Vocations Newsletter

“But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”(Matthew 14:30)Trust. Where does that come from? How do we know we’ll have enough of it when the time comes? Like the apostles, we can find ourselves out on the water when a strong wind comes up. Suddenly we’re frightened. In fact, we’re not sure we’re going to make it. Today’s gospel is a study in placing trust in God, even when we have our doubts. The apostles had set out on the Sea of Galilee to fish, planning to return to shore with their catch. (Life as usual.) But a storm came up and suddenly things turned dangerous. (Also life as usual.) When the apostles caught sight of someone on the water, they panicked until they realized it was Jesus. It was only when the apostles, Peter especially, kept their focus on Him that the storm subsided and they returned safely to shore.In Old Testament stories, the sea symbolized chaos and danger. So Jesus walking on water is a complete reversal—an expression of divine mastery over the universe and an invitation to place our trust in God no…
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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 We can all be tigers at times when it comes to defending an opinion or a point of view. When I’m convinced of something, I’ll argue my case as well as anyone!But today I’m going to challenge myself. In light of St. Paul’s ringing proclamation of Christ’s love, do I have the same kind of conviction about my faith that he does? Does God really love me that much?When the rhythm of life is steady and sure—I think back to the beginning of the year—it’s easy to overlook God’s presence. We’re enveloped in the normal flow of everyday living and have no need to believe it should be otherwise. These are the times I tell myself to pause for a moment and think about the inevitable bumps in the road, and yes, the losses: the times I felt rescued, forgiven, accepted without prejudice, cared for and loved despite the circumstance. I think St. Paul is saying, “There are lessons…
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“We know all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28)Paul’s reassurances are always welcome and this week his timing is perfect. In the coming days, all active Maryknoll Priests and Brothers would have participated in a first-time week of Assembly to examine the future of mission. What are our goals? Where are our resources needed most? How can we best steward our gifts for the people we serve today and in the future? As with many things these past months those plans had to be changed. We still face these fundamental challenges. With encouragement from St. Paul and your love of mission, I’m asking for the comfort of your prayers as well so that after the past 109 years as Maryknoll we can stay open to understand where God is calling us today. All along our pastor, Pope Francis, has been our rock. In messages to both Catholics and the world, he has made mission the centerpiece of today’s Church. He calls us constantly to go out in service to others. In fact, he says the Church must be “a field hospital” that takes in the sick and the marginalized…
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Good things come in small packages… remember that saying? The parable of the tiny mustard seed is our teaching moment of the day.We easily notice people who are called to great achievement and succeed in their calling. How can we ever forget all the magnificent souls serving on the frontlines during our global pandemic, at home and overseas? But there are everyday heroes as well that don’t get the headlines, and I’m sure you know them: a family member who stays up all night with a loved one who is ill… a teacher who takes extra time with a struggling student… an employer who encourages a worker to go on to night school. Maybe you’re one of these people. I wouldn’t be surprised.Rather than get caught up in trying to do what the world calls “big things,” let’s acknowledge how much good the “small things” can do. Plant one mustard seed—a kind gesture, a spontaneous hello—and see how it often grows into life-changing things like hope, gratitude—and a desire to return the favor. Then there are the “mustard seeds” you loose track of. During my days in the Altiplano of Peru, I returned to a village I had visited sometime…
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