Bro. Rene's Daily Bread

God's Word Will Not Fail

2024-12-20T06:42:00.000-05:00

Lk 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

As we approach Christmas we return to the Annunciation where the story begins as shrouded in mystery, challenge and promise as it can be. Who is this young betrothed? Who is this messenger? What is this message? As the years have passed by we certainly have more understanding of this event than Mary did, yet she complied to the request with an enormous expression of faith, trust, confidence and love and because of it, we are celebrating the birth of the Son of God, the Keystone of our salvation. As we reflect on this Gospel, we cannot but wonder at the risk God took in making this request of Mary, and the risk she took in saying YES to it. What is God requesting of us today, in the final days of Advent, in the year ahead? Do we trust as Mary did, that God's Word will not fail, no matter what we are facing right now? Let us pray with Mary, "May your word to me be fulfilled."

Bro. Rene

Dear God, may Mary's willingness to accept your will inspire me to accept your will for me. Amen.

God's Plan Is Hidden But Best

2024-12-19T06:35:00.002-05:00

Lk 1:5-25

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Little did Zechariah know what he was dealing with when the angel of the Lord appeared to him with the startling news that his wife, Elizabeth, would conceive and bear a son in her old age. He questioned the news as most or many of us would have done. "She's too old. How can this be?" And was silenced for nine months until the child was born, during which time he had the opportunity to reflect on and come to accept the message of the angel. How often do we think that "the impossible" is too far beyond us and things will never change? I'm suffering now with a painfully swollen left foot, shoulders that are so stiff that I can't lift my arms, and acute shortness of breath, getting worse by the day. I've been praying for healing, so far to no avail. The prayers just evaporate into thin air or fall heavily into a bottomless pit. The temptation is it give up, but my faith tells me there is a purpose behind all of this and that I should continue to put my health and future in God's loving hands. It's hard to do, but the right thing to do.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to trust that you know what is best for me and that in due time All Shall Be Well.

The Obedient Joseph

2024-12-18T06:28:00.003-05:00

Mt 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

We can barely imagine the consternation Joseph experienced when he found his beloved betrothed with child before they had come together as man and wife. What to do? He was ready to divorce her until the angel appeared to him in a dream with "the rest of the story". That was enough for him and the good man proceeded with the wedding, putting his trust in God. We cannot but admire Joseph for his desire to do the right thing and for his courage to embrace Mary and the life as God's instrument who had to adapt his own life more than once according to the plan of God. When we find ourselves perplexed, burdened of even angry at the circumstances of our life, let us think of Joseph and his willingness to obey God even when he didn't fully understand God's plan. He trusted and obeyed; so can we.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, through the example of St. Joseph, help me to carry out your will with trust and joy. Amen.

The Family Tree

2024-12-17T06:05:00.001-05:00

Mt 1:1-17

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

4 Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

6 and Jesse the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asa,

8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,

Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah,

11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,

Abihud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

14 Azor the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Akim,

Akim the father of Elihud,

15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Every family has its heroes and skeletons, and the lineage of Jesus is no different. Most of the names we do not recognize except Boaz, Ruth, David, and finally Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Yet as with our ancestors, they all played a role in giving the Son of God a home and a place in this world. This Gospel is included to assure us that Jesus, the Son of God is also as human as we are. Next week we will be celebrating his birth; today we are given his family history to assure us that he is truly human and one of us, a cause for celebration and boundless gratitude.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking on our human nature and becoming one of us. Amen.

By Whose Authority?

2024-12-16T06:26:00.001-05:00

Mt 21:23-27

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Jesus cleverly thwarts the efforts of the chief priests and elders to stump him, embarrass him and ultimately to stop him. We see here that we "don't mess with Jesus." As honest and sincere as he is, so should we be. Jesus calls for faith, not proof. Am I ready to answer the question he poses? Are my Advent prayers and practices deepening my faith in him and my love of him? We have a week and a few days left in Advent, how can we best use them?

