St. Benedict in his words about Lent invites the monastic to do something ‘extra’ during Lent, something that we offer God of our own free will and something that is offered in ‘the joy of the Holy Spirit’.  And whatever ‘extra’ we offer is to help our hearts open up a bit more, that is, open up to grace, to the gift of God’s life that God holds out to each one of us daily.  It is striking that the first reading of the Ash Wednesday liturgy, begins with the voice of the prophet Joel proclai

 “Thanks solely to this encounter—or renewed encounter—with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption.  We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being….For if we have received the love

One of the major factors motivating Robert, Alberic & Stephen and their companions to leave their monastery of Molesme and begin New Monastery in the wilderness of Citeaux is recorded in the Exordium Parvum, an ancient text documenting the history of our Order’s beginnings.  The intention of the first monks is described in this document as desiring “to adhere henceforth

‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt..).  This encounter between Jesus and his Abba is at once revelatory and foundational for framing who Jesus is and his ministry.  Jesus is God’s beloved Son, the manifested fullness of God’s love.  Whatever Jesus does in his ministry reflects back to this defining moment and exchange of Love, a Love that is transfor

Into what is this Child to be born?  ‘A great light shall rise in the midst of those who walk in darkness…’  ‘For those who dwell in gloom a light has shone,’ we hear from Isaiah.  A rose blooming in the midst of winter we chant from a Christmas hymn.  Into the “undefended heart” writes the poet Rilke.  And the Sisters of St. Clare in their Christmas mes