In John the Baptist’s acknowledgment, I recognize a very constant dynamic of the spiritual life: I did not know him…But when John saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him, then he knows that Jesus is the Son of God. One of my favorite passages in the Book […]
Reflection on today’s Gospel by visiting Trappist, Fr. Dominique-Savio Nelson of Guadalupe Abbey, Oregon.
In today’s Gospel pericope, Jesus calls Matthew to become his disciple. Jesus gazed at this man and said simply, “Follow me.” Did Jesus invite Matthew because the tax collector merited it? Was Jesus responding to some hidden longing in the sinner’s heart? Certainly not. Grace, by definition, comes unbidden and without explanation. In Caravaggio’s magnificent […]
Saints Maur and Placid
Although Saint Mark describes Jesus as preaching and driving out demons as if these were separate and distinct functions, in many instances these are one and the same thing. For with Jesus preaching is always synonymous with the Truth and when the Truth is preached and heard, falsehood and ignorance—those hiding places of the demons—are […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Epiphany
The celebration of the Baptism of the Lord (next Sunday) will mark the official ending of this short Christmas Season and the resumption of so-called “Ordinary Time.” This liturgical transition is a rather apt symbol of a similar process that takes place repeatedly in our spiritual lives—that is, a return to ordinariness. We have just […]
2020
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
It shines equally on the good and the bad, and gives itself freely to both. O most beautiful Light, O radiance of light eternal, you were like that from the beginning, you were like that, O everlasting loveliness, in those everlasting days of yours, in the years of your eternity! You were like that, O Lord […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Mary Mother of God
In a metaphorical sense, I could describe any mother, or any woman who plays the nurturing role of a mother, as bringing God into the world. The intimate care and close bond, which is much more than physical, as much as the words of teaching, can shape or deform a child’s sense of God. That […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Christmas
How appropriate to hear the Christ described as the light shining in the darkness when we’re just emerging from the shortest days of the year. It’s no accident that we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord in such a season which may help us understand better the mystery of the Word of God become flesh. […]
Christmas 2019
As our days grow imperceptibly longer and brighter, we know that those in far northern latitudes still endure the darkness of twenty-four-hour nights. Although darkness can be experienced as soothing and even comforting, it can also occasion anxiety, confusion, and a sense of being lost. Thus, the people that walked in darkness and have seen […]
Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Mary and John the Baptist both challenge us not only in witnessing to Christ by who we are, but also in recognizing his presence in others. Mary, because of the unique person she is, was able to carry Christ within her physically, and simultaneously radiate his living presence to both Elizabeth and John the Baptist. […]