Spiritually, there has long been a negative association with the depths of the earth as the realm of the dead and of hell. Conversely, the sky and the heights are associated with the realm of the living and the glories of heaven. It shouldn’t surprise us, then, that Christ’s return to the Father in his […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Our readings certainly cover a wide range of topics: our Lord’s leave-taking during the Last Supper; the controversy in the early church whether people had first to become Jews to be Christians; the New Jerusalem at the consummation of time and history. The Gospel mentions the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter
This Easter Season is a celebration of the fact that although the Ancient Serpent that is Satan) initially succeeded in derailing God’s great plan and desire for humanity, God neither abandoned us to our fate nor lost his desire to share his divine life with us. Instead, in Christ, God actively came in search of […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
The other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first…he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. I’ve been asking myself, why did this “other disciple,” “the disciple whom Jesus loved” show deference to Peter allowing him to enter the tomb first? The last time they […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Easter Vigil
Although it is simpler and easier to think and understand in distinct and separate categories in certain areas of life, when it comes to the life of the spirit this becomes inadequate and problematic. Instead, the spiritual life unfolds in a landscape of grays rather than the black and white of clarity and certainty. And […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Holy Thursday
The Eucharist occupies a central place in our life as Christians and as monks. This evening’s readings bring out something of the complexity of this great sacrament which is a sublime mystery whose depths we can never fully comprehend or even experience. Not surprisingly, then, the Eucharist has been the subject of theological and spiritual […]
The Sacred Triduum 2019
Holy Thursday, 18 April 4:30 PM—Mass of the Lord’s Supper with transfer of the Blessed Sacrament Good Friday, 19 April 10:30 AM—Good Friday Psalter12:20 PM—Sext2:00 PM—None 4:30 PM—Good Friday Service with the Lord’s Passion according to John, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. Holy Saturday, 20 April 8:30 PM—Paschal Vigil with Blessing of […]
Palm Sunday Liturgy
Palm Sunday, 14 April 2019 (Year C) 9:45 AM Terce 10:00 AM Mass will begin in the Cloister (behind the stone Cool Spring house), followed by a procession to the church and celebration of the Passion according to Luke. NB: palms will be found in church before Terce and Mass in the pews
Fr. James’ Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Despite what we read in the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, from before the time of Jesus, adulterers were not stoned to death. The point is not whether to follow or ignore the command but how to arrive at the intention of God from the command put into words by Moses. Perhaps you’ve seen paintings […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Annunciation
We heard in The Letter to the Hebrews: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me. A body is not a just physical specimen. It results from a network of relationships, of behavior, perceptions and modes of living. A body mediates both contact with its environment and understanding of […]