vincentian spirituality

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 | 0 Comments

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

God Up Close (Mt. 11:2-11)

by Tom McKenna, CM | December 14, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

Something with which most every believer can struggle is the felt nearness of God: how close up do I sense the Divine presence?

Advent Receptivity (Matthew 3:1-12)

by Tom McKenna, CM | November 30, 2022 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments

One way to hear the Advent Gospel message is to put ourselves in the shoes of all those people walking out to that desert to listen to John the Baptist.

“Practicing” The Faith (Malachi 3:19-20)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

As with all literature, there are many words in the Scriptures that need interpretation, that second look to get at their more underlying meaning.

Looking Out and Looking Up (Luke 19:1-10)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 2, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

Luke’s 19th chapter begins with a story of “two people looking.”

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.

Sacramentals (Mt 10:27-32)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 13, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

The years-ago world of sacramentals — as you might remember, these were the scapulars and medals and holy cards and statues you’d find in a Catholic home.

Advance Notice (Lk. 10:1-2)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 29, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

When breaking into any new territory, organizations send out what is known as an advance team.

Trinitarian Living (John 16: 12-15)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 15, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

The mystery of the Trinity is definitely that: a mystery who’s depth and range we can never come close to penetrating.

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (Rev. 22: 16; Jn 17: 20-26)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jun 1, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

The word Glory shows up frequently in the Scriptures, all those praises of God’s Glory and in particular Jesus’ petitions to His Father asking to give the disciples (and all of us) the Glory that the Father has given Him.

Hearing The Voice (John 10:1-10)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 18, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

Years ago, walking along a crowded beach, I came upon a group of people gathered around a crying, screaming child.

Recounting Grace (Luke 24:35)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 4, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

“They recounted how…he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

Brimming Over (Lk 15: 1-32; 2 Corinthians 5:17-25)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Apr 6, 2022 | Formation, Reflections

In Luke’s 15th chapter, Jesus relates his perhaps most famous parable, aiming to open another window onto the Kingdom of God, especially its meaning for the present.