The Ascension, although not quite the culminating solemnity of this glorious Easter Season is one in which we come back full circle—back to where it all began: In a garden, standing before a tree laden with forbidden fruit. As we know, our First Parents defied our Creator’s command and, at the Ancient Serpent’s beguiling suggestion, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 14 May, 2023: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21 Our Mass Readings shift the focus from the event of Jesus’ Resurrection to his progress through the Ascension to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What this indicates is that we are wrapped up in the […]
Fifth Week of Easter
Notwithstanding the total gratuitousness of God’s grace and salvation, the peace that Christ offers does come at a price—namely, living in total harmony with God’s will. Or, as Jesus expressed it: Doing just as the Father has commanded me. In contrast, the peace that the world offers, depends on realities outside ourselves and, especially, on […]
Fourth Week of Easter
Philip, to see me is to see the Father: To look upon the face of Christ and see the Father, has little to do with gazing upon his physical features—however noble these may be. Rather, it is to behold in every action and in his every word, the Love that is the Father’s very essence […]
Fr. James’ Scripture Reflection
Monday, 1 May, St. Joseph the Worker: Genesis 1:26-2:3; Matthew 13:54-58 The Book of Genesis reminds us that work is our humble collaboration with God’s creativity. But Matthew’s Gospel depicts the dangers of identifying a person with his work or family: because his neighbors only know Jesus as the carpenter’s son, they can’t accept him […]
Friday, 3rd Week of Easter
As Cistercians we are well aware of Saint Benedict’s warnings against bitter zeal—the kind that fueled Saint Paul’s earlier persecution of the church. It is well to remember, however, that the spiritual energy associated with zeal is fundamentally neutral. It is the objects or goals towards which zeal is directed that determine if it is […]
Fr. James’ Homily for 2nd Sunday of Easter
Low Sunday, 16 April, 2023: Acts: 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Well over a century-and-a-half ago, George MacDonald, a Scottish clergyman and novelist, wrote, “Seeing is not believing.” He was referring to today’s Gospel. I agree. Thomas may say: Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put […]
Fruitcake News
Good News! The smaller fruitcakes are now once again available in the Gift Shop—for now the price (without tax) remains $25.00. The large round cakes will become available later in the year.
Friday in the Easter Octave
Today’s gospel is reminiscent of another occasion when Jesus asked Peter to put out into the deep and lower his nets for a catch—after a similar fruitless night of fishing. A significant difference is that on that earlier occasion, Peter was somewhat reluctant, explaining: Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday, 9 April, 2023: Acts: 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 The older I become, the more the events of Holy Week ring so true! I can identify with the confusion, the fears, the disillusionment of Peter or Mary of Magdala. How often life educates our expectations, overthrowing the “happily-ever-after” scenario, fit only for […]