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“Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”John chapter 11, verse 40John’s Gospel is a consolation, particularly for today as we confront the suffering, pain and death brought on by the current pandemic.Like Martha and Mary, we may have our doubts—and our understandable fears. But our common faith in Christ provides the assurance that God is always with us, even as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death. Martha and Mary learned that lesson after Jesus brought their brother Lazarus back from the dead. We have the benefit of the Gospel and our personal faith experience that make God’s presence a tangible reality in our lives.As we come into the final week of Lent, let’s focus on the opportunities we still have to change those parts of our lives that have left us less than alive. In faith we are called to new life. Things that hurt us can be overcome. It takes work as we well know. But being open to God’s grace—believing in new life —is the first step we need to take each and every day. Renewal and new life is what we will celebrate come Easter Sunday... the resurrection of Our Lord, his victory over death, and the promise of eternal life for you and me.Friend, these are challenging times. But God is present even when we might not feel that presence. Take the time now to think of all the ways in the past that God has opened your heart and brought you back to life. That is the promise of Faith and the hope and joy of Easter. Stay strong because God’s final word is not death but life.

Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”~ Ephesians 5:8“Dear Friend,St. Paul says we should live as children of light. I think that’s really good advice.You have to admit: we just don’t do well in the dark. We hurt ourselves... we bump into things... we get lost. Today’s reading tells us what we know in our hearts: that by welcoming the light of Christ into our lives, we leave the darkness behind. For us that means relationship problems, disappointments, the setbacks and the hurts. In Christ we can see as the blind man in today’s readings was able to see. Jesus anointed his eyes with clay and then told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. At once his eyes were opened and he gave praise.This parable is a great lesson. Once we realize the power of Christ’s message, we not only see the light. We become the light.We’re now less than a month away from Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Think how you can be the light of Christ for someone close to you: a parent or sibling, a spouse, a child, a friend, a neighbor. See how you can be more light to them than darkness.Adam, here’s the Good News: all the things that bring light are yours to give: solace and comfort, kindness and encouragement, forgiveness and hope. Be generous in the giving and you will be blessed as St. Paul’s child of light.Sincerely yours in Christ,Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”~ Psalm 95:7Friend,This is hard work. It’s the third week of Lent and what we started with every good intention is starting to feel weighty—maybe even burdensome. What exactly did we start anyway?Listen to the reading today from Exodus. The Israelites said the same thing to Moses when they left Egypt: “Why did you make us leave, only to die of thirst in the desert?” Worried for his people, Moses prayed with all his might; then he followed God’s command. He struck a rock and water flowed.How does that apply to me, you ask?We know what God wants for us: joy in giving witness to the compassion of Our Lord and, one day, a welcome home with the gift of eternal life. I understand... sometimes we feel like we’re stuck in a personal desert without a lifeline. This is where prayer helps—and sharing our feelings with people we know who are on the same journey.The halfway mark of Lent is a good time to ask ourselves what really matters. If we want change and transformation, what are we willing to do to deepen our relationship with God? Only you can answer that question. But in my personal mission experience, I have found God’s presence at the most unexpected moments... an Aymara mother who had trouble feeding her children offering me a meal; an aggrieved young man forgiving the person who hurt him... a young seminarian choosing to work with at-risk children.Friend, take just 10 minutes now to realize that you are in God’s presence, and in the prayers of the Maryknoll family. Ask for the help you need. Renew the process that you began just two weeks ago. And be restored for the final weeks of Lent. I am praying with you.

The second week of Lent... and transformation is definitely the message of today’s Gospel. Are you up to the challenge?In the company of his disciples—Peter, James and John his brother—Jesus revealed his divinity. At that moment, Matthew says “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” What Jesus is telling us by example is that we can be changed, too.Lent is the time for a quiet transformation of our spiritual lives, a time to shine our light and proclaim through prayer and good works salvation in Christ. The best way I know to be transformed is to give ourselves over to God so that each day we are a new creation, reflecting in some way an expression of infinite love and endless compassion.With the words of a humble missioner, let’s ask God to transform us today. Here’s a suggestion: Stop for a moment and think about the things in your life that may be going in the wrong direction. Pick just one thing you want to change, and place your intentions in God’s hands. Pray over it. Then be open to the Spirit and let yourself be transformed.Friend, we can be comforted knowing that the goodness we do as God’s children will not only change us, but every life we touch. In this second week of Lent, I’ll be working on my own transformation right beside you. Let’s pray for each other and place our trust in God. God never fails.

