by Karla Petty | Dec 21, 2015 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
The song “Sleigh Ride” is lost on me this year. It has turned into the aural equivalent of eating sawdust. Originally an instrumental, lyrics were added by someone else two years after the composer finished the score in 1948, just three years after the end of World...
by Coracle | Dec 16, 2015 | Liturgical Seasons
By Father James of Holy Cross Abbey
by Wade Ballou | Dec 1, 2015 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
The eye doctor remarked on how much my vision had changed during the past year. I waited with increasing anticipation for more than the week it took for the optician to prepare new lenses for me. Finally, I excitedly picked up my new lenses and experienced once again...
by Bill Haley | Nov 26, 2015 | Liturgical Seasons
Atonement bought by the Son of God, the ransom paid in righteous blood; Brothers and sisters, the bonds we share of love and life though scattered everywhere; Creation sings its praises heav’n winging though no metal strikes it raises its ringing;...
by Bill Haley | Nov 15, 2015 | Liturgical Seasons
Soon, well already actually, you’re going to get slammed with the commercialization that surrounds the Advent and Christmas season. Very little in the holiday season is going to be calling you to engage the deep meaning of it, the Person, the Baby, the One Who Came,...
by Coracle | Apr 5, 2015 | Liturgical Seasons
Hallelujah! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! With great joy and relief and gladness and hope and thanksgiving we celebrate today the resurrection of our Jesus Christ from the dead! It changed, and changes everything. Glory be to you, Lord Christ! “The good...
by Bill Haley | Mar 30, 2015 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
These past couple of years I’ve had the chance to go a couple of times to the Holy Land. Every place where Jesus was has deep meaning. A couple of places meet me with a special power each time. One of them is the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. It is a place...
by Tara Haley | Dec 22, 2014 | Liturgical Seasons
Soon on Christmas Day we’ll celebrate the climax of the season of Advent. Waiting turns into rejoicing! And yet in these last couple of days of Advent, there is still time to be blessed by one who has a special prominence in the Nativity story, Mary, the mother of...
by Bill Haley | Dec 3, 2014 | Liturgical Seasons
“At the Beginning of Advent” by Bill Haley Father, now comes Advent again, Our response is to pause, and recall, That you sent Jesus, for us and for the world, Your glory unfurled vulnerably sweet, that we might see who You are, and be your body to this suffering...
by Bill Haley | Apr 20, 2014 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Like many of you, most mornings I’m awake before the dawn. Most mornings I get up in the darkness. And while I’m making my coffee, brushing my teeth, sitting in a quiet house reading or praying, or trying bang out as many emails as I can before the kids wake up,...
by Bill Haley | Apr 18, 2014 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
I’ve read this sermon by Jonathan Edwards on “Christ’s Agony” on Good Friday many years. It helps me reflect on what Jesus did for me, and appreciate it all the more, and appreciate his love for me all the more, and love him for it. You’ll find it here and you may...
by Lucas Koach | Mar 21, 2014 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
From dust you come, to dust you shall return (Gen. 3:19). Inspiring words! Does the truth of our finitude provoke inspiration or despair? If you want to be first, be the last. If you want great, be the least. If you want to be rich, give what you have away. If you...
by Coracle | Mar 4, 2014 | Liturgical Seasons
You can read his encouraging and challenging message here. May God give us all a Blessed and Holy and Good Lent…starting tomorrow!
by Bill Haley | Mar 2, 2014 | Liturgical Seasons
Every year I look forward to the liturgical season of Lent for the sober opportunity it provides to take stock of my relationship with God, and take on or put off a few things that are hindering my intimate with God. It feels for the soul like the season it falls...
by Soren Johnson | Dec 23, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
It was a chilly evening in Bethlehem. No snow, but definitely a bitter wind that made you want to seek cover. Not long after graduating from college, I was there. Privileged to attend a Christmas Eve Mass at the 4th century Church of the Nativity, I prayed just a few...
by Coracle | Nov 27, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
by Carol Jackson Appealing: attractive or interesting. synonyms: attractive, engaging, alluring, captivating, tempting, enticing, irresistible, winsome, 2. (of an expression or tone of voice) showing that one wants help or sympathy. “an appealing look”...
by Wade Ballou | May 23, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Two on a journey have an encounter: upon reflection, “weren’t our hearts strangely warmed,” they said. (Luke 24: 13-35) Jesus sending his followers out by twos with instructions not to take anything and with authority over the unclean spirits. They...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
I wasn’t much of a baseball fan until the Nationals arrived in Washington. They just drew me in. Their youth and exuberance were contagious. The broadcasters helped me learn the game and appreciate the stories of individual players. Before I knew it, they were...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
The sermon on Easter morning at the Falls Church Anglican began with a question which pondered why it was that Mary went to the tomb of Jesus that Easter morning. The answer centered on the love Mary had for Jesus, perhaps in response to all Jesus had done for her. I...
by Wade Ballou | Apr 1, 2013 | Liturgical Seasons
My thoughts lingered on the stripping of the altar as the mood in the Maundy Thursday service shifted from Holy Eucharist to Gethsemane. All was cleared: left over bread and wine, communion vessels and fine linens, and candles. These items won’t be needed now....
