Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew22:1-14 In contrast to the fig tree that Jesus cursed, because it produced nothing but leaves, neither vineyard described in today’s scripture readings failed to produce fruit. Instead, the problem was that one vineyard produced wild and sour grapes–despite being meticulously cared for–while tenants of the other refused to […]

Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph presiding and preaching.

Although the Word has come to me, I have never been conscious of the moment of his coming. I perceived his presence, I remembered afterwards that he had been with me; sometimes I had the presentiment that he would come, but I was never conscious of his coming or going. And where he come from […]

Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24; Matthew 20:1-16 How often Do I wonder about people getting more than they deserve? I may not actually say it out loud, but that changes nothing. When I think like that, I am thinking like the hired workers in today’s parable who believe they’ve been cheated. To me, that’s the […]

Readings: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 When we celebrated the blessing of the new altar, the Preface referred to the altar of the Cross. At the same time, neither the altar nor the Cross was identified as an object but as a place; in Latin, locus. Latin is a very abstract, conceptual language–as opposed […]

The General Chapter Abbot Joseph departed for the General Chapter of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance on Sunday, 3 September. The overnight flight from Dulles to Fumicino, Rome allowed him to begin his trek to Assisi on the normal arrival day for the various superiors coming from all around the world. A […]

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 This Thursday is the Patronal Feast of our Abbey and is, for us, a non-work day. The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, as on a Sunday; Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM). Fr. James will preside and preach.

Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 Today Jesus gives us some practical advice when someone in the community does wrong. For all its wisdom, it is not fool-proof. Jesus describes three steps, addressing what to do when someone will not listen; but even the third attempt may not resolve the situation. Why? At each […]

Faith grows by tribulation and conquers burdens of tribulation by patience and prayer. Faith is helped by prayer so that it may not fail and may have the strength to overcome the force of temptation. But it is helped especially by the prayer of him who said to Peter, I myself will pray for you, […]