“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.”Psalm Chapter 51, verses 3-4Friend,Today is the first Sunday of Lent... and as some poets might say, the first day of the rest of our lives. Time to get on with the work of personal reckoning—acknowledging our sins and shortcomings, and seeking forgiveness. But it’s work of the most rewarding kind.Because we are missioners, each of us has a great desire to connect with God and be renewed in the compassion of Our Lord. So the first thing we can do in our Lenten journey is acknowledge our limitations. Even our flaws. And definitely our sins. Lent gives us the mental space to do that—and the comfort of knowing that the faithful person next door—and believers all over the world—are seeking a deeper relationship with God, too.When we take these first few steps toward renewal, the world changes. We change! We don’t just seek forgiveness. We give it as well and that’s when healing replaces pain. Take a minute now to think how it would feel to be free of some burden in your life just by saying, “I’m sorry...” or “I forgive you.”Friend, when we seek forgiveness from God, it’s a good idea to be forgiving in our own lives. And don’t forget: that even means being able to forgive yourself. Make room for God this Lent in all the ways that are meaningful to you and I know the blessings of renewal will follow. That is the gift of Lent.

Reaching the fullness of life... isn’t that what we all want? Not in a material sense but in a deeply spiritual way—by relieving a hurt, eliminating some past guilt, or just finding a new direction that’s centered on doing good and witnessing God’s love. Fortunately, we have a way. It’s called Lent and the possibility of second chances.This Wednesday we observe the ritual of the ashes and the beginning of Lent. We know the ashes are a reminder of our mortality, and Lent a time of denial. But I prefer to think of these sacred traditions as something more... a chance to start over and realize our full potential as sons and daughters of the Lord destined for eternal life.So rather than focus on giving something up, how about focusing on something you can affirm—perhaps a relationship that means a lot to you but needs a little work. Is there some small thing you can say or do? An act of kindness that could help?Lent is an opportunity to witness the Gospel with conviction because we are preparing to spend all eternity with our God. It’s a time to lighten our burdens and find comfort in our faith.Friend, I will be praying for you during the 40 days of Lent as we prepare to receive the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday. The best way I know to find God is to remember that the good we do now is our pathway to heaven. May your personal Lent this year be the second chance you have longed for.

Today’s Gospel is a lesson in wisdom. There is God’s way—the mysteries we may never understand in this life. And then there is our way—the very human tendency to rely on our own instincts and see just what we want to see.Figuring out the difference doesn’t come from living longer or believing we’re smarter. It comes from knowing that God’s way is beyond us, and that trust in God is the way we draw closer to the mystery of our faith.Jesus is asking us to seek wisdom with the eyes of the innocent—the children, the marginalized, the vulnerable—the people who do not hold positions that society regards as important. But we know that each person is valuable in God’s eyes because each is a unique expression of life worthy of inheriting the Kingdom. These are the exact messages I hear from our Maryknoll missioners serving overseas... that ministering to the sick, the mentally ill, and the poor is how the Gospel gets lived today, allowing God’s presence to be the wind beneath our wings.Friend, as missioners we know that God’s ways are always better than our own. That’s because each person is destined for eternity though salvation in Christ. May the wisdom of our faith be the gift you share with confidence—and joy.

“Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.”~ Psalm 24:8~ Psalm 24:8Today the psalmist is asking us to open our portals wide and let the king of glory enter our hearts. Not just when we hear Mass or say the rosary. But all the time. Sometimes we have the impression that to find God we need to get outside of daily living. Not so. In fact, just the opposite. God is present everywhere... amidst struggles and joys, with family and at the office, when we’re on the phone or catching the bus. Each interaction is a chance to witness God’s presence and share a sign of peace.Today’s Gospel, recounting the Presentation of the Christ Child in the temple, is an apt lesson in stewardship of the soul. Simeon was a devout man who throughout his long life had worshipped often at the temple. He was known among the people for his righteousness and love of the Lord. That is how he lived his life. According to Luke, the Holy Spirit visited Simeon and told this man of God that he would not see death before his eyes had seen the Christ of the Lord. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple as was the custom, Simeon took the child into his arms and exclaimed, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace… for my eyes have seen your salvation.”Simeon recognized the Lord because he practiced his faith every day. His heart was open to the Spirit so his eyes could see.Friend, finding Christ today isn’t hard. It’s just a matter of opening our hearts to God’s Word and being the missioner of goodness and compassion that we were called to be. And that’s something we can do every day… seeing with open hearts.

