There’s an instinct to idealize the saints as entirely different from the rest of us, off in another league at some unattainable level of holiness and favor with God.
vincentian spirituality
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (1 Cor: 10:31)
by Tom McKenna, CM | February 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
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 | February 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
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 | January 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
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?
“Reaching Back”(Mark 1:11)
by Tom McKenna, CM | January 13, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
There’s a phrase which often enough appears in stories having to do with someone coming up against his or her limits.
Stumbling Along ‘The Way’ (Mark 10:35-45)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 20, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
Most of us know the image backing the word “scandalize;” i.e., somebody tripping over a stone in the road.
The Big Hearted (Micah 6:6-8; Rev 14:13; Lk 8:4-15)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 6, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
This homily was preached at a recent anniversary Mass for Fr. Joseph Daly, C.M. — a Vincentian priest beloved of many,
Talk, Speech, Deed
by Tom McKenna, CM | Mar 1, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Talk, Speech, Deed (1 Cor 2: 1-5) In one of the many commentaries on the quality of the rhetoric in the recent campaign, I came across a distinction I had never thought of – the difference between talk and speech. Talk, whatever comes to you on the spot, or from off...
Repenting From Fear to Trust
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 15, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Repenting From Fear to Trust (Matthew 4: 17) In Matthew’s fourth chapter we come across what you might call the very first word in Jesus' very first sermon, Repent! Which means at base “to turn around.” And so the gospel, “From that time on, Jesus began to...
A Family Gift: Practical Integrity
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 1, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Family Gift: Practical Integrity (Mk 3:1-6) If you were hired as the Public Relations director for the Jerusalem Pharisees and Scribes mentioned in Mark, you wouldn’t want this section of the gospel to get too much circulation. In their confrontations with Jesus,...
Heavenly Gaze
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 18, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A scene setter. You’re out in the cold night fields, keeping close watch over your flock. And suddenly this light is shining at you and all around you. From out of this radiance a voice of an angel sings out news about the infant in swaddling clothes lying in a...
Sensing Grace
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 4, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Sensing Grace (Lk: 1:26-38) The angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she’s “full of grace.” And so the question, what is this “grace” that Mary is filled with? There are few better answers to be had than the one in the five words that follow. “The Lord is with you!”...
The Vincentian Charism, Vincentian Spirituality and Our Way of Life Part 2 #IamVincent
by John P. Prager, C.M. | Dec 22, 2016 | Formation, Social, Spirituality and Spiritual Practice
We hope you enjoyed Part One earlier today. Continue to listen and learn about our Our Way of Life, and about five characteristics of Vincentian spirituality that everyone who wants to say #IamVincent needs to practice. This presentation was given during the Latin...
The Vincentian Charism, Vincentian Spirituality and our Way of Life Part 1 #IamVincent
by John P. Prager, C.M. | Dec 22, 2016 | Formation, Social, Spirituality and Spiritual Practice
Listen and learn about our Our Way of Life, and about five characteristics of Vincentian spirituality that everyone who wants to say #IamVincent needs to practice. This presentation was given during the Latin American Encounter of the Vincentian Family, Guatemala –...
Attuned To The Fear of the Lord
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Attuned To “The Fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1-5; Lk. 10: 21) In Isaiah’s description of the special one God will send (“A shoot from the stump of Jesse”), he lists a number of qualities this person will have. Wisdom, understanding, strength, and so forth. But one of...
Counsel for An Anxious Time
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 7, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Counsel for An Anxious Time (Lk. 17:20-25) All through Luke’s gospel, the underlying movement is towards Jerusalem. From the beginning that’s where Jesus is heading, and as He gets closer the pace picks up and the tensions rise. This is not only because of the...