Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53 “Do you understand these things?” They answered, “Yes.” Matthew’s point here is that unlike the crowds, Jesus’ disciples–that is, the true followers of Jesus–grasp the meaning of his parables. This may address a broader issue facing the early Church, rather than the Apostles before the Passion and Resurrection of the […]
Tuesday of the 17th Week of the Year
Jeremiah was clearly a humble man: After having repeatedly warned his fellow Israelites of their impending doom, he makes no effort to smugly remind them of this when disaster falls. On the contrary, he identifies himself completely with their sinfulness, intercedes on their behalf and, as we know, quietly suffers with them in the tragic […]
Reflection on the Gospel for the Seventeenth Monday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 13:1-11; Matthew 13:31-35 Mid-May through Mid-August is bird nesting season in the Shenandoah Valley. After the Assumption, the nests are empty and abandoned. If you search them out you may be amazed, as I first had been, to find some just a foot or two off the ground built into the lightest of […]
Saturday of the 16th Week of the Year
As Catholics our abundant use of symbols and material objects like water, oil, bread, wine, and incense can open us to superstitious beliefs and even magical thinking. This occurs when symbols lose their purpose to point beyond themselves to deeper realities and are somehow imbued with powers of their own. It’s not holy water itself […]
Renovation underway
The building to the east of the Cool Spring House is one we call the “Old Dorm.” Its name derives from its original use as the primary dormitory for the monks during the early decades of Holy Cross Abbey. With the construction of two other dormitories the “Old Dorm” has, in recent years, become little […]
Reflection on Mass Readings of the 16th Friday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17; Matthew 13:18-23 I will appoint you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently… Jeremiah But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold… Matthew Both readings this […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 16th Sunday of the Year
Professional burnout is something that we have grown more sensitive to, not only in the secular world but also within the church and within monasticism. Spending oneself in loving and self-giving service to others can be life-giving, but when imprudently done can also drain us and leave us empty, listless, and unable to function. And […]
Feast of Saint James
We approach God and undertake a life of virtue for very mixed motives—some of which we are initially unaware of. Typically, it is in the disappointment of some of our expectations of God not being met that our deeper motivations come out of hiding. James and John’s desire to be at Christ’s right and left […]
Reflection for the 16th Monday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8; Matthew 12:38-43 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.” I suspect that […]
Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Mercy (which God desires more than sacrifice) is not about turning a blind eye to sin and glossing over transgressions. Rather, it’s about the door to God’s heart never being closed to those who approach him in repentance and sorrow—no matter the gravity of the sin. And since this mercy is integral to God’s holiness—a […]