Be grateful for God’s grace; and as you have been transformed into a new creation by Easter’s healing action, so walk always in newness of life. You have been given a share in Christ through the fellowship of faith, by participation in his Sacrament, by communion in the Holy Spirit. Strive not only to keep […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Solemnity of the Annunciation
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 I’d draw your attention to a detail in today’s Gospel which I think is important: we’re told that the Angel Gabriel appeared to a virgin betrothed to a man. The context of this episode is courtship and marriage. No matter how different the customs and conventions of […]
Monday, 9 April, The Solemnity of the Annunciation (observed)
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Because the date of the Solemnity (25 March) fell on Palm Sunday, its celebration has been “translated” to the day after the Easter Octave. It is a non-work day for the monastic community […]
8 April, 2018: The Second Sunday of Easter, “Divine Mercy” or “Low” Sunday
Readings: Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Why are those closest to Jesus so disoriented on the morning of the resurrection? Hadn’t Jesus foretold his rising from the dead? It’s as if they don’t remember what Jesus said. Isn’t memory tricky? Anyone over sixty knows that! And the older I grow, I’m more interested […]
ABBOT JOSEPH’S EASTER VIGIL HOMILY
The very practical and simple question Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome ask: Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb, is one that these two faithful and brave disciples don’t actually have an answer to as they approach the tomb. And yet, their grieving […]
FR JOSEPH’S HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY
It has often struck me as a strange and seemingly unnecessary instruction for the Israelites to mark their doorposts and lintels with the blood of the lamb so that the Lord seeing the blood might pass over their homes and not destroy their firstborn. When one thinks back to the various plagues, the land of […]