Not all those who have faith in some way have sufficient fervor and vigor in faith to be willing to relinquish everything. Many, indeed, are unwilling to renounce even the things that are unlawful! For this reason, it is not inappropriate to compare the Kingdom of heaven–that is, the Church–to a net. Once it has […]
Reflection for Monday of the 26th Week, Memorial of St. Therese of Lisieux, 1 October, 2018
Readings: Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50 The doctrine of spiritual childhood is certainly fundamental to Therese’s thinking, though I wonder whether it suffers an imbalance because her memory was perpetuated by her older sisters who preceded her and outlived her in the same Carmel. In a sense, to them, so remained the “Baby.” Like myself, you […]
Reflection for the Feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, 29 September, 2018
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; John 1:47-51 Today’s Gospel refers us to Jacob’s encounter with God in his dream at Bethel–a place-name meaning House of God. It’s a worthy reference for the ministry of angels. In our liturgical tradition, we have blessings for persons, objects and places–which is logical enough. But in this tradition, the altar or […]
Rooms Available in the Retreat House this weekend, 28-30 September
This is a great opportunity to make a retreat at Holy Cross Abbey while the mild temperatures prevail. We’ve suddenly had five cancellations this weekend from what would have been a full house. So five of you out there now have the possibility for a refreshing weekend retreat. Just call Carol Hensley at 540-955-4383 or […]
Reflection on Luke 18:16-18
To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away. A superficial apprehension of this saying would seem to confirm the way of the world. Remember Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn’s 1920 song, Ain’t We Got Fun? One version of […]
Reflection for the 24th Saturday, 22 September, 2018
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49; Luke 8:6-15 Have you ever considered how immediate, how visceral the images of Jesus’ parables can be? Today’s familiar parable of the Sower casting the seed is literally earthy. And isn’t this a dynamic description of the Church as we experience it in our lives? Not the church as a […]
16 September, 2018, Fr. James’ Homily for the 24th Sunday, Year B
Readings: Isaiah 50:4c-9a; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 We have so often used today’s Gospel to support the particular role of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church, that we might forget that it addresses every Christian and every Christian church, from the time of the Apostles to the end of time. It could be plausible […]
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Friday, 14 September, 2018
Readings: Numbers 21:4b-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph presiding and preaching. 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). On this day we inaugurate our celebration of the Minor […]
Reflection for the Thursday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11 Do not be afraid…Many different episodes in St. Luke’s Gospel are punctuated by this admonition, Do not be afraid. As I looked over today’s readings, it struck me how long it took me to appreciate those words of Jesus. Today’s reading, describing the call of Peter, James and John […]
Reflection on Monday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Luke 4:16-20 We spent a month of Sundays on Chapter Six of John’s Gospel, the Bread of Life discourse, which is also the inauguration of Jesus’ messianic ministry. Today’s Gospel is Luke’s version of Jesus launching that ministry. Each of the four Gospels tells the story with very different incidents but […]