McKenna
Never Alone (John 11:1-45)
by Tom McKenna, CM | March 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
One of the heaviest of feelings is the one of being alone. You hear it in the cry of an infant, and more generally you catch it in the forlorn look of any lonely person.
Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)
by Tom McKenna, CM | March 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 6 Comments
How many times have you heard people use the phrase, “I finally woke up?”
Struggles at a Well (John 4:5-42)
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Some of the traits which come out in the Samaritan woman as she interacts with Jesus at the noonday well could paint her as a hard-hearted and difficult lady.
Higher (Matthew 5:38-48)
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
There’s a phrase from the sports world, “setting a high bar.” It means raising the height of the jump just beyond the mark the athlete think he can clear.
Receiving Me (2 Kings,4; Mt 10:40)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 12, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Two agitated men, just coming from a disastrous happening, were walking down a country road and pouring out their shared troubles. Each was focused on his own grief, but each was also was taking in the pain of the other.
Hearing God’s Love (Matthew 10:26-33)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 28, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
We readily readily recognize the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the symbol of his great love for us. But as we know from the experience of many, this message given is often enough a message not received.
Naming God (Exodus 34: 8-9; John 3:16)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 14, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Two people are in a conversation, asking how they feel about each other. After much back and forth, one says to the other, “How would you name that feeling?”
Living “As If”(Acts 4: Jn 20)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 7, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Where are the assurances that these claims about Jesus rising to new life have any substance?
We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
All of us have heard the phrase, “living in the past.” Usually it has a negative ring – – somebody missing out on the good things happening now because he or she lives on memories of a bygone day.
Entering “The New Temple” (Jn 2:13-25)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
“Dense” is a one-word description for people who have trouble seeing beneath the surface of things.
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (1 Cor: 10:31)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
How is that the glory of God supplies motivation, gives the impetus for getting up and doing something?
In Praise of Complaining! (Job 7:17; Mk 1: 29-31)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Job has the well-deserved reputation as a complainer. Throwing up his hands, he whines to God, “How long is this misery going to lasts, this drudgery, these troubled nights.” (Job 7:1-7)
The Call: Where and What? (Mk 1:14-20)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
God’s Call is a theme that runs all through the Scriptures. Where does God’s call occur and to what does it summon us?
“Reaching Back”(Mark 1:11)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 13, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
There’s a phrase which often enough appears in stories having to do with someone coming up against his or her limits.
Nativity Power
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 30, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
The Christmas gospel from St. Luke starts out on a theme of power, the political power of an absolute ruler, Caesar Augustus.
Setting the Stage (Mark 1:1-8)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 18, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
I read an account of a high school boy who had, as the story title put it, “Made it Easier to be Honest.”