Devoted to Scripture

The 20th century witnessed an enormous interest in the Bible among Christians of all denominations.  Catholic scholarship advanced and in the inclusion of Scripture courses in high school, adult groups, and a wider gamut of Scripture readings at Mass have helped familiarize Catholics with the Word of God and to develop a more biblical spirituality.
St. Jerome, who translated the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures into the then "vernacular", Latin, was responsible in his day for making God's word accessible to the common folk.  He loved Scripture that he devoted a major part of his life to this translation, known as the "Vulgate", even when nearly blind, having to depend on the eyes of others to help him.
A simple way to develop a similar love and devotion to Scripture would be to take the readings of the day, found in many publications or on line on the website of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), read them several times, and allow them to speak.  Scripture is LIVING, and inevitably, there's something there that pertains to our situation at the moment.  It won't hurt to look for a moment to hear God's message to you for this day.
Br. Rene

Serving The Least Favored

At the heart of our Marist Mission to make Jesus known and loved are "the least favored."  These are the poor who live on the margins of society, or to draw an analogy for today's Gospel, sit at the gate alongside Lazarus.  He was verily neglected, indeed, he was not even seen by the rich man who, clothed in fine purple,  dined at his sumptuous table.  His wealth caused blindness; it was only when he lost his wealth and found himself in Hades did he begin to see. Although we do not find ourselves wrapped in purple and gouging ourselves with gourmet delights, our complacency can cause a similar blindness.  However, to be true to Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Marcellin, we need not only to sharpen our vision to see those in need, but we must do something about alleviating their needs, their ignorance, their poverty. Marists around the world, as well as in the United States are doing that in our schools, by providing tuition assistance to those who cannot afford it, by our mission collections, which directly help the poor, and by giving our students experiences in serving them, experiences, which in many cases continue to be a pattern for the rest of their lives.
Br. Todd Patenaude, writing from a poor orphanage/school in Jamaica, The Alpha Boys School, said  that we can all help with this particular work first by prayer, and then by financial contributions, either directly or by sending information about partnerships, grants, or foundations that assist such institutions.  We can all pray, and through our prayer  prevent the blinders which might creep over our eyes as we fill our lives and our days with our own concerns as well as help those in those in the Alpha School, or our other works among "the least favored."
Bro. Rene

Keep Praying For One Another

People are constantly asking for prayers and we usually agree to pray for them. The numbers grow over the years, and we might even lose contact with those who asked us.  The temptation is to "let them go", but I've found that to keep praying for them is best.  Once in awhile we bump into them, as I did in one case last night, and find that our prayers have been answered.  People forget, but God does not forget.  Our prayers remain efficacious as they reach the heart of the all-loving God.  We don't always have to know the results.
We might think of using the blanket intention, "for all those whom I've promised to pray for", but mentioning people by name, even when we no longer hear from them, keeps them in mind and reminds us of the relationship that once existed, and someday could easily be rekindled. 
Occasionally, someone tell us that they've been praying for us, and we react with, "oh, so that's why things have been going so well."  God, of course is the giver of all grace and all good things come from him, but our prayers are somehow in the mix too. So, just keep praying!
Bro. Rene

In The Footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul

Most parishes have a Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and most people know that it doles out food and clothing to the needy.  There is a "Poor Box" or a St. Vincent de Paul Box near the doors of the church, or a collection now and then to fill their empty pantry.  Indeed, St. Vincent de Paul has left a legacy that endures.  But his own life and the struggles he faced are little known and are just as astounding as his energetic service to the poor.
From peasant origins, he, after an initial education by the Franciscans, was hired as a tutor by a wealthy family, and was thus able to continue his studies, working his way to a university degree and eventually to ordination to the priesthood.  He was captured by pirates and for two years was a prisoner on a galley, and served as an oarsman in the despicable conditions aboard these ships.  Providentially, he escaped, returned to France and began his service to the poor, especially to these "galley slaves", then to the poor of the streets.  He founded the Sisters of Charity to care for the poor and the sick; he opened soup kitchens, shelters and hospices both in France and around the world.  Like Jesus, he served those who could not return anything to him except their gratitude.
Last night at Central Catholic, we heard one of our seniors describe her rise (so far) from poverty and extremely brutal circumstances to the threshold of a college education and a brighter life. Her moving story touched the hearts of donors to our Montagne Program, which, in the spirit of St. Vincent and St. Marcellin helps those who initially cannot return anything but their gratitude.  It is heartwarming to know that all who support this program and similar ones in all our Marist schools are walking in the footsteps of such great men. May their example continue to motivate us and those who benefit from our generosity to walk in their footsteps.
Bro. Rene

