Our readings certainly cover a wide range of topics: our Lord’s leave-taking during the Last Supper; the controversy in the early church whether people had first to become Jews to be Christians; the New Jerusalem at the consummation of time and history. The Gospel mentions the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send […]
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
It is interesting and significant that the disciples receive the privilege of being called Jesus’ friends shortly before his arrest and execution—when all but one would abandon him to his fate. And whereas it might suggest that Jesus had prematurely designated these still weak and untrustworthy men his intimate friends, it might also say something […]
Word from the Fathers
True petition does not reside in words spoken by the mouth but rather in thoughts of the heart. It is not our words, you see, that constitute the strongest voices in the presence of the most hidden ears of God, but our desires. If we ask with our mouths for eternal life but do not […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter
This Easter Season is a celebration of the fact that although the Ancient Serpent that is Satan) initially succeeded in derailing God’s great plan and desire for humanity, God neither abandoned us to our fate nor lost his desire to share his divine life with us. Instead, in Christ, God actively came in search of […]
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Spiritual ideals can be wonderfully inspiring and spur us on to greater holiness. However, ideals can also be discouraging and paralyzing when we find ourselves far from them and unable to draw closer to them. And whereas one doesn’t want to simply debunk ideals out of frustration at not being able to reach them, it […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
This is the mystery, brothers, this is the great sacrament of the Lord’s cross, for in it we have those four virtues. Let surpassing charity be at the head; let obedience be on the right side – it makes children of the right hand; let patience be on the left side – which we must […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
The other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first…he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. I’ve been asking myself, why did this “other disciple,” “the disciple whom Jesus loved” show deference to Peter allowing him to enter the tomb first? The last time they […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Easter Vigil
Although it is simpler and easier to think and understand in distinct and separate categories in certain areas of life, when it comes to the life of the spirit this becomes inadequate and problematic. Instead, the spiritual life unfolds in a landscape of grays rather than the black and white of clarity and certainty. And […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Holy Thursday
The Eucharist occupies a central place in our life as Christians and as monks. This evening’s readings bring out something of the complexity of this great sacrament which is a sublime mystery whose depths we can never fully comprehend or even experience. Not surprisingly, then, the Eucharist has been the subject of theological and spiritual […]
The Sacred Triduum 2019
Holy Thursday, 18 April 4:30 PM—Mass of the Lord’s Supper with transfer of the Blessed Sacrament Good Friday, 19 April 10:30 AM—Good Friday Psalter12:20 PM—Sext2:00 PM—None 4:30 PM—Good Friday Service with the Lord’s Passion according to John, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. Holy Saturday, 20 April 8:30 PM—Paschal Vigil with Blessing of […]