With this hot weather scorching many parts of the globe, it’s not hard to appreciate the metaphor the prophet Isaiah offers as a picture of how it is between ourselves and God — more specifically, between ourselves and the Word of God.
McKenna
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.
A Divine Bias? (Ps 146; I Cor 1:27-30)
by Tom McKenna, CM | January 25, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
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.
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.
A Steadying Presence (Ps 128; Romans 8:35-39)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 18, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
“God” is not just another word, but rather the designation of the overflowing reality at the heart of everything.
Given A Break (Ex. 22:20; Mt 22:38-40)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 4, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
In his unaffected way, he was voicing a truth that runs across the whole length of the Bible and all down the avenues of our faith: “I give help because I have been helped.”
Lifting the Veil (Is. 25: 6-8; Phil 4:20; Mt 22:1-14)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 21, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
One of the favorite images seen all through the Scriptures is the feast, the sumptuous banquet overflowing, as Isaiah pictures it, with “juicy, rich food and choice wines.”
A Collaborative Witness (Luke 8:1-3)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 7, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Certainly the words and actions of such groups are meant to proclaim God’s Kingdom, but their very collaboration is itself an announcement of the Message.
Magis (Matthew 20:1-16)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Sep 23, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
There is the Jesuit one-word motto, “magis,” the Latin for “more,” meant to remind them that God is always “more than,” always greater. But greater than what?
Sacramental Speaking and Listening (Ezekiel, 33; Matthew, 18)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Sep 9, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
A question often on the lips of a believer: where and how is God present in my life?
Broadening The Frame (Matthew 15:21-8)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 26, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
An important element in this nurturing is what could be described as a frame, the boundaries through which they have been taught to look out at the world.
Not Enough (Is 55; Rom 8:39; Mt 14:13-21)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 12, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
An often-heard question: “Is there enough to go around?” Sometimes asked out of kindness, it can also arise out of fear.
Receiving Communion (Mt 10:40, Lk 10:16; Jn 13:20)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 29, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
After impressing on the disciples who he is and what he stands for, he declares, “whoever receives you receives me.”