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Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

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Memorial of Saint Cecilia

November 22, 2024 by Fr Joseph

Just as Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, so we have to enter into the depths of our hearts (through ever-deepening self-knowledge) so that we can drive out from our hearts all that still desecrates this temple of the Holy Spirit. A central means for doing so is our practice of lectio divina—a practice in which we not only read God’s word, but God’s word “reads” us and reveals us to ourselves. And in doing so, and revealing our still sinful condition, the Word which may be initially sweet as honey, turns sour as it exposes our sins and the dark corners of our still unredeemed hearts. However, if we permit the revealing light of God’s Word to fully penetrate our hearts and if we allow Christ the Eternal Word to drive from them all that does not belong there, then the same Word, that had grown sour, will become sweet again. And then we can make our own the words of the Psalmist: How sweet to my palate have your promises become—sweeter that honey to my mouth.

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