1 February: 4th Sunday, YR A: Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a If I make sense reality by reducing it to “winners” and “losers,” I probably prefer not to hear today’s Gospel. If I listen to Jesus words from my insecurities, I may fear that I’m being asked to become a door mat. […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
For everything earthly is uncertain and perishable. Our homeland is in heaven, and we are not afraid of falling or being thrown down. The rock, with its durability and security, is in heaven. “The rock is a refuge for the hedgehog.” And really where is there safe sure rest for the weak except in the […]
Memorial of Saint John Bosco
Jesus’ probing question to the disciples—Do you not yet have faith?—can be understood in two complementary ways. The first, in light of the violent squall threatening to swamp their fragile little boat, concerns whether Jesus had the power to protect them from the raging waters. But the second, and perhaps more crucial, sense of his […]
Thursday of the 3rd Week of the Year
It is a spirit of gratitude that permeates David’s prayer (as recorded in our first reading). This serves to remind us that true gratitude is only possible with true humility. This is because pride strives to perpetuate the illusion and delusion of human self-sufficiency. Authentic gratitude, however, peacefully acknowledges our utter dependence on God, and […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 3rd Sunday
The wonderful promise according to which the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster, are smashed as on the day of Midian seems, perhaps, too promising to be true—at least in the light of our own experience. For, despite our heartfelt appeals to God for this liberation […]
Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Unborn
Although the Original Sin involved the eating of forbidden fruit, its deeper reality was pride—a pride that had already been the undoing of Lucifer in his arrogant desire to be like God. That same pride, now manifesting as violent jealousy, lies at the heart of Saul’s downfall and fuels his murderous intention toward David. Lacking […]
Memorial of Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi
This morning at Vigils we were reminded that whereas man usually sees only outward appearances, the Lord looks into the heart. God is therefore not swayed by merely external displays of holiness, religiosity, or devotion, but perceives the true state of our souls and the deepest intentions that move us. His penetrating gaze unmasks all […]
Memorial of Saints Maur and Placid
Occasionally, someone who is neither religious nor spiritual asks for our prayers for some temporal or earthly need. In doing so, they highlight a sometimes mercenary and self‑seeking tendency in our own approach to seeking God’s help. For although we value—and are even grateful for—whatever help God grants us, we can be adept at simultaneously […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Epiphany Sunday
This morning in Chapter I reminded my brother monks that among the most precious gifts we can offer God, is the gift of ourselves. However, until we actually know who we truly are, and by a thoroughgoing conversion, come into full possession of who God created us to be, then the gift of ourselves remains […]
Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory Nazianzen
Like the Pharisees we encounter in today’s gospel, we too can have a problem recognizing the Christ who is among us, and whose face we are challenged to behold in one another. However, this difficulty springs largely from our own hearts—both from our failure to discern Christ in the brother/sister we dislike and find difficult, […]