The Mission Did Not Fail!
Ponder the most significant stone or boulder in your life. Do you believe you have a future despite what is before your eyes? When Life Eternal touched the disciples, they were transformed. No longer were their eyes cast down or gazing in the past. God always brings life.
In the Shadow of the Cross
It would be easy to see the triumphal tone of the entrance into Jerusalem as a grand conclusion of Jesus’ mission. But, as we know, his mission, his journey did not end there. And it is here, that Jesus shows us the way we are to go: the way of humility.
The Love that Casts Out Fear
A woman who had been caught in adultery is dragged before Jesus. The penalty for her sin is that she be stoned to death. As Jesus sees the woman dragged to him, he probably cannot help but think that soon this same crowd would be dragging him.
Mercy, Compassion, Generosity, and Patience
The story of the Prodigal Son is familiar to all of us. It’s interesting to note the verbs used to describe the action of the two groups Jesus is speaking to: the first group “were drawing near,” while the second “began to complain.”
Confession and the Fig Tree
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks of repentance and gives the parable of the fig tree. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we find the gardener who will not give up on us, as we kneel before the mercy of God — again and again and again.
It Is Good We Are Here
The mystical works of our unfathomable God are often unexplainable and even inconceivable, yet that does not make them any less magnificently true! As the apostles saw Jesus transfigured upon the mountain, but we glimpse his glory in the Eucharist.
Growing Pains
Here is the reason for Lent: to make temptation our friend. There is no doubt that we sin, even though we often prefer to forget or deny that fact. We are sinners. Given that fact, every temptation becomes an opportunity to choose either for grace or sin.
Give Us This Joyful Season
The Season of Lent is a time for Christians to “get back to basics,” focusing on the quality of our discipleship. This means that Lent isn’t an end in itself. Rather, Lent — which comes from an Old English word meaning “springtime” — is ultimately oriented toward our celebrations of the Resurrection at Easter and our renewal of our Baptism Promises on Easter Sunday.
The Courage to Forgive
Jesus compels us to fight evil through the power of good. Our society tends to view evil as strong and goodness as weak. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It is easy to hold a grudge. On the contrary, it is difficult to forgive.
Living in Paradox
Here in our monastery, we talk about how the Christian life is paradoxical, it is a different way of being human. It tends to run contrary to rational thinking, by transcending its inherent limitations so that God’s Will could be made manifest here on earth.
Lowering the Nets
Peter felt he had failed. But if he had not spent a whole night pulling empty nets onto his boat, doubting himself, growing ever more tired and ever more discouraged, the whole impact of the next day’s catch would have been lost.
Proclaiming God’s Wondrous Deeds
Formed in love, the grace of God animates us. His divine indwelling elevates our faith. We find the courage to witness to others through grace. If we fail to desire or find opportunities to share the Good News of Christ, we have entirely missed the point of what it means to be loved by Love itself.