Third Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 Does today’s talk of rejoicing seem deflated by John the Baptist’s demanding preaching? John disqualifies no one from his baptism of repentance. He doesn’t reject the tax collectors for their injustices—nor does he ask them for donations. He doesn’t repulse the soldiers as […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception, Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 Today’s Gospel gives us an important perspective on today’s Solemnity. First and foremost, the mystery of Mary’s Immaculate Conception hinges on the Incarnation of the Word of God. When the eternal Word is circumscribed by human contingency, eternity is encapsulated by time and […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Take from me, O Lord, my heart of stone. Take away my hardened heart. Take away my uncircumcised heart. Give me a new heart, a heart of flesh, a pure heart! You who purify the heart, you who love the pure heart, possess my heart and dwell within it, enclosing it and filling it, higher […]
Saturday of the 34th Week
Whatever pleasures are associated with drunkenness and carousing, these ignoble pursuits are not infrequently indulged in the effort to escape the present moment. The vigilance enjoined upon us by Christ can thus be thought of as being attentive to the present moment—even when it bears with it thoughts, feelings, and demands that are aversive and […]
Fr. James’ Thanksgiving Homily
Thanksgiving Day, 25 November, 2021: Sirach 50:22-24; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19 Why didn’t the other nine lepers thank Jesus? They all obey Jesus when he tells them to go show themselves to the priests. Were these nine so intent on following Jesus’ instructions, that they didn’t yet notice their healing when […]
Our 71st Anniversary of Founding
On this 71st anniversary of our founding, we pause to thank God for the countless blessings and graces bestowed on our community—including those bestowed through our brothers who now rest in the peace of Christ. Many of those blessings have come through you our friends whose supportive friendship, prayers, and benefactions continue to support our […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 32nd Sunday
Thirty-Second Sunday, Year B, 7 November, 2021: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 According to The Acts of the Apostles, Mark’s mother was a follower of Jesus (Acts 12:12). Ancient Church tradition understands Mark and his kinsman Barnabas to be members of the priestly clan; perhaps they were disenchanted with the priestly establishment […]
All Saints
Last evening many celebrated Halloween by dressing up in costumes that allowed them to temporarily assume different identities—some of these were intended to be scary, others just plain funny or ridiculous. A Masquerade Ball offers similar opportunities for concealing one’s identity and, as it were, stepping out from what some experience as the burden of […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 31st Sunday
31 October, 2021, Thirty-First Sunday, Year B: Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28b-34 Jesus’ response to the Scribe in today’s Gospel is as challenging as it is timely. It is timely, because in an increasingly contentious world, most people do not do what Jesus and scribe do, speaking to one another, person-to-person. What […]
Retreat House openings
Two upcoming weekends have become available at Holy Cross Abbey Retreat House: November 26-28 and December 3-5 Come after Thanksgiving to and before Christmas to rest and explore the beautiful countryside here at Holy Cross Abbey. Groups of 8-10 welcome with vaccination. The monastery chapel does remain closed at this time. Please call or e-mail […]