St. Vincent wrote: “what a beautiful sight are the poor if we consider them in God…”
Reflections
“What are you hearing?”
The most effective reporters highlight the impact on the life and concerns of a viewer. Pope Francis seems to instinctively do the same.
A Canadian View: Inter-Generational Trauma, Poverty & Racism, Part One
I would like to examine the relationship between trauma, poverty and (systemic) racism over my next three articles. Part One discusses trauma.
Formation’s Scratchy Side
Formation’s Scratchy Side (Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13) All of us entering this Vincentian Family have to go through what is known as “formation.” Formation: people being formed, shaped, molded – maybe better, being re-molded, re-shaped, and maybe even...
Who’s Missing: A Systemic Change Reflection
A recent U.S.A. news headline: “Poor seem far down list on candidates’ agendas.” No real surprise there! In the last presidential campaign in the United States, neither President Obama nor Mr. Romney ever mentioned people living in poverty in major campaign addresses...
Way that Leads to Truth and Gives Life
Jesus guides our feet into the way of the Kingdom of God. Great crowds follow Jesus who is on his way to Jerusalem. But quality is more important to him than quantity. Hence, he lays out his demands in a disconcerting way. First, Jesus demands that those who seek...
Why are we here? – THINK before acting
Why are we here? T.H.I.N.K. before acting – How do others know? Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast, Repost from April 2013 Prayer is a blessing. We all need to make the time to pray. Put God #1 on your agenda. Before each meeting pray that the discussion will bless...
Collaboration Between Two Exceptional People
J. Patrick Murphy reminds us in his booklet Mr. Vincent of the collaboration of two exceptional people - Vincent and Louise. In Louise de Marillac Vincent found the perfect partner to build his business model and bring about change that shocked the world. Louise, like...
Vincentian Self-worth
Self-worth is not a phrase that would have been much discussed in the 17th century. You're not going to find it in the lexicon of St. Vincent. But the concept was not foreign to him. He knew that of human worth (and because of that, self-worth) was founded on what God...
A Vincentian View: Giving Your Best
A Vincentian View “Giving Your Best” I have been on vacation for the past two weeks. I feel fortunate that these were the two weeks of the Olympic Games. During the first week, I was with my two sisters and my brother’s family in Northboro, MA. We spent much of the...
Seeds of Future Systemic Changes?
Seeds of future systemic changes….Father Gregory Gay, during his twelve years as Superior General, consistently invited us to think beyond what we were accustomed to, especially in terms of collaboration for systemic change. Here are the questions that he presented in...
Humble before God because Truth Demands It
Jesus is the definitive divine word that teaches us to be humble. He is also the perfect response of humility to the divine word. Jesus goes to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. Since the Pharisees love places of honor at banquets, one can suppose...
