On A Mission

Mark's Gospel (cf. Mk 6:7-13) gives us a succinct description of the "first missionaries', the Twelve.  Jesus sent them two by two with authority over unclean spirits to preach repentance, and take with them nothing for the journey.  They were to go unencumbered, in trust that God would provide and thus more able to focus on their mission. And so they drove out demons, anointed the sick and cured many of them.
It sounds easy, and almost magical, but as any missionary will tell you, time, patience and dealing with apparent lack of success or effectiveness are all written between the lines. Mark is in a hurry and often just summarizes the salient points so that he can keep the picture of Jesus moving.
Although the commission was initially to the Twelve, it applies to all of us who are disciples as well.  Our "mission field" might be our own family, colleagues or circle of friends. Do we believe we have the "authority" to follow the example of these courageous men, who must have been intimidated as they first set out?  Success gave them confidence, and so it will with us, but we must make the effort first...and keep on making it when it seems to be going nowhere. 
Bro. Rene

Rejection

As painful as it is to be rejected, it is even more so when it's by friends or family. Jesus was rejected by the people of Nazareth with whom he grew up, who knew him as a child. Painful indeed, but they were the ones to bear the consequences...no miracles were worked there as lavishly they were elsewhere.  Their lack of faith amazed Jesus and they bore the price for it. (cf. Mk 6: 1-6)
We often find ourselves rejected when we are trying our best to live our faith, especially today, when there are strong opinions against beliefs and practices Christian and Catholic.  To stand up for the unborn or the elderly is seen as "narrow" and "old fashioned" and can be the cause for ridicule or rejection.  No one likes to be beaten up, but it is never out of fashion to stand firm in the truth and for one's faith. Martyr have given their lives for it. Can we not stand a little pain for it?
Bro. Rene

Christ the Healer

Looking closely at Jesus and the two miracles presented to us today in Mark 5:21-43, we see his sensitivity and compassion on "the big screen."  In I-Max proportion, we see him curious about who touched his garment, but he does not renege on the cure of the woman with the hemorrhage, nor scold her, just merely wanted to see her face to face so he could tell her that it was her faith that saved her.  When he hears that the daughter of Jairus has already died before he could get to her side,  he doesn't brush off the news, with "Oh, well too late. Nothing we can do now."  No, seeing the grief this news  must have caused the loving father, he proceeds directly to the home, knowing that he has power not only over illness, but of death as well,  brings her back to life and gives her to her parents.
This is the Jesus we love, to whom we pray, a man who knows us, feels for us, can help us and so wills. Why doubt?  Why fear?  Why not approach the Healer and expect his loving response?
The woman and Jairus did.
Bro. Rene

Dismissing "Legion"

Two thousand demons fled from the possessed man into a herd of pigs which, in turn, hurled themselves down a steep bank into the sea where they drowned. A dramatic stampede in obedience to the firm command of Jesus to leave, it stirs the imagination and assures us that Jesus is, indeed, "in charge." (cf. Mk 55:1-20).  While we might not be the actual hosts of "Legion", at times, and at the most inappropriate times, we feel besieged by fantasies, temptations, outrageous desires and images that force us to call out to Jesus for deliverance. It is consoling to know that Jesus will do this, and that these attacks are not sinful, as long as we don't consent to them, but they come with such force that we can't fight them off alone.  Remaining calm is important, as well as turning our attention to something else but asking Jesus for help should come first. If he handled Legion with such power, he can dismiss him from his attacks on us.
Bro. Rene

:Love Places No Boundaries

St. Paul's magnificent "Ode to Love" from 1 Cor 12: 31-13:1 is read at 90% of weddings, it seems, and appears in today's liturgy.  It's a passage that never grows old and always finds a place in our day to day lives.  When given more than a cursory glance, it reveals the need for a strong will, if it is to be taken seriously, for love is an act of the will, and not just a heightened feeling.  It is a commitment to indeed give of self for the sake of another in patience, humility, endurance and generosity.  It certainly motivated Jesus throughout his life and even to his death on the cross, his ultimate act of love. Even today, when we remember St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr, known for his effectiveness with illnesses of the throat, we see that it was through love that he reached out to heal and in the end give his life as a martyr.  The love we have received from our God who is LOVE, is meant to be given to others to uplift  and bring them healing when they are "in a funk" from disappointment, rejection or lack of self-esteem.  Love says, "I love you, no matter what." JUST DO IT!
Bro. Rene

A Feast of Light

February second, formerly the official end of the Christmas season, the Purification of Mary and Candlemass, now the Presentation of the Lord, Consecrated Life Day, and non-liturgically, Groundhog Day, this year predicting an early Spring, serves us a tableful of delights on which to munch. The Jewish Law required that forty days after the birth, a child should be presented to the Lord and redeemed by an offering.  Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to fulfill this law, and were surprised by the presence of Simeon and Anna, who both recognized the presence of the long-awaited Messiah, blessed God, and Simeon went a step further, predicting the sword of sorrow that would pierce Mary's soul.  He referred to the child as a "light to the Gentiles and the glory of the people of Israel." (Lk 2:32) Indeed, Jesus referred to himself as "the light of the world"
As believers and followers, we too are the light, and as the cancles for the next year are blessed on this day, we live each day of the year ahead shining a small but significant flame in a world darkened by infidelity, dishonesty and immorality.:
Bro. Rene

God Will Act

In the beautiful and consoling Psalm 37, we read of God's abiding care and presence; we need but "commit our way to the Lord, trust  in him and he will act." (cf. Ps 37: 5).  Yes, our caring God, our Refuge, lets nothing go unnoticed, and as the seed described by  Jesus  (cf. Mk 26-29) grows during the night and eventually bears fruit, so is it with out spiritual growth and with that of those to whom we are trying to show and teach "the ways of the Lord."  It is always amazing to see glimmers of what we think we have been pounding into the heads of our "charges" begin to emerge.  The seed is sprouting, slowly, and God's grace is at work in his time.  It takes weeks, months, for an amaryllis bulb to bloom, but oh, the wait is so worth it, so beautiful a flower it produces.  All it took was  a bit of water, sunlight, TIME and PATIENCE.  We need to renew our commitment daily to God, and, surely he will act...IN HIS TIME.
Bro. Rene