It’s interesting that in today’s gospel Jesus challenges two of three potential disciples to greater self-giving, while cautioning the third to curb his enthusiasm. In each case, Jesus was looking into each person’s heart and seeing what each person was as yet unable to see. In the first he saw the still untested zeal and […]
Friday of the 25th Week of the Year
Impermanence and change are the inevitable consequences of being bound by space and time. In our fallen state, birth must eventually surrender to death; times of joy and mirth must yield to those of mourning and sorrow; and progress and building up all too often precede disintegration, and collapse. Inner peace in the face of […]
Wednesday of the 25th Week of the Year
Jesus’ instruction that the apostles must shake the dust from [their] feet in response to those who don’t welcome their proclamation of the kingdom, highlights a twofold responsibility: On the part of those who hear the proclamation there is the responsibility to receive the good news and respond accordingly—or face the consequences. And for those […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 25th Sunday of the Year
We have perhaps all had the experience of wanting to open a long-awaited letter and yet hesitated for fear of what it might contain—not the good news we were hoping for but the bad news we dreaded. Similarly, in our interpersonal relationships there can be important questions we wish to ask a parent, spouse or […]
Old Dorm Progress
This week the renovation of the “old dorm” continued with some preliminary excavations to expose and then seal the foundations and lower walls which were allowing seepage into the basement. This important second phase of the renovation project will include installing more effective drainage for the rain run-off from the various roofs—run-off that has been […]
Feast of Saint Matthew
As monks trying to live in community we feel inspired by the psalmist’s assurance: How blessed it is when brothers live in unity, and yet wonder if this noble goal is attainable. Saint Paul gives us some encouragement with the crucial words: bearing with and striving. Advocating, as he does that we bear with one […]
Wednesday of the 24th Week of the Year
As monks our entire lives are oriented towards union with God and divinization. Divinization can sound esoteric and evoke images of ethereal beings no longer fully human. However, if becoming divine in and through Christ is what divinization entails, and if God is love, then Paul gives us a very good non-esoteric catalog of some […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Exaltation of the Cross
Scars are visible reminders of past injuries and sometimes a significant event or emotional story is associated with each scar. Jesus was no exception and in that memorable meeting with Thomas, he showed him the scars or wounds left by his passion thereby confirming the reality of his resurrection. The cross serves a similar purpose […]
Awaiting Renovation
After several weeks of hard work the company carrying out the abatement and inner demolition work in our old dorm has completed its work. The completion of this first phase of the renovation project allows us a better sense of the space available and how this might suit our plans for the building. Our architect, […]
Tuesday of the 23rd Week of the Year
Although today’s gospel doesn’t say so explicitly, Jesus’ night in prayer does seem to have been in service of selecting his twelve apostles. That he seems to have made a poor choice in choosing Judas Iscariot can be both comforting and disconcerting. Comforting because for us discerning the Father’s will and choosing the best course […]