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for this Advent Season. Let me use it to deepen by faith and love of Jesus and my neighbor. Amen

Concrete Suggestions

2024-12-15T07:04:00.000-05:00

Lk 3:10-18

John's Exhortations

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

John the Baptist lived a radically simple and austere life and preached a clear, forceful and challenging message that would prepare hearts for the teachings of Jesus. His exhortations are still relevant today and his humble self-regard is a model for us, especially as we now draw closer to Christmas: only a week and a half to go! What acts of charity can we do? How much time can we spend in prayer and reflection, despite the frenzy of decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping gifts and sending Christmas cards? Can we put prayer time first and then get to these other things? Let's give some time to listening to John the Baptist, and select some of his suggestions, or just even one, to help jus experience a fruitful Advent.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to make the best use of this last week and a half of Advent, so that spiritually this might be the best Christmas ever. Amen.

Trusting in God's Plan

2024-12-14T06:41:00.001-05:00

Mt 17:9a,10-13

Suffering Is Part of the Plan

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

The Disciples were so fixed on John the Baptist that they missed Jesus's prediction of his impending sufferings and death. And certainly they had no thoughts about their own persecution, sufferings and death. Neither do we, except that when illness and suffering turn our lives in a different direction, we realize that God is calling us to something deeper, to union with him in his sufferings, and yes, even death. It's not easy to forgo a former way of life and adjust, let's say, to a more sedentary, less independent lifestyle. It's not easy to depend on others for rides and not just jump into our own vehicle and take off to do our errands or go to a movie. For the bed-ridden, it's even worse, but if Jesus could suffer, so can and must we. Let us turn our lives more and more over to him, and accept whatever he is asking us to do.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to drink willingly from the cup of suffering as you did. Amen.

Can't Win?

2024-12-13T06:37:00.001-05:00

Mt 11:16-19

Obstinacy

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

How often are we like these obstinate children who opposed every opportunity to cooperate, or like those who could see no good in anyone? We can easily slip into this skepticism or stubbornness as we are surrounded by it on all sides. Yet it need not be so. Today we celebrate St. lucy, whose name means "light" in the midst of "Dark December" when daylight gets shorter and shorter and darkness comes earlier and earlier. She stood up for her faith and by God's grace survived some of the attempts on her life. Eventually she was beheaded but leaves an example of steadfastness in the Faith; her light shines brightly in today's ever-increasingly faithless and materialistic society. May we not join the gang of obstinate children, but walk in the light with St. Lucy.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, deliver me from the tendency to 'have it my way" and help me respond with all my energy to the call to walk in the light. Amen.

The Lord's Servant

2024-12-12T06:44:00.003-05:00

Lk 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we get a taste of the great love for simplicity and beauty embodied in the story. Juan Diego, the visionary, was just a very ordinary peasant, recently converted to the Faith, and on his way to daily Mass. He was chosen by Mary to bring her desire for a chapel to be build on Tepeyac hill, and to prove the authenticity of her request, left a painting of herself on his tilma, or garment. The Bishop was convinced and built a chapel; Juan became its custodian until his death. People came to the sie in droves and in less that ten years, nine million became Catholic. A magnificent basilica replaced the chapel, and now a new basilica that seats 5,000 people receives the millions who come to view the still intact image of Mary on the original tilma that should have deteriorated 20-30 years after the image appeared on it. Truly Mary has gifted us with this image and has healed thousands of people. We come to her with our needs and attempt as her servants to show our love and devotion to her.

Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Finding Rest

2024-12-11T06:37:00.001-05:00

Note: Apologies for yesterdays absence. I had a sleep study and a doctor's appointment when that was finished.

