“You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, and have revealed them to the little ones,” says Jesus (Mt 11:25). Jesus is praising his abba for revealing the mysteries of God to the little ones, that is to children. If we look at the posture of children and compare it with the posture of the so-called ‘wise and learned’, what is Jesus praising in this text?

(Above - recently discovered Salvator Mundi, by Leonardo Da Vinci)

WHITEHORN, California — The first time I visited my sisters here at Redwoods Monastery was in mid-June of 1994. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 26 years since that initial brief visit to this wonderful community, in this place of truly awesome beauty. Since that first three-day stay, as I remember it, I’ve been coming down here almost every year, from my home community of Guadalupe Abbey near Carlton, for longer stays. I’ve consistently been helping with their Holy Week and Easter liturgies. This has meant being here for two, sometimes three, weeks in March and April.

When we each professed our monastic vows at our solemn profession, was not our ‘yes’ total? If we reflect on the ‘burning’ feeling in our hearts at that time, there was a strong affect and love within our ‘yes’; we were aware (at least I hope we were aware!) that our ‘yes’ was total, we were ready to give our all for the ‘pearl of great price’ (Mt 13:46).

"‘To believe’ denotes a fundamental disposition of openness to the truth which makes the person capable of seeing the glory of God whenever and wherever it is revealed.” (Sr. Sandra Schneiders)

The monastery garden has been improved with a new fence and gates.  Some of the gates were hand crafted, adding a distinctive flair and artistic touch to our already luxuriant garden.