26th SUN, YR B: Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Hasn’t our social media allowed us to organize ourselves into like-minded tribes, affirming our comfort zone and excluding those who disagree with us? Are we that insecure in our beliefs and prejudices that we cannot tolerate differing opinions? John in today’s Gospel didn’t […]

14 September: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Numbers 21:4b-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 The Son of Man is first mentioned in the Book of Daniel as a heavenly figure riding on the clouds to ascend further to the very throne of God. And Jesus explains himself to Nicodemus as the Son of Man. But […]

Once of the occupational hazards of being monks who gather seven times a day in this chapel to worship and pray, is that our hearts and minds can sometimes (or even frequently) be beset by such a barrage of distractions that seem to qualify us for Jesus’ rebuke to the Pharisees, namely, that we honor […]

21st SUN, YR B: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32; John 6: 60-69 Isn’t it interesting that unlike so many church-sponsored programs, or social media “influencers,” Jesus is not concerned about numbers? He does not attempt to prevent disciples—disciples, not just curious people—from leaving him. He does not bully or bribe people to support […]

Fame, popularity, and the esteem of the crowd can be the acknowledged or unrecognized desire of most of us in our struggle towards self-acceptance and becoming who we truly are—and not who the crowds (or others) say we are. But as long as we crave the esteem and approval of others, so much of what […]

16th Sunday, YR B, 21 July, 2024: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-28; Mark 6: 30-34 The apostles return to Jesus excited by their accomplishments, surprised by what they could do. Can you remember the rush of your first adult success that turned out better than you had hoped? The exhilaration of discovering your capabilities? Despite the […]

14th Sunday, YR B, 7 July, 2024: Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6 We recognize prejudice as a limiting reaction to what or whom is different from our norms. In today’s Gospel we meet another form of prejudice: opposing someone who is too similar to ourselves. In either form aren’t I being defensive, rather […]

In our daily use of various electrical appliances, we usually don’t give much thought to the electricity that powers them. Upon completion of a task we simply unplug the appliance and don’t have any direct relationship to the electricity that powers it. Electricity is thus a valued means to a desired end, often taken for […]

The tiny mustard seed—we must remember—was once indistinguishable from the lofty shrub that bore it. And, in being formed, and falling to the ground, appears to diminish, so that on reaching the ground, is virtually nothing in comparison with its lofty and vibrant parent. Furthermore, this process of diminishment and apparent descent into total insignificance […]

Corpus Christi, 2 June, 2024: Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14 :12-16 ; 22-26 In Jesus’ Day, the Passover meal could only be celebrated in Jerusalem, feasting on the lamb which had been sacrificed in the Temple. So when Mark notes those facts, he is describing a supper which is fundamentally a sacrifice. Jesus blesses […]