Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM (preceded by the Office of Terce at 9:45 AM). It is a non-work day for the community and we follow the Sunday schedule. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM).
Fr. James’ Homily for the Christmas Day Mass
Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 In the beginning as the Word…We’re familiar with that majestic and mysterious verse. It may be less familiar that in Hebrew there is no word for “thing.” Instead, all existent beings, objects, every element of the world around us is referred to as a “word”–not an abstract object, […]
Reflection for 24 December
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 The narrative impact of the Benedictus follows on Zachariah’s nine months of enforced silence. His too narrow religious perspective did not allow him to believe Gabriel’s announcement that his wife would bear them a son. Throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Zechariah, too, had to conceive anew his relationship […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for Christmas
Note what I have said, that you ought to love. You fear the Lord of the angels, but love the little Child. You fear the Lord of majesty, but love the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. You fear Him reigning in heaven, but love Him lying in the manger. What sign did the shepherds receive? […]
Reflection for 22 December
Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:45-56 Whether you consider the Magnificat the words of Mary, the composition of the Evangelist or a prayer of the early Church, I believe it is the confession of a woman’s heart. One could, I imagine, interpret it as dependence on male patronage, but I don’t think that is what […]
Retreat House Closed for the Christmas Holidays
The Retreat House will be closed from 23 through 31 December; reservations are closed for 21 through 30 December. This break will allow our employees to have a holiday with their families and allow time for certain maintenance projects to be completed.
Reflection for 17 December
Readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Matthew 1:1-17 If the problematic personalities forming the lineage of Jesus aren’t familiar to you, it’s well worth your effort to thumb through the Second Book of Kings and check out some of these characters. And however genuine his royal ancestry may be, Jesus was never crowned by anything but that […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, 16 December, 2018
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 Clearly John the Baptist is such an important figure in the life and ministry of Jesus that all four evangelists introduce his story in each Gospel. Saint Luke’s Gospel, which dominates this liturgical year, and his Acts of the Apostles provide the most information about John’s teaching, his […]
Last Minute Openings at the Retreat House for this Week
This week, we have an unusual partial week schedule at the Retreat House, open from Wednesday at 3:00 PM through Friday, 9:30 AM, 12 to 14 December; due to cancellations, there are now some last minute openings for anyone who realizes that they need some retreat time before the holiday madness. To book a reservation, […]
Reflection for the Second Monday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26 This week the prophecies from Isaiah become more hopeful and less critical of our short-comings. I find that a welcomed relief. Of course, that does not get us off the hook and I’d be as stupid as I’d be irresponsible to forget the impact of last week’s admonitions. I feel […]