Tag Archives: mount-saint-joseph-high-school

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.”

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)?

This Way

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.

The tone of the readings for today are optimistic. In each one, a human is given a new start and direction. It is a reminder of both our own human freedom and capacities, but also the need for connection and relationships to unleash our freedom. Is it grace when humans find themselves redirected and seeing what is real for what seems like the first time?

Here are the readings for Wednesday, February 19 from the Book of Genesis and from the Gospel of Mark.

(“Healing a Blind Man” by Eduourd Léon Edy-Legrand)

Read page 19 in the Xaverian Charism Project.

Read the biography of Br. John Wills, CFX on pages 468-470 in the Xaverian Menology.

(Above photo of Brother John Henry “Alberic” Wills, CFX-St. Xavier High School)

  1. The narrative in Genesis in which Noah steps onto dry land contains the emotions of a heartfelt reunion. How does the passage remind us of the power of forgiveness, both for the one forgiven and the one who does the forgiving?
  2. The Scripture readings today evoke images of sight and redirection. How did Brother John Wills guide his students, including those he never saw in a classroom?
  3. If you read the italicized paragraph at the top of page 19 of the Xaverian Charism Project, there is a meditation on finding “ordinary ground” followed by a statement in bold about what constitutes “ordinary.” How do the Scriptures for today echo the themes of “ordinary” as applied to the relationship between humans and God?

Business but Unusual

Posted on by Rob Peace
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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.