During the fifth week in Ordinary Time, first readings shift to the creation stories in Genesis, while the Gospel readings continue to follow the actions, prayerful pauses, and corrections performed by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. These readings reflect on God’s love in action, specifically creation, and how these creative powers establish connections with us, made in God’s image. Conversely, the Scripture confirms our all too human tendency to disconnect from God and our truest selves. Yet God continues to reach out and be right in our midst, gently calling us to turn around and embrace what is real and holy.

Trust in God’s presence and goodness radiate through today’s readings in Genesis and Mark. In the Charism statement, we are invited to affirm the call to self-giving, and to be open to how to share our gifts according to the signs of the times.

Here are the readings for Thursday, February 13 from the Book of Genesis and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Painting above of “The Syro-Phoenician Woman” by Michael Cook)

Read “A Description of the Xaverian Charism as Lived by Collaborators”, especially page 2.

Read the appreciation of Brother Conrad Callahan, CFX on p. 672 and 673 of the Xaverian Menology

(Above photo of Brother Conrad Callahan, CFX-Xaverian Brothers, St. Xavier High School, Louisville, KY)

1. Brother Conrad was described in the text above and by people who knew him as “all business.” Yet he was also known by these same people as a compassionate soul. How do these seemingly divergent dispositions reflect the reality of the Xaverian charism in a person’s daily interactions with other people?
2. Brother Conrad held multiple formal leadership positions. His discernment of his vocation led him to make a counter-cultural decision at the height of his influence as a head of school. How does this decision indicate how seriously he took the Value of Trust? How did this appreciation for trust sustain him later in life?
3. How can lay people follow Brother Conrad’s example in our decisions that reflect the calls outlined in the Charism statement?

Please consider writing your own responses to the readings or reflection questions below, or to reply to other peoples’ contributions. Also, if you know of a person, either religious or lay person, who has modeled the Xaverian way, and wish to share their story, please feel free to add to the comments section.