By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Today’s Gospel (John 9:1-41) holds treasures, jewels, so it is well to read, study, memorize it until it becomes part of you.
In the first seven lines, we hear the story: a man born blind, is cured by Jesus who smears saliva and clay on his eyes, then tells him to go wash. Continue Reading
By Prioress Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB
“Let the whole multitude of the faithful exult in the glory of our beloved Father Benedict; but most of all let each gathering of monks be glad who on earth are celebrating the feast of him with whom the Saints in heaven are rejoicing.” (antiphon from the Vigil Service)
As we gather to celebrate, we join the multitude of men and women who throughout time have followed the path of Benedict … and experienced the joy of hearts that seek the Lord. Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
On this third Sunday of Lent, we are back in the desert.
The desert which lacks water is perhaps a symbol of the woman at the well.
She not only does not have any water but she also has no friends who apparently shun her because of her lifestyle. Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Having been to the desert with Jesus last Sunday, this Sunday, we are taken to Mount Tabor for the Transfiguration of the Lord.
This appearance provides us with not just external features of Jesus – “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light” – but Peter, James and John hear God say, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” (Mt 17:1-19) Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Each Lent we are each asked to pick a book to read. I have chosen the book Walking Together: Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship by Mary Deturris Poust. I did not get far along when this passage made me stop and think:
“The very technology that is supposed to make our lives so mush easier and so much more integrated is, in actuality, cutting us off from face to face contact, leaving us with mostly virtual relationships that may supply superficial satisfaction but never feed our deeper need for something that touches the heart and soul.” Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Spiritual writers use various terrains of nature to depict our spiritual life.
That is, if we are at the height of knowing and loving God in our prayer, they tell us we are on a mountaintop. If we are struggling with who and where God is, they tell us we are going through a desert. Continue Reading
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
Every year during Lent we hear the story of Jesus being lead into the desert where he is tempted by the devil. But this year, as I reflected on the story I discovered something new (at least to me).
That is, I had always thought of the temptations as occurring while Jesus was praying and fasting in the desert. But this year, I noticed the Gospel doesn’t say that. Both Matthew and Luke say that “After the 40 days and nights of fasting, Jesus was hungry.”
Jesus is tempted after his desert experience, not during it! Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
In the second reading for Ash Wednesday, St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians motivate us to the immediacy of God’s call: Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. Do not receive the grace of God in vain.
In other words, Listen. Now! Continue Reading
By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
Ash Wednesday creates excitement for many of us as we anticipate Lent.
We remember the black cross on our foreheads: a sign of our devotion that brought questions and recognition from our non-Catholic friends. We remember mulling over what to give up. We remember the dietary restrictions, and the Easter candy payoff. Continue Reading
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