Readings of the day: RB 4:1-21Mass: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Psalm 28; Luke 7:1-10

Today and for the next three days we are immersed in one of the longest chapters of the Holy Rule; a favorite of mine, namely, Chapter Four, “The Tools for Good Works.” In this chapter, Saint Benedict provides what one translator calls, “Guidelines for Chris

ART: IVAN MESTROVICRecently we received some conferences on prayer in the monastic tradition by Fr. Daniel Hombergen OCSO.  I was moved by Fr. Daniel’s reflections of Enzo Bianchi’s book, Why Pray, How to Pray especially the chapters “On the subjects of The Initiative God takes in relationship,“ and “The germinating of authentic prayer

Readings of the day: RB 3:7-13Mass: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Resp. Psalm 103: Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35
The inspiration for today’s reflection comes from a friend who writes for The Times, London, UK. For this Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, he begins, “Relationships form us. St Paul’s line, ‘The life and death of each of us has its influence on others’, is telling.” Over the past months I have been reflecting on people in my life who have influenced, or formed me over the year

Readings of the day: RB 3:1-6Mass: 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Psalm 113; Luke 6:43-49
In Saint Paul’s First Letter to Timothy we hear some most comforting words; as Paul puts it, a saying that is “trustworthy and deserves full acceptance,” namely, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” With Saint Paul, I run to the front of the line, jumping up and down: “Of these I am the foremost!”

Readings of the day: RB 2:11-15; Col. 1:24-2:3; Resp. Psalm 62; Luke 6:6-11
Those who read the Qualities of the Abbess listed by Saint Benedict see clearly that the one chosen to care for and guide her sisters in community in their search for God has a daunting responsibility. Today we hear that the Abbess leads primarily by the example she sets; then by the words used in her teaching. Put another way, the Abbess is called to practice what she preaches.