vincentian spirituality

“Something More” (Exodus 3:1-15)

by Tom McKenna, CM | March 23, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments

Through the ages, the episode of Moses and the burning bush has figured into the religious experience of many.

Storing Up (Luke 6:42-45)

by Tom McKenna, CM | March 9, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments

In a Lukan parable, Jesus uses the image of “storing,” accumulating and building up a certain quality inside one’s heart.

Moving Ahead (Jeremiah 1:17-19)

by Tom McKenna, CM | February 23, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment

“Call,” a notion that figures prominently in the Scriptures, God summoning people to change direction. Heading nowhere in particular, someone senses an inner prod to take some new course.

One More (Luke 5:1-11)

by Tom McKenna, CM | February 9, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 4 Comments

I can imagine Peter’s consternation when Jesus challenges him to head out one more time. Likely shaking his head, Peter nonetheless gives his “ok, one more!”

65th Anniversary of Vincentian Brother Alfred Smith’s Service

by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 19, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

To keep God’s people safe and alive in their battle against Amalek, Moses has to hold his arms high in the air for a very long while.

Stand Up and Go! (2 Kings, 5:14-17; Lk 17:11-19)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 5, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

For all of us who have been through the pandemic, we know first-hand how disease and sickness have a way of separating us, how they can isolate and cut us off from the rest of life.

Acceptance — And Ingenuity (Luke 16:1-13)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Sep 21, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

Scripture Scholars tell us that the meaning behind the word “parable” is curve, as in throwing a curve.

The Inner Compass

by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 27, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

All of us possess something like this, a hidden spot where we can feel the deep push and pull of God’s Spirit. We might even call it that inner compass.

Feet in Two Worlds

by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 13, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

Now a citizen of two worlds, each one operating from different instincts and expectations, he was pulled.

Landing the Kingdom

by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 27, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

To convey the irresistibility of his Father’s Kingdom, Jesus images the hidden seed sprouting under the ground.

Daughters of Charity: The Beginnings

by Famvin Media Resources | Feb 24, 2019 | Daughters of Charity, Formation

This video from the Daughters of Charity International helps us reflect on the influence that St. Vincent and St. Louise exercised jointly in founding the Daughters of Charity.

Being Taught To See What I Had Not Seen

by John Freund, CM | Feb 15, 2019 | Formation, Reflections, Vincentian Family

Seeing but not seeing – Jesus expects only one thing of his followers: to see who and what he sees. Those who do so become “other Christs.”

Along The Way

by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 13, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

St. Paul proclaims he came upon this “Way” through personal encounter with the light and the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stretching Toward The Kingdom

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 30, 2019 | Formation, Reflections

A key theme in a recent workshop on intercultural living was stretching – the oftentimes painful effort needed to expand our perspectives and widen our view of what true and valuable.