After several weeks of hard work the company carrying out the abatement and inner demolition work in our old dorm has completed its work. The completion of this first phase of the renovation project allows us a better sense of the space available and how this might suit our plans for the building. Our architect, […]
Tuesday of the 23rd Week of the Year
Although today’s gospel doesn’t say so explicitly, Jesus’ night in prayer does seem to have been in service of selecting his twelve apostles. That he seems to have made a poor choice in choosing Judas Iscariot can be both comforting and disconcerting. Comforting because for us discerning the Father’s will and choosing the best course […]
Reflection for the Thursday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11 Do not be afraid…Many different episodes in St. Luke’s Gospel are punctuated by this admonition, Do not be afraid. As I looked over today’s readings, it struck me how long it took me to appreciate those words of Jesus. Today’s reading, describing the call of Peter, James and John […]
Wednesday of the 22nd Week of the Year
Seeking Jesus because you need him and seeking Jesus because you love him can be complementary aspects of our relationship to Christ. However, seeking Jesus (as did the crowds in today’s gospel) only because you need him and require his help is indicative of a still one-sided and immature relationship that lacks the mutuality of […]
Reflection on Monday of the 22nd Week
Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Luke 4:16-20 We spent a month of Sundays on Chapter Six of John’s Gospel, the Bread of Life discourse, which is also the inauguration of Jesus’ messianic ministry. Today’s Gospel is Luke’s version of Jesus launching that ministry. Each of the four Gospels tells the story with very different incidents but […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 22nd Sunday, Year B
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile. That’s quite an inventory and so much more pessimistic than we’d expect from the […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for September
Faith is owed to God because he does not know how to deceive or how to be deceived. He is truth and wisdom. Truth does not deceive; wisdom is not deceived. Faith is demanded of us in two ways: first, in God’s Word to us; then in our words to him. We should have faith […]
Saturday Memorial of Our Lady
Saturday of the 21st Week of the Year: Some notions of humility would find this virtue exemplified in the third servant with the one talent who humbly admitted his failure to trade with that single talent. In contrast, the servant who received five talents and made five more seems proud and even boastful. And yet […]
Reflection on the Gospel for 21st Thursday, Optional Memorial of Sts. Warren and Amadeus
Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 24:42-51 Stay Awake! A fitting Gospel for two Cistercian saints. And a reminder that our relentless practice of Vigils is symbolic, sacramental of the coming of Christ, especially at the final judgment. This reminds me that such watchfulness is not only about the end but how we travel to that […]
Reflection on the Gospel for Saturday of the 20th Saturday, Year Two
Readings: Ezekiel 43:1-71; Matthew 13:1-12 Jesus has a very challenging–and timely–teaching for us today. He tells us to discriminate, to recognize what we actually see in our legitimate religious leadership. Yes, do what they tell you but don’t follow their example. That isn’t a call to blind and passive acquiescence or relinquishing our responsibility. And […]