There is deep polarization in the church today. But many do not realize the deep polarization that existed in the Church 2000 years ago. In both eras, we see the eternal struggle for balance between two necessary poles – what is of value in the past and the need to adapt to new situations. How St. Peter then and Pope Francis now try to discover the core truth in apparently conflicting positions. What can we learn from how these two shepherds faced division then and now?
Pope Francis writes movingly that we are not only God’s story but that we must also be God’s storytellers… that story as lived in us and in our brothers and sisters. Vincentians accept the special vocation to tell God’s story.
It is the mission of Vincentians to focus on sharing stories of the forgotten and marginalized.
“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” Sometimes it is referred to as “the duck test”.Jesus had his own way of saying it. “By their fruits, you will know them”. As I was thinking about the feast of Christ the King, I wondered how the “duck test” might apply to followers of Christ the King.
At first glance, it may seem like quite a stretch to connect Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day and Systemic Change. But hear me out. Actually, it is not that hard.
St. Joseph never made headlines… nor will we.” St. Joseph reminds us that God calls “ordinary” people to bring about His plan for the salvation of the world. “
“Mom, What does a fratelli taste like”? … Some might think Pope Francis Doesn’t get it. But it is also God’s dream!
A quick foray into various styles of conflict resolution suggests that there are two major concerns underlying how people approach conflict- concern for self (assertiveness) and concern for others (empathy).
It’s all Pope Francis’ fault! I can no longer tame the shock of the story of the Good Samaritan.
An environment of survival withers the hearts of our elderly, taking away their ability to dream. In this way, it cripples the prophecy that our young are called to proclaim and work to achieve.
We spend most of our lives overcoming the latest version of the boundaries of our experience. Jesus’ message called us to expand our horizons beyond the limited vision of what we know. He asked us to imagine one another as God sees us.
The third Sunday after Christmas, now known as Word of God Sunday, is all about reminding us that God has spoken powerfully to us in every generation. And that each of us is in our own way to be God’s Poet Laureates.
“Are you the only one in the world who has not heard what is going on in (Washington?)” (Luke 24:18) People from around the world are trying to make sense of recent events. I offer some resources for reflection.
Pilate’s somewhat cynical question is among the most famous questions of history. In a somewhat prophetic message for World Communications Day 2020 Pope Francis offered what amounts to a “mindwalk” on truth