Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 Today we begin Chapter Ten of Mark’s Gospel, when Jesus begins to travel to Jerusalem. For Mark, the holy city represents the unwillingness to believe Jesus; to the religious leaders of this city, Jesus is the hick from Galilee. Acknowledging the opposition, Jesus initiates an extensive teaching on […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for October
Not all those who have faith in some way have sufficient fervor and vigor in faith to be willing to relinquish everything. Many, indeed, are unwilling to renounce even the things that are unlawful! For this reason, it is not inappropriate to compare the Kingdom of heaven–that is, the Church–to a net. Once it has […]
Reflection for Monday of the 26th Week, Memorial of St. Therese of Lisieux, 1 October, 2018
Readings: Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50 The doctrine of spiritual childhood is certainly fundamental to Therese’s thinking, though I wonder whether it suffers an imbalance because her memory was perpetuated by her older sisters who preceded her and outlived her in the same Carmel. In a sense, to them, so remained the “Baby.” Like myself, you […]
Rooms Available in the Retreat House this weekend, 28-30 September
This is a great opportunity to make a retreat at Holy Cross Abbey while the mild temperatures prevail. We’ve suddenly had five cancellations this weekend from what would have been a full house. So five of you out there now have the possibility for a refreshing weekend retreat. Just call Carol Hensley at 540-955-4383 or […]
Reflection on Luke 18:16-18
To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away. A superficial apprehension of this saying would seem to confirm the way of the world. Remember Raymond Egan and Gus Kahn’s 1920 song, Ain’t We Got Fun? One version of […]
Reflection for the 24th Saturday, 22 September, 2018
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49; Luke 8:6-15 Have you ever considered how immediate, how visceral the images of Jesus’ parables can be? Today’s familiar parable of the Sower casting the seed is literally earthy. And isn’t this a dynamic description of the Church as we experience it in our lives? Not the church as a […]
Old Dorm Progress
This week the renovation of the “old dorm” continued with some preliminary excavations to expose and then seal the foundations and lower walls which were allowing seepage into the basement. This important second phase of the renovation project will include installing more effective drainage for the rain run-off from the various roofs—run-off that has been […]
Awaiting Renovation
After several weeks of hard work the company carrying out the abatement and inner demolition work in our old dorm has completed its work. The completion of this first phase of the renovation project allows us a better sense of the space available and how this might suit our plans for the building. Our architect, […]
Reflection for the Thursday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11 Do not be afraid…Many different episodes in St. Luke’s Gospel are punctuated by this admonition, Do not be afraid. As I looked over today’s readings, it struck me how long it took me to appreciate those words of Jesus. Today’s reading, describing the call of Peter, James and John […]
Reflection on Monday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Luke 4:16-20 We spent a month of Sundays on Chapter Six of John’s Gospel, the Bread of Life discourse, which is also the inauguration of Jesus’ messianic ministry. Today’s Gospel is Luke’s version of Jesus launching that ministry. Each of the four Gospels tells the story with very different incidents but […]