Artistic depictions of the Annunciation are among some of the most beautiful and powerful works of Christian art. And although these depictions typically feature the Angel Gabriel and Mary, some artists only suggest the angel’s presence with a radiant glow of light. And perhaps this is more appropriate since Mary’s Immaculate Heart was a pure […]
Words of Monastic Wisdom
“My king and my God – God, love and joy – my soul and my heart are jubilant to you. My heart desires to greet, praise, magnify, and bless you, life of my soul, my God – God living and true, fountain of sempiternal light … And with what will I reward you, my Lord, for […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Corpus Christi
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 […]
Memorial of Saint Justin Martyr
One of the central motivations for monastic communities is the mutual assistance that communal life makes possible. Saint Jude describes some of this mutual assistance, with his exhortation to have mercy on those who waver, and to save others by snatching them out of the fire. Unfortunately, this doesn’t automatically happen and, as the gospel […]
Tuesday, 7th Week of the Year
Saint James’ call to lament, mourn, weep, and have our joy change into dejection, seems at odds with Saint Paul’s exhortation to rejoice at all times. However, this contradiction is only apparent: Rejoicing at all times is only possible as the fruit of true repentance and conversion. Repentance and conversion are, in turn, initially marked […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Pentecost
Fire and water are usually considered contraries, with water extinguishing fire, and fire burning away moisture. It is thus interesting that these apparent opposites are both used as images of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, we encounter the Spirit as fire—with tongues of flame coming to rest on the disciples gathered in […]
Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Condemnation of the world (and its punishment) did not require the incarnation; however, salvation did. For, we did not need anyone to instruct us about condemnation and punishment—we experience it all too keenly, see it manifest in one another, and encounter it in the tragic state of our suffering world. Salvation, however, is a different […]
Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
It is one of those perplexing paradoxes of the spiritual life that an increase in signs of God’s power at work in our world can actually weaken both faith and authentic freedom. If we recall that Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things never seen, then great […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Only, 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 […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Easter Vigil
According to Saint John’s account of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene initially interpreted the empty tomb as the result of someone having taken the body; however, in Saint Mark’s account she is simply amazed. Now although amazement doesn’t necessarily indicate incredulity, there is an element of not quite believing one’s eyes. Amazement is thus linked to […]