In the middle of the Acts of the Apostles (c. 15), we find one of the first issues of exclusion in the young Christian community.
Reflections
A Vincentian View: Recognizing the Lord
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 10, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Each year during the Easter Season, I find myself fascinated by the idea that the friends of Jesus do not recognize him in the resurrected form.
A Vincentian View: The Company of Strangers
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 27, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Some years ago, I read a piece that discussed how much the modern world depends upon the work of strangers for its survival and wellbeing.
A Vincentian View: A Great Symphony of Prayer
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 13, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis has invited the Christian community to center 2024 around the theme of prayer.
A Vincentian View: The Transfiguration – Listen
by Pat Griffin, CM | February 28, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
For the last years, I do not think that I have meditated on any theme more often that listening. Most recently, the line that ends the story of the Transfiguration has attracted me.
A Vincentian View: Acts of the Apostles
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 11, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
One of the great blessings of the Easter Season is the way in which the church directs our attention to the Acts of the Apostles in both the weekday and the Sunday readings.
A Vincentian View: Seeing and Believing
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 27, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
In the readings of the Easter Season, it sometimes seems that the two positions of “seeing” and “believing” are mutually exclusive.
A Vincentian View: What’s in a Name?
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 27, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Elizabeth and Zechariah are willing to think “outside the box”, and give a new name to this extraordinary gift which comes into their midst.
A Vincentian View: Family Gatherings
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 13, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
In the past two weeks, I have been to two important family events. One, a wedding in Milwaukee, enabled me to be surrounded by my brothers and sisters and their spouses for a few days. It was wonderful to be together and talk about our parents and their children. I...
A Vincentian View: Thoughts on a Wedding
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 30, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
This past weekend, I once again had the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony with a young couple. The experience remains foremost in my thinking in these days. I have found that my wedding homilies flow in a certain manner depending on the...
A Vincentian View: In-Between Times
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 16, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: In-Between Times We sometimes refer to that period which is sandwiched between two events as an “in-between” time. The occurrences which flank this interval often provide its character and purpose. The unifying force of the interlude draws the two...
A Vincentian View: The Smell
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 2, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “The Smell” All of us have heard the by-now famous statement of Pope Francis at a Chrism Mass where he told the gathered priests “Be shepherds with the smell of the sheep.” To render “smell” as “scent” compromises the intent. The earthy...
A Vincentian View: Promises
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 18, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Promises” I have been thinking about promises. On Easter Sunday, I joined with a Christian community in renewing my baptismal promises. I am sure that many of you did as well. I rejected Satan and his empty promises, and I confessed my belief in...
A Vincentian View: Peace Be With You
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 4, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Peace be with you” If you have gotten messages from me, you will see that I most often finish my notes with “Peace” or “Peace in the Risen Lord” or some such variation on “peace.” Many people may feel that it is a left over from my hippie-days and...
A Vincentian View: “Your Paul”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Your Paul” At different times, many of us have probably considered the difference between: (a) reading a story and then seeing the movie; and (b) seeing the movie and then reading the story. I am sure that I saw the Sherlock Holmes movies before I...
A Vincentian View: The Power of Gentleness
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 7, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “The Power of Gentleness” Do you remember Aesop’s fable about the contest between the sun and the wind? They were arguing about who was stronger. They saw a man walking along the road and agreed that whoever could get the coat off his back was...