According to Jesus’ dictum, we can best discover just what our treasures are by examining where our heart is. And in this world where moth and decay constantly threaten any of our earthly treasures we have a convenient method for determining just where our heart is by becoming aware of the many things that upset […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 11th Sunday
11th Sunday, Year B, 13 June, 2021: Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34 Comparing the Kingdom of God to a planted field, Jesus is describing a process that is both organic and out of my control. Certainly, I can choose to frustrate the process or cultivate it–or just ignore it; but I cannot […]
Memorial of Saint Ephrem
Although Christianity is often construed as a new religion quite distinct from Judaism, today’s gospel is a reminder that the Christian faith is actually not a new religion, but rather the culmination of a millennia-long process begun in Eden. After our First Parents’ act of disobedience (and in what is sometimes referred to as the […]
Friday of the Ninth Week
Today’s first-reading-account of the safe return of Tobiah with his wife Sarah, and the subsequent curing of Tobit’s blindness, overflows with great joy, celebration, gratitude, and consolation. As such it represents a foretaste of heaven, mirroring the joy and celebration that will be ours when we pass from this life into that Eternal Home prepared […]
Your Comments
Over the years we have much appreciated the kind and encouraging comments many of you have made in response to our various postings on the abbey website. If you have tried to make a comment in the last 24 hours, you will have discovered that this is no longer possible. It is with regret that […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
That the faith is shadowy is a blessing, it tempers the light to the eye’s weakness and prepares the eye for the light; for it is written: “He cleansed their hearts by faith.” Faith therefore does not quench the light but protects it. Whatever it may be that the angel sees, is preserved for me […]
I am the Bread of Life
As we enter (liturgically) into “Ordinary Time,” much remains extraordinary even as we gratefully acknowledge the hopeful signs relating to the easing of the COVID Pandemic. As you probably know, the Arlington Diocese has lifted all restrictions previously imposed in relation to COVID-19. Despite these reassuring signs, the monks have opted to err on the […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday, 30 June 2021: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20 Most solemnities commemorate an event—we may sing “This is the day Christ is born” or “Christ the Lord is risen today.” But today’s Solemnity celebrates the reality we encounter throughout the Liturgical Year: the revelation of the Triune God existent through eternity, […]
Friday of the Eighth Week of the Year
Virtue and leading a holy life are not things that we are permitted to vacation from, every now and again. Unlike that unfortunate fig tree, there can be no off-season—never a time when we aren’t working at bearing the fruits of holiness. For the true disciple of Christ, the failure to continuously bear some fruit […]
Tuesday in Ascensiontide
Some of us are, by nature, “big picture” people, while some of us tend to focus on details and short-term issues. Saint Paul was, clearly, a “big picture” person and thus able to proceed to Jerusalem with equanimity of heart, even though the Holy Spirit had been warning [him] that imprisonment and hardship awaited [him]. […]