Faith Brings Results

"Can s child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?" (Gen 17; 17) "'Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.' 'Volo mundare. I will do it. Be made clean.'" (Mt 8: 2).
Two astounding examples of faith overcoming the impossible.  Abraham questioned, laughed at the idea, and tried to suggest alternatives, but in the end, believed.  Isaac was born.  The leper didn't even ask, he just reminded Jesus that he had the power to cleanse him and Jesus responded immediately.
When we pray, particularly asking for healing, or for conversion for ourselves or others, do we really believe that God will do it?  Even in our doubting and quibbling, may we come to the point reached by by Abraham and turn what seems impossible over to God who so easily turns the impossible into the possible.
Bro. Rene

Two PIllars

Note:  yesterday an unexpectedly long physical therapy session prevented me from posting a slice of daily bread...I aplogize.

As we observe the Solmentiy of Saints Peter and Paul we might look for a moment at the role these men played in the foundation of the Church. Both underwent "training"; they were not born into their respetive roles of leadership and evanglization.  Peter denied Jesus three times, yet always aware of his sinfulness, trusted in the mercy of Jesus to be able to begin again and again.  Paul persecuted the early Christians with passion and determination, yet was re-routed on the way and turned that passion and determination to preaching, writing, and nourishing the Church as its first theologian  and missionary to the Gentiles.
The Church today, needs such passionate leadership and conviction.  And when we say Church, we mean US...for we are the Church. We lament the loss of two generations and see young adults searching for meaning in their lives  which ultimately means  a connection to God.  This is what the Church (we) should be providing. These folks need to SEE our faith in ACTION' they need answers to their sincere questions.  May we all learn from Peter and Paul how to use our gifts, and despite our sinfulness, do the best we can to bring the searchers back into the fold
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Besides the familiar major marial feasts, there are other "lesser" celebrations in local areas around the globe.  June 27th is the memorial of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, an important feast with the Redemptorists and Redemptorestines.  We might be familiar with the icon, but may not realize that it is Our Lady of Perpetual Help.   We might also have never noticed that one of Jesus' sandals is barely hanging on his foot by the strap.  The story goes that when he as a child heard of his eventual passion and death, he was so frightened that he rans as fast as he could to his mother, nearly losing his sandal.  Hel lept into her armas and from her faith, stabiity and strength was abke to 'face and accept the inevitable suffering.' Mary again sands as  the strong, abiding mother to whom St. Marcellin had similar recourse, and many Christians throughout the centuries.
In today's first reading from Genesis, we read of Abraham's faith...he believed in the impossible promise that although old and childless he would become the father of countless descendents.  We might ponder today where our faith stands, and if we find it weak, can we run to Mary to strengtgeb ut?
Bro. Rene

De-Logging Our Own Eyes

It's so easy for us to see the faults in others and to slip a quick, dimissive  judgement on them spontaneously. We all do it. and try as we might after hearing Jesus tell us over and over again to "remove tbe log from our own eye before tending to the splinter in our neighbor's eye." (Cf. Mt 7: 4), we fail time and time again.
Perhaps if we put ourselves at the other end of the log and try to see ourselves as others do, we might be humbled enough to work on de-logging our eye and leave the splinter in the eye of our neighbor to God.
Bro. Rene

Speaking In the Light

We are all called to be proclaimers of the Good News, evangelizers.  Jesus tell us to speak in the light  what we hear in the dark; to proclaim on the housetops what we hear whispered. (cf Mt 16:26-27).  We might be able to voice our political opinions loudly, but when it comes to matters of faith or sprituality, we tend to hold back.  This hesitancy might come from the honest truth that we "don't know that much about these things," or from the "who am I? syndrome resulting from an overpowering awareness of our faults and weaknesses.  It's a kind of fear that paralyzes us into silence.  Jesus is aware of that and continues to encourage us not to be afraid, for indeed the Father knows the number of hairs on our had and surely if he cares for the sparrows that dart about, does he not care for us and protect us?  Are we not worth more than many sparrows? (cf. Mt 16:32).  We don't have to be a Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, but by our humble presence in deed, more than word, we can be proclaimers of the Gospel and shed our light in the darkness.
Bro. Rene

Birth of John the Baptist

Note:  Totally diorientated this morning and the deadline has arrived...Sorry... A great feast. a great prophet...May we imitate his zeal and follow in his footsteps in making Jesus known and loved.

"Crazy In Love With Us"

The phase used by St. Alphonsus LIguori in the 17th century "Craze in Love With Us" preceeded the title of the popular musicl, "Crazy For You" but refers to the great love God has for us.  The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrates that love and encourages us to reflect on the image givien to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque and the 12 promises made to her. The flaming heart of Jesus burns with love for us and seeks to enkindle our loving response:  Can we love Jesus with the intense love that Jesus has for us?  Can we love our neighbor with an unselfish, undoncitional love?  Can we show it in little signs of affection or caring like the anonymous gardner who daily plants new flowers in my garden in secret, by night or sometime during the day when no one is looking?  A sign that someone cares and recognizes my inablitly at the present time to plant my own flower.  As the burning heart of Jesus is a sign for his love, what signs can we give to others of our love?
Bro. Rene
Here are the 12 promises...
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will comfort them in their trials.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.
5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings
6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.
8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.
9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.