The Call to Monasticism is all About Relationships The monastic vocation is a special calling from God that is all about relationships. It is a relationship that involves community (the monastic brotherhood), but primarily revolves around the monk’s relationship with God. Monks are not holy men who are living lives
Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery Church How can we possibly love everyone? We are instructed by Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. There are always individuals who come into our lives that we find difficult to like, let alone love. Given this,
Young Adult Retreat at the Monastery The Bible can only be understood through the Church, for the Holy Scriptures came forth from the Church. The reformers dumped the papacy only to replