John Freund, CM
Author
![“I Forgot To Wear My Hearing Aids”](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/03/hearing-aid-2-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
“I Forgot To Wear My Hearing Aids”
The challenge during Lent is to make sure we take time to listen to the God who speaks in the ordinariness and messiness of our daily lives.
![Do Your Spiritual Hearing Aids Need Cleaning?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/03/hearing-aid-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Do Your Spiritual Hearing Aids Need Cleaning?
Lent is a time of listening… cleaning my ears to hear the Good News.
![Longing for Belonging … Parish Possibilities](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/congregation-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Longing for Belonging … Parish Possibilities
Belonging is “the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.”
![Connecting Dots: Lent, Valentine’s Day, and Systemic Change](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/Lent-Valentine-Systemic-Change.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Connecting Dots: Lent, Valentine’s Day, and Systemic Change
At first glance, it may seem like quite a stretch to connect Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, and Systemic Change. But hear me out. Actually, it is not that hard.
![A Surprise Gift From Pope Francis](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/Throw-away-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
A Surprise Gift From Pope Francis
Much to my surprise, Pope Francis seemed to comment on yesterday’s Mindwalk. Of course, I know he never read it … but his reflection today certainly fit! See if you agree with his comments on “Blessed are the poor in Spirit.” Pope Francis begins with a question Who...
![Are You a “Quiet Influencer”?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/Influencer-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Are You a “Quiet Influencer”?
One of the buzzwords among internet literati is “social media influencer.” That’s “digital speak” for someone who has an impact on what others think, say, and do.
![Jesus Flips the Religious and Cultural Script](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/upside-down-FI.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Jesus Flips the Religious and Cultural Script
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus flips the script to show how different his mission was from what ordinary people expected.
![Where Would You Begin?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2023/02/what-wheere-how.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Where Would You Begin?
Today I ask you to imagine where you might expect Jesus would begin his mission and who would he choose?
![Imagine That!](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2021/09/Imagination-e1632265622887-FI.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Imagine That!
But let’s look at God’s imagination and the imagination of St. Vincent de Paul.
![God’s Record as a Recruiter](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/05/Jesus-and-Pharisees-2-FI.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
God’s Record as a Recruiter
The Jerusalem headhunters would not have been very interested in Jesus’ leadership team. They preferred the way rabbis were picked from among the most promising in their schools.