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.
McKenna
Setting Out
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 6, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
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 | April 22, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
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 | April 8, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments
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 | March 25, 2020 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
“I hear you talking. But the question is what are you saying?”
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?
Putting out into the deep – Fr. Tom McKenna, CM
by John Freund, CM | Sep 4, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
“Putting Out Into the Deep,” In Two Tones This order Jesus gives to Peter today, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch,” gets heard in at least two different registers. One has been in the optimistic, adventurous key John Paul II gave to it. “Get...
McKenna – Seeing better in the Vincentian Family
by John Freund, CM | Aug 19, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
In "Seeing Better" In the Vincentian Family Father Tom McKenna, CM asks what change goes on in anybody who steps inside Vincent's circle? (Homily at a gathering of the Vincentian Family in Belleville, Illinois 2010). ---------- Here's a good 21st Century question for...
There’s Authority and There’s Authority – Fr. Tom McKenna
by John Freund, CM | Aug 8, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
In Matthew’s 10th chapter, Jesus calls the disciples together and, as it says, “gives them authority” over the unclean spirits and diseases and illnesses. And by authority, Matthew means the power Jesus himself has been exercising, Jesus’ own power given Him by the...
The Giver in the Gift – Fr. Tom McKenna
by John Freund, CM | Aug 2, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
“The Giver In The Gift” - From what to who [Jn. 6, 24-35] Some years ago, there was a bestselling book entitled “My Grandfather’s Blessing.” It was about a relationship between a Jewish girl and her grandparent, who happened to be a Rabbi. As a sidebar theme, it...
Setting Up the “Grassy Places” Fr. Tom McKenna
by John Freund, CM | Jul 25, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
Setting Up the “Grassy Places” (John 6: 1-15), 17th Sunday To shake off some of the dust of familiarity from this very familiar scene in the Gospel (the multiplication of the loaves), let’s set it against its deeper backdrop. First off, there’s the condition of these...
Vincentians – A Reconciling Tradition
by John Freund, CM | Jul 19, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
“to be in this Family of Vincent and Frederick (and all its other peace-bringers) is to be influenced by this reconciling strain in the Family history”theme of being a reconciler, a bringer of peace, a person who would stand in the middle and work to bring disparate sides together.”
Fasting … vows with open hands
by John Freund, CM | Jul 15, 2015 | Daughters of Charity, Formation
On this happy day of Sr. Ellen Reilly’s vows, I hold out to you what might seem to be a strange topic: fasting. It’s got somber associations with negative things like restraint and refraining and penance. How does all that fit into an upbeat event like this? For one...
Nike vs. Volvo and the Vincentian Spirit – T. McKenna
by John Freund, CM | Jun 14, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
“just do it” takes precedence over “here’s the reason why you should do it.”
Thomas McKenna – Taken for granted
by John Freund, CM | Jun 4, 2015 | Formation, Reflections
McKenna – Taken for Granted