Tag Archives: god

March 13-Thursday of the First Week of Lent

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Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 7: 7-12

Here are the complete readings for Thursday, March 13, 2025

(“The Scorpion” by Stanley Spencer)

I’ve had to learn to be assertive over time, and I suspect many others have as well. I don’t have a problem asking for help, or saying “I don’t know”, but asking for what I want or need is a skill I’ve had to develop. Given the human condition though, whether one is outwardly confident to speak one’s mind or not, it is likely universal that we all have difficulty discerning what to ask for when we ask for what we need. Discernment is not embedded into western culture. It does not fit our rapid pace of life, which we have been shown as the norm since early childhood. How can we take intentional time for quiet discernment, and to meditate about what we are really experiencing or longing for in the present moment? Developing that habit of reflection is a skill that can lead to greater insight about why we feel or act a certain way, and how to more accurately ask for help in being closer to who we want to be. I think it is helpful to look at discernment as both an action for a purpose and a moment for its own sake. We are then less likely to evaluate the discernment on what we may have achieved and more so on the gratitude that we experience in the process.

Above all else remember
that your God is forever faithful.
In the words of the prophet God says:
Can a mother forget her infant
or be without tenderness
for the child of her womb?
I will never forget you.
I have branded you
on the palms of my hands.
For your part,
God asks you in return
to make the word of God your home. – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, we are grateful to always be in your presence, and thank you for welcoming us to your divine mystery. When we are not sure of the way to go, help us to know what we don’t know. May we then trust that in striving for what is good and true, we grow ever closer to you and feel the connection you give to us as neighbors and strangers as companions on the journey.

Amen

March 12-Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Posted on by Rob Peace
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At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Luke 11: 31-32

Here are the complete readings for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

(“The Sign of Jonah” Icon from orthodox_icons)

Jonah was lucky. The only real sign for us is the reality of our own mortality. With that in mind, how shall we best use the days in front of us now, starting with where we are today? In other words, how do we differentiate between what is within our control and what is not, and then be at peace with our choices? At the end of the day, can we better judge as to whether the day was good or bad? What changes did we make? What acts of courage took place? Did we recognize instances of weakness or disengagement? Did we make amends for a moral failing, or give thanks for an unexpected grace? Hopefully, at the end of the day we can give thanks that we are continuing a journey of becoming more like whom we really are.

Ryken looked upon his original vocation
as being a conversion
through which he
fell in love
with the service of God.
Yet, he too,
came to the understanding
that a continual conversion is needed.
Be patient, therefore, with yourself and with God. – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, teach me to understand what I do not know. Give me the questions to ask and the courage to ask them. Remind me that each day is different, but always filled with your presence and your grace. Thank you for the opportunity to change so I may be more of the person you intend me to be.

Amen

March 11-Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

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Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

Here are the complete readings for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

(“The Word was God” painting by Carol Ogden)

Think about a selfish time in your life. Maybe it was when you were young, or an adolescent, or perhaps last week. More specifically, consider a time when you did not recognize your selfishness immediately, and you were either indifferent to others you may have hurt, or were convinced your actions were justified? What has made you change your perspective? Who has helped you indirectly to get to a place when you can unpack your mistakes and rebuild them as wisdom? To whom then do you pass on this wisdom, and how do you communicate it? What do you do when the person’s response does not demonstrate that they have accepted your advice? Does it matter?

As you prayerfully reflect on the past,
assess the present,
and ponder the future with one another,
be considerate of this history
and of this ministry.  – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, my mistakes are legion and my selfishness leaves me embarrassed. Lovingly put in my place, I am grateful that you forgive and do not allow me to forget the transformation that has taken place in my heart. Thank you for reminding me that your kingdom is not some far off place, it is here in our midst. Give us all nourishment, so that we may plant seeds that will grow and bear good fruit to feed your children.

Amen

March 10-Monday of the First Week of Lent

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Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 37-40

Here are the complete readings for Monday, March 10, 2025

(“Last Judgment” Mosaic Sant’Apollinaire Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy)

We are more powerful than we think. This is not about our potential, it is about the influence we radiate outward right now. What we do in our interactions each day is more consequential than we know. This passage is a not so subtle reminder about the good we are capable of sharing, especially to those who have been pushed to the margins or put in exile because they were judged to be “other.” On this day, how can we more aware of the opportunities to be fully present to our companions and to strangers, especially when we are on the cusp of being distracted from these ordinary but graced encounters?

You have promised
to follow Christ, the poor man,
totally given in love to God
and for all people everywhere,
and whose loving obedience led Him
to death on the cross. – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, we thank you for the gift of your presence. You are an eternal mystery and a constant companion. Help us draw deeper into this great unknown, leaving behind our fears and insecurities. May we recognize the conflicts and dangers in life for what they are and rejoice in the daily gifts to be found in your creation. In our prayers, may we ask not to be spared from unpleasantness, but be able to move forward and onward trusting that you are with us as you always have.

Amen

Sunday, March 9-The First Sunday of Lent

Posted on by Rob Peace
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No evil shall befall you,
            nor shall affliction come near your tent,
For to his angels he has given command about you,
            that they guard you in all your ways.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up,
            lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;
            you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.

Psalm 91: 10-13

(Christ in the desert by Nicholas Roerich)

In helping people becoming the best version of ourselves, are we better at helping others than we are ourselves? It is hard to know the way forward when we are unaware of what we are doing and the motives behind our choices, even with supposedly altruistic actions. In a way, Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and solitude was preparation not just for overcoming temptation, but for the awareness to recognize the difference between temptation and actual self-care and connection. When we give of ourselves unselfishly, can we recognize the action simply for what it is and be open to the grace that appears, not as a reward, recognition, or affirmation from others, but simply in the action of giving?

