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!”
vincentian spirituality
Mutual Correctives (Psalm 85)
by Tom McKenna, CM | December 11, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
A helpful distinction I once heard — that between contradictions and correlations.
A Vincentian View: Beginning with Luke
by Pat Griffin, CM | December 4, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
During 2025, our attention for the Sunday Gospels of Ordinary Time finds its focus on Luke’s story of Jesus.
Gospel Eyes and Ears (Mark 12)
by Tom McKenna, CM | November 27, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Much is revealed about a person by observing what he or she notices. And that’s because what one spots is in large part determined by what that person values more and appreciates less.
Vincentian Eyes (Luke 12)
by Tom McKenna, CM | November 13, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
An often-cited quote from Dale Carnegie: “Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw the mud, the other saw stars.”
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…
One More (Luke 5:1-11)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Feb 9, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
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!”
Taking In (Nehemiah 8; I Corinthians 12; Luke 4: 18-21)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 26, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
“Taking in the news.” It can refer to events both good and bad, taking in the news of a baby’s birth, for instance, or at the other end, receiving word of a loved one’s passing.
Being The Beloved (Isaiah 40:11: Lk 3:22)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 12, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
A gift – something given over freely, with good will and coming not from obligation but from good will and esteem. It raises the question: of all the gifts to receive, which would be the most valuable and precious?
Three Epiphany Words (Mt 2:1-12; Is 60:1-6)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 29, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
This thread of “Stop, Look and Go” winds through the words and actions of this Feast of Epiphany.
Ready to See (Luke 3:1-6; Phil 1:9-10)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 15, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
What the teacher had done was prepare him to see. She had given him a way to notice more of what was there.
Intertwining Worlds (John 18: 33-37)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Dec 1, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
More than most any other, the feast of Christ the King immerses us in this swirling dilemma of negotiating worlds.
Acting Out (Mark 12:38-44)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
When you hear that someone is “acting out” it usually isn’t heard as a compliment.
Saints Like Us (Hebrews 12.1)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 3, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.
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.