“Give thanks to the Lord, His love is everlasting.” Psalm 107:1

Job, the apostles—and we, too—have a few things in common.  At least that’s what we learn from today’s readings. 

In his distress Job calls on God to rescue him from his many torments.  Finally, in a stormy whirlwind God does appear, not with answers but with questions.  Of course, Job cannot answer any of the questions, making the point that Job must let God be God.

Then in Mark’s Gospel we hear the distress of the disciples who meet up with a terrible squall crossing the Sea of Galilee.  Frightened for their lives, they awaken Jesus who had fallen asleep on a cushion after a day of preaching.  They plead, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  Jesus immediately calms the wind and quiets the sea, but not before asking, “Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?”

At times, we are all reflections of Job and the apostles.  We have a clear picture of how we want life to unfold, but question why God’s plans don’t always match up with our own.  We may experience any number of personal storms… within our families, at work, or in our communities. We may be tempted to ask, “Where is God in all this?”  Today’s readings provide the reassurance we need.  God will not let us perish.  As people of faith, we are given the grace to overcome life’s inevitable challenges and with that gift, our faith will grow in strength.

With prayer and perseverance—and the support of loved ones—difficulties have a way of resolving themselves.  I look back on this past year think about the challenges we all faced, including the tragedies.  With God’s grace and one another, we have managed to survive.  When Jesus calmed the storm, he was not asking for awe at a miracle but rather trust in the ultimate victory of life over death.

Friend, today’s readings assure us that confidence overcomes fear; and faith is always victorious over doubt.   Whenever I have put my trust in God, I have been rewarded.  I believe you will be rewarded, too. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Prayer for 3^rd Sunday

Dear Lord, we know You neither slumber nor sleep,

and yet at times we fear You do not know

or worse, do not care of the terrible

perils we face. In our distress we cry out to You

to wake and save us from dangers that

threaten to destroy us.

Forgive us, at times like these, for our lack of faith,

for surely You Who died for us will not abandon

us In our hour of greatest need.

You Who command the wind and the waves

and who walk upon the water, be our sure comfort

and consolation when fear drowns our faith.

May we trust neither in our strength

nor in our boat tossed by the waves

but rather, confident in Your merciful love,

let us always strive to remain awake

to Your powerful presence among us.

Amen.

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.  But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants.” Mark 4:31-32

Think of today’s parable as a pause button.  The story of the mustard seed gives us the needed room to exhale and remember that despite the headlines, the personal setbacks, and the wonderings why, God is still at work transforming us and our world.  We are never alone.

How do we know?  Mark’s Gospel explains it with the story of the mustard seed.  From this tiny expression of new life, a plant grows into a sturdy tree and eventually its branches and leaves become shelter for the birds of the air—and for us as well.

Jesus likens the mustard seed to the Kingdom of God… plant seeds with acts of compassion and kindness and the Kingdom grows.  The life of our Church becomes stronger with each planting, and this is confirmation to the world that we rejoice in our faith.

So instead of getting frustrated by how seemingly great the task of everyday living is, let’s take a moment to remember that each thing we do with the conviction of faith—no matter how big or small—is another mustard seed.  Some of us are called to lives of great sacrifice for family and friends.  Some of us are called to public service or religious life.  But all of us are called to ordinary acts of kindness and compassion. These are the plantings we can sow each and every day.

Friendl, we never know how someone will receive a smile, a morning phone call to check-in, or a quick note to say “I’m thinking of you.”  These are the mustard seeds that cost nothing but have the potential to change the world. Knowing that, let’s disengage our pause button and reengage with the world.  And know in your heart that God’s Kingdom on earth is yours to nurture and grow.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Prayer for 2^nd Sunday

Praise to You, Lord God, for tiny miracles

and small graces with which You bless

the world and all who dwell in it:

gentle rain, a songbird’s melody,

a child’s laughter and the quiet

wisdom of age.

Help me sow small acts of kindness

throughout the day on all I meet.

A smile, a prayer, a friendly greeting,

given in Your name, plant seeds of love,

mercy and justice that grow and blossom

into a heavenly harvest of Your kingdom.

Amid life’s storms may Your word be our guide

and Your gospel our light even when darkness comes.

May the simplest prayer pierce the clouds of doubt

and cause Your blessings to fall abundantly on us

who struggle to help establish Your reign here on earth.

