Most of you are probably aware of the custom of Lenten Reading recommended by St. Benedict’s Rule for monasteries. We read in Chapter 48 of the Rule: …in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are given out at […]
Humility acording to the Rule of St. Benedict (Part 6)
Without growing in humility, any of our efforts at spiritual renewal would be hollow and fruitless. This is particularly important to us at a community right now, but it’s always important to anyone’s development: humility is inseparable from authentic charity and genuine fraternal love. They are two sides of the same coin because if I […]
Now for something totally different…
Many of us probably remember Monty Python’s Flying Circus as an integral part of our university years. If you don’t go that far back, I understand that the old guys have taken their stuff on stage, recycling their old material. John Cleese had said something like, “It’s what the audience wants…and it’s easier for us […]
The Living Context for Humility
Last Sunday I reviewed why the focus on St. Benedict’s teaching on the monastic virtue of humility is so apt for this moment of out community’s life. We have taken up the challenge to re-founding our community. Holy Cross Abbey has existed for over sixty years. Most of those who were here in the days […]
Humility in the Rule of St. Benedict, Part 5
As an essential part of our monastic renewal, we’ve been considering St. Benedict’s teaching on humility. He dedicates all of Chapter 7, the longest chapter of the Rule, to humility and his teaching on the subjects is found in his entire Rule. I believe this virtue is essential to our life together. How can I […]
Humility in the Rule of St. Benedict, continued
Our Lord, by his human incarnation and his divine resurrection, has totally transformed our relationship to himself and to our heavenly Father. Even the fear of God, which had been the focus of past posts, has a richer, more profound meaning for us in the life and words of Jesus. A loving fear of God […]
The Octave of Prayer For Church Unity, 18-25 January
Yesterday the Church began its week of prayer for Christian or Church Unity. It occurs annually and has, in one form or another, been observed since 1908. It is a response to an initiative by Pope Leo XIII at the end of the nineteenth century. Vatican Council II placed the longing for full unity between […]
The Baptism of Christ, Our Light, Our Illumination
What we have seen and heard we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete. This is what we heard from him and the […]
The Epiphany of the Lord
Today the Church throughout the world celebrates the great and ancient feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Whereas the feast of the Nativity became dominant in the Latin Church, the Epiphany still takes precedence in the Orthodox Churches. Indeed, it had been the original feast of the Word Incarnate even in Rome, but gradually, […]
Humility According to the Rule of St. Benedict (3)
I have been considering humility in the Rule of St. Benedict and have been locating it in the Holy Scriptures. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family whom we find described in Scripture. But the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus exist in their own right and as multi-dimensional human beings, exhibiting […]