Tag Archives: discipleship

I Know Talent

Posted on by Rob Peace
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During the sixth week in Ordinary Time, in the Book of Genesis, time and time again human beings turn inward to their selfish desires or act destructively out of fear, perpetuating a cycle of isolation from love and friendship. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus seems to be almost physically shaking his friends and would be disciples out of their slumber and to open their eyes to what they are missing right in front of them.

Human achievement can be sign of joy and solidarity. When done with a generous heart, labor and sacrifice can produce incredible things that can sustain and improve peoples’ lives. Compare the motives of the people who build the tower in Genesis with the type of heart that Jesus insists for his disciples. How do the Fundamental Principles support Jesus’ message of both the challenges and the joys of giving oneself away?

Here are the readings for Friday, February 21 from the Book of Genesis and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Painting above of “The Tower of Babel” by Peter Bruegel the Elder)

Read pages 3 and 5 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. Philip Dougherty, CFX on pages 41-42 in the Xaverian Menology.

(Above photo of Brother Philip Dougherty, CFX, his senior year at Mount Saint Joseph High School in 1933-“The Collegian” yearbook)

  1. In the community of Xaverian Brothers, Associates, and Partners in Mission, we reflect on how the Holy Spirit may be calling us to do or be something new. How did Br. Philip embody this spirit of renewal in his leadership roles?
  2. How did Jesus allude to the lessons from the Tower of Babel to the people in the crowd?
  3. Jesus preached a counter-cultural message when he implored his followers to take up their cross. It suggests that discipleship can come as a burden. Is it a burden or a challenge about what is necessary for positive change in the world? How does Jesus’ message resonate with the message from the Fundamental Principles about what it takes to achieve anything special (see page 3)?

Forward

Posted on by Rob Peace
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During the fourth week of Ordinary Time, the readings continue to reflect the themes of encouragement to faith communities and challenges to embrace what is new so that we may maintain what is sacred. Being open to the presence of God in uncertain times figure prominently. 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. 

In the Letter to the Hebrews, the author reminds the audience of the men and women of faith who blazed a trail of commitment over time so that new believers could have the opportunity to be transformed and share the Good News. These trailblazers include the Twelve Apostles, who in their imperfect ways, were animated to embrace to the best versions of themselves with the people that they encountered. Today we also feature a great American trailblazer of faith, Brother Isidore Kuppel. His zeal for innovation and leadership inspired generations of people to fall in love with God and the Xaverian way.

(Painting below of Jesus sending out the Twelve)

Here are the readings for Thursday, February 6 from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark.

Reflect on pages 4 and 5 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

(Above photo of Brother Isidore Kuppel, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

  1. Consider the language in the Letter to the Hebrews, the Gospel of Mark, and the Fundamental Principles. How are they all simultaneously comforting and challenging? What is the relationship between being open to the challenges of discipleship and experiencing the comfort of a graced relationship with God that is present in a community of brothers and sisters?
  2. I love this picture of Brother Isidore. He is shown at repose, relaxing with an almost satisfied look on his face. It is an odd photo when one reads his biography above. The man rarely took it easy; it simply did not fit into his calling and the love that he felt from pursuing it. How did he internalize and then project the message from today’s Gospel about being sent forth? What lessons and insights did he glean from his failures that are of value to leaders today who respond to the call to be disciples?

Ordinary Time Week Two: Building Communities from the Inside Out

Posted on by Rob Peace
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The readings from Isaiah and Paul’s letter to the Corinthians talk about the Spirit of God being present in community. In the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals himself as the incarnate God in an intimate communal setting, a friend’s wedding.

This week, as we read and reflect on the Scripture and on the lives of people transformed by the Xaverian Charism, consider the challenge and the joy of finding God in ordinary communal settings. St. Paul’s outline of the ideal Christian community in Corinth is quite simple-be open to one’s spiritual gifts and give that gift away to others you know those you don’t know. Then, be at peace that whatever earthly station in life you find yourself because of these gifts, that you are a reflection of God and part of something great, something holy, and that in this communal setting of faith that you are loved and free to love. It sounds so simple, but it is incredibly difficult given our very human desire to stand out and above others, be it through achievements or acquisitions. We foolishly associate them as examples of real power, instead of being aware of the real power in sharing it or giving it away. We choose fission instead of fusion. We are blessed, though, to know and read about the women and men who understand their place (which may change over time!) in their communities and in their journeys into the unknown, and who knit people and their environment back together thread by thread.

This week, as we read the letter to the Hebrews and Gospel of Mark, be inspired by the ordinary but transformative messages of perseverance, making connections with other people when social norms dictate otherwise, and healing through the balance of action and contemplation.

As an example of someone who envisioned what Paul’s letter to the Corinthians could be, consider reading the extraordinary life of Brother Lambert Bents, CFX, and think about the life giving choices he made in his long Xaverian mission. Have a good week.