or their attitudes are the ones that most need our love. It is amazing what we can discover if we can break through their outer shell. If we persist in showing them loving kindness, we will find similarities and common ground we never knew existed.
Jesus uses the words of Isaiah to describe his mission “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ( Lk 4:18-19) These things are the work of love and they describe our mission clearly. It is love that unbinds and frees people of he burdens that hinder them from apparently being loveable. Taking the time to get to know them and uncover the fetters that bind them enables us to give them exactly what has been lacking. May we wisely and prudently put our mission into practice TODAY!
Bro. Rene
Jesus uses the words of Isaiah to describe his mission “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ( Lk 4:18-19) These things are the work of love and they describe our mission clearly. It is love that unbinds and frees people of he burdens that hinder them from apparently being loveable. Taking the time to get to know them and uncover the fetters that bind them enables us to give them exactly what has been lacking. May we wisely and prudently put our mission into practice TODAY!
Bro. Rene
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Overcoming Fear
Pope St. John Paul II began his papacy with what became his motto: "Fear Not." St. Marcellin often told the brothers to "Fear Nothing." These admonitions do not come out of thin air; the are constant throughout the Scriptures. Gabriel tells Mary not to fear; the angels tell the shepherds not to fear, and in today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples not to fear when he approaches them walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
Today, we remember St. Andre Bessette, "Brother Andre", a man of small stature, orphaned at 12, sickly, unskilled in the eyes of the world, and plagued by his own timidity. If anyone had reason to be afraid because of his self-perceived inadequacies, it was he. Yet, his faith in God and his devotion to St. Joseph enabled him not only to overcome his fears, but also to be instrumental in thousands of healings and the building of the popular St. Joseph's Oratory atop Mount Royal in Montreal. Forgetting self, and overcoming the real or imagined criticism of others, he was able to accept himself as he was, and put his trust in the God who had created him. In order to follow his example, we might just ask ourselves, "If God has brought me safely thus far, will he abandon me now? St. Andre, help me to accept myself as I am and to trust in God's love and plan for me. Amen.
Bro. Rene
Today, we remember St. Andre Bessette, "Brother Andre", a man of small stature, orphaned at 12, sickly, unskilled in the eyes of the world, and plagued by his own timidity. If anyone had reason to be afraid because of his self-perceived inadequacies, it was he. Yet, his faith in God and his devotion to St. Joseph enabled him not only to overcome his fears, but also to be instrumental in thousands of healings and the building of the popular St. Joseph's Oratory atop Mount Royal in Montreal. Forgetting self, and overcoming the real or imagined criticism of others, he was able to accept himself as he was, and put his trust in the God who had created him. In order to follow his example, we might just ask ourselves, "If God has brought me safely thus far, will he abandon me now? St. Andre, help me to accept myself as I am and to trust in God's love and plan for me. Amen.
Bro. Rene
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Let Us Love One Another
In his first letter, St. John sums up the core of Christian Doctrine in a nutshell: "Let us love one another, because love is of God:" (1 Jn 4:7). This is who we are as Christians, this is what we do. Love makes God known, for God is love; love enables us to do what we think is impossible; love heals, love forgives, love empowers, love saves.
Today we celebrate St. John Neumann, a native of Bohemia, who immigrated to America, became a Redemptorist priest and Bishop of Philadelphia. He loved his vocation and gave it all his energy, establishing schools and learning Gaelic to better serve the Irish immigrants in his diocese; he "was close to the sick; at home with the poor, a friend of sinners." (Pope Paul VI). He was a true missionary, emptying himself totally so that others might receive and grow in the faith. He lived the words of St. John and serves as a model for us to do the same wherever we are on our journey of faith. St. John Neumann, pray for us!
Bro. Rene
Today we celebrate St. John Neumann, a native of Bohemia, who immigrated to America, became a Redemptorist priest and Bishop of Philadelphia. He loved his vocation and gave it all his energy, establishing schools and learning Gaelic to better serve the Irish immigrants in his diocese; he "was close to the sick; at home with the poor, a friend of sinners." (Pope Paul VI). He was a true missionary, emptying himself totally so that others might receive and grow in the faith. He lived the words of St. John and serves as a model for us to do the same wherever we are on our journey of faith. St. John Neumann, pray for us!
