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“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundreds times more now in this present age.”  Mark 10:29-30

Give a lot.  Receive a lot in return.  I think that is what Mark’s Gospel is trying to tell us today.  When we care for one another in Christ’s name… when our only motivation is to proclaim the gift of salvation… God showers us with countless blessings.

But, you say, we are only human!  We have good days when being generous and caring is the easy thing to do; and we have challenging days when we wonder if our efforts have any meaning at all.  That’s when I find it’s helpful to remember one important thing:  we’re in good company. 

The apostles were just like us.  They needed Jesus to reassure them.  He told his followers that their faith would be rewarded many times over, and that living out of love for others, rather than in isolation or fear, is life-giving.  The message is clear:  love is both the gift and the reward.

Witnessing love isn’t always easy or even simple.  It can involve sacrifice and placing someone else’s needs ahead of ours.  That is the nature of sacrifice.  Like Peter, we may want to rebel or find another way out.  But like Peter, we can find comfort in the words of Our Lord who only asks us to be open to the Spirit and the ultimate destination where God is taking us.  And that is eternal life with the Father.

Friend, just before the scripture line I shared with you above, Jesus tells a rich young man, seeking salvation, that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. “Rich” can mean financial wealth—that’s obvious… but it can also mean anything that seemingly masks our need for God. 

So decide how you will enter the Kingdom of heaven.  Then in your best moments, praise God; and in your difficult ones, be assured that God is always with you… ready to reward your faith with every blessing, as Jesus says, many times over.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Lance Nadeau, M.M.

Prayer for 2nd Sunday

Everything I have, Lord, I received

from Your bountiful love:

my possessions, my home, my health,

my family, my faith, my life.

May I use these, in turn, to help build

Your kingdom here on earth.

Receive all that I have and give me

all that I need to be a living witness

to Your truth and mercy before

all peoples everywhere.

And when I have nothing more to give

let me give Your peace and presence

that everyone I meet receives and knows

Your loving kindness.

May I walk in the footsteps of

Your beloved apostles who relied

on Your blessings alone

to bring the Gospel to others.

From my poverty of spirit may I

experience the richness of Your wisdom

to live Your Gospel in everything I do.

Day by day lead us closer to your kingdom

by drawing us closer to one another and to you.

We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Prayer by, Father Joseph Veneroso M.M.

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.