David Brooks, columnist for the New York Times, lays out two different styles of interpersonal relating. One he calls the llluminator and the other the Diminisher.
vincentian spirituality
Is It Enough? (John 6:1-15)
by Tom McKenna, CM | August 7, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 3 Comments
A commentator on these readings posed a beguiling question: “how much is enough?”
The God of Creation
by Tom McKenna, CM | July 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Images for God — metaphors and visuals that catch something more fundamental and grounded than ideas for God.
Bottom Land (Mt 5:21)
by Tom McKenna, CM | July 10, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
We all know the phrase, “getting to the bottom of it.” It means digging down beneath the outside appearances to the inner core of something
Who’s In/Out? (Mark 3:20-35)
by Tom McKenna, CM | June 26, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
I remember a man complaining that there was too much dissention in his family. He used a memorable phrase to describe their connections: “In a given month, who’s in and who’s out?”
Is It Enough? (John 6:1-15)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Aug 7, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
A commentator on these readings posed a beguiling question: “how much is enough?”
The God of Creation
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
Images for God — metaphors and visuals that catch something more fundamental and grounded than ideas for God.
Inside Authority (Mark 1: 21-28)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 7, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
There is a phase to describe what often happens when somebody who is believable begins to talk: “When he or she stands up to speak, everybody listens!”
Gospel Readiness (1 Samuel 3:3-10)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
Am I more often alert to the sounds of God’s presence? Or do I not pay much attention to the ways God is directing me?
The Light That Beckons (Mt 2: 1-12)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 10, 2024 | Formation, Reflections
Stories can bring delight. And if there ever was a story that has sparked delight among believers, it’s the one about those three travelers from the East…
Sending (Isaiah, 61; 1 Thessalonians, 5)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 27, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Have you ever been “sent on a Mission?” – picked out and entrusted with something to say or do?
Active Waiting (Mark 1:1-8)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 13, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
The Advent message? Not only to welcome the Lord’s arrival, but also to take the kinds of steps which ease His birthing among us.
Already and Not Yet (Mt 25: 14-30)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 29, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
A phrase often on Jesus’ lips: “The Kingdom of God” — or in another iteration, “the Reign of God, His Father.”
Fuel For The Light (Matthew 24: 42-44)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 15, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Jesus parable in Matthew’s chapter about the 10 torch-bearing virgins concerns actions to be taken in the face of a delay — for us a delay in the coming of The Lord, Jesus.
Echoes (Luke 12:35-38)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 1, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
I’ve always had a liking for country music. One of the special effects its singers use is what might be called echoing.
Lord, I Am Not Worthy (Mt 21:28-32)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Oct 18, 2023 | Formation, Reflections
Reading Jesus’ parable about the two Sons, it struck me how often in the Gospels Jesus leans in favor of the ones who are out of favor.