Bro. Rene
Monday, January 4, 2016
Turning Points
Although we are still in the Christmas Season, the hoopla of Christmas and New Years is behind us and as we return to our regular routines, it might already seem like Ordinary Time Yes, we might keep our Christmas decorations and Creche up for another week, but for the most part, Christmas is over for many as discarded Christmas trees in yards attest. We might have a few resolutions on our agenda, but the question remains, what will this return to the ordinary mean for us?
We read of the reaction Jesus had when he heard that John the Baptist had been arrested: he "turned to" (in Navy terms) and exploded his ministry, preaching about the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven, and curing "every disease and illness among the people." (Cf. Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25). John's arrest became a turning point for Jesus. John was forced to decrease, and Jesus took it as a signal to increase.
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Elizabeth Ann Seton, who also made a major turn around when her husband died. She became a Catholic, and eventually founded the Sisters of Charity and the American Catholic school system. His death was not the end, but the beginning of something she had never dreamed of.
What surprises await us as we let go of the gala Christmas festivities and pick up again where we left off in November?
Bro. Rene
We read of the reaction Jesus had when he heard that John the Baptist had been arrested: he "turned to" (in Navy terms) and exploded his ministry, preaching about the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven, and curing "every disease and illness among the people." (Cf. Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25). John's arrest became a turning point for Jesus. John was forced to decrease, and Jesus took it as a signal to increase.
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Elizabeth Ann Seton, who also made a major turn around when her husband died. She became a Catholic, and eventually founded the Sisters of Charity and the American Catholic school system. His death was not the end, but the beginning of something she had never dreamed of.
What surprises await us as we let go of the gala Christmas festivities and pick up again where we left off in November?
Bro. Rene
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Following The Star
How fast the days have flown by since Christmas; new Epiphany, often referred to as "Little Christmas" for in some countries in imitation of the gifts of the Magi, this is the day of gift-giving.
We barely have time to pause and reflect on this significant solemnity, so catapulted from one event to another are we. Not so for the Magi, who came from the East and for months, with great sacrifice, left the comfort of their homes to follow the star which was leading them to the newborn king. Their sole purpose was to "pay him homage", to worship him. (cf. Mt 2: 2). As the prophet Isaiah had foretold, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." (Is 9:2).
We cannot deny, that despite our advances in technology, our wars to end all wars, our efforts to free ourselves from the bonds of slavery to opinion or injustice, we still live in darkness, we still search for the light. Each year as we retell this story, our hopes are stirred and the light glimmers for awhile. To keep it from dimming again, we need to look at the promising graces that abound despite the darkness.
Yesterday I attended a Court of Honor sponsored by the Boys Scouts of American, at which a young man received his Eagle Scout pin. He was surrounded by adult scout leaders and young scouts, all of whom renewed their pledges to live lives that are "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight" These men and women are the stars that today provide the light of hope. They will lead others to live exemplary lives and help the light of Christ brighten the darkness of our times. In what ways can we all be bearers of the light? Can we follow the path of self-discipline and sacrifice to "do homage to Jesus" by leading lives of faith, integrity and honor?
Bro. Rene
We barely have time to pause and reflect on this significant solemnity, so catapulted from one event to another are we. Not so for the Magi, who came from the East and for months, with great sacrifice, left the comfort of their homes to follow the star which was leading them to the newborn king. Their sole purpose was to "pay him homage", to worship him. (cf. Mt 2: 2). As the prophet Isaiah had foretold, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." (Is 9:2).
We cannot deny, that despite our advances in technology, our wars to end all wars, our efforts to free ourselves from the bonds of slavery to opinion or injustice, we still live in darkness, we still search for the light. Each year as we retell this story, our hopes are stirred and the light glimmers for awhile. To keep it from dimming again, we need to look at the promising graces that abound despite the darkness.
Yesterday I attended a Court of Honor sponsored by the Boys Scouts of American, at which a young man received his Eagle Scout pin. He was surrounded by adult scout leaders and young scouts, all of whom renewed their pledges to live lives that are "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight" These men and women are the stars that today provide the light of hope. They will lead others to live exemplary lives and help the light of Christ brighten the darkness of our times. In what ways can we all be bearers of the light? Can we follow the path of self-discipline and sacrifice to "do homage to Jesus" by leading lives of faith, integrity and honor?
Bro. Rene
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