About the Series
St. Vincent de Paul encouraged five particular traits in his comrades: simplicity, meekness, mortification, humility and zeal. Come discover the stories of these virtues and how they are alive in the daily experiences of those around us. Throughout the 40 days of Lent, a new story will be posted daily. See how the everyday practices of being honest, approachable, self-disciplined, realistic and hardworking, in the spirit of St. Vincent, can transform your own life and the lives of others.
Street-level Encounters – a Parable
In this Vincentian Mindwalk, explore with me a street-level parable about the latest buzzword in many religious circles – “encounter.”
Have Catholics Seen Such Polarization Before?
There is so much polarization in our world today. And it is not just political.
Polarization is on full display at all levels of the Church today… hierarchy, clergy, laity, vowed religious.
Is this the first time in history that the Church has been so divided?
Certainly not!
Changing Our Clocks, Fast-forwards and Do-overs
Fall behind – spring ahead!
What if we could “replay” what we lost in our lives. Of course, we don’t get to replay the hours we lost.
Nor do we get to skip ahead and see our futures as we change clocks.
Can changing of clocks as a metaphor for our lives?
What’s Your Way of Handling Conflict?
A simple fact of life. We don’t always agree… especially on things that are important to us.
A painful fact of life. Disagreements and conflicts can get out of hand.
But, there is another fact of life.
We can and should learn from disagreements.
Unfinished Family Business?
Have you had someone close to you die with whom you had unfinished business?
We are left saying: “If only there were another chance!”
Well there is!
How Are You At Predictions?
A stopped clock is right at least twice a day.
I hope my track record for predictions is a bit better than that.
Here I revisit 3 predictions I made some two years ago.
Real or Fake – Spotting the Difference
Sometimes, it is very difficult to spot the difference between the “real thing” or an imitation.
Let’s explore different understandings of imitating Christ.
Hearts on Fire – Feet on the Move!
Pope Francis sees mission as a way of speaking about the road BACK from Emmaus to Jerusalem with “hearts on fire and feet on the move.”
Star Wars, the Nones, and the Good News
Is there any connection with the Star Wars phenomenon, the Nones, and Good News today?
Thank you! May we use our alertness to glorify God while serving our brothers and sisters!
Ed Ambrose