On Sunday (in the course of reading the Passion) we will again hear Jesus pray: Father forgive them, they know not what they do. And in this incredible expression of mercy and forgiveness, Jesus carries out his own teaching according to which we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you. […]
Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent
We have just heard Jesus’ saddening observation: You are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. These words addressed to the Jews are being addressed to us also for all too often there is no room in our hearts and minds for God’s Word to enter and find a home; […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
For faith to be established, it must be tested. With regard to this testing Peter, in his first letter, speaks thus: ‘Although you may have to be saddened for a little while by various temptations so that the testing of your faith (which is much more precious than gold tested by fire) may be found […]
Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent
Striving to do God’s will, involves not only those momentous decisions facing us at crucial life-changing junctures in our lives, but also includes the many and varied choices we make in the course of every day. And whereas discerning God’s will in those momentous decisions is often difficult, knowing God’s will in the daily choices […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent
Although the two sons in this famous parable are very different characters, there is one way in which they are similar—that is, they value pleasures, things, and possessions over people and relationships. However, each goes about seeking to obtain these material things in a very different way. The younger son is brazen and unapologetic in […]
Friday, 3rd Week of Lent
Although the scribe who questions Jesus asks him only about the first of all the commandments, Jesus also reminds him of the second of all the commandments. Now, although love of God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind is the first of all commandments, for the Christian it is fulfilling the second commandment that […]
Fr. James’ Homily for The Annunciation
25 March, 2025, Solemnity of the Annunciation: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1: 26-38 For centuries we have ransacked the scriptures for theological content, often at the cost of the narrative flow and a deeper theological and spiritual message. I propose that we would impoverish our reading of this Gospel without considering what goes […]
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent
As monks our vowed commitment is ordered towards ongoing conversion. The word “ongoing” reminds us that conversion is a process—usually a long one—and not a single moment or decision. So, although some of us may have experienced a powerful and distinct moment of conversion, and a definite turning towards God, the story of the Prodigal […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph
It has often been observed that the gospels do not record a single word of Saint Joseph; and it is this “silence” that has made him a special patron for the interior life as well as for contemplatives. And yet, Saint Joseph does speak albeit not with words but with his actions; and his actions […]
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
In his life-changing encounter with God at the burning bush, Moses was privileged to learn God’s name: I am who I am. This simple name affirms that God is not defined by anything or anyone that might be thought outside himself. On the contrary, all that exists, and is not God, is but a manifestation […]