What was the larger horizon that guided our founders’ decision to leave their monastery of Molesme to the wilderness of Citeaux?  We may ask the same question in this way: what was their dream? Dreams form the landscape, the horizon of our lives.  ‘Dreams’ come from a deep place within the individual and in the larger body of community and even an Order. 

(The Illustrated Capital "A" shown above is from the Bible of Stephen Harding, 12th Century, Abbey of Cîteaux, Dijon, France.  The illustration is of St Michael battling the Serpent.  The "A" introduces the Book of the Apocalypse, better known today as Revelations. Our founders were geniuses in the visual arts as well as the spiritual crafts.)

Readings of the day: RB 7:35-43Mass: Exodus 23:20-23; Resp. Psalm 91 or Zechariah 8:1-8; Resp. Psalm 102;Matthew 18:1-5,10

Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.Alleluia, Alleluia.

The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy 

Readings of the day: RB 2:30-32; Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 78; Philippians 2:6-11;John 3:13-17
Today’s liturgy is saturated with the richness of the Word; I am moved to burst out in song.
Saint Paul’s great hymn of humility in his letter to the Philippians includes one of my favorite verses in all of Sacred Scripture: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend.” Upon hearing it, I sing forth: