McKenna

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.

Outbreaks of Glory (Isaiah 49:3)

by Tom McKenna, CM | January 11, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment

Every once in a while when reading the Scriptures, something lights up, jumps out into the present time and place.

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.

Experiencing The Spirit’s Descent (Acts 10: 25-48)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 19, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

When we meet love in our lives, we are experiencing The Spirit.

Setting Out (Acts 9:1-20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 5, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

As far as beginnings go, we’d have to look far and wide to find something more dramatic than the one portrayed in chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles: Paul knocked over and blinded on that Damascus road.

“First Generation Disciples”(John 10: 14-15)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 21, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

“Handing on the tradition” is a phrase often connected with matters of faith.

Living “As If”(Acts 4: Jn 20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 7, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Where are the assurances that these claims about Jesus rising to new life have any substance?

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe

by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

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.

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?

In Praise of Complaining! (Job 7:17; Mk 1: 29-31)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Job has the well-deserved reputation as a complainer. Throwing up his hands, he whines to God, “How long is this misery going to lasts, this drudgery, these troubled nights.” (Job 7:1-7)

The Call: Where and What? (Mk 1:14-20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

God’s Call is a theme that runs all through the Scriptures. Where does God’s call occur and to what does it summon us?

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