Confidence

We love to watch young people grow in self-confidence.  In a high school setting, as well as in a family, it is astounding at times to see the difference between a freshman and a senior.  Not only is there a physical change in height and weight, but also in the confidence those four years of experience bring. We've known that transition ourselves, and it is gratifying to see it happen in others.
Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J,. a German spiritual writer who was killed by the Nazis in 1954, describes confidence as "something that can be relied on in face of all doubt and reservation and appearances to the contrary."  Personal self-doubt diminishes significantly as we go through life and find that stretching beyond our limits and sometimes even forcing us to do something we dread, gives us a new self-reliance we never thought we had.  We all remember fearing to jump into deep water, even when someone was there to catch us.  Once we did it, we found it was fun, and we did it over and over again....eventually on our own.
Our confidence in God, Divine Providence, and the power of prayer grows as we leap into his arms, as the child into the water, and we find that with God's help, we can do it!  We trust a little, and that trust increases with each new leap. We learn to pray with not only confidence but with an expectation that God will hear our prayer and answer it. We grow in confidence that no matter what, God is always there and will care for us in ways that exceed our imagination.  Lord, may I grow in this trust and confidence that I may be a more supple instrument in your hands.  Amen.
Bro. Rene

The Power of Daily Prayer

From time to time we question the value of our daily prayer, which, sometimes seems dry, rushed,  or just part of a rote routine. This is a normal question, which should lead to a good look at the how and why of our daily prayer regimen. There is a value in keeping to our prayer schedule, no matter what the feeling or progress may be. Fidelity itself is a virtue.  But beyond that, daily prayer "calms the soul, gives joy and peace, softens, even removes anxieties and allows us to relax and experience the love God has for us." (Sacred Space p. 300).  It's the how that makes the difference.
For example.  Take a quiet moment and hear Jesus say to you,"Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."  (Mt 11: 28).  He continues, "Yes, come for rest.  But stay for rest too.  Stop all feverish haste and be calm and untroubled.  Come unto me, not only for petitions to be granted but for nearness to me. Be sure of my help, be conscious of my presence, and wait until my rest fills your soul.
Rest knows no fear.  Rest knows no want.  Rest is strong, sure.  The rest of soft glades and peacefully flowing rivers, of strong, immovable hills.  Rest, and all you need to gain this rest is to come to me.  So come." (God Calling. p. 184).  If we prayed like this, how powerful and how nourishing would be our daily prayer.  We'd not want to miss it.
Bro. Rene

Kinship

Family Spirit is one of the key components of our Marist Spirituality, and it flows right from the Gospel:  "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." (Lk 8: 21).  The General Conference meeting at the Hermitage in France this month has been stressing the global nature of our Marist Family, not only with delegates from all the different parts of the world where we are located, but also by looking at the vision of St. Marcellin.  He wanted Marists to be in every diocese of the world, and now, 195 years after our founding, thanks to the huge number of Marist Alumni and lay colleagues, that dream is coming closer to reality.  Communication via our latest technologies have brought us closer together.  Just this morning, for example e-mails from two Ryans, one in Afghanistan and one at Penn State, brought their worlds into mine.  Through their written words I could see and hear them.  And we mustn't forget that our prayers and our attendance at Mass and reception of Holy Communion make us one with the Body of Christ, which is not only present in the Holy Sacrament, but in the Body of Christ throughout the world.  So, the two Ryans were with me at Mass, along with everyone who partakes of this slice of daily bread.  What a privilege to be brothers and sisters of Jesus and of one another!.  Let us celebrate our global kinship with joy as we go about this day.
Bro. Rene