I got hooked by Pope Francis Wednesday reflections on the Our Father. I am into my ninth decade of praying it. I have read many thoughtful commentaries. Yet the Holy Father is helping me pray the Our Father anew.
Year: 2023
Are We a “Listening” Community?
Hearing is the simple physiological act of hearing sounds. Listening means paying attention to sound, hearing something with thoughtful attention, and giving consideration.
Be Honest! Do We Prefer To Serve the “Good Poor”
Who do I prefer? When
I am honest with myself, I realize I prefer to serve. those whose poverty I understand.
Are there conditions on who we serve? – Do we feel good serving the “good: the “good poor”?
Do These Images Speak To Polarization Today?
Two images, in particular, remind me of the limitations of what I see.
They are helping me be more humble when I think of my conversations with those who do not view things the way I do.
As certain as I am of what I believe in, what I see is not the whole story.
Have You Read the Declaration of Independence Recently?
I try to read the declaration of independence each year. This year I got distracted by the thought of Jesus’ “declaration of DE-pendence”
Is July 4 a dangerous memory?
Americans see Independence Day as one of the three significant holidays of the summer.
Are you aware of the biblical roots of our declaration of independence?
Is Exodus a dangerous memory?
Lessons From Those Flying Geese
Just about everyone in North America has seen flying geese in their trademark v-formation. On the ground we have found them messy and dangerous.
Yet fighter pilots ave leaned from them!
Is there anything we can learn about about church community today?
Do Mothers Have Favorites?
Do mothers have favorites?
It depends on who you ask!
Here I explore whether God has favorite children.
What Are You Hoping For?
What am I hoping for?
Have you ever stopped to think about hope as a journey?
A Tale of Two Tragedies At Sea
In less than a week, there have been two tragedies at sea. Can you identify both? Explore with me the facts and some questions about both.
Jeopardy and the Our Father
My ears perked up when I heard the reaction to three contestants being stumped by a simple question related to the words of the “Our Father.” Apparently, I was not the only one.
Things I Did Not Know… Connections I Never Made
When did you first hear about our newest federal holiday?
More than 60 percent of Americans knew “a little bit” or “nothing at all” about Juneteenth.
Suppose You Were Asked To Be a Father To Jesus
Mary was not the only one shocked by a visit from an angel. It obviously came as a shock to Joseph!
Questions I would like to ask Joseph.
A “Father” Learned From His Grandfather
Father Dennis Holtschneider, CM, is currently President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Some years ago, he shared how he first learned about St. Vincent. It was through the stories his grandfather told about his 22 years as a member of the Vincent DePaul Society.
Journeying From Opposites To Equals
Those familiar only with the younger lives of St. Vincent and St. Louise would have been surprised by their lifelong journey.
Vincent and Louise would not have been considered a good bet as a relationship that would work out.
Lyrics That Lead to Prayer
“Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.”
When country singer Garth Brooks wrote those lyrics in 1993 I doubt he thought it might lead to prayer.
The NATO approach to Corpus Christi
Most associate NATO with an organization committed to mutual defense of its members.
In this Vincentian Mindwalk I would like to explore an alternate meaning… No Action, Talk Only.
Imagine God Requiring a Security Deposit On “Our” Home
Every renter knows that a security deposit holds them responsible for for excessive wear and tear or damages.
What if God withheld a security deposit on our common home… earth?
I Asked the Wrong Question About the Trinity
I never liked preaching on the Trinity. Few priests would place it at the top of their list of topics they like to preach about.
All that changed as I realized I was asking the wrong question about the Trinity.
Walk with me on my journey of discovery.
Mindwalking Keeps Surprising Me
For me, ”mindwalking” is always a surprise. It keeps me thinking!
I never know where the surprise is hiding. I rarely end up where I thought I was going.
Today’s surprise was connecting the “mindwalkng” process with what seems to be Pope Francis’ vision for a church that listens to each other and the Holy Spirit.
Are All Your Vacation Pictures Perfect?
Are all your digital photos perfect. Do you want to edit out some things you did not see when you clicked.
Today, most iPhone users know how to edit out offending content.
Today, do we unconsciously edit out news that does not fit our world-view?
What Fire Do You Feed?
Neither you nor I can escape the fact that our world today is being consumed by the fire of violence.
Yet there is also a fire that very much needs fanning into flame… the fire of love!
We each need to ask … which fire and I feeding?
Remember Saying, “Are We There Yet”?
Remember saying “Are we there yet?” Can it teach us anything about today?
Parents – Comforters? Nudges? Both?
Parents are both comforters and nudges!
Should it be any different with God’s Spirit?
Ever Know Something Was Coming But Were Unprepared?
We may know that a parent is dying. But are we ever really prepared?
The situation is more complicated if we did not see it coming – an accident, pandemic, violence.
Let’s explore how prepared the followers of Christ were to face his leaving them and ascending to heaven.
Learning From Roller Coasters
One of the thrills for children is when their parents take them to a major amusement park and ride a roller coaster.
The thrills and excitements…the ups and downs… the fears and uncertainty of a loss of control.
What Size Is Your Dream?
Have you ever imagined a great drive-thru with God at the window asking “Will that be a small, regular, or… my special God-sized dream?”
Walking In the Shoes of the Fisherman
April 15 of 1891,1931, and 1961 is the publication date of each of major papal documents that mark the core social teaching of the Catholic Church.
The metaphor of “The Shoes of the Fisherman” reminds us that Pope Francis continues to walk in the shoes of Popes Leo XIII, Pius XI, and John XXIII.
I Thought My Mom Knew Everything
I thought my Mom knew everything. I never thought to wonder how she knew so much.
what can we learn from Mary, Our Mother.
Surprised By Vincentian Elements at the Coronation!
I never expected to hear St. Vincent dePaul speaking at the coronation of King Charles III!
Archbishop Justin Welby captured Vincent’s spirit.
He challenged all, from King Charles to all in attendance and, by extension, all who read it to live what we call the Vincentian vision.
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!