The eternal existence of God, which is one that preceded all of creation (if one may speak thus), does make Mary’s unbelievably exalted title of “Mother of God” seem rather ridiculous. After all, according to our human thinking a mother always exists prior to the child she bears. Clearly, Mary as one among many of […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Christmas
Christmas Day Mass: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 The Russian author, Paul Evdokimov, wrote that the life of Christ begins, heightened by wonders: his conception announced by an angel, conceived of the Virgin, lauded by a choir of angels, marked in the heavens by a star, worshipped by Magi from the East…But then […]
Fr. James’ Gospel Reflection, Fridy Dec 23
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 The name John means The Lord is gracious. Elizabeth’s insistence on the name confesses her recognition that her child is a gift from God, not a given. John is a sign that God is not our speculation, a probability posited by our questions, but is here before our questions […]
CHRISTMAS MASSES
For those wishing to join us at the Christmas Masses: “Midnight Mass” (preceded by Vigils) will be celebrated at 8.30 p.m. this Saturday evening, December 24. The Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday, December 25.
Fr. James’ Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A, 18 December, 2022: Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 Is Advent the commemoration of events past, an exercise in nostalgia? Does Advent celebrate God’s salvific engagement in the messiness of being human or is it merely a distraction from our current problems, fears, doubts and questions? Or could […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, 4 December, 2022: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 Certainly, Jesus is never afraid to confront bigotry and hypocrisy, nor does he avoid talking about judgment or the consequences of sin. But there is a palpable contrast between the teaching of Jesus and the fiery harangues of John […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
As for me, as long as I look at myself, my eye is filled with bitterness. But if I look up and fix my eyes on the aid of the divine mercy, this happy vision of God soon tempers the bitter vision of myself, and I say to him: “I am disturbed within so I […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Christ the King
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, 20 November, 2022: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 21:35-43 I offer you two images of Kingship found in today’s readings and pictured in this chapel. The first, from the Letter to the Colossians is depicted in the Madonna standing behind our choir. Here we […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 33rd Sunday
Thirty-third Sunday, Year C, 13 November, 2022: Malachi 3:19-20a; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19 At the end of the Liturgical year, we celebrate cryptic gospels forecasting doom. To what does Jesus refer? The destruction of Jerusalem? The judgment of God? The advent of the Messianic age? The end of the world? By the time […]
Fr. James’ Homily for All Saints
ALL Saints, Monday 1 November, 2022: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a There is a perspective on the Beatitudes—being poor, mourning or hungering, experiencing persecution—that could seem depressing. And then how many people do we see in our society who are actually meek, merciful or clean of heart? They would not be […]