Early in St. John’s gospel, we see Jesus resolutely striding into the outer courtyard of the Jerusalem Temple, a space bordering on what the Jewish people acknowledged to be God’s own Dwelling place.
McKenna
Gratitude: The Key (1 Cor. 9: 16-19; Mk.1:29-39)
by Tom McKenna, CM | March 6, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
A question: what is it that allows people to keep on giving? What is it that motivates someone who isn’t receiving any reward or payment to continue being generous?
The Collaborative Instinct
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 21, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments
There have been times in both the history of the Jewish people and in our own Church when there was a wide dividing line between the clergy and the rest of the believing people.
Inside Authority (Mark 1: 21-28)
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 7, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
There is a phase to describe what often happens when somebody who is believable begins to talk: “When he or she stands up to speak, everybody listens!”
Gospel Readiness (1 Samuel 3:3-10)
by Tom McKenna, CM | January 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Am I more often alert to the sounds of God’s presence? Or do I not pay much attention to the ways God is directing me?
Gratitude: The Key (1 Cor. 9: 16-19; Mk.1:29-39)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 6, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
A question: what is it that allows people to keep on giving? What is it that motivates someone who isn’t receiving any reward or payment to continue being generous?
The Collaborative Instinct
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 21, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
There have been times in both the history of the Jewish people and in our own Church when there was a wide dividing line between the clergy and the rest of the believing people.
Prayer Visuals (I Kings: 19; Matthew: 14)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 23, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
The Scriptures are filled with striking visuals for our lives of faith, and in particular for our lives of prayer. One is in chapter 19 of the Book of Kings, up on the mountain with the Prophet Elijah who is fleeing from the threats of Jezebel and her husband King...
From Deep Within (Romans 8:26-7)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 9, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
There’s a way of looking at our religion as a series of truths to be acknowledged and then followed out.
Drinking At The Fountain of God’s Word (Isaiah 55: 10-11)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 26, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
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.
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?”
The Way (John 14:1-12)
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 31, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Rereading Andre Dodin’s biography of Saint Vincent de Paul recently, I was struck with the phrase he used to weave together the various threads of Vincent’s life.
Get Up and Set Out (John 6:44, Acts 8:26-40)
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 17, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
This homily was preached on the occasion of the taking of Final Vows by a Vincentian seminarian, Alex Palacios, in Philadelphia, PA.
Inside The Fold (John 10:1-10)
by Tom McKenna, CM | May 3, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Preparing for this Sunday, which is often called Good Shepherd Sunday, I came across a description of the things a shepherd in Jesus’ time would do to care for his — or her — sheep.