No matter how many times we read it, and no matter how many homilies on it we hear, the parable of the Prodigal Son retains its power to move us, to astonish us, to stir us to the depths. The story is told entirely in human terms, but what it reveals to us is the compassionate love, the patience, the mercy of God. We read the story again now in mid-lent, to remind ourselves of our need for conversion, and also of the goal of our journey, both of lent and of life.
Pluscarden Benedictines No. 197 - Lent 2022
Pluscarden Benedictines No. 196 - Advent 2021
150th anniversary of our Benedictine Congregation
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Lent 2C, Sunday 13 March 2022: Luke 9:28-36
What is the Transfiguration? It’s a confirmation of the identity of Jesus as God’s Son: confessed by Peter (Lk 9:20), predicted by the prophets, prefigured in the law. The prophets are represented by Elijah, the law by Moses. The 3 chosen witnesses stand for all the Apostles, and for the whole Catholic Church.
Two First Monastic Professions
Homily for St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, Sunday 8C, 27 February 2022: Luke 6:39-45
Homily for St. Cecilia’s Abbey Ryde, Sunday 7C, 20 February 2022, Luke 6:27-38
According to St. Paul, we should “have that mind in us which was in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). In today’s Gospel according to St. Luke, our Lord manifests his mind to us, and asks us to imitate it. Love your enemies, he says, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you (6:27). Through all this list of commandments, Jesus is painting for us a self portrait, and indeed sketching out for us his own autobiography.