Amen.

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord.” John 6:51

The gift the Church celebrates today on the feast also known as Corpus Christi is an invitation from Our Lord to be living witnesses of his love and compassion. 

When Jesus consecrated bread and wine at the Last Supper, he said these gifts, His Body and Blood, would be given up for us—as they were on Good Friday—and that our Eucharistic celebration was to continue in his memory. The gift of faith we received is now ours to give.  In word and deed we are called to give our lives, becoming the Living Bread that we consume, that heals our world and welcomes all to salvation in Christ.

When I celebrate Mass and the Eucharist today, I will remember a woman who was an extraordinary example of the Living Bread—someone I will never forget.  Her name was Maria Elena Moyano, a devout member of a Christian community in Lima, Peru who died in 1992.  When armed guerrillas of the far-left threatened to kill people, Maria Elena organized a brave cadre of women to protect themselves.  They started common kitchens and neighborhood cafes so people, especially the children, would not go hungry.  They believed in non-violence and led demonstrations in support of social justice and self-government.

The guerillas regarded Maria Elena as a threat.  Even with protection, Maria Elena was murdered by guerrillas in front of her family.  Her death sparked so much outrage in the community that support for the guerillas began to wane and her resistance movement actually gained strength.  Her legacy in Peru is honored to this day.  She is an inspiration for Christian communities throughout Latin America, especially those struggling against social injustice and conditions of extreme poverty.

Very few of us are called to live our faith the way Maria Elena did.  But each of us is called to become Living Bread with the gifts we do have… kindness, understanding, humility, courage, understanding, and reverence for all life.  These are gifts that can transform the world.

Friend, the giving that Christ spoke of at the Last Supper began with the transformation of bread and wine into His Body and Blood.  May the giving continue each time we witness our faith and become the Bread of Life for all to see. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Prayer for 1^st Sunday

O blessed Bread, broken, and shared

that we might have communion with You,

Lord Jesus Christ. Give us Your strength

and courage to live Your gospel in our lives

and in our world.

O sacred Wine, blessed, and consumed

that we might experience the peace of heaven

here on earth. Fill our souls with the joy of

receiving the Body and Blood of Christ

into our hearts that long for Your love.

May the Blessed Sacraments be forever praised

in all the tabernacles of the world and may

our good words and actions act as a vigil light

to Your abiding presence in all peoples

who claim You as Lord.

Amen

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

Jesus had one mission in mind for his apostles—and for us:  Transform the world as you have been transformed.

This is what we celebrate today on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity:  our calling to go out into the world in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Just as the Father sent his Son to redeem the world, Jesus sent the Spirit to fortify us in proclaiming the Good News of salvation.  With the gift of the Spirit—our personal Pentecost—we have all the tools we need to witness Christ’s compassion and God’s eternal love.

At the same time, Jesus understood that the apostles would have moments of doubt.  That’s why he reassured them—and now us—with words of comfort.  He said he will be in our presence always, an endless reservoir of strength and good will.

Matthew’s gospel reminds us that living our faith happens in relationships…  how well we care for one another… how well we live our baptismal call to serve… and how well we teach others by modeling the Gospel.  Acts of compassion beget more acts of compassion.  That is the nature of the divine impulse:  to transform the world by reaching out, over and again, through prayer and good works.  Being called… being sent… gifting the Spirit to everyone we know.  This is the “trinity of our faith” that we can have only in community with God and one another.  We live our lives in relationships, and we live the most rewarding ones in the presence of God.

Friend, as you celebrate today’s feast day and the infinite gift of the Holy Trinity, let your love spill over the way God’s gifts do—reshaping the world and transforming the soul within you.

Prayer for Trinity Sunday

All praise, honor and glory to You, Lord God,

most blessed and Holy Trinity

source of life, love, wisdom and truth

Creator, Sanctifier and Sustainer

of all that is, was, or ever will be.

You created humans in Your divine image

and breathed into us Your life-giving Spirit

and in the fullness of time You became one

with us in our humanity that we might

become one with You in Your divinity.

O Trinity of holy relationships help us empty

ourselves in loving service to one another

and to the world. Be our dynamic force of faith

to overcome mountains of hope to conquer

obstacles and of love to transform our world

into a living tabernacle of Your abiding presence.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

I hope today’s reflection has special meaning for you.  This is Father Ray Finch, sending you a blessing for the week, and an invitation to listen in again next Sunday.   

“Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

We think of the apostles as great men—and they were.  But like us they had their fears, which is one of the reasons they were behind locked doors on that first Pentecost Sunday. 

As it happened, the Holy Spirit had other plans for these men of faith, and ultimately for us as well.  Today, on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the courage the apostles showed by accepting their call to mission, and in the process, enriching our lives.  We are the inheritors of their courage—their passionate desire—to proclaim salvation in Christ.  All of which begs the question:  How fearless are we in witnessing our own gift of faith?

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can be the missioners who build God’s kingdom on earth with as steady a hand as the apostles did.  Our Church is born anew each day that we release our fears and give ourselves over to living the Gospel.  Our mission is not to focus on our own happiness or personal concerns, but in spreading the Word of God beginning with the here and now.

On that first Pentecost, you could say the apostles were baptized with the fire of the Holy Spirit, a gift they shared with the disciples we have come to know as Paul, Timothy, Titus and all those who followed.  Imbued with the Holy Spirit, these early missioners overcame their fears.  They moved beyond their culture and comfort zone to proclaim the Good News of our faith. 

Friend, you may not think of yourself as a Peter or Thomas, much less a Paul or Timothy.  But you are.  You have all the gifts you need to witness Christ’s compassion and God’s love.  Your calling comes directly from the Holy Spirit and Pentecost itself, the birthday of our Church.  So, on Pentecost Sunday, be brave and proclaim the Good News with the greatest joy… in ways that only you can.   

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Pentecost Sunday

Come, Holy Spirit, and unlock the door

of my heart which fear and hurt

have sealed shut and held tightly closed.

Open my soul to the peace of Christ

and empower me to forgive and ask forgiveness.

Transform my physical and emotional wounds

into a wellspring of health and healing.

Cast from my heart all hurtful thoughts

that my mind and soul may become

a fitting tabernacle of Your presence.

Fill me with the spiritual gifts of

wisdom, understanding, counsel,

fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Above all grant me the light of Christ

to lead me through the heat of day

and the silence of night with the

blessed assurance You are ever

by my side.

Amen.

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“Why are you standing there, looking at the sky?”  Acts 1:11

The apostles needed to know more.  Would their Risen Lord restore the kingdom to Israel?  Would they finally be in control?  Obviously, that was their idea of heaven—being in charge of their own fate at long last.  That’s when Jesus told them they would receive another kind of power—from the Holy Spirit—“And you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”  And with that Jesus was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight.

On the Solemnity of the Ascension, we are reminded that while it’s tempting to look up at the sky in awe, it’s far better to fix our gaze back down on earth… where the path to salvation is ours for the taking.  And as Our Lord tells us today, we will have all the support we need, a promise to be fulfilled soon enough on Pentecost Sunday with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This past week we celebrated the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven—a sign that our ultimate destination is union with God our Father after we complete our work on earth.  So better to remember the tasks that will help us reach our goal—witnessing the compassion of Our Lord in all we do, and granting forgiveness as well as seeking it.  Are there things we can do better now to prepare ourselves later for eternal life?  That’s worth a moment of prayer time today.

Living out our call to mission can be challenging at times.  In difficult moments, we may look for ways to skip over the hard work ahead of us, assuming that we will just “qualify” for a seat at the table.  The only way that will happen is by raising our thoughts to heaven, yes… but keeping our gaze on those who need us right here on earth.

Friend, finding the risen Christ is easy.  He’s with us among the poor, the marginalized, the lonely, and the forgotten.  Maybe he’s living right next door to you.  Wherever you fix your gaze, serving Christ by serving others is how we prepare for our own ascension into heaven—one glorious day.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Ascension of the Lord

We lift up our eyes to heaven

as we await Your return, O Lord,

yet You instructed us to seek and find

You here below among the oppressed

and poor of the earth.

Grant us, therefore O Lord, patience

to know the best time to speak and act,

perseverance to continue the task at hand

and the power to do Your Will on earth

even as You do it in heaven.

Send us, O risen and ascended Lord,

Your spirit of courage, kindness and mercy

to follow Your commands and lead others

to seek and find You here below the better

to be with You in heaven forever.

Amen.

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…” John 15:16

Remembering and celebrating her on Mother’s Day…  That’s how I will honor my mother today—remembering how kind she was and celebrating her many gifts, especially the faith she gave me.

Some of us are fortunate to have our Moms with us today.  Some of us have entrusted her to God and the saints.  However you remember your mother today, I will pray for you both at Mass, asking our Blessed Mother in particular to hold you close.

We all have special memories of Mother’s Day growing up and I certainly have mine.  My mother is the one who first modeled prayer and the Sacraments.  She taught me the virtues of respect and compassion, and also forgiveness.

Later as an adult and young missioner in Bolivia, I learned new lessons about motherhood.  When Bolivians observe Mother’s Day, the world might as well come to a complete stop.  You just spend time with your mother—no excuses!  Watching their joyous family celebrations, I learned something new.  Central to the Bolivians’ understanding of a mother’s love is the connection to their other provider, the earth—a spirit they call Pachamama or Mother Earth.  How extraordinary… The homage they give to the woman who gave them life is a reflection of the homage they give to the earth itself.

Friend, when you were a child, you probably bought your mother flowers or made her breakfast on Mother’s Day.  Now we can still do special things to honor our mother—and all the women we know who are generous life-givers and nurturers.  Model their devotion to the Gospel… share their compassion with someone in need… find a new way to care for Creation itself.  These are all great ways to say, “Thank you, Mom.”

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Mother’s Day

Lord Jesus, from the cross

You entrusted Your Mother

into the care of Your Beloved Disciple,

in whose place we now stand today.

May Your Mother stand in for mine

in teaching me about prayer, faith and life.

Encircle my mother with Your loving embrace,

most blessed and glorious Virgin Mary.

May she know her efforts and tears

found favor in Your immaculate heart.

Lord Jesus,

into Your hands I commend all the women

who brought me closer to You

through their examples of prayer,

compassion, and loving service.

May they enjoy Your blessings forever.

Amen

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”  1 John 3:18

The journey is as important as the destination—an adage that rings ever more true after our past year of enormous sacrifice.  So many heroes, caregivers, and prayer—givers dedicated themselves to the healing.  Their work has been a special calling, and we are grateful for all they do.  They exemplify for me the value and dignity of all work—by the sung and unsung, the known and the unknown.     

Yesterday was the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, our steadfast model of the man who understood the dignity of work.  He underscores by example the contribution we can each make to the well-being of our communities when we use our God-given skills for the greater good. 

Some call Joseph the Silent Saint.  But through his work he was more than eloquent.  Joseph provided for his family with the skills of a carpenter and the devotion of a husband and father who understood he had a noble role to fulfill.  In recognition of Joseph’s special calling, the Church celebrates the dignity of all work on May 1. 

Joseph taught us that work is the way we participate in the creative life of God our Father. Through our work-offering, whatever and wherever that might be… in an office, in our homes, caring for a loved one, tutoring a child… we are cooperating with God in bringing about the fullness of creation.

Friend, work-offerings in union with the Gospel are the way we build God’s kingdom on earth—the very deeds that St. Paul talks about.  Whether you are an active worker or retiree, the dignity of your mission work is the real centerpiece of your life:  witnessing the Gospel in all you do—in words and deeds—to strengthen the vine and branches of our faith.  On the feast day of the Silent Saint, may St. Joseph the Worker bless your journey. 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Almighty God, you chose St. Joseph

as the foster father to Your Son Jesus

and the loving spouse of the Virgin Mary.

With silent strength he supported

the Holy Family and bravely led them

through dangers and trials.

Through his intercession bless all families

especially those undergoing difficulties,

hardships, and misunderstandings.

Like Him, may we seek to do Your will

even when the road is long and the way

is difficult or dangerous.

Above all, may St. Joseph cover our homes

with his mantle of love and instill in our hearts

with his love for God’s Word and commands

that we, too, might always seek Your holy

presence in our lives.

Amen

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me…”. John 10:14

Not many of us have ever owned sheep let alone taken care of sheep—but I have.  At one point during my mission days in Peru, I was asked to serve as director of a seminary.  As was the custom, when a seminarian arrived to begin his studies, the families would each give a sheep as a gift.  Before long, our grounds had become something more than a petting zoo!  This city boy had to learn on the fly how to care for his flock.

