A traveler spotted three men laying bricks. He asked the first man what he was doing. “I’m laying bricks.” The second man said he was “putting up a wall.” The third man was “building a cathedral.” Let’s explore.
Mindwalk: Latest posts and thoughts…
Getting Personal About Life Choices
I have no recollection of the initial life choice my parents made in my name. But they set me on a path I still walk 85 years later. It led me to unexpected of a life choice to be a Vincentian.
What’s In a Name? Was Shakespeare Wrong?
In this Mindwalk, I explore what happens when a “special place” receives a new name.
Did Pope Francis plagiarize a Brother Bishop?
Beatitudes for Bishops seems spot-on for leaders in the Vincentian Family and all who see themselves as servants of the poor after the model of St. Vincent following Christ the Evangelizer of the poor.
Looking At Luke’s Big Picture!
Of the fifty-two weeks in Cycle C more than forty Sunday Gospels are drawn from Luke. It is important to see the big picture painted by individual Sunday snippets.
Lord knows!
In his Gospel, Luke shifts the early Christian emphasis away from the expectation of an imminent second coming to the day-to-day concerns of the Christian community in their world.
St. Vincent Modeled Openness to New Ways
Centuries ago, a Japanese poet, Basho, wrote “I do not wish to imitate what the great ones of the past did. I would rather seek what they sought.” The insight fits Vincent, and the early Daughters of Charity, in so many ways. It also challenges us today to be as open as they were.
Where Was Your Thanksgiving?
There is just so much to do before, during, and after the annual celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. Can we remember to thank God for loving us into being and continuing to love us always?
A Vincentian a Century Ahead of His Time
“Pray, Pay and Obey” was once a pithy aphorism that succinctly captured the Catholic view in the pre-Vatican II church! – Thomas Augustine Judge, CM was raised in that culture. Yet after twenty years a priest he went so far as to say “this is the layman’s hour”. What a radical thought 1919!
Should We Imitate a Servant King?
People should experience in us the loving presence of a new kind of ruler – one from humble origins, who proclaimed the Reign of God, washed feet, died to manifest God’s love for us, rose from the dead and breathed his Spirit on us, so we could live his life as citizens of the Kingdom/Reign of God.
You Must Watch “The Chosen”! Really???
I admit I was turned off by the title of the review... ‘The Chosen’ is the Jesus TV show your very Catholic aunt keeps telling you to watch. And you should." Apparently, Mary Grace Mangano, the reviewer read my mind. She wrote "I could not help but think, oh, a Bible...
Millennials Have Been Described Many Ways
A millennial, learning the Acutis story recently, said “Carlos puts flesh on what a saint who plays video games and goes on the internet looks like. He challenges me to examine my conscience and say, ‘Ok, I’m called to be a saint who uses the internet too. Am I using it to make God’s love known?’”
Pope Francis – The Poor Are True Evangelizers
Sometimes we wish we were among those who walked with Jesus 2000 years ago. Pope Francis boldly says even today we walk with them.
Believers, when they want to see Jesus in person and touch him with their hands, know where to turn. The poor are a sacrament of Christ; they represent his person and point to him.”