“They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.”Matthew Chapter 4, verse 21How spontaneous are you? Do you look for challenges? We can only admire the apostles James and John who had the heart-stopping courage to leave their comfort zone as fishermen and take up a new calling. “Come after me,” said the preacher from Galilee, “and I will make you fishers of men.”Today’s Gospel is a remarkable lesson in commitment and renewal. I know, it’s only the fourth Sunday of a new year and resolutions are still fresh in our minds. But it’s still a good time for us to ask: What are we willing to commit ourselves to as believers? And do we believe we can live up to our commitments?When James and John left their nets to follow Jesus, they modeled a kind of radical shift that not only changed their thinking, but the way they lived. In fact, their zeal was so great, Jesus gave them the nickname of Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder.”Friend, we don’t have to announce our faith to the world with rolling thunder. But Jesus is asking us to leave our nets behind—our personal comfort zone—and live our call to mission with courage and deep faith. We have the Gospel; we have each other. That’s all we need to make our light shine for the world.

“I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”Isaiah 49:6I love the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25): They showed us unusual kindness.Here’s the background: When St. Paul arrived in Malta with his disciples, carrying the light of salvation, the people welcomed him with “extraordinary hospitality.” (Acts 28:2) The weather had turned bad, but the hosts lit a fire and welcomed their guests with kindness.An act of kindness can be a game-changer in any relationship, a gesture of reconciliation that brings people closer together. As the Church begins a week of prayer for the unity of all Christians, let’s remind ourselves that “unusual kindness” can make a difference in reaching what may have felt like an unreachable goal.Where’s a good place to start? Our mission calling is to love and serve the Lord by witnessing his compassion, so begin there. Listen to others first before judging. That was a lesson I learned during my years among the indigenous people of South America’s Altiplano. The communities were divided between Catholic and evangelical Christian, each with different ideas of worship and religious expression. It took time, but we were able to overcome divisions just by inviting people to listen first. By showing respect and understanding, somehow the differences became less divisive. This is how reconciliation among Christian communities can begin.Friend, we have two assignments during the Church’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Pray for healing. Then witness the compassion of Our Lord where it is needed most. That way, I am confident one day all will be one in Christ.Prayer for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeLord Jesus, You prayedYour disciples would be unitedunder the banner of faith, hope, and love.Help us strive toward that unity for whichYou suffered and died; help us recognizetrue friends even among strangers and aboveall open our ears to listen to the highesthopes and deepest hurts of ourBrothers and sisters.May we welcome each guestas if they were Christ himselfand may we offer hospitality to allas Abraham and Sarah onceentertained angels unawares.Grant...

“He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”Acts Chapter10 Verse 38Here’s a suggestion for the early days of January: Let’s make 2020 a “Francis Year.” If I sound mysterious, I don’t mean to. Our Holy Father wants us to be inspired to greatness, constantly renewed in the Spirit. So let’s check in with him and see how we can make this New Year our personal best as missioners.“Ask yourselves this question,” says Pope Francis. “How often is Jesus inside and knocking at the door to be let out...?”That’s a very personal question. But one worth pondering. We can start our spiritual check-up with those who have always meant the most to us: our families. This is where relationships are born and cared for—and where misunderstandings can cause the most hurt. In one of his talks on family life, Our Holy Father said something I’ve never forgotten: “A healthy family life requires frequent use of three phrases: "May I?” “Thank you,” and “I'm sorry.” Never, never, never end the day without making peace.”Friend, in today’s Gospel Jesus acknowledged his call to serve when he received the gift of baptism. Pope Francis reminds us that through baptism each of us is called to be a missionary disciple, too. From that day forward we were anointed to do good and witness the joy of the our faith. So with these blessings, I wish you what I’m calling a “Francis Year.” Our Holy Father keeps things simple. He says, “Whether the New Year will be good or not depends on us choosing to do good each day.” May each of us choose to do good and pass it on.

