Sometimes when I read the Scriptures, a word pops out for me in a way that it has not done before.
![A Vincentian View: Be Kind](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/11/fr.-griffin-reflections.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 26, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
Mary knew Joseph. As we are attentive to her, we learn about the one who stood beside her for much of her life.
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 12, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Mary knew Joseph. As we are attentive to her, we learn about the one who stood beside her for much of her life.
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 28, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The Babylonians destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem in 587 BC and took most of the people of Israel into captivity—moving them from their ancestral home to foreign lands. Psalm 137 engages the feelings of those displaced persons.
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 14, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Psalm 19 points in a similar direction and enables us to continue to reflect on Joseph as a just man in relation to the law of his people.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 2, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Sometimes when I read the Scriptures, a word pops out for me in a way that it has not done before.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 16, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
If you have ever seen Fiddler on the Roof, you may remember the prayer of Tevye.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 2, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
This scripture reminds us of our responsibility to honor the prophets among us.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 28, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View A Christmas Homily: “Celebrating the Small” Each year before Christmastime in Advent, one of my brothers sends me four tickets to “The Messiah” at Lincoln Center. This gives me an opportunity to see this seasonal show with some of my confreres and...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart The Theology Department at St. John’s University has offered me the opportunity to teach the course on Vincent de Paul next semester. I really have enough to do, but the thought of teaching this course during the 400th...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 30, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity all the days of your life and live to see your children’s children (Ps 128:5-6) Last year at this time after Thanksgiving, I wrote about my grandnephew...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 16, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Remembering” “God gave us memories so that we could have roses in December.” (J. M. Barrie) That line still sticks in my mind from high school because it flows out of my sentimental heart. It reminds me of the importance of memories and their...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 19, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Human Stories” This past Saturday at St. John’s University, we launched the first of our ongoing series on interfaith dialogue. In collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Vincentian Center at SJU will attempt to put together a whole day...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 5, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Our Kids” Founder’s Week (September 20-27) at St. John’s University celebrates St. Vincent de Paul whose spirit rests at the heart of our University. This year, the theme for our remembrance was “Vincentian Education: Illuminating minds, creating...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “The Joy of Being Found” Our Gospel of Sunday, September 11 contains the entire fifteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel and the three parables therein. The ideas of being “lost” and “found” and “joyful” are central in each story. Listen again to the words...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 7, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Payback” Imagine a world in which everyone had all that they needed, not too much and never too little. No one was hungry—there was always enough food. No one was naked—adequate clothing was available to all. No one needed shelter—everyone had a...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Aug 24, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “Giving Your Best” I have been on vacation for the past two weeks. I feel fortunate that these were the two weeks of the Olympic Games. During the first week, I was with my two sisters and my brother’s family in Northboro, MA. We spent much of the...