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“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.

“There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord.”Isaiah 11:9The lion resting with the lamb... the leopard reclining with the kid. These are just two of the traditional images of Christmas that convey our message of peace and good will.The birth of the Christ Child is nothing less than the transformational event of our lives. We call the Infant Jesus our Savior and Prince of Peace because God is asking us to become messengers of peace, too. Are you ready to transform your world with the gift of peace?We become peacemakers by accepting the grace we received at Baptism and sharing it with a generous heart. So these are my thoughts for the second week of Advent: Do all you can to care for God’s gift of Creation... for the people who enrich your life… for the faith that sustains you... and for the possibility of peace and reconciliation that we see in the Christ Child.Friend, I look forward to a world in which the lion and the lamb lay down together. Where relationships are at peace. Where the gift of Creation is cared for and ready to be passed on to the next generation of caregivers. More than anything, Advent is the time we prepare ourselves to receive the promise of salvation. We know it’s within our grasp because God gave us the Christ Child.

Life has a way of challenging our faith. At times it seems that God is asking us to carry burdens that are more than we can bear. We yearn to see things more clearly and understand God’s purpose for us and those we love. From time to time, I admit that includes me.The first step in receiving our “God of the living” is to trust. As I wrote last week, we cannot know the inner workings of the universe. The mystery is just too vast. But we do know that in Christ we are destined for greatness as people of compassion, forgiveness, and love. We know that the Communion of Saints is our spiritual universe—holy men and women we admire for their courage and devotion, and loved ones who nurtured our faith by example.The two great feast days that we celebrated just last week—All Saints Day and All Souls Day—are a reminder that God is inviting us to eternal life. That is our calling, no matter the circumstance of our lives. And remember, too, that the good works we do as missioners—and the joy we express knowing that eternal life is ours—will be models of faith for those who follow in our footsteps. Take comfort in the words of Isaiah 55:12: “Yes, in joy you shall go forth, in peace you shall be brought home.”Friend, are you ready for sainthood? It just takes faith—and trust in God. I’ll be praying for you.

“Before the Lord, the whole universe is as a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.”~ Wisdom 11:22Friend,The universe is almost unfathomable—more than we can imagine. It’s even more than scientists can grasp because with each discovery comes a puzzle, another awesome mystery to unpack.The human mind is naturally curious—we just want to know the intricacies of our universe. At the same time, it’s important to accept that our capabilities are finite. Understanding the overwhelming greatness of creation—and the Creator—is beyond us. That’s why we have faith.Faith allows us to see the majesty and wonder of God, and to celebrate our greatest joys. Faith also allows us to accept the complexity of our lives in the face of disappointment and loss.And there’s one more thing… Faith gives us the ability to connect the past with the future. On Friday, All Saints Day, we remembered the saints in heaven as the trailblazers who will lead us home. Yesterday, we honored our beloved deceased who modeled lives of compassion and nourished us in the Gospel. I think of these moments as markers on the timeline of our souls, preparing us for all eternity.A drop of morning dew can be as awe-inspiring as the universe itself. It’s overwhelming to us, but not to God. So rest well in your faith. Listen to the psalmist who has better wisdom than I: “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:11)Prayer for 31st Sunday in Ordinary TimeO Lord, my God, Creator, and SaviorYou rule the far distant galaxiesno less than the cells and atomsof my world and my body.The stars fill me with wonderand the sunset fills me with awe.Who am I that You should care for meor my family that You are concerned?Yet You created me and all peoplein Your divine image and likenessand became one of us throughJesus Christ that I might knowYou are ever with me by my side.For though I am but the smallest partof Your vast creation, You havebreathed in me Your spirit,called me by name andempowered me to gaze at...

When was the last time you updated your résumé?I’m kidding, of course, but not by much. The most important title any of us can have is “Compassionate Missioner,” although I imagine that’s not how you usually talk about yourself! As we begin our third week of the Church’s Extraordinary Month of Mission, I invite you to think about how you can grow as a compassionate missioner, and build up our Church along the way.Our Holy Father Pope Francis calls this a commitment to missionary formation: the process of preparing ourselves to go out into the world as disciples of the Gospel. Spending a little more time studying scripture and celebrating our sacraments and liturgies are all good ways to do that. Then let’s not forget about those who came before us: the martyrs and saints, and the role models in our own family and parishes who gave us an early appreciation for our faith. Recalling their devotion is a good way to strengthen our mission spirit.In the end, we are known by our good works... visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and caring for the most vulnerable. Each time we express our faith this way, we are not just growing stronger as compassionate missioners. We are modeling mission for the rest of the world. May your light shine bright this week... next week... and always.P.S.: Today is Mission Sunday, a reminder that you are God’s presence in the world. We are all called to salvation in Christ. Go forth and celebrate!Next week’s mission lesson: Always practice charity.

For people of faith like us, we have a trove of inspiration to help us live our mission calling. I’m talking about the saints and martyrs—and the unsung heroes of everyday life who have crossed paths with us and left behind a blessing or two.This week, during our Extraordinary Month of Mission, our Holy Father Pope Francis asks us to deepen our faith by spending time with the missionary saints, martyrs and confessors. From the earliest days of the Church right through the present century, we can call on their examples of self-sacrifice and devotion as a guide for our own mission journey.Here are a few companions to invite into your life this week—and all the weeks that follow...St. Francis of Assisi who sacrificed status and wealth to follow the Gospel as a humble servant of the Lord.St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a patron saint of the missions thanks to her constant prayers and letters in support of missionaries. She is a reminder that it is the little things that grow God’s kingdom.The North American martyrs, eight Jesuit missioners who died heroically for their faith.St. John Paul II who said at his elevation in 1978, “Swing wide the gates to Christ...” He devoted his life to serving the poor,the oppressed, and to reconciliation among Christians.Maryknoll missioners gave us examples of selfless devotion as well. I’m thinking of Bishop Francis Xavier Ford who was martyred for his faith in Communist China. And Bishop Patrick James Byrne who died on a forced march in Korea. In more recent times, we remember the heroism of Father Vincent Capodanno, M.M., the chaplain who died serving his men on a battlefield in Vietnam.Friend, Paul’s message to the Hebrews says it all: “We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses...” This week, find your own inspiration. Then dedicate your journey to a mission hero who will lead you home.Next week’s mission lesson: Developing your personal missionary spirit.

Welcome to the Extraordinary Month of Mission!Our Holy Father Pope Francis invites each of us to practice our faith a little more deeply, with a little more fervor this month. Here’s why: In order to increase our faith, as Luke says, we must go out to others. That’s what mission is—a personal relationship with Jesus impelling us to be more and do more in his name. He is asking you to be his personal ambassador.Proclaiming mission is something we were gifted in baptism. So our Holy Father has come up with four ways—one for each week of October—to renew our mission spirit now and for the rest of our lives.