Jesus is there for us

Mt 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There are days when we can cry out with so many others, "How much longer, lord?" Aches pains, spinning our wheels on ice, weariness from spiritual dryness, fatigue from the demands of family or the workplace, we think we can't bear much more. Then these three short verses appear to remind us that there is help, there is hope, there is Jesus. Let us accept his invitation to spend some quiet time with him, blocking out our concerns and allowing him to give his loving healing simple by his presence. It's as simple as that.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, when I come to you with my worries and distress, you resolve them and give me rest and peace. Thank you. Amen

The Angel of the Lord Declared Unto Mary

2024-12-09T07:11:00.001-05:00

Lk 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

We celebrate this wonderful Solemnity honoring the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of God, and our "Good Mother", as Saint Marcellin loved to call her. Her humble, yet world-changing life continues to influence us and draw us to her Son. In the Ages of Faith the people of France built a magnificent cathedral in her honor, whose restoration and reopening after a devastating fire brought hundreds of world leaders to its altar and captivated the attention of the world via the media. As Pope Francis noted, this event could be the spark for a reawakening of the Faith in France. We are not in Paris, but we can in this Advent time of prayerful preparation for the Birth of Jesus, renew our Faith, prayer life and love of neighbor through simple and quiet acts of kindness. Mary loves us all with her tender "Mother's love", let us return that love by loving all who come into our lives.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, thank you for Mary, our Good Mother, and help us grow ever more faithful to her beloved Son. Amen.

2024-12-08T06:56:00.001-05:00

Lk 3:1-6

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

Already the Second Sunday of Advent; we need to hear John's call to prepare the way for the Lord. We might have begun a plan of prayer and sacrifice to make Advent truly s time of preparation for Christmas, but already we might have slipped away from it. John calls us back to it. We have a week and a half before Christmas, and yes, Christmas shopping will be a big part of it but we might carve out some time to spend with the daily Mass readings, or browse the internet to find prayers and readings that will enhance this season. Sitting quietly in expectation, in reflection on the huge step God has taken through the coming of Jesus to give us the way to achieve union with him and a closer relationship with our neighbor...so much to provoke gratitude and a desire to follow God's plan even more fervently. There is plenty of food for Advent prayer. Let's "dig in"!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, inspire me to take full advantage of the beautiful readings and themes to benefit fully from this Advent Season. Amen.

A Major Mission

2024-12-07T07:05:00.005-05:00

Note: I returned home last evening after a week in Brigham and Women's in Boston where extensive testing was not able to come to the bottom of my shortness of breath and weakness. This is God's testing time for me. I just have to do the best I can to get stronger. Prayers and Faith are the best medicine.

Mt 9:35; Mt 10:1, 5a, 6-8

The Workers Are Few

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 10:5-8 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Jesus gave his Twelve a major task, and it continues today through us. We are to proclaim the "Good News", heal, and drive out evil spirits, their false ideas and teachings. Our world is as much in need of the Gospel as it was in the time of Jesus. Observe with shock and horror the major hoopla and thrust of this pre-'Christmas season: gift shopping, parties, 'good cheer" but little connection to the birth of the Son of God, our Savior! Years ago the slogan, 'Put Christ back into Christmas" stirred a few waves, but now the question would be, Who's Christ? Is it any wonder why there is such corruption and turmoil in Washington, of why the world is so divided and on the brink of major conflict? We've lost our focus, our direction, our acceptance and reverence for God. We need to be evangelized before we can evangelize others,. Let us use our Advent to clean up and straighten up our souls, mindsets and hearts to be ready to receive our 'Savior, Christ the Lord.

Bro. Rene

Dear God with your grace, help me to cleanse and prepare my heart for the arrival of your Son, not only at Christmas but daily! Amen.

PS. Let us not forget this day that "will live in infamy" as we pray for those who suffered and died in WW II and for the ever-elusive peace in our world and in our hearts that will come only when we give Jesus full sovereignty.

