The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone forth. For the grace of God has appeared… To shepherds in the field watching their sheep, the angel of the Lord appeared…and the glory of the Lord shone around them…and suddenly a multitude […]
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 The Sunday Mass Readings for Advent seem to shift perspective. We began with our eye on eternity, specifically, final judgment. That seems to continue through the Second Sunday with this difference: the voice of John the Baptist, speaking in historical time, warns us of future judgment but we are […]
Humility According to the Rule of St. Benedict (2)
Only One is wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne–the Lord. He himself has created Wisdom, looked upon her and assessed her and poured her out on all his works to be with humanity as his gift. And he conveyed her to those who love him. The Fear of the Lord is glory and pride […]
Humility in the Teaching of St. Benedict
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 24 December: 8:00 PM: Madeline Mac Neil: Christmas Carols 8:30 PM: Christmas Mass at Night 25 December: 11:00 AM: Christmas Day Mass This is the first of a series of posts reflecting Abbot Robert’s Chapter […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers For Advent
In the Lord’s advent, which we are celebrating, if I fix my gaze on the person of the One who is coming, I fail to grasp the wondrousness of his majesty. If I fix my attention on those to whom he comes, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of his condescension. Surely the angels are […]
The Importance of “Wasting Time”
This Thursday we will be celebrating our national observance of Thanksgiving. As I grew older, it began to seem odd to me that I, with my Italian mother and living in Jewish neighborhood, should have to forego lasagna, kalamata olives or shaved peccorino romano on a holiday to chew on such exotic foods as dried-out […]
Excitement at HCA this weekend!
Not only will twelve men ranging in ages from 35-76 come to Holy Cross Abbey this weekend for Monastic Immersion Weekend #3 but we will celebrate Holy Cross Day, Saturday the 14th and a two new novices will join the community! For the MIW participants, as in the past, the 48 hours of ‘immersion’ will see the […]
…take up your cross and follow me…
Homily for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time; readings: Wisdom 9:13-18b; Philemon 9-10,12-17; Luke 14:25-33 Roman Catholicism seemed like something that happened to me: I was born into it. Luckily I became an adolescent during the Second Vatican Council. Like most teens, I didn’t like things just happening to me; but all of a sudden, […]