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?
Catholicism is the lone major religious group in America where both sides of the nation’s political divide are roughly evenly represented. Does Jesus challenge us to love even our opponents?
“Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence. We might call them “the middle class of holiness”…
Is the past prologue?
In this Vincentian Mindwalk, I explore whether and how the church in Corinth 2000 years ago images the church of today… and tomorrow.
Going back to my childhood I remember different surprises… those that delighted and those that disappointed. The biggest surprise today may be recognizing when and how how God enters our lives!
Mary’s yes changed her world … and our world! That annunciation is also a shocking challenge to each of us to let the word become flesh in us… and to love just like the word made flesh!
Today, some cling to a late medieval view of the Church as expressed in the language and liturgy of the Council of Trent. Others think everything is up for grabs. Each group sees the shortcomings of the other. Neither is open to how they themselves miss the point.
Catechetical ministry is more than prepping students for the “Regents Review” of concepts they learned. It means prepping people to think and act like Christ.
Me-ism! A lens to understand our world, church… and the three year “synodal process” beginning October 2021.
Whose story are you most aware of? Can you recognize the interconnection of a stories? Do Vincentians have a special Vocation as storytellers?
St. Paul said “Put on the mind of Christ”, learn to think like Christ. So I asked…what was in the back of his mind as he rode the donkey, washed the feet of his disciples, etc.. in the week that literally changed our world.
Elizabeth Simcoe is called the “Parish Life Director”. She stands in a tradition going back 2000 years. The notion of the priesthood as we know it today had not yet developed.
We all get surprised by life and its ups and down. We are were often forced to rethink our dreams. Sometimes we discover or rediscover our mission through these ups and downs.