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 […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent
The Fathers of the Church frequently remind us that seemingly insignificant and curious details in biblical stories and texts are never insignificant but literally every word bears important truth and instruction for those willing to pray over the sacred texts. One of these seemingly insignificant details can be found in our first reading where Moses […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent
We may observe Lent with acts of penance and self-mortification, but that’s not what we celebrate. We celebrate Jesus’ transformative path through a self-sacrifice which is the revelation of his glory; and we celebrate our passage over that same path on which we embarked through our baptism. Today we consider this Transfiguration as found in […]
Annunciation of the Incarnation of the Lord to Mary
Monday, 25 March, 2019 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching; it is a non-work day for the monks and we follow the Sunday Schedule.
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 8th Sunday of the Year
Although a rotten tree may not be able to produce good fruit, we know that evil people can mimic goodness and kindness for their own selfish purposes. And so an apparent act of self-sacrificing kindness is undertaken in the service of ingratiating oneself with someone from whom one has something to gain. On the other […]