“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.”Isaiah chapter 60 verse 1Everyone has a ritual for ringing in the New Year and mine is pretty simple. The first thing I do is pause and thank God for my blessings.The year has been rich in Gospel witness—a blessing with so many rewards. Thanks to you, our Fathers and Brothers have brought the compassion of Our Lord to more families in need. Many of them have joined us as members of the faithful, taking on important pastoral roles as teachers, deacons, and leaders of prayer. Our Church is growing!Faith is what motivates us to be who we are, the belief that when we witness the Gospel as missioners, more people come to know Christ and faith grows. Want to “rise up in splendor” and shine your light of faith? Here’s my suggestion: Share a blessing—a kind word, a visit, a helping hand. This is the essence of mission. So let’s live it!A New Year is an opportunity for renewal, for starting over. The experiences we share as people of faith always bring us closer to God. And that includes our Journey of Faith each Sunday. The conversations you and I have are one of the blessings that add richness to my life, and I hope to yours. I look forward to another year of prayer and renewal in your company. Be sure to share your thoughts with me throughout the coming year and the ways mission is enriching your life.Friend, my prayers are with you for a New Year filled with blessings. God will be with us, I know, because our mission faith is strong. I can’t think of a better way to begin anew than with encouragement from St. Paul: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” (Roman 8:28) May our year be rich in goodness and every expression of God’s love.

“Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another...”~ Colossians 3:12-13Time to get dressed up in your best finery. No, I’m not thinking of New Year’s Eve, although I love a good party just as much as anyone! I’m thinking of Paul’s advice— to put on the mantle of compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness... you add the rest.Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? Because we want to be better people of faith than we were before. At their deepest level, I think of New Year’s resolutions as profound expressions of faith—a desire to bring God into our plan for personal improvement! And we know that God’s presence is the one ingredient that insures success.In the course of a new year, there will be detours and distractions aplenty. That’s why we have prayer and the Sacraments to keep us grounded. And we have each other. Those of us on this Journey of Faith are joined together in prayer all year long. The more we pray together, the deeper our relationship with Christ and one another.Friend, as you begin a New Year, remember the unique gifts that God gave you in Baptism. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, infuse them with the faith of a missioner committed to witnessing the Gospel and sharing God’s eternal love. I know it will be bountiful year. Prayer will make it so.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”~ Isaiah 7:14Dear friend,Trust in God; do not be afraid. The Christmas story is filled with these comforting words.I think about the shepherds in the fields terrified at first by the appearance of an angel. But then they were immediately comforted with these words: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10I think about St. Joseph who was unsure of his role but prepared to accept the child born of a woman to whom he was betrothed because he believed that God’s will was best.The unexpected in life can frighten us at times, and like the shepherds we need reassurance. That is why we have the “comfort and joy” of Christmas. Our Savior has come with the promise of salvation. We are safe in his love.Thank you for taking this Journey of Faith with me during the four weeks of Advent. I have enjoyed the sharing, and hearing back from many of you. For now, may you be surrounded by love this Christmas. And as the faithful missioner I know you are, may you give love and comfort to all you know—now and always. I wish you and those dearest to you a very Merry Christmas.

“Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.”~ Isaiah 35:4-6Dear Friend,What is your deepest longing? That’s the question I’ve been exploring with you these past few weeks of Advent.Perhaps it’s having more time to spend with the people you love the most: family, friends, fellow volunteers who are making the world a better place. Longing can also be a desire for healing, for health, or just peace of mind. I think about the gospel stories of the blind who want to see and the lame who want to walk. We all have longings. So what are you asking God for during Advent? What do you really need?Only you can answer these questions. But once you do, why not ask God to help you find the way, keeping in mind the season of prayer we are in. The word “Advent” doesn’t only mean “arrival” or “a coming toward” in Latin. The Romans used the word “Adventus” to refer to the glorious entry of an emperor into his imperial city. On Christmas Day, we will welcome the arrival of our king who is both God and man—fully human, fully divine. Advent is how we prepare for the arrival of our Savior.Friend, this is what I believe: at the root of all our longings is a desire to be in God’s presence all the time… the desire to experience a love that is divine and pure and everlasting. That is the gift we have in the Christ Child. Thank God, Christmas is almost here.