Who's At The Door?

Note:  Below this slice of Daily Bread, there should be a slice of day-old bread from yesterday. Don't miss it.

Today's Gospel story about the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31) is clear that dressed in purple we
may not be, we cannot ignore the Lazarus who may be suffering at our door, on our streets, across the border or overseas.  The Rich Man, often referred to as "Dives", but unnamed in the Gospel, must  have known who he was, for from the netherworld where he landed, he thirsted and called on Abraham to let Lazarus (called by name) dip his finger in water and touch it to his dry lips. We know the needy by the category, "needy",  but rarely by name.  And if we did know the name, wouldn't we be more likely to help?  So much more grievous, then,  the sin of the Rich Man.  No common sense person would want to share his fate, so even with that motivation, we would be moved to offer assistance. With millions or starving and homeless people in our own country and around the world, sharing even a little of what we have in so much abundance, is an obvious "must". One of the pillars of Lenten practice is "almsgiving". This is a good time to open our doors and hearts to whoever is out there. There will always be someone.
Bro. Rene

Day Old Bread

Note:  This slice of Bro. Rene's Daily Bread was intended for Wednesday, Mary 20, but due to an unscheduled interview, Bro. Rene did not make the deadline.   It appears today as a Day-Old-Slice, along with the one written for March 21st.

We recently expanded on the notion of "servant leadership", which again appears in today's gospel passage (Mt 20:17-28).  It's a t theme on which we can never reflect enough, for cocky-ness and pride easily slip into the leader whose "importance" can be inflated by the number of requests for help, presence, shelter or comfort.  The leader asks, "Why do they always come to me?  Why am I always the one?"  Jesus faced the same crowds that besiege us, but he did not allow his head to swell in pride, but humbly "gave his life as a ransom for many."  (Mt. 20:28).  With him as the Primary Servant Leader and us as the disciple,  we will avoid the trap of thinking of ourselves as "the only one" who "can do it right" or "do it all."
Bro. Rene

Ite Ad Joseph

Ite ad Joseph,"Go to Joseph," a traditional slogan, and even a hymn, demonstrating the love and confidence people have had in Joseph for centuries.  And why not?  He was the Father's "Go-to-Man" for his Son, Jesus, and did such a good job, entirely based on his faith with a little prodding from angels and dreams, in assuring that the infant born in Bethlehem would make it to maturity.  So successful was he that the Church has been entrusted to his on-going protection and care. He also serves as the patron of carpenters, husbands, fathers, and with Mary, of families.  There are even prayers and practices begging his intercession in the buying and selling of homes.  How many churches around the world are dedicated to him?  How many "Joe's" do you know?  A beloved saint, whose popularity and effectiveness have not waned over the centuries, and probably more needed now than ever, as the church and marriages seem to be in such turmoil. He also has something to say to the NONE Generation, those who have no religious or denominational affiliation, for his quiet, strong, tender faith stands up as a model for all of us as we look at him facing surprise and challenge after surprise and challenge in his life, but always moving ahead in faith and trust that God's way should and would prevail. St. Joseph, lead and guide us with your love and faith through the maze in which we find ourselves today to the House of our Father.  Ite Ad Joseph! Amen.
Bro. Rene

Being Merciful

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be merciful, just as your heavenly Father is merciful.'" (Lk 6:36).  We wonder how we can ever match that degree of mercy, for our past attempts reveal that much is lacking in "the quality of mercy" that we attempt to show, or in the length of its duration. It must be part of our wounded nature to be so incapable, it seems, in our ability to forgive and be merciful. Jesus, however, would not have proposed this high standard if it were impossible to meet.  He gives a a few practical means of making it possible:  avoid judging others,  forgive and give.  All take effort and all help shrink our "poor me" ego, which always seems to arise as an obstacle, a barrier, between people.  The more we let go of it, the more we "die" to self, the more will we be able to see the plight of others, their needs, their circumstances, and not be blinded by our own.  Lent is the time for us to examine such interactions and make a concerted effort to let go of self, as Jesus did, as much as we can, and put others ahead of ourselves.  Then we will be able to love them with the tender compassion with which God loves all of us.
Bro. Rene

Transformation

Today's version of the Transfiguration from Lk 9: 28b-36 brings back the familiar elements of the dazzling clothing, the presence of Elijah and Moses, the confusion of Peter, James and John, the desire to remain there and the voice proclaiming the "chosen Son." Jesus was transfigured then, but it was only after the resurrection that the Apostles understood the preview that had been given to them. Their transformation came later too, at Pentecost.
Today, as well as the Second Sunday of Lent is also the traditional day to celebrate and remember St. Patrick, a man who too was transformed, but not in quite the same dramatic fashion.  It was though the years of his captivity, escape, and the invitation via a dream to return to Ireland, transform it.
Lent is the time each year when we seek some sort of transformation in our lives, not to don dazzling white clothes or convert a nation, but.to be more like Jesus, a big order, nevertheless. There's no limit, however, to our possibilities as we look at these men who were transformed, not by their own doing, but by the power of God, which is still available to us!
Bro Rene

Loving Enemies

Last night's unseasonable thunderstorm and this morning's sun  make the reminder of Jesus about the sun and rain falling on everyone even more effective as an example of how our love should be extended to all. God makes no distinctions, no discrimination but oh, for us, not so easy.  Just look at the daily headlines or newscasts, and see how the command to love our enemies is being totally ignored.  Stories of shootings, hate speech and vengeance abound.  This is what happens when God is left out of the picture.  We seek to destroy one another.  Happily, there are pockets of people of all ages who are striving with all their might to live this challenge from Jesus.  How can I today, this Lent, put the command to love my enemies into practice?  Perhaps this is THE most demanding Lenten behavior change we can attempt.  We and the world would be better for it, even if we only achieve 50% of the goal!
Bro. Rene

Reconciling

Forgiveness, as hard as it might be, strongly pervades this morning's message in both readings: Ezekiel 18:21-29 and Matthew 5:20-26.  One has to take a deep breath to find the gumption to apologize, and then, sometimes bear the criticism of others, for being "too soft."  Better to forgive, for we all stand in need of it, and then be free to bring our gift to the altar.
Br. Rene