Today is Trinity Sunday; it comes just one week after the beautiful feast of Pentecost that celebrates the dynamic presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the entire world. Our “Trinitarian” Christian faith asserts that there is one God who is three distinct persons existing as a community of self-giving and loving relationships with each other. Yes, God is love (1 Jn 4:8); each person (Father, Son, and Spirit) is fundamentally a fountain of overflowing love!

In this episode we speak with Fr. Alejandro Marina M.M., one of the newest Maryknollers, though he celebrated twenty five years as a priest prior. Coming from Argentina, Fr. Alejandro offers a unique perspective on the growing challenges of doing mission throughout Latin America. He explores the reasons why in a part of the world where most of the people are christian, many face terrible situations of injustice, poverty and oppression.Fr. Alejandro also shares many of his thoughts on such topics as mission in Latin America, Cuba and his feelings on Pope Francis.About Padre Alejandro Marina, M.M.Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maryknoll Father Alejandro Marina was ordained a priest in 1993 in the Diocese of San Isidro. He was director of missions in his diocese and, as part of that work, he was sent as a missionary to Holguín, Cuba, for four years. He has a degree in Dogmatic Theology and has specialized in the area of Missiology. He is currently the director of the Maryknoll Mission Center in Latin America, based in Cochabamba, Bolivia.Nacido en Buenos Aires, Argentina, el Padre Maryknoll Alejandro Marina fue ordenado sacerdote en 1993 en la Diócesis de San Isidro. Fue director de misiones en su diócesis y, como parte de dicho trabajo, fue enviado como misionero a Holguín, Cuba, por cuatro años. Es Licenciado en Teología Dogmática y se ha especializado en el área de la Misionología. Actualmente es el director del Centro Misionero Maryknoll en América Latina (CMMAL), con sede en Cochabamba, Bolivia, y enseña Antropología en la Universidad Católica Boliviana.

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary TimeMk 11:11-26The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Memorial of Saint Justin, MartyrMt 5:13-19"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

On this beautiful feast of Pentecost, we affirm that the Holy Spirit is alive in the Church. Diverse Spirit-given gifts flourish in Christian communities across the globe. Today we Catholics are privileged to live in a renewed Church, in a unique age of “a new Pentecost”! Recall that just last year the Church rejoiced as she observed the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII in 1962. Vatican II was only the 21st ecumenical council in the Church’s entire history.

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, PriestJn 21:15-19He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

The magnum opus of our most important living Catholic author—a pioneer in the Christian contemplative life and spiritual writing. Unlike any book he’s written before, Brother David Steindl-Rast offers spiritual direction from a unique perspective in history. At 96 years old, he has counted Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Thomas Merton, H. H. the Dalai Lama, and Thomas Keating as friends and teachers.He has learned much, and offers it here. David Steindl-Rast was born in Austria in 1926 and came to the U.S. after receiving his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Vienna. As a Benedictine monk, he is known for pioneering dialogue between Christianity and Buddhism, teaching about gratefulness, and revitalizing contemplative prayer. For six decades, he has divided his time between a hermit’s life and lecture and retreat tours on five continents.He’s the author of many books including the classics of spirituality, Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer and A Listening Heart and co-founder of A Network for Grateful Living.https://orbisbooks.com/products/you-are-here-keywords-for-life-explorersLearn more about the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of EasterJn 17:1-11aJesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him."

As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension today, we are reminded that the task of Christians is to preserve the dynamic, enriching, and salvific memory of Jesus. Mission permeates the entire New Testament; some important mission texts are simply listed here: Matthew 28:16-20 (today’s Gospel); Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:45-48, 10:1-16; John 20:19-23, 13:12-15; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:2-5. All these passages contain Jesus’ “mission commands.”

The Ascension of the Lord Mt 28:16-20Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Today’s Scripture readings all speak of God’s continuing and abiding presence with us. The first reading narrates how God remains with the people of Samaria as they receive the Holy Spirit. Next, the Apostle Peter speaks of Christ’s presence in people’s hearts. In the Gospel Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, assuring his followers: “I will not leave you orphans” (Jn 14:18). God’s loving presence has been shown to us in numerous ways. Personally, since today is Mother’s Day, I think of how we have experienced genuine love from our dear parents.https://maryknollsociety.org