Br. David Vryhof Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Poor Job. In the midst of a prosperous life, he suddenly meets with a series of calamities. His fortune disappears, his sheep and camels are stolen, his children die in a tragic accident, and he finds himself banished to the edge of the city, diseased and covered with nasty sores. But Job’s suffering goes beyond t…

Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, God-bearer Luke 11:27-28 Our reading from today’s Gospel passage had me casting my mind back to high school English. We naturally read the woman in the crowd’s statement, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” (Lk 11:27), as an example of synecdoche, a figure of speech that sub…

Br. Curtis Almquist Galatians 1:13-24 Our first reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, Galatia being in modern-day Turkey. This is where Paul was born as a Roman citizen, one generation after Jesus’ birth.[i] In Paul’s letters he describes himself as neither eloquent nor handsome,[ii] and he was not married.[iii] He earned his liveli…

Br. Geoffrey Tristram Job 1:1, 2:1-10 I was talking with a friend recently about the situation in the Middle East, and he said he felt so much darkness right now that he found it hard to know how to deal with it. I knew exactly what he meant. You may feel it too, overwhelmed by the images of violence, death and destruction. How do you pray, what wo…

Br. Curtis Almquist The Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 10: 17-24 Jesus expresses thanks: “What God has “hidden from the wise and intelligent [God] has revealed to infants.” To infants and, presumably by extension, to young children whose cognitive abilities are underdeveloped; and to those without formal education; and to the elderly whose mind is slippi…

Luke 10:1-18 We don’t always know where our motivation comes from. Sometimes we wake up in the morning ready to go. Other times we’re tired all day. Motivation is unpredictable. Jesus knew motivation. He knew how hungry people are for something energizing. He knew how much people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, something mean…

Br. David Vryhof Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke 1: 26-38 Common of the Incarnation It has been the custom in monasteries such as ours to honor Mary, the Mother of our Lord, on the Saturdays in Ordinary Time between the seasons of Pentecost and Advent. Mary’s example – particularly the graciousness, generosity and humility with which she responds to God’s call…

Br. Luke Ditewig James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37 What were you arguing about? Jesus asked. Perhaps best scout for new outreach and lodging sites. Expert at crowd control. Food and goods purveyor. Scripture knowledge. Who is Jesus’ favorite. The greatest disciple. Playful jostling can turn to comparing power and privilege, background, connection, …

Commemorating Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961) Br. Curtis Almquist Micah 6:6-8 “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? … He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” We commemorate today Dag Hammarskjöld, the…