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.
McKenna
Prioritizing (Lk 14: 25-9)
by Tom McKenna, CM | September 7, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
There are hardly any words in all the gospels more blunt than the stark ones Jesus proclaims in Luke’s 14th chapter.
Widening The Gate (Luke 13:22-30)
by Tom McKenna, CM | August 24, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
One of Jesus’ more intriguing images is that of the gate, the entranceway into his Father’s Kingdom. Entrance depends in large part on the practical steps we take to build the kind of unity, accord and cooperation that reflects his Father’s world.
The Treasures’s Location (Hebrews 11:1-19; Lk. 12:32-48)
by Tom McKenna, CM | August 10, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Lk 12:34)These words of Jesus shine a light on what it is that a given society values — what it treasures most, what tops its list of things most sought after?
Understand & Listen (Genesis 18: Luke 10: 38-42)
by Tom McKenna, CM | July 27, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Recently I came across an intriguing quote from the 18th century author, Henri David Thoreau, which touched on a theme prominent in the scriptures.
A Divine Bias? (Ps 146; I Cor 1:27-30)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 25, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
The word “bias” doesn’t have an especially pleasing connotation. It usually means an unfair leaning toward one group and a blindness toward its opposite.
Outbreaks of Glory (Isaiah 49:3)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 11, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Every once in a while when reading the Scriptures, something lights up, jumps out into the present time and place.
Reaching Across (1 Samuel:20)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 3, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Especially in these fractious times, how to move more toward unity rather than separation? How to help others to see past tightly held identity markers?
Louise and Light (Isaiah 58: 5,10)
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 20, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Yet while walking those somber corridors, St. Louise came to discover right there in the gloom a flickering light that held her on course.
Setting Out
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 6, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
We meet two people setting out on a journey, both with God in mind.
Recounting The Good News (Lk 24:13-35)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 22, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
While not as central to faith as The Lord’s “doing this in remembrance of Me,” the recollecting we Vincentians do has its own way of bringing past graces into the now.
Engraving An Image (John 13:1-15)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 8, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
If we could video a scene catching the heart of Jesus’ message, we wouldn’t go far wrong recording something that happens during the final supper with his disciples.
Words – and Words (John 4:5-42)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 25, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
“I hear you talking. But the question is what are you saying?”
Something More (Mt 5:17-37; I Cor 2:6)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 11, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Under modern-day pressures to bring the Good News to the poor, may the Vincentian Family continue to rely on that Something More.
Little Pieces of Light (Isaiah 58; Mt. 5)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 26, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Returning to the light imagery of Isaiah and Jesus, we’re enjoined not to deepen the dark by inaction but rather to let the light of our active compassion push back the gloom.
Gospel Styles (Luke 2:22-40)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 12, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Have you ever thought of yourself as an evangelizer? There are different ways and styles of being an evangelist.