February 21, 2021: A Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Year B Mark 1:12-15 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert. (Mk 1:12) Into the desert. The Spirit drove you there, Jesus. From deep within, you experienced the imperative – for what? You are like us in all things but sin. Did you also, like us, feel the
February 14, 2021: A Reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 1:40-45 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him… (Mk 1:41) He sat by the side of the road, looking into the faces of the passers-by for some shred of recognition and maybe a coin or two that would provide sustenance. Most
February 7, 2021: A Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 1:29-39 Jesus approached her, grasped her hand her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her. (Mk 1:31) You hear our hearts, Jesus, even when we can’t find words. Maybe it’s better that we don’t flood you with words… Maybe we just need
January 31, 2021: A Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Deuteronomy 18:15-20 1 Cor 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28 I know who you are – the Holy One of God! (Mk 1:24b) Everything living has roots of one sort or another. We’re used to seeing it in the plant world: trees, grass, flowers, etc. Our thoughts, our emotions,
January 24, 2021: A Reflection for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 1:14-20 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men and women.” (Mk 1:17) The waves lapped against the shore as the two fishermen sat in their boat mending their nets. It was very familiar work and in this
January 17, 2021: A Reflection for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B John 1:35-42 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) Imagine following a stranger you had heard about and with whom you really wanted to speak, and that person turned, looked you in the eye and
January 10, 2021: A Reflection for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year B Mark 1:9-11 You are my beloved Son . . . (Mark 1:11b) It was among the first inspections when we began construction of our monastery. To look at the work that lay at our feet, you would wonder why you needed anyone at all
January 3, 2021: A Reflection for the Feast of the Epiphany Matthew 2:1-12 Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage? (Mt 2:2) Where is the newborn king? That is the question that lies in the depths of every person. You have hardwired us to desire
January 1, 2021: A Reflection for the Feast of Mary, Mother of God Luke 2:15-20 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Lk 2:19) The December sky this particular night seemed to dance with stars. There was something in the night air that spoke of great things, things yet to be revealed. As the local