Matthew 14:22-33 Last year I watched the film Titanic again and was struck by the poignancy of the scene where the assembled passengers enthusiastically sing: Eternal Father, strong to save,Whose arm has bound the restless wave,Who bids the mighty ocean deepIt’s own appointed limits keep;O hear us when we cry to TheeFor those in peril …
Category Archives: Monastic
Preferring Nothing to Christ (6)
GOSPEL ‘Let us get up then, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arouse from sleep. Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God.’ (Prologue, Rule of St Benedict) For St Benedict, Scripture is a living and active thing in the life of …
Preferring Nothing to Christ (5)
‘Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see him who has called us to his kingdom.‘ (Rule of St Benedict, Prologue) St Benedict rouses us to action in his Prologue with a call that …
Transfiguration
He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated in the Spirit. Great indeed, we confess,is the mystery of our religion. He was seen by angels,preached among the nations. O praise the Lord, all you nationsacclaim him, all you peoples! He was believed on in the world,taken up in glory. Strong is his love for us,he is faithful …
Preferring Nothing to Christ (4)
SEEK A senior chosen for his skill in winning souls should be appointed to look after them with careful attention. The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and …
Preferring Nothing to Christ (3)
SEEK Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? What, dear brothers, is more delightful than the voice of the Lord calling to us? Rule of St Benedict, Prologue For …
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 13:44-52 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.’ Sr Sandra Schneiders spent twelve years writing a trilogy on Religious Life: Finding the Treasure, Selling All and Buying the Field. The titles …
Preferring Nothing to Christ (2)
LISTEN ‘Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions,and attend to them with the ear of your heart.‘ St Benedict’s words are an invitation to intentional discipleship, an invitation to follow on a path that has been trodden for centuries. Listening with the ear of the heart is no small matter. It can challenge you …
Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Today the Church keeps the Memoria of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It’s a day that holds special significance for Benedictines. There are two collects given for Mass in a supplementary book which is used for all things Benedictine. Heavenly Father,your Son was receivedas an honoured and welcomed guestin the home of Bethany,keep us close to …
Preferring Nothing to Christ (1)
LISTEN Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it and faithfully put it into practice. It’s pretty hard to beat the opening sentences of the Rule of St Benedict. Like an overture giving the …