Learning From The Centurion

How often, before receiving Holy Communion and reciting the prayer, "O Lord, Ii am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed:" do we think of the Centurion who first uttered these words?  He is nameless, but his humility and trust remain as a permanent example of the stance that befits a believer in Jesus.  None of us is worthy of the marvelous blessings we enjoy daily, the love,the friendships, the safety, security and good health we take for granted.  And, assuming that we are entitled to receive the Son of God in Holy Communion into our hearts is pushing privilege a bit over the top.The Centurion knew who he was, what his place was, but also knew who Jesus was, and put his request before him with a sincere and compelling  trust that he would honor it. We might pray for and work toward such humility and trust, not only before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, but in our daily prayer, reflection and interactions with others.
Bro. Rene

Two Sturdy Pillars

Today we remember Saints Peter and Paul, two men whom we look upon as pillars of the Church because of their zealous teaching, conversion of the Mediterranean basin, their letters, now part of the New Testament, and their martyrdom...Giants!   We would not be the Church today without them as their lives and writings continue to inspire us. We pray for fidelity to their spirits and teachings; we pray for Pope Francis, bishops, teachers and leaders.  May we stand firm in our faith as we recall the consoling words of Jesus, "Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.  And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world." (Mt 28:20)

Building on Rock

Jesus tells us that listening to his words and acting on them is like building a house on a solid rock foundation.  It will survive storms and quakes with guaranteed security. Ignoring his teachings and not acting on them is to build on sand, with destruction clearly immanent.(Cf Mt 7:24-29)  Sounds simple, but our hearing and acting can be grossly challenged in our contemporary world where God is not honored nor heeded and the pursuit of happiness in "ungodly" ways has created a world of sandy foundations, (for the most part), for, indeed there are people and communities that indeed build on rock. The question for today is, What is MY foundation? If it's not rock, what can I do to change it?
Bro. Rene

By Their Fruits

Jesus, with his clear, simple and undeniable logic reminds us that "...by their fruits you will know them." (Mt 7:20), whether he's talking about trees or traits.  Apple trees produce apples, kindness begets kindness, a peaceful heart, a peaceful face and peace in the hearts and on the faces of others. Personal prayer, reflection, and goodness bear fruit in wisdom and bring forth a desire for such in others.  On the contrary, a disturbed and selfish heart bears heartache and pain. We cannot hide what's inside.
May this be a day during which we strive to bring out the best fruit we can.
Bro. Rene

In Due Season

This short phrase is key to our spiritual growth as well as to the farmer and gardener. As trees need to mature before bearing fruit, a process that might take years, so do we need time to allow the fruit of our labors, of our prayer and reflection to ripen into rich, nourishing maturity.  God slowly brings our efforts to fruition with HIS grace and in HIS time, something we in our eagerness and impatience forget or find difficult to accept.  From time to time, it's a good practice to look back, review our lives and our spiritual growth, and note how God has been there every step of the way and that nothing has really happened by chance, but all part of his plan.  We see that "in due season" (Ps 149:15) a lot has been accomplished and we find joy and confidence that in the seasons ahead, we will indeed reach full maturity.  In God's time, not ours.
Bro. Rene

The Speck vs the Beam

We find no difficulty seeing the "speck" in our brother's "eye" (behavior)  and can go on for hours deriding him in our minds or publicly, while failing to see even grosser faults in our own behavior, (cf. Mt  7:5). Just seems to be the way things are and have been even before the time of Jesus.  Both the specks (or splinters) and the beams come with the territory of being human, and can be the occasion for growth.  When turned around, our greatest faults can be our greatest gifts, our greatest weaknesses, our greatest strengths.  All work to the good, if we admit them, and allow God to teach us through them, to lead us through conversion and transform them as we replace a crumbling bedroom wall with new sheetrock and fresh paint.  Rather than compare and compete splinters and beams, let's welcome them and use them to rebuild a better self.
Bro. Rene

A Model

We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist today, a cousin of Jesus and the last of the prophets who prepared the way for the immanent arrival of the Messiah. He lived simply and powerfully, and baptized with a ritual in the River Jordan that symbolized a cleansing of old ways and the adopting of new in order that hearts be ready to accept the Lamb of God.  John was the first to recognize him and point him out to the multitudes.  Clear and forceful in his teachings, he knew not compromise and stood up against evil, incurring the wrath of Herodias, "wife" of King Herod and lost his life for his defense of God's law.
Might we too live simply, recognize Jesus, his place in our lives, and in the hearts of others; might we lead others to see him and adapt their lives accordingly, and may we stand fast against the temptations, false and shallow values and teachings that separate us from God's commandments and desires for us.  St. John the Baptist, pray for us and help us be like you.
Bro. Rene