It is, perhaps, relatively easy to dismiss an unwelcome message or difficult teaching, when the teacher’s life is clearly at variance with what he/she propounds. This is what so frustrated Jesus’ opponents—his life unfailingly mirrored the truth of the words he spoke. Accordingly, they were left to try and discredit his teaching and, in today’s […]
Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent
Jeremiah’s call for vengeance on those who seek his demise, seems to stand in such contrast to Jesus’ prayer that his tormentors be forgiven, since they do not know what they are doing—a sentiment echoed by Stephen the first martyr with his dying prayer, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. Notwithstanding this obvious […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Nothing animates us so much to love of enemies—which is the perfection of fraternal charity—as grateful consideration of the Lord’s admirable patience. By it, the fairest of all the sons of men offered his comely face to the ungodly to be spit on. By it, he subjected to the veil of the iniquitous the eyes whose […]
Thursday in the 4th Week of Lent
During this season of Lent our natural focus is on repenting of our sins and finding healing from all that still separates us from receiving the fullness of God’s love. Thus, like the repentant tax collector, we feel our unworthiness and cry out with him: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Accordingly, it […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday), 27 March, 2020: Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 After decades of listening to today’s Gospel, I have some questions. Has the absence of a mother in this family had a serious impact on them? Did this father wonder whether his younger son demands his […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Annunciation
The various ploys utilized in so-called “reverse psychology” succeed because they tap into our sinful, warped, and misguided free wills. In varying degrees, we balk at being told what to do (or not do) and often struggle against a spontaneous rebelliousness. Thus, when a certain response is desired, insisting on its opposite can sometimes achieve […]
Br. Patrick receives the Habit
It was a joyous occasion, this last Sunday, when Brother Patrick (having completed his postulancy) received the Cistercian Habit and began his Canonical Novitiate. He now joins Brothers Paul and Aelred in the novitiate as he (and they) prepares for first vows. Join us in thanking God for calling these three men and let us […]
Wednesday, Lent Week 2
Desiring (like the sons of Zebedee) to be close to Jesus is, obviously, a good thing—one we have all desired. Yet, like James and John, we perhaps underestimated just what getting close to Jesus demands. With experience and sober hindsight, we have come to know a little more about what we were asking, and just […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent
Second Sunday of Lent, Year C, 13 March, 2022: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36 …Moses and Elijah…spoke of his exodus that [Jesus] was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Right in the midst of this incredible epiphany of glory, the mystery of Jesus’ Passover, from his last supper, through his arrest, trial, […]
Friday of the 1st Week of Lent
In an interesting interpretation of Jesus’ admonition that we settle with [our] opponent quickly while on the way to court, the Desert Father, Isaiah the Solitary, identifies the “opponent” with conscience. As we know, in the long spiritual journey towards becoming truly holy (by our being conformed to Christ), conscience can be experienced as an […]