June 11, 2023: A Reflection for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Yr A John 6:51-58 …and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. (Jn 6:51c) The body of Christ. Four simple words, but so all-inclusive. Jesus, before you returned to the Father after you completed the mission for

May 21, 2023: A Reflection on the Feast of the Ascension, Yr A Matthew 28:16-20 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Mt 28: 19-20) Mountains hold a special place in the Scriptures – both the

February 26, 2023: A Reflection for the Beginning of Lent Nourishment. Could we say that for St. Benedict providing proper nourishment for his monks was of key importance? Physical nourishment, of course. In how many places does he take care to provide for the young, the elderly, the sick and the community as a whole. Our bodies are to be

January 29, 2023: A Reflection for the 4th Sunday in O.T., Yr A The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12a Over the centuries and down to the present day, people have drawn their own renditions of what the face of Jesus was like. Not having cameras in Jesus’ time leaves us with the artists’ brush and paint to depict how their inner eye

January 22, 2023: A reflection for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 4:12-23 The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light. (Mt 4:13) As the days incrementally become longer and the night of winter learns to yield once more to light, we can feel nature, including ourselves, stirring in our depths to bring to

“The Gift comes…” So we hear in a hymn from St. Ephraim. The Gift, still wrapped in the precious humanity of his mother, will soon be brought forth from her warm and nurturing womb to be among the children of the earth. To be swaddled, and cuddled, and cooed. To give great delight to Mary and Joseph at his first smile,

So far, we have spoken of fire coming down from the Bright Morning star to the earth and of our First Advent Candle holding that fire as light. Last week, our Second Advent Candle was symbolized by a meadow, open and receptive to the descent of life-giving rain, the mercy of God in the person of Jesus. This week, you,