Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 We return today to St. Mark’s Gospel after the past weeks of hearing St. John’s account of Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist. From now on in Mark’s Gospel, we observe the increasingly angry attacks which the Pharisees make on Jesus. Jesus retaliates, calling […]
Laudato Si’, Part Five
This post continues a guide to reading the encyclical, picking up at Chapter Three. Chapter Three: The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis. In a challenging Encyclical, this may be a big hurdle for many Americans. If you follow the European press on this topic, you’ll find the explanation to European readers again and again, “…in the […]
Twenty-Second Sunday, Year B, 30 August, 2015
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the 21st Sunday, Year B, 23 August, 2015
Readings: Joshua 14:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32; John 6:6–69 I find in today’s Gospel the most challenging verses of St. John’s Sixth Chapter. Doesn’t the general response to Jesus have a contemporary ring? This saying is hard; who can accept it? Today some people attribute very little that is challenging to Jesus himself. Too […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56 The Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. These are the words of Mary’s Magnificat, her song of praise that we pray every day at Vespers. How fitting that these words are the Gospel today for the Church’s celebration of Mary’s […]
Twenty-First Sunday, Year B, 23 August, 2015
Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32; John 6:60-69 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James Orthmann presiding and preaching.
Laudato, Si, Part Four: Organization of the Text
This post will not be conceptual, as have been the previous posts on Pope Francis’ Encyclical, but more organizational. In what sense.? Given that the conventional printed format, the text runs some 177 pages. The average reader may find it daunting to read it straight through. It could help to focus on what interests you the […]
Twentieth Sunday, Year B, 16 August, 2015
Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. As usual, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM).
Solemnity of the Assumption, Saturday, 15 August, 2015
Readings: Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert presiding and preaching.
Nineteenth Sunday, Year B, 9 August, 2015
Readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM); all are welcome to join us.