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Reflections on the Gospel

TURNING FROM SADNESS

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, Sep 21, 2025) Luke 16:1-13     Therefore, my advice to you, friends, is to turn aside from troubled and anxious reflection on your own progress, and escape to the easier paths of remembering the good things God has done. In this way, instead of becoming upset by thinking about yourself, you will

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Reflections on the Gospel

“You Are Beautiful….”

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Year C, Sept 14, 2025) John 3:13-17     “He is beautiful in heaven, beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in His parents’ arms; beautiful in His miracles, beautiful in His sufferings; beautiful in inviting to life, beautiful in not shrinking from death; beautiful in laying down His life, beautiful in

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2025 Journal

Santa Rita Abbey Annual Retreat

We had a wonderful annual retreat from Aug 17 to 23. Sr. Mary-Ellen from our Motherhouse, Mount St. Mary’s Abbey, led us into the deep, tranquil spirit of Cistercian life. Here is her introduction: Along the short journey of this retreat, we are going to encounter “seven” Treasures which all Cistercians hold dear and try to embrace in our daily

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Reflections on the Gospel

To Set Fire

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, Aug 17, 2025) Luke 12:49-53   In today’s gospel, we have just heard the words of Jesus to his disciples:“I have come to set the earth on fire,and how I wish it were already blazing! Perhaps Jesus knew we were starting our retreat today and is saying to us, “I have come to

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Reflections on the Gospel

TREASURES

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, Aug 3, 2025) Luke 12:13-21 “Thus will it be for those who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”  (Luke 12:21) Each of us has been given a precious treasure.  It is a unique and completely exquisite treasure that God has fashioned as God’s handiwork and

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Reflections on the Gospel

OUR FATHER

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, July 27, 2025) Luke 11:1-13 “Jesus said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father…”  (Luke 11:2)  What is the one thing that most delights the heart of God?  What brings the creator of the universe joy and the laughter born of love?  In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the answer.  A disciple

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Reflections on the Gospel

HOSPITALITY OF THE HEART

  16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, July 20, 2025) Luke 10:38-42 “Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.”  (Luke 10:38) Hospitality has always been the hallmark of Christianity. In fact, in every culture, how

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Reflections on the Gospel

MOVED WITH COMPASSION

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C, July 13, 2025) Luke 10:25-37 “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  (Luke 10:25-30) Love is a funny thing.  Its greatest happiness is to pull what it loves into its

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Reflections on the Gospel

MEASURELESS LOVE

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C (February 23, 2025) Luke 6:27-38 “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)  When God created the world, it was his will that all share in his essence. God did not want to create something unlike himself but something where who he truly is,

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