Readings: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 As we round out the Christmas Octave, we’re returned to the Gospel of the Christmas Day Mass. One reaction could be, “Here we go again.” And, in fact, life often feels like that. Again and again in confession, for example, penitents talk as if nothing ever changes. In actual […]
Reflection for 29 December
Readings: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 The older I grow, the more I appreciate the sense of fulfilment expressed by Simeon’s Canticle. Having hopes is a risky business; and carrying hopes into old age is a tricky business. Should I define my hopes too narrowly, if I limit my expectations to my specifications, I could […]
Tuesday, 1 January, The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM (preceded by the Office of Terce at 9:45 AM). It is a non-work day for the community and we follow the Sunday schedule. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM).
Feast of Saint John the Beloved
Over the centuries there have been numerous saints who have longed and even prayed for martyrdom. We don’t know if Saint John had this same desire for martyrdom, but Christian tradition has long maintained he died a natural death at an advanced age in exile on the island of Patmos. In this Saint John dispels […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Christmas Day Mass
Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 In the beginning as the Word…We’re familiar with that majestic and mysterious verse. It may be less familiar that in Hebrew there is no word for “thing.” Instead, all existent beings, objects, every element of the world around us is referred to as a “word”–not an abstract object, […]
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
On this great Feast of our Savior’s Birth, we wish you all the love, joy, and peace our Newborn Savior brings. May his comforting and protecting presence accompany and sustain you all in the year ahead. We thank you for your kind Christmas greetings, prayers, and unfailing generosity to our community. Abbot Joseph and the […]
Reflection for 24 December
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 The narrative impact of the Benedictus follows on Zachariah’s nine months of enforced silence. His too narrow religious perspective did not allow him to believe Gabriel’s announcement that his wife would bear them a son. Throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Zechariah, too, had to conceive anew his relationship […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for Christmas
Note what I have said, that you ought to love. You fear the Lord of the angels, but love the little Child. You fear the Lord of majesty, but love the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. You fear Him reigning in heaven, but love Him lying in the manger. What sign did the shepherds receive? […]
Reflection for 22 December
Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:45-56 Whether you consider the Magnificat the words of Mary, the composition of the Evangelist or a prayer of the early Church, I believe it is the confession of a woman’s heart. One could, I imagine, interpret it as dependence on male patronage, but I don’t think that is what […]
Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
There are two primary kinds of pride: The first is based on a person’s delusional sense of his or her greatness with reality contradicting it. The second kind of pride is based on reality but attributes such greatness to oneself instead of giving glory to God. Mary carefully avoids both pitfalls. In yesterday’s gospel we […]