One day I needed to corral the sheep but they just would not respond.  The more I tried to move them together, the more they scattered in all directions.  “They’re not very smart,” I thought.  Seeing my frustration, a wonderful woman who worked in our kitchen and usually took care of the sheep, came out to rescue me.  With a deft call to attention, she brought all the sheep back in what seemed like seconds, including the ones who had jumped the wall and were in danger of getting lost.

I think our relationship with God needs to be like that—responding to the voice we know and the presence we trust.  This is what helps us move where we need to go, and to serve where we are being called.  Otherwise, sheep scatter and become lost.  Without the Gospel and the promise of the Resurrection, we lose our connection to home.

Friend, I think Jesus became the Good Shepherd because sheep need a lot of guidance and a gentle hand.  The more we read scripture, celebrate the Sacraments, and strive to witness God’s love, the stronger we become in our faith.  And the more we recognize God’s voice of encouragement.  We know without a doubt who is calling us home to the safety of greener pastures.  It’s the Good Shepherd, the gatherer of souls who says “I know mine, and mine know me…”   difficult moments.

Friend, the words of today’s Gospel are a comfort and a consolation.  Receive the gift of our Risen Christ knowing that you are never alone, never without the strength you need to love and serve the Lord… just like the disciples who found Christ on the road to Emmaus.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd

When I was lost and couldn’t find my way,

You came looking for me, Good Shepherd,

to gently lead me home again.

Protect the flock given You by the Father,

lead us to rest in green pastures and guide

us along the right paths.

You who are shepherd and Lamb of God,

grant that we might never follow

any voice but Yours. Call us by

name and soothe our hearts

when we panic or are confused.

Grant us blessed assurance that

we need not fear nor face dangers alone.

Lord, you told us there are other sheep

not of this fold that You must also lead.

Help us recognize our brothers and sisters

no matter what flock they may belong to

till at length there will be one flock and one shepherd,

You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso

“The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.”  Luke 24:35

Have you ever stopped to notice where people encountered Jesus? 

It’s often in the humble, ordinary moments of life… while people are at work—maybe fishing; while they’re gathered with family and friends—remember the wedding feast of Cana? Even while they’re traveling from one town to another—as in the story of the Good Samaritan.  Then there’s the story of the Walk to Emmaus… the resurrected Christ meeting two of his disciples and changing their lives, and ours, forever.

The two men were saddened by the loss of Jesus. Where was God’s purpose in the Crucifixion?  As they walked to Emmaus, Jesus appeared in their midst.  When they arrived in Emmaus, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and gave it to the disciples.  At that moment, they recognized him as their risen Lord.  Their spirits were renewed.  They returned to Jerusalem filled with a desire to witness the Gospel and the living presence of Christ.

Emmaus is a reminder of the many pathways to God.  In the ordinary activity of everyday life, Jesus is always present if we are open to receiving him and sharing him with a world anxious for healing.  That ordinary activity of ours could be anything from shopping and running errands to waiting on line or saying the Rosary on Zoom with a parish prayer group.   

Finding Christ in the simple journeys of everyday life is especially comforting right now.  Who hasn’t experienced isolation in the past year?  It’s been so much harder to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments, harder to get together with family and friends.  But that doesn’t mean that Jesus has abandoned us.  Quite the opposite.  What the disciples experienced on the road to Emmaus was the enduring presence of our God, always at hand, especially in the most

difficult moments. 

Friend, the words of today’s Gospel are a comfort and a consolation.  Receive the gift of our Risen Christ knowing that you are never alone, never without the strength you need to love and serve the Lord… just like the disciples who found Christ on the road to Emmaus.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.

Third Sunday of Easter

When all hope had vanished and

all our dreams destroyed,

you came to us, Lord Jesus,

as a stranger on the road

who opened the scriptures to us.

How our hearts burned within us

as You taught us it was necessary

for the Messiah to suffer and die!

At table after giving thanks to God

you broke bread and bid us take and eat

and our eyes were opened and

our spirits soared with the Good News:

You are risen! Your presence and perfect love

cast out all fear from our hearts

as we ran to share the Good News.

Help us, Risen Lord, to seek and find

You in the ordinary places and events of life.

Come to us in our everyday activities

so we might see there is no work so small,

no task so insignificant that it cannot be dedicated

to Your kingdom when performed with love.

Amen

Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso