Vocations Newsletter

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed feel on the path and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground… Some seed fell among thorns… But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit.”(Matthew 13:4-8)What kind of farmer throws his seed on rocky ground? Isn’t that a waste of good seed? These are understandable questions because they come from minds—like mine— that were trained to be practical. In fact, when I served in the Altiplano of Peru, a farmer I knew was scandalized by this Gospel. Seeds are essential to the livelihood of an agricultural people. What could be more wasteful than sowing seeds on rocky ground? But, I’ve come to learn, God works in ways that may appear to be profligate but actually are a sign of something else: the generosity of our Creator and the expansiveness of the Gospel. God does not squander the gift of love. God’s love is immense, exorbitant, without limits or discrimination. Everyone is entitled, everyone is the object of a love that is deep and lavishly bestowed. The sharing is not confined to “good soil.” In God’s eyes, everyone is deserving, which means no…
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“The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. That Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.”(Psalm 145:14) We do look to the Lord to lift us up right now. The experience of the past months has educated us, we know what it means to be fallen and bowed down. And we know what heroism in the face of adversity looks like. It is humbling and reassuring at the same time. Celebrating July 4, our nation’s Independence Day, was especially poignant this year. We honored our healthcare and medical workers and our dedicated first-responders as well as all the service workers who make living our daily lives possible. They have set an example for the ages. These selfless individuals understand the call to serve and protect the most vulnerable. They exemplify for me the spirit of mission. And on this special holiday weekend, they model the fulfillment of our nation’s highest ideals. As you finish your July 4th celebration, I invite you to think about how you might fulfill our nation’s ideals as only you can. Our great national holiday calls for a rededication to our founding…
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“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me”(Matthew 10:40) In the bible, the number “seven” refers to completeness and perfection. When Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive someone, he said “seven times 70.”As the symbol of God’s love, which is infinity itself, the notion of “seven” is sacred.The reason I am expressing gratitude today “7,000 times” is for the legacy of mission represented by Maryknoll’s Jubilee Class of 2020—and, at least by my calculation, their 7,000 years of service. Jubilee Day is when we thank God for the past service of our missioners. Among this year’s class are missioners who have served for 25, 40, 50, 60, 65 and even 70 years. The call to serve runs remarkably deep in this group. Two of them have served in mission for 70 years—there’s that number again!—and they continue to serve in full-time prayer ministries. 

We bless their continuing journeys and are grateful for their calling to mission and the generous way they not only accept God’s blessings but share them with the world. Each act of kindness or compassion, by a Missioner or by a person of faith just like you,…
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“I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.”(Psalm 69:14)Friend, I wonder if the writer of Psalm 69 knew about Father’s Day. It certainly seems that way.This scripture is the perfect prayer of humility for any man raising offspring and seeking God’s help to fulfill his many special, and sometimes difficult, roles— as caregiver, consoler-in-chief, and faithful follower of the Gospel.Fathers are ever protective of their flock. They are vigilant, they do all they can to shield their children from harm. But fatherhood is also a delicate balance between protecting an innocent child and allowing that child to grow. How much freedom? How much control? These are the challenges of fatherhood.Father’s Day is a good time to stop and think how much God loves and understands us—in the same way we are called to understand those we love, serve, and wish to protect. Today’s scripture is asking for understanding… for kindness… for generosity. All the things we associate with good fathering.Friend, whether you are a father, or celebrating someone…
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