Jesus’ telling his disciples: A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me, is reminiscent of the Bride’s lament in the Song of Songs, as she longingly seeks her beloved who has escaped her grasp. As nuns and monks, we can closely identify […]

Certain spiritualities tend towards associating the so-called God of the Old Testament with God the Father—a God who often depicted as wrathful and punishing. And, in contrast, we have Christ as revealed in the gospels—one who is merciful and forgiving and who, as it were, stays the vengeful hand of God the Father. However, in […]

It is unclear (at least to me) whether Philip’s show us the Father, and that will be enough for is, is just simple curiosity, or the affirmation of a profound truth. This truth is one that we struggle to truly believe and act on. So much of our spiritual efforts involve letting go of those […]

It is a totally transformed and emboldened Peter who courageously defies the members of the Sanhedrin and exclaims that it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard. This “impossibility” of which Peter speaks can be understood in two ways. Firstly, in the sense in which Peter intended it. […]

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. […]

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; […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]