Whenever I have taught the Epistles of Paul or instructed lectors on these texts, I emphasize that one must read these letters as if they were addressed to oneself and to a Christian community gathered to hear them.
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: Journeying Together – To Bethlehem
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 5, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
In an earlier post, I noted how the Holy Father’s summons to “synodality” attracts me. His call to “journey together”...
A Vincentian View: Journeying Together – Joseph and Mary
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 22, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Pope Francis has decided that an emphasis in our Catholic community for the next few years will focus our attention on the concept of “synodality.”
A Vincentian View: The Paraclete
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 31, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Paraclete Usually when I consider the word “Paraclete,” I think of “advocate” or “intercessor” or “counselor” or some such term. “Paraclete” is, of course, one of the ways in which we often refer to the Holy Spirit. As we approach the...
A Vincentian View: Taking a Second (Better) Look
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 17, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Taking a Second (Better) Look I think it is rare that we get things right the first time—at least, that is my experience. In order to learn how to do something, I need to do it more than once. To really understand something, to really allow it to...
A Vincentian View: Seeing and Believing
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 3, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Seeing and Believing Two words seem to emerge regularly in our Gospel readings of the Easter Season: one word is “seeing” and the other is “believing.” I think these powerful words go together as we think about the way in which we express and grow...
A Vincentian View: A Feast for the Senses
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 19, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: A Feast for the Senses Life. The very air pulses with the celebration of the gift of life on the evening when we remember and we celebrate the paschal mystery. On this night, Jesus was raised from the dead to live forever and to draw us into...
A Vincentian View: The Way of the Cross
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 5, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Way of the Cross Are you in the practice of praying the Stations of the Cross? I have known a number of people for whom this is a regular devotion. In different parishes and situations, I have heard the Stations said in numerous ways. Some...
A Vincentian View: Windows on St. Joseph
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Windows on St. Joseph On many occasions, I have mused on the beautiful stained glass windows in our St. Thomas More Church on the Queens’ campus of St. John’s University. Sometimes, I will go to the Church to pray, and my attention gets drawn to a...
A Vincentian View: Marked Men and Women
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 8, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Marked Men and Women For the past few years, since I have been back at St. John’s, I have celebrated the 8:00 mass on Wednesdays. It is one of my ordinary responsibilities. Usually, I am joined by 25-30 regular members of the University...
A Vincentian View: Hope in Ashes
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 22, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Hope in Ashes” When I play poker, I do so solely for enjoyment. You can tell that by some of the games which I will play. One may be familiar to you: “Blind Man’s Bluff.” In this poker game, each player receives one card face down. Then...
A Vincentian View: A Vincentian Pentecost
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 25, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “A Vincentian Pentecost” Like many of you, I have been thinking about the 400th anniversary year for a while. Partly, that is because of my desire to celebrate it worthily as an individual and within my ministry, but more so because I want to...