Shining The Light

The day after Epiphany with its shining star, Wisemen and gifts, we shift to the stark reality of "Life After Epiphany",  an episode in the life of the Infant, now in his adulthood, when his cousin John is in prison and he begins his task of preaching and healing, of being the Light in the darkness of our world of sin sickness and pain.  An abrupt turn, but the reason why the Son of God took on our human nature.
While we might be tired from the holidays, or fighting a cold or the flu, today's Gospel (Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25) reminds us that we too have a mission to bring light to others, to give hope, to teach and heal by our love. It's an on-going task that needs to be done, no matter how we feel.  Our Advent and Christmas reflections were geared to help us come into closer contact with Jesus, to tighten the bonds of love and service, to follow in his footsteps and be his voice and helping hands in our circles. He is our Light, he is our strength, he enables us be the continuation of his Light.  What we have received, may we not hesitate to give.
Bro .Rene

Paying Him Homage

12 days after Christmas, and in the commercial world and for some families, it's over.  No more Christmas music or decorations in stores; a shrinking number of homes decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas trees on the curb waiting to be picked up, life as usual. But no, it's Epiphany, "Little Christmas" and in some countries, this is the gift-giving day when children get all excited to receive their special gift, because this is the day when the wise men bestowed their gifts on Jesus.  We do not bear gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but we do have our hearts, our love, and our homage to bring to Jesus.  We must keep Christmas alive, not only in this season, but all throughout the year. May our love, our compassion, the gift of our time, our adoration and homage to Jesus and our loving service to all be our Epiphany and Ordinary Time gifts.
Bro .Rene

Jumping to Conclusions

There's a song from the Mickey Mouse Club of fifty years ago:  "Don't jump, jump to conclusions; they always bring delusions."  True then, ages ago and still today.  We read in today's Gospel how Nathanael, even before meeting Jesus, jumped to the conclusion that this man must be a "loser", hearing that he came from Nazareth. "What good can come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46).  After meeting him, however, his opinion took a 180 degree turn: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God" (Jn 1:49). 
Today we remember St. John Neumann, an immigrant from Bohemia whose heavy accent. shortness of stature and threadbare clothing at first turned people "off", as the saying goes.  But beneath that distracting exterior was a Bishop and saint!  Oops..."my bad", the people must have said when his holiness became more and more visible as his life of servant priest unfolded.
When we find ourselves impatient with people who have heavy accents, are hard of hearing or forgetful, we might recall the little ditty above and these two examples and ask for patience and forgiveness for jumping so soon to delusional conclusions.
Br. Rene

Come and See

Hearing John the Baptist proclaim, "Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew, brother of Peter and another disciple. followed Jesus who asked them what they were looking for, and told them to "Come and see." (Jn 1: 35-39).  They spent the afternoon together and whatever took place changed the path of their lives forever.  They met Jesus.  That's all it takes. When we come to know Jesus, a power is given to us to do what we never thought possible.   These post-Christmas days, like the other side of Advent, as we meditate on the Incarnation and attempt to plumb the depth of its implication and meaning for us, give us the opporunity and invitation to "come and see"...spend time in quiet and reflection (pondering) of the love which prompted the Son of God to take on our humanity so that we might know him and love him in return.  May we put our trust in him that we might follow the path he has in mind for us, as did Andrew. John, James, Peter and the other Apostles.
Bro. Rene

The Holy Name of Jesus

Note;  This slice was intended for yesterday, January 3rd...Please benefit from it today.

The name, Jesus, means "God helps" The angel Gabriel gave this name to Joseph for the child in Mary's womb because "he will save people from their sins." (Mt 1:21).  The reverence and honor given to the name Jesus used to be accompanied by a slight bow every time it was pronounced, and was a matter of confession when used in vain or as a cuss word.  Using just the name Jesus, can be a powerful prayer, repeated over and over when all we are at a loss for "the right" words. We are calling on him as the lepers or blind did as Jesus walked by.  He would stop, pay attention to them and grant their requests, satisfied that their faith was strong enough to support their calling.  Where do I stand with the name of Jesus.  Is it part of my swearing or part of my prayer?  Holy Name of Jesus, move me to to greater and and respect.
Bro. Rene

202nd Birthday

On January 2, 1817, Father Marcellin Champagnat opened the doors of a renovated but simple house in LaValla, France to two young men, Jean Marie Granjon and Jean Baptiste Audras, who would become the first Little Brothers of Mary. From these humble beginnings, the Marist Brothers have spread to 83 countries and continue to play a strong influence in the lives of young people, especially those most in need, helping them to develop a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus.  A man of faith and complete trust in Mary, our Good Mother, he undertook the "impossible" and made it possible, a theme taken from the Scriptures, exemplified by Mary and Joseph, and repeated over and over again throughout these two centuries+.
Disciples of St. Marcellin, strive to imitate his love of Mary his desire to bring Jesus to those who don't know him.  May we as Marists rededicate our lives to that mission as we move into this New Year.
Bro. Rene

Note:  Tomorrow's slice of bread will arrive on Thursday,January 3.

Today, besides being New Year's Day on the secular calendar, is both the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God and the World Day of Peace on the liturgical calendar.  How fitting to begin the new year by honoring the other of God, the Theotokos, God-bearer, and by praying for peace, a reality that continually eludes us in our individual lives and in our world.  Certainly, our Mother and Queen of Peace is the one to approach, for peace, which,  it seems, does not come with our efforts alone, but with the grace of God.  We need God's intervention for what seems so impossible for us alone to find.  Amidst our continuing family celebrations and football games, might we find time to attend Mass, Worship Services or for personal prayer for peace in our hearts, our family, the lives of our friends and in our world.  As the song should go, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with God!"  Mary, Mother of God, lead us to the path of peace, the peace which only the Father can give.
Bro Rene