Who are they going to send?

The last month has been a very difficult transition for me, having to say goodbye to the many wonderful people in the mission of Danville, Arkansas. But the words I found comfort in came from Fr. James Walsh of Maryknoll who said; that the calling of a missionary was an odd one because they were called "to go to a place where [they are] not wanted, but needed, and to remain until [they are] not needed but wanted."

One persistent question that made leaving particularly difficult was when I was asked “who is Glenmary going to send in your place?” I had to explain to them that there was nobody available to send right now. Glenmary serves many missions and just didn’t have someone available at this time but there is great hope for the future. Glenmary currently has 15 students in various levels of formation, plus five more candidates who have been accepted for this coming year and three more whose applications are in process.

There is a tremendous need for more lay coworkers, brothers, sisters and priests to serve in the mission areas of the United States. Jesus words, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest" are still true today. And that persistent question I heard in Danville continues to resound with me and give me the motivation to work extra hard in my assignment as the new Vocation Director for Glenmary, I have seen firsthand the needs in the mission and desire to find good people God is calling to respond to those needs and answer the question. “Who are they going to send?”

“Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.” Psalm 126, 6

How Many Loaves Have You?

Recently I have been reflecting on the “multiplications of the loaves” passages in the Bible. This is the only miracle that Jesus performed which is recounted by all four Gospel writers. Often times when I have read it I have just thought how the situation was foreshadowing the Eucharist. But recently I have been reflecting on some of the dialogue which takes place in these scenes. In Matthew’s, Mark’s and Luke’s version Jesus tells his disciples, “give them some food yourselves.” In Marks version he asks his disciples; “How many loaves have you?” And in John’s recounting of the story, Andrew asks, “There is a small boy here who has five loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” What do these words mean for us today?

In these passages I try to recognize the dialogue as my conversation with Jesus. His words, ordering me to “give them some food yourselves” comes across loud and clear. Of course, like Andrew, I want to say, I have so little, what value can my part be? Alone my gift is insignificant but with Jesus’ help it is over abundant. What I have received without cost I am called to share without cost. What do I have to offer this day, although it may seem so small and miniscule to me; my loaves of bread are what I have to share. How can I share my loaves in the places where it is most needed, especially in the mission regions of the United States?

Immigration

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to a meeting in which a local Sheriff spoke about stricter enforcement of the immigration laws. It made me sick to hear him spew his anti-immigrant rhetoric and see that the 250 people in attendance were all in agreement. The disappointing news announced at the meeting was that the local mayor and the city council signed a letter to the governor stating that they support strict immigration laws, similar to Senate Bill 1070 in Arizona.

Many times we have said that the Catholic Church is the only friend an immigrant has in the missions. Instead of looking for stricter enforcement of the immigration laws, the U.S. Bishops have called for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Basically, Comprehensive Immigration Reform respects the dignity of the person and attempts to take a holistic approach to changes to our immigration laws. More information can be found at justicefor immigrants.org.

I think I need to return to my bible and reflect on Matthew 25:44-45

"Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?"

"He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'"

"Go teach all nations"

In his plan for an American Society of Catholic Home Missions, Father William Howard Bishop asks the question; "Does the command to 'Go teach all nations' make an exception of our own?" The answer today as it was in 1936 is an overwhelming no. Glenmary Home Missioners have been attempting to follow this mandate as we serve in the rural mission regions of the United States of America. My hope is that as Vocation Director for the Society this blog will allow me to share my thoughts and opinions on Fr. Bishops ideas, Glenmary's work today and my own personal reflections. And to close today's entry I also draw on Fr. Bishop's words from his plan; "it is time to begin, with God's help, the great task of making Catholics of those who live on the land. It is a mammoth undertaking. Generations will be required to accomplish it."