For the second week of the season, the first readings continue to come from an unknown author directed at the somewhat ambiguous audience in early Christianity known as “the Hebrews.” The Gospel readings during Ordinary Time are focused on Jesus and his actions and words, but mostly his actions, in the Gospel of Mark. There is also a reflection question based on documents from the Xaverian Brothers or from accounts of the lives of Xaverian Brothers or lay Partners in Mission. Please consider writing your own responses to the 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.

Here are the readings for Thursday, January 23 from the Letter to the Hebrews and from the Gospel of Mark. (painting below from wallpapers.com)

Both the letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark speak to Jesus’ availability, especially to those pushed aside or shunned in their societies. In Mark we also read accounts of “the crowd”, which becomes a character in its own right in this Gospel narrative. The crowd is fascinated with Jesus, but is fickle when it comes to whom and when it chooses to venerate, ignore, or condemn. People in the crowd are reactive and not reflective. Jesus, on the other hand, possesses the spiritual discipline to be faithful to his mission and not be distracted by the temptations of celebrity, or to become someone that he is not to fit the desires of the crowd. Consider when you are having a moment in which you are tempted to speak or act out of expediency and not out of authenticity? When are those weak moments most likely to occur, and when can you reflect on these and other events in your day-in the morning, on a commute, or before you retire for the evening? Think about reflection to prevent reaction.

Read page 12 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers and then read the biography of Br. Hugo Hammer, CFX (p. 125 and 126 in the Xaverian Menology)

(Above Hugo Hammer, CFX as a Senior at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, KY 1940)

By all accounts, Br. Hugo led a vigorous and active life! How do the spiritual recommendations on p. 12 of the Fundamental Principles direct us to intentionally reflective practices to sustain our energy in our lives that in their own way are just as busy as Br. Hugo was?