In the process of growing to adulthood, some people are blessed with never losing their spiritual childlikeness. Those who do lose it, will need to regain it. This seems to have happened with Job who at the end of his long ordeal proclaims: I have dealt with things I do not understand, which I cannot […]
Saint Michael and All the Angels
Various authors in our present refectory book have been approaching the complex issue of the interaction between time and eternity. Although, as Christians, we regularly speak of the end of time, this does not necessarily mean that time will cease—unless, of course, God were to allow his wondrous creation to slip back into nothingness. How […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 26th Sunday
26th Sunday, Year A, 27 September, 2020: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32 This short parable recalls to my mind an ancient rabbinic saying: I am not what believe, nor am I what I say. I am really what I actually do. The second son, who replies positively to his father’s request, but doesn’t […]
Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
The glorious light emanating from the face of the transfigured Christ on Mount Tabor or the radiant countenance of Moses after descending Mount Sinai, intimate either divinity or divinization. So too, the sanctity of saints has sometimes been manifested by a similar ethereal light radiating from within them. When we think of divinization we can […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 24th Sunday
24th Sunday, Year A: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35 In today’s parable, it’s very clear who needs mercy and forgiveness. In our actual interactions with one another, that clarity often vanishes. Isn’t it more usual for both parties to feel wronged, requiring amends from one another? That’s not to say that this […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
… he who is guided by the Spirit does not always remain in the same state. He does not always advance with the same facility. “The course of man is not in his control.” It rather depends on the guidance of the Spirit who sets the pace as he pleases, sometimes torpidly, sometimes blithely, teaching […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 22nd Sunday
(Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27) If we are speaking simply of physical life, then Jesus’ warning that whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, makes little sense. As we know so well, preserving our own life in situations that are life-threatening is instinctual and so reflexive that only with great self-control can we, for example, […]
Friday of the 21st Week: Memorial of Saint Augustine
On this feast day of Saint Augustine, we have an interesting interpretation of today’s parable about the wise and foolish virgins which I share for your personal reflection. Quoting Galatians Saint Augustine begins: So if a person thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself; but let each one prove his […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Asssumption
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10b; Luke 1:39-56 It is easy for me to forget when we celebrate the Assumption of our Lady that her death has been enfolded into the finality of her glorification. As for all of us—as for her Divine Son—death was a part of her life from the start. Certainly, in […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 19th Sunday
(1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a & Matthew 14:22-33) Waiting for the boarding call in a busy airport can be quite a challenge amid the usual noise, activity, and boarding calls for other flights departing around the same time. Failure to hear the boarding call does not mean that it wasn’t made, only that the excessive surrounding […]