Reading the Signs

2024-11-29T07:01:00.000-05:00

The Enduring Word

Lk 21:29-33

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

As we look at our world, and our history, we might wonder with good reason, "How much longer, O Lord?" Wars, ineffective attempts at peace, destruction of cities and nations, homelessness, people starving, the endless pursuit of money and things. shrinking church congregations, closings of churches, not a pretty nor encouraging picture. Yet Jesus assures us that his Word will endure and his kingdom will be established. It takes FAITH to accept this. As we consume our Thanksgiving leftovers, let us continue our prayers of gratitude and ask God for the grace to renew our faith and help in some small way to reverse the negative trends that are enveloping us.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, hear us, heal us and help us repair the daily damage and loss to our faith and values. Amen

Gratitude

2024-11-28T06:49:00.001-05:00

Lk 17:11-19

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

As a nation we set aside this day to thank God for the many blessings we have received during our lives and especially this past year. As we live day by day, we take much for granted. Go, go, go. But today we STOP, we break the routine, gather with family and friends to share a sumptuous meal and thank God for it all. The Samaritan leper, cleansed of his dreaded disease, came back to thank Jesus after he had shown himself to the priest as Jesus had commanded. The other nine continued on their merry way, omitting to thank their Healer. Their ingratitude is a lesson to us, NOT to be just TAKERS, but grateful RECEIVERS. As we celebrate today,, let GRATITUDE be the hallmark and major theme of the day...HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, I can't thank you enough for all the blessings you have given me and offer you my best and most sincere THANK YOU for ALL. AMEN

Not an Easy Road

2024-11-27T06:50:00.001-05:00

Lk 21:12-19

Perseverance

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

These warnings are dire, clear, and frightening. Followers of Jesus do not have it easy, but Jesus also assures us that he is on our side, giving us even the words to stand up for the Gospel as well as bear with rejection and persecution. We have seen all this in the 2000 year history of the Church. Even today persecution goes on but God's grace and protection are with those who suffer. May we offer our prayers, aches and pains, challenges and disappointments for them and not complain if we find life "too hard."

Bro. Rene

Dear God, I offer my trials for those who suffer more than I. Amen.

Be Ready

2024-11-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

Luke 21: 5-11

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

This graphic description of the end our world can be frightening or consoling. 'First of all, we do not know WHEN the end will come and over the centuries there have been many false leads, as when the calendar turned to the year 2000. A look at our current world might lead us to think that now is the time to "end it all" since things are so bad. IF, indeed, this is the time, how can we ready ourselves for the major change-over? Prayer and efforts to be kind to others, to go out of our ways for them, are good beginnings. Let us take a good look at how we are living, using our time, and making efforts to live as Jesus taught us. It's not too late to BE READY!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to use this day to prepare for your coming. Amen.

2024-11-25T06:29:00.002-05:00

Note: It's good to be back after four days at Holy Family Hospital.

Lk 21:1-4

The Widow’s Offering

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

We saw this Gospel recently, but again it has a lesson for us. No matter how small the material gift is, the love with which it is given makes it priceless. We are not infinitely rich, but God is, and welcomes our attempts to give as much as we can. He sees the love in our hearts behind our "meagre" gift and that is what counts. Let us not hold back but continue to give from the depths of our loving hearts.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to give all that I can from a loving heart. Amen.

Trust the Giver

2024-11-20T05:53:00.002-05:00

Lk 19:11-28

The Parable of the Ten Minas

11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

This parable is a strong reminder, yes, even warning, that we are called to use the gifts God has given to us, not to hide them or let them go inactive. Fear has no place in the kingdom of God, and if we hold back, we are doomed. Sometimes we look with envy at others, who in our eyes seem more gifted than we. This leads us to dodge God's plan for us, and, as in the parable, incur his anger and punishment for the sin of omission. May we joyfully accept what gift of gifts God has given us, and put them to the use for which they were intended, trusting that this is what God wants and will help us to accomplish it.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to accept the gifts you have given me and use them to the best of my ability. Amen