Remember,
Jesus, your brother,
has walked this path before you.
In you,
as Risen Lord,
He wants to walk this path again,
and His Spirit, the Spirit of God,
now guides you.

– The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, give me the humility to accept that I am loved in spite of my actions or the masks that I wear. When I say “in spite of myself”, remind me that “myself” is full of your graced being and longs for connection. Give me insight and foresight to appreciate how loved I am, even when I find myself alone and afraid.

Amen

Don’t Miss the Eternal Encounters Right Now

Posted on by Rob Peace
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Today is the last day of this cycle of Ordinary Time. Tomorrow, the season of Lent commences with the observance of Ash Wednesday. That will be tomorrow. Let us not forget the grace filled ordinariness of today. The readings today suggest wisdom and happiness occur when we place ourselves and our hearts in service of God and those we meet on our mundane day to day encounters. Giving oneself away is indeed a gift.

Next week this platform will offer prayers and meditations on the daily readings and spiritual practices for use during the season of Lent. Much gratitude for everyone who viewed, read, or commented on this blog during the season of Ordinary Time.

Here are the readings for Tuesday, March 4 from the Book of Sirach and the Gospel of Mark.

(painting above “Suffer little Children to Come to Me” by Rembrandt)

Read pages 24 and 25 of the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the obituary for Brother Carlos Magruder, CFX on pages 562 and 563 of the Xaverian Menology.

 

(Above photo of Brother Carlos Magruder CFX from”The Tower”-Mount Saint Joseph High School yearbook)

  1. The words in the Book of Sirach and Jesus’ plea in the Gospel of Mark reflect the call not just to patience and temperance, but finding joy in one’s place even if we feel we are not moving ahead as we feel we should. How does the phrase “the last shall be first” translate into day to day living, and not just an eschatological expectation for after we die?
  2. Consider the career path of Br. Carlos Magruder. He clearly didn’t stand still and was active until he was very old. Yet how did he still model this disposition of turning towards God and being open to the presence of God wherever he was and whatever he was doing?

A Thousand Acquaintances

Posted on by Rob Peace
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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.

Do we need to be put in our place before we can trust God and our loved ones? Consider the role of humility and vulnerability needed to open ourselves to others as we truly are. How do the Scripture passages caution us about the sometimes insidious nature of the human condition and how we can betray those we profess to love or respect?

Here are the readings for Friday, February 28 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Painting above “Shapes of Fear” by Maynard Dixon)

Read pages 20 and 21 of the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

(Above photo of Brother Alexius Vanderwee, CFX: First Provincial in the United States-Xaverian Brothers)

  1. The Scriptures reveal some difficult truths about the selfishness that may lie dormant in us. In reading these passages, especially from Sirach, how do you process when these tendencies arise in you, and how do you respond?
  2. Take some time to read about the counter-cultural nature of the “ordinary” in the Xaverian Charism Project. Why is such a simple term so hard to embrace, even for a prayerful person?
  3. Why did Ruusbroec and Ryken believe there was hope for people to recognize the “ordinary” in their journeys in life?

Delay Not

Posted on by Rob Peace
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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.

Today’s readings show us that wisdom is a gift that is not necessarily convenient. Perhaps the expression “come to Jesus meeting” takes inspiration from today’s Gospel. As alluded to in the Xaverian Charism Project, when we experience conversion, we are turning towards something more than we are turning away from something else.

Here are the readings for Thursday, February 27 from the Book of Sirach and from the Gospel of Mark.

(Orthodox image above of “Jesus Teaching His Disciples” Jaroslav Girovysky/Alamy Stock Photo)

Read page 20 of the Xaverian Charism Project of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Brother Talbot McSharry, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother Talbot McSharry, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

  1. Reflect on the images and phrases in both of today’s readings. How do they make you feel? Why are they written in a style that is anything but gentle?
  2. In the Xaverian Charism project, the author refers to a “simple intention.” How does this phrase remind us that “simple” does not mean “easy”?
  3. Last night I attended a dinner for graduates of Mount Saint Joseph High School, mostly from the 1950’s and early 1960’s. I asked one gentleman to name some of his favorite Xaverian Brothers. His face brightened when he said-“I really liked Brother Talbot!” Brother Talbot did not have an easy life, but as demonstrated from my interaction and from the testimony of other former students, he had a memorable life. Reflect on how he pursued the “simple intention” and “turned toward the ordinary.”

Without Constraints

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.

As this week in Ordinary Time comes to a close, we reflect on both the mercy of God and on the nature of deep sharing in our lived experiences of experiencing God. How does affirmation of others, free of guile or self-interest, help reveal the presence of God in our midst and in the ordinary moments of a day?

Here are the readings for Saturday, February 22 from the First Letter of Peter and from the Gospel of Matthew.

(Painting above of “St. Peter’s Rescue from the Lake of Galilee” by Herbert Bokls)

Read page 8 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

Read the biography of Br. Bartholomew Varden, CFX.

(Above photo of Brother Bartholomew Varden, CFX-Xaverian Brothers)

  1. How does the passage from 1 Peter apply to leaders who aim to model the Xaverian value of Trust?
  2. Jesus showed considerable trust in Peter, even though Peter had let Jesus down before and would do so again, and under more serious circumstances. What does Jesus’ message to Peter reveal about the nature of God and God’s relationship with human beings?
  3. What gave Brother Bartholomew the energy to accomplish what he did in his ministries? What did his fellow Xaverian Brothers say about his demeanor as well as his achievements?

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)?