17th Sunday, Year B, 25 July, 2021, 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15      This Sunday the liturgy interrupts our progress through Mark’s Gospel to introduce Chapter Six from John’s Gospel. We recognize this section as John’s exposition of the Eucharist. Why he places it here rather than during the Last supper in Chapters […]

14th Sunday, YR B, 4 July, 2021: Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6      Certainly, Jesus’ one-time neighbors knew of his healing miracles or no one would have showed up for the healings mentioned at the conclusion of today’s Gospel. All of them heard him teach in their synagogue. But miracles and the proclamation […]

11th Sunday, Year B, 13 June, 2021: Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34       Comparing the Kingdom of God to a planted field, Jesus is describing a process that is both organic and out of my control. Certainly, I can choose to frustrate the process or cultivate it–or just ignore it; but I cannot […]

Over the years we have much appreciated the kind and encouraging comments many of you have made in response to our various postings on the abbey website. If you have tried to make a comment in the last 24 hours, you will have discovered that this is no longer possible. It is with regret that […]

Trinity Sunday, 30 June 2021: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20      Most solemnities commemorate an event—we may sing “This is the day Christ is born” or “Christ the Lord is risen today.” But today’s Solemnity celebrates the reality we encounter throughout the Liturgical Year: the revelation of the Triune God existent through eternity, […]

FIFTH SUNDAY of Easter, YR B, 2 May, 2021: Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8     In ancient Jewish thought, wellbeing in the Promised Land was represented by every family living on their plot of land sheltered by the proverbial fig tree and vine. We find the fig tree and vine mentioned again and […]

Anyone who loves dogs may well have watched with fascination and admiration the amazing skill and effectiveness of well-trained Sheep Dogs as they expertly herd and guide sheep at the direction of their master. But as fascinating and entertaining as this display of skill is, it is surely a very different image of the shepherd […]

Third Sunday of Easter, YR B: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48      In recent years, whether in preaching, books or spiritual direction, many people have taught us valuable pointers in owning and working with our doubts. We can appropriate them as positive forces in our spiritual growth. But the unexpected confirmation of […]

Easter Sunday, 4 April, 2021: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9      How can I imagine what the resurrection-life is? Scripture doesn’t systematically describe it and theological reflection can only be logical, not experiential. We have yet to live it. It is our hope, not another specimen under a microscope.      It is easier […]

Variety-show entertainers generally prefer to end their productions with a spectacular and climactic final act that leaves their audience cheering for an encore. Jesus obviously wasn’t an entertainer; nevertheless, when one considers the impressive miracles, healings, and other outstanding feats that characterized his years of active ministry, one would perhaps expect that his final act […]