Tag Archives: ordinary-time

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?

All that is Pleasing

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. 

Today is the final reading from the Letter to the Hebrews this cycle in Ordinary Time. The author reminds the community that grace can be found through ordinary sacrifices such as sharing with their neighbors and accepting the decisions of those tasked with leadership. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus, despite fatigue, opens himself up to be present to the people who are aimless or lost. His disciples still do not fully grasp that this type of “agape” or self-sacrificing love in daily life has a compounding graced effect not only on those who are being served but also on the servant.

(Painting below of “Christ’s Entry into Brussels” by James Ensor)

Here are the readings for Saturday, February 8 from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark.

Reflect on page 11 of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

  1. Read the Gospel and then read the section from the Fundamental Principles. What do you find challenging, frightening, or inspiring?
  2. How do the words of the Fundamental Principles reflect the words of encouragement in the Letter to the Hebrews?
  3. Read the reflection on St. Mary’s Industrial School and the appreciation for Brother Thomas More Page, CFX. What gifts did he receive from his experiences at this school and how did he share the gifts as a man, as a Xaverian Brother, as a child of God?

(Above photo of Brother Thomas More Page, CFX-St. Xavier High School)

(Photo above of St. Mary’s Industrial School, Baltimore, MD-Xavierian Brothers)

Awake From Your Slumber

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. 

Today’s passage from the Letter to the Hebrews contains the memorable “cloud of witnesses” phrase. It is simultaneously mysterious and tangible, reflecting the solidarity of the faithful, living and deceased, walking with us through peril but also through the quiet and mundane parts of our daily journeys. (Painting below “The Cloud of Witnesses” by Eria “Sane” Nsubuga)

Here are the readings for Tuesday, February 4 from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark.

Reflect on the Description of the Xaverian Charism for Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools.

(Above painting of “The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter” by Gabriel Max)

  1. Jesus shocks and even offends people by describing Jairus’ daughter as asleep. What was he trying to say, not necessarily about the girl, but about the adults in the room?
  2. Compare the preamble in the description of the Xaverian charism with the quote below from Anthony de Mello. How does each text reflect the concept of awakening, especially to the daily and unspectacular experiences that are nevertheless grace filled?

Trust Me I Am Here

Posted on by Rob Peace
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In this third 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. 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. 

The Xaverian Charism calls us to fall in love with God each day. On some days this is quite natural, and extremely difficult on others. I suspect for those of us who pursue a spiritual journey, most days fall somewhat on a continuum between the two extremes. Motivation for stepping into the unknown may be in short supply on any given ordinary day. This is where grace comes in. People who follow the Xaverian way are empowered by five values which help us bear witness to the Charism. The values are: Simplicity, Compassion, Humility, Zeal, and Trust. The values do not exist in isolation and together gives us and our communities a beacon, especially when we are reluctant or fearful. As you read today’s Scriptures and the profile of Brother Raymond Hoyt, CFX, think about the value of Trust and its power to animate us, even on the most ordinary of days. (Painting below “Jesus Lamp Under a Bushel”)

Here are the readings for Thursday, January 30 from the Letter to the Hebrews and from the Gospel of Mark.

Next, read and reflect upon pages 2 and 3 the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

(Above photo of Brother Raymond Hoyt, CFX)

  1. Read the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews and pages 2 and 3 from the Fundamental Principles together. How do the words and messages in the Fundamental Principles reflect what is revealed in the Scripture, especially about the value of Trust?
  2. Why is Trust so essential to following through on Jesus’ command to not to hide one’s “lamp” or inner light, as well as his admonition about the effects of unconditional giving of self?
  3. Read the text and view the video on the life of Br. Raymond Hoyt, CFX. How did he reflect the Xaverian Charism in daily life, especially witnessing to the value of Trust?

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.

Of Angels and Boredom

Posted on by Rob Peace
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As we begin the liturgical season of Ordinary Time in the Christian tradition, we are invited to reflect on the daily readings. For this first week of the season, the first readings 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. Please consider writing your own responses to the reflection questions below, or to reply to other peoples’ contributions.

Today, consider the readings for Monday, January 13, 2025 from the Letter to the Hebrews and from the Gospel of Mark. (fresco below by Masaccio)

  1. In the letter to the Hebrews, why is the author comparing Jesus to angels? What is the author trying to say not only about Jesus but about human beings and our own worth?
  2. From the Gospel of Mark, a potential hot take-did Peter, Andrew, James and John follow Jesus in part because they were bored and were sick and tired of smelling like old fish and brine? Is there anything wrong with that, or with making positive choices that begin from less than selfless motives?

Next, read the first two pages of the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers.

The author writes about the concept of freedom. How might God’s conception of our freedom differ from our own notions of being free in daily life?