It is obvious that we are not living in the same church as we were some 50 years ago. How obvious depends on whether you are 60, 40, or 20,
![Do we play the short game or the long game?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2021/10/new-mindset-loading.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
by John Freund, CM | September 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Spirituality and Spiritual Practice, Systemic change | 1 Comment
Pope Francis calls us to “build a better kind of politics”. The USCCB suggest almost a “12 step program” for building community as envisaged when we truly commit to what we pray for in the “Our Father.”
by John Freund, CM | September 8, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 1 Comment
Me-ism! A lens to understand our world, church… and the three year “synodal process” beginning October 2021.
by John Freund, CM | September 1, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 1 Comment
Mark, as any good pastor would, uses Jesus stories circulating in oral tradition to help a community understand how the gospel is “good news”… even in the face of catastrophe and persecution.
by John Freund, CM | August 25, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change | 2 Comments
Jesus’ communication style focused on two things: He told great stories and asked great questions!
by John Freund, CM | Oct 13, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
It is obvious that we are not living in the same church as we were some 50 years ago. How obvious depends on whether you are 60, 40, or 20,
by John Freund, CM | Oct 6, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
When St. Paul asks us to “put on the mind of Christ” he has much more in mind than mouthing Jesus’ words.
by John Freund, CM | Sep 29, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
The tribal wisdom of the American Indians says that when you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
by John Freund, CM | Feb 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family
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.
by John Freund, CM | Feb 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Since last October Jesus’ “story” has found a home in my heart to a degree I never expected. And it is all Pope Francis’ fault! I can no longer tame the shock of the story. What a challenge to change my way of thinking.
by John Freund, CM | Jan 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
There is no doubt in my mind that the earth is a globe revolving in space! So how could I be a “flat-earther”?
by John Freund, CM | Jan 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Pilate’s somewhat cynical question is among the most famous questions of history. In a somewhat prophetic message for World Communications Day 2020 Pope Francis offered what amounts to a “mindwalk” on truth.
by John Freund, CM | Jan 13, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
“Are you the only one in the world who has not heard what is going on in (Washington?)” (Luke 24:18) People from around the world are trying to make sense of recent events. I offer some resources for reflection.
by John Freund, CM | Jan 6, 2021 | Systemic change
True optimism is the ability to see the emptiness of half the glass while choosing to focus on the fullness of the other half of the glass.
by John Freund, CM | Dec 30, 2020 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Let us not settle only for what is necessary. The Lord does not want us to narrow our horizons or to remain parked on the roadside of life. He wants us to race boldly and joyfully towards lofty goals.
by John Freund, CM | Dec 23, 2020 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Jesus came to change our minds, not God’s! The Word became flesh to show us what God’s message and way of thinking looks like when lived humanly. Jesus is the living model of world-changing systemic change.
by John Freund, CM | Dec 16, 2020 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Israel’s prophets talked, but their audiences didn’t listen. Little has changed in 3,000 years. Like the prophets of the Bible, anyone who tries this nowadays is likely to be ignored or derided at best, if not silenced in a variety of ways.