Reflections

How Do We Listen To the “Cries of the Poor”?

To listen deeply requires paying attention not just to the words but to understand the whole person. Is that the way we listen to the cries of people who are poor?

Strangers, Foreigners, There Are No More

Jesus makes one of the citizens and the strangers.  In him, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female. Needs do not know borders, of nation or religion.  That is why both Jews and strangers have needs.  So, it does not surprise...

Vincentian Prayer Images: A Profile In Courage

The time a Daughter of Charity, Sr. Rosalie Rendu, stopped the fighting in the streets of Paris during the French Revolution.

Modern Slavery – Human Trafficking

Modern slavery – It’s happening all around us in places we might visit on a regular basis

Healthy and liberating insecurity

Second Sunday of Lent (A), March 16, 2014 – Gen 12, 1-4; 2 Tim 1, 8b-10; Mt 17, 1-9 Bear your share of hardship for the gospel (2 Tim 1, 8) Jesus came from the Father and has come into the world to save us.  We will be saved if we imitate him, leaving the familiar and...

No to “Every man for himself”

First Sunday of Lent (A), March 9, 2014 – Gen 2, 7-9; 3, 1-7; Rom 5, 12-19; Mt 4, 1-11 Through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous (Rom 5, 19) The new Adam overcomes temptations.  Through him, we are provided with a way out of trials, so that we...

Cherish yourself

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), March 2, 2014 – Is 49, 14-15; 1 Cor 4, 1-5; Mt 6, 24-34 You have been purchased at a price (1 Cor 6, 20) God considers us very dear and very precious.  Do we take ourselves according to his appreciation of us? Jesus teaches that we...

The real fool on the hill

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), February 23, 2014 – Lev 19, 1-2. 17-17; 1 Cor 3, 16-23; Mt 5, 38-48 Let him become a fool so as to be wise (1 Cor 3, 18) We can belong to Christ and his kingdom only if we prefer divine folly to human wisdom and remember always and...

Same ole same ole?

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), February 16, 2014 – Sir 15, 15-20; 1 Cor 2, 6-10; Mt 5, 17-37 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Cor 5, 17) Jesus, with his announcement of the kingdom and his lifestyle, represents conversion and newness.  But radical...

Fatal attraction

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), January 26, 2014 – Is 8, 23b – 9, 3; 1 Cor 1, 10-13. 17; Mt 4, 12-23 Praising God and enjoying favor with all the people (Acts 2, 47) Rather than impose, brightness attracts.  Whoever imposes admits he is not attractive. St. Francis...