In this Vincentian Mindwalk I explore how Vincentians are becoming aware of themelves as a movement rather than just branches of a specific family. People from all walks of life and professions seek to serve the poor and the marginalized wherever they may be and whatever their needs.
Month: September 2022
If Cathedrals Could Speak… Would We Listen?
In this Vincentian Mindwalk, I explore the stained glass windows of the great cathedrals as catechisms about God. I will also look at lessons of “the cathedral of creation.”
In Memoriam!
In Memoriam
“All Are Welcome” … Really?
What do we mean when we sing “All are welcome?” In Jesus, God welcomes all of us. Do we do this in memory of Jesus who welcomed even his enemies?
Do You Remember Many Sermons?
In the Vincentian Mindwalk I offer quotes from a sermon I definitely remember. I hope it whets your appetite enough to view it on YouTube. On the BBC channel alone, it has been viewed over 1.5 million times!
United Against… Or… With Our Enemies?
In this Vincentian Mindwalk written on a 9/11 anniversary. I explore a connection between 9/11 as uniting us against our enemies and 9/14 which challenges us to love our enemies.
Catechetical Sunday – Getting to know something… or… someone?
Getting to know something… or… someone? This is the basic focus of catechetics.
In this Vincentian Mindwalk I explore how the lyrics of a Broadway helped me better understand Catechetical Sunday.
Do You Prefer Courtrooms or Banquet Halls?
In this Vincentian Mindwalk I explore whether there is an unconscious tendency to think of heaven as something awarded to us if we have enough evidence to convince the judge. Or, do we have a deep-down feeling heaven will be the best family gathering?
Jesus Talks About Tough Choices
Luke, a generation after Jesus, uses Jesus’ stories to help Gentile Christians who faced painful choices. Luke, a Greek speaking outsider himself, wrote primarily to those who, like him, were outsiders to the “in” group. He used Jesus’ own stories to speak to the everyday problems these second-generation followers – rejection from the Pharisees and rejection by their own families.
How Many of Us Have Reimagined Labor Day?
Most of us think of Labor Day as marking the last hurrah of summer. In this Vincentian Mindwalk I try to reimagine the historic origin of Labor Day… as well as a restful BBQ recorded in the New Testament.
Rom 16, 13 reads: "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also." If this…
Have a blessed Holy Week!
I have never thought about the people that were named in the Gospels. I would agree that they may be…
Generally, I love the laconic nature of Mark's Gospel. The Passion narrative is very compelling in its starkness, with one…
Father John, Blessings to you as you step cautiously down that new path. Grace and Peace be with you!