A Good Heart Rewarded

2024-11-19T06:34:00.000-05:00

Lk 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus gives us hope. He has made mistakes in the past, but his curiosity leads to a change of his ways and new and special relationship with Jesus: he will host Jesus at his house. What an honor, so much better than the meagre glimpse he wanted from his perch in the tree. "Small beginnings, greater ends," as the song goes. His brief contact with Jesus led to a change of heart and ways. Might we find a similar enthusiasm not only to see Jesus, but to welcome him into our hearts and homes. With Zacchaeus we can learn humility and allow our enthusiasm to bring us to a new level of relationship with Jesus. What is holding us back?

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to find the enthusiasm even to climb tree to get closer to you. Amen.

Indomitable Faith

2024-11-18T06:33:00.000-05:00

Lk 18:35-43

A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

A desperate man with ironclad faith challenges our own faith. Are we so convinced in our prayer that we would allow nothing to stop us until we received an answer? Jesus was impressed with this man's faith, insistence and persistence and granted his request. May we learn from these few verses what it means to pray with faith. It's evidently a lot simpler than we make it to be.

Bro. Rene

Lord, increase my faith and help me to keep my prayer simple and direct. Amen.

Be Prepared

2024-11-17T06:30:00.000-05:00

Mk 13:24-32

The Last Days

24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

It's that time of year again. These somber verses reflect what we see in Nature: the trees are losing their leaves, the nights are chillier, perhaps frost has already killed off the summer flowers, daylight hours are shorter, all reminders of the shortness of this life and the need to prepare for the great transition. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Yes, we are assured that this moment is coming, but we know not the day nor the hour. It is best to be ready, as if these things will take place within the hour. Next week we will celebrate Christ the King, and the week after, Advent will begin. So now is the time to take these words of Jesus to heart and try as best we can to mold our lives to them, not out of fear but out of love: to be ready to receive our Lord and Savior wearing the garments of good works over a heart of loving service to our neighbor.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to prepare for your coming by making a special effort to love all who come into my life. Amen.

Don't Stop Asking

2024-11-16T06:44:00.000-05:00

Lk 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Our tendency is to ask once, or at most a few times more, and if we don't receive an answer, to give up and stop asking. But this is not what Jesus recommends. He wants us to grow in faith even in the asking. Like the widow, we don't give up. It's a test of faith and endurance as well as of trust that in God's good time, he will grant our request. It's a hard lesson, but an essential one. Let us renew our faith and begin again to ask for the things we think have been refused or ignored. God will eventually come through for us in ways better than we anticipated.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, please grant me the grace to persist in prayer, even when it seems to us you are ignoring our requests.

A Stark Warning

2024-11-15T07:17:00.001-05:00

Luke 17: 26-37

Stay Alert

26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” [36]

37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. "Where the dead body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

These sobering sayings set the tone for the closing of the liturgical year. Little by little we are facing the "end times" and the consequent adjustments we need to make in our lives. There is an urgency and a seriousness that impel us to cast away the frivolous and focus on the serious, to hold on to what nourishes our spiritual lives and free ourselves from what holds us back from a deeper union with Jesus. As Shakespeare put it, "the readiness is all." Even in these "pre-Advent days, let us start cleaning up the obvious messes we have allowed to accumulate and shake the unnecessary clutter from our lives.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me "clean my house" from all that separates me from you. Amen.

Not What We Think

2024-11-14T06:26:00.002-05:00

Lk 17:20-25

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

The Kingdom of God is not your ordinary kingdom. It is elusive, it is present, but "not something that can be observed". It seems contradictory; it promises glory but demands suffering and rejection. Purification of purpose, focusing on Jesus, his example and teaching, and "doing whatever he tells us" are the components we need to add to our spiritual diet daily. That's why our time for prayer and reflection are so essential. What is God giving me today and what is he asking of me? It's not always what we think.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, guide me today on your mysterious and often elusive path to your kingdom. Amen.