McKenna
Acceptance — And Ingenuity (Luke 16:1-13)
by Tom McKenna, CM | September 21, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Scripture Scholars tell us that the meaning behind the word “parable” is curve, as in throwing a curve.
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?
![Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/10/mckenna-tom-reflections-featured-facebook-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
How many times have you heard people use the phrase, “I finally woke up?”
![Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/10/mckenna-tom-reflections-featured-facebook-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Struggles at a Well (John 4:5-42)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
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.
![Seeing What’s There (John 9:39)](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2022/10/mckenna-tom-reflections-featured-facebook-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Higher (Matthew 5:38-48)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 8, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
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.
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.
Spirit Prompts (John 1: 29-34)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 29, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
The Spirit of God is always moving through creation and through human hearts. But there are things we can do which make us more receptive to those movements.
Solid Saving Symbols (Acts 10:37; Mt 3:17)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 15, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
As all of us know, to say that something is symbolic is to claim that some reality, the symbol, carries inside itself much more than what appears on its surface.
Adding to the Scene (Lk 2:1-14)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 1, 2020 | Formation, Reflections
Imaginatively placing resolutions and actions around the manger is a prayer exercise that can draw us closer into what is happening there.
Through the Veil (Isaiah 11; Hebrews 6)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 18, 2019 | Formation, Reflections
Much of life, is spent waiting — and Advent is the time of hopeful waiting.