Vocations Newsletter

Love is always easy… when we’re the one being loved back. But loving the way Jesus asked—unconditionally and without exception—well, that’s another story. What to do when love isn’t exactly a two-way street?I can only tell you how I try to live up to God’s expectation of me: first, by recognizing that each person I meet may be different but still created in God’s image and therefore worthy; and second, by admitting that it’s always more fruitful to sit in judgment of my own actions before judging someone else’s. Learning about differences and discovering God in the process is the essence of our mission lives. It’s certainly true for our fathers and Brothers who witness the Gospel in many countries amid many cultures and traditions. And it’s true for those of us serving closer to home where relationships within our own families and circle of friends can be challenging—and instructive, too.St. Paul isn’t saying we can’t—or never will—have differences worth arguing over. Remember, Jesus himself didn’t hesitate to call out the hypocrites of his day. His message is more about bringing God into the conversation, recognizing the divine source of all life. Once we have that insight, the possibility for…
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Knowing what God wants of us… that’s the challenge for every person of faith. And I am one of them. Sometimes life tests us more than we would like—and that’s when our relationship with God can change. We’re convinced we have the answers as is “I know what’s best for me, Lord. Are you listening?” Today’s gospel reminds us with a bit of urgency that God’s ways aren’t always our ways. When Jesus foretold his own suffering and death, Peter became agitated and rejected all such talk. Jesus immediately reminded him that he was thinking the way human beings do. Not as God does. Honestly, I have some sympathy for Peter. After all, who among us can think like God? But what Jesus is saying is that God’s plan may be beyond our comprehension. We must have faith that God’s way is always better than our own. Our role is to be open to our special calling, and to serve others with the gifts we were given, especially the gift of salvation in Christ. And that means sharing our hope of eternal life in the face of happiness as well as sorrow. Friend, conforming to the expectations of the modern…
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Peter was absolutely sure. He knew that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the living God. More than 2000 years later, Jesus is asking us the same question: “Who do you say that I am?”If we agree with Peter—and I certainly do—then the choices we make in life will inevitably line up with our Christian faith. In fact, it can’t be otherwise because sharing the joy of our faith is what mission is all about: going out into the world, just as Christ did, to witness God’s love through acts of compassion and charity… always giving more than we think we can… and by our actions, proclaiming salvation in Christ who gave us the gift of eternal life. We proclaim Christ as the Son of God when we do things that seem next to impossible. I think of our heroic first responders and service workers who continue under life-threatening conditions because they are bound by conviction to honor their calling. I think about the example of our fathers and Brothers on the frontlines of care, especially in the pandemic hotspots of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They are bound by conviction, too—to love and serve the Lord by caring for…
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“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things… nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 Maybe you have been to Mary’s Knoll—the place I call home. Or maybe one day you will visit us. The first place I will take you to is our chapel, Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, where we gather in prayer. Outside the chapel is a dedication plaque embossed with today’s scripture from Isaiah.I love pausing here to remember the role of prayer in our lives. Prayer is our personal lifeline, something as basic—and necessary—as the air we breathe. It’s the centering experience that places us in God’s good care. What then is a house of prayer and where might it be?A house of prayer is certainly our chapel and your parish church. But it can also be inside your heart where you have your deepest conversations with God… the place you share your troubles, ask for help, and give thanks. Inside the heart is where we can also grow as missioners. One of my most fervent prayers as…
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