The Epiphany of the Lord, 2 January, 2022: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi from the east are genuine seekers of the truth who brave the risks of travel through an inhospitable terrain to reach their goal in an unknown land and an unknown religion. They have read the cryptic signs […]
CHRISTMAS NIGHT 2021
After a good washing, our monastic robes can appear dazzlingly white and contrast dramatically with our black scapulars. However, on more than one occasion when I have been out in the snow, I have not failed to notice that our otherwise white robes appear to be a definite off-white, cream, color in comparison with the […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Christmas Day
Christmas: Mass During the Day, 25 December, 2021, Year C: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 We don’t know the actual date or even the season of Christ’s birth because he was born into a world that wasted little memory on such matters. The early church chose a symbolic date to celebrate the Lord’s […]
Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Although the genealogy of Jesus, we have just heard, is more representative and symbolic than literal, it nevertheless reminds us that God is perfectly aware of each one of our genealogies. As such he is familiar with every single influence (transmitted through our forebears), that made us the persons we were at our birth—genetically, physically, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
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 […]