In the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, the first readings shift to meditations from the Book of Sirach on wisdom and on the mysterious Wisdom that is God, spoken in gentle but firm parlance of a parent passing on advice to a child, especially one going through transitions in growth or into adulthood. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his friends and the crowds about what it means to be fully human, which is to embrace the joy of emptying oneself of the pretenses of status caused by well-meaning but distracting ambition.

Here are the readings for Saturday, March 1 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(The Book of Sirach, from Volume I of Bible of Borso d’Este, illuminated by Taddeo Crivelli)

Read pages 21 and 22 of the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the appreciation of Brother James Malone, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother James Malone, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

1. Both the words of the Book of Sirach and Jesus’ admonition to his friends are blunt reminders about being present to others and staying in the present tense. How can this kind of awareness help a person or a community with their plans for the future?
2. What did Brother Jim mean by “always work the crowd”?
3. How was Brother Jim an example of demonstrating the “dispositions” arising from being grounded in the ordinary as described in the Xaverian Charism project?

In the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, the first readings shift to meditations from the Book of Sirach on wisdom and on the mysterious Wisdom that is God, spoken in gentle but firm parlance of a parent passing on advice to a child, especially one going through transitions in growth or into adulthood. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his friends and the crowds about what it means to be fully human, which is to embrace the joy of emptying oneself of the pretenses of status caused by well-meaning but distracting ambition.

Right away, we are faced with the rather uncomfortable prospect of surrendering to God.

Fear and dread she brings upon him
and tries him with her discipline
until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.
Then she comes back to bring him happiness
and reveal her secrets to them
and she will heap upon him
treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.

Here are the readings for Wednesday, February 26 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Mosaic above of “Jesus’ Seventy Disciples”)

Read pages 22 and 23 of the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. James Eckert, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother James Eckert, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

1. The Book of Sirach explores the mysteries of conversion. What causes us to turn towards God, and remain in this pursuit? What do we turn away from when we turn towards God, and why can this be so uncomfortable, even over time?
2. Reflect on Ryken’s account of his own conversion in the Xaverian Charism project. How does it emphasize that our encounters with the transcendent are not necessarily how we picture transformations to be?
3. How did Brother James Eckert demonstrate that an “ordinary” life with little fanfare or prestige could be a joyful one?

In the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, the first readings shift to meditations from the Book of Sirach on wisdom and on the mysterious Wisdom that is God, spoken in gentle but firm parlance of a parent passing on advice to a child, especially one going through transitions in growth or into adulthood. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his friends and the crowds about what it means to be fully human, which is to embrace the joy of emptying oneself of the pretenses of status caused by well-meaning but distracting ambition.

Wait. Trust me. Be aware of everything going on around you, even the unpleasant feelings and sensations. These can be difficult words to hear, especially when we are impatient and want to fix something. God encourages us to trust that we possess the fortitude to redirect our perceptions and our actions when we are unsure of what to do next. Perhaps he is asking us not to fix something or someone else, but to reflect on what in us needs to change.

Here are the readings for Tuesday, February 25 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Painting above of “Christ and the Children” by Emil Node)

Read page 16 the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. James Boyle, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother James Boyle, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

As you read the Xaverian Charism Project, reflect on how the terms dispositions, modes of presence, and reorientation fit into the messages from the Book of Sirach and in Jesus’ pleas to his friends in the Gospel of Mark. How are these three terms connected? Are we being called to something new, or to be what we always have been?

In the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, the first readings shift to meditations from the Book of Sirach on wisdom and on the mysterious Wisdom that is God, spoken in gentle but firm parlance of a parent passing on advice to a child, especially one going through transitions in growth or into adulthood. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his friends and the crowds about what it means to be fully human, which is to embrace the joy of emptying oneself of the pretenses of status caused by well-meaning but distracting ambition.

Here are the readings for Monday, February 24 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Painting above of “Sophia (Divine Wisdom)” by Mary Plaster)

Read page 2 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. John Mahoney, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother John Mahoney, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

1. Jesus asked his disciples to minister to those in need of healing. Why or how was their faith lacking so that they failed? Consider when you have tried do something, earnestly, but in your heart did not believe you could do it? What was the source of your disbelief?
2. Read page 2 of the Fundamental Principles, the Gospel, and the biography of Brother John together. How did Brother John internalize and then share his belief through actions and interactions?
3. Take some time to contemplate the words from the Book of Sirach. How does developing wisdom include appreciating what we don’t know as much as acquiring what we do know?

Today begins the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time. The first readings shift to meditations on wisdom and on the mysterious Wisdom that is God, spoken in gentle but firm parlance of a parent passing on advice to a child, especially one going through transitions in growth or into adulthood. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals to his friends and the crowds about what it means to be fully human, which is to embrace the joy of emptying oneself of the pretenses of status caused by well-meaning but distracting ambition.

Today, the Book of Samuel and the Gospel of Luke reveal that letting go and following God is not only counter-cultural, but almost subversive in laying bare the hypocrisies of some cultural norms, especially those that involve demonstrations of violence as signs of strength and honor.

Here are the readings for Saturday, February 22 from the First Book of Samuel and from the Gospel of Luke.

(Painting above of “Saul and David” by Rembrandt)

Read pages 7 and 8 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. John Olsen, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother John Olsen, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

Reflect on Jesus’ commandment to turn the other cheek, David’s decision not to kill Saul, and consider the words of the Fundamental Principles about bearing with people in their difficulties and weaknesses. What do we hear about being compassionate but also courageous in righting wrongs or confronting injustices? What did Brother John’s peers have to say about his ability to be present to people in both gentle and in tense situations? How can we internalize our calling to be peacemakers in the strange but effective and practical way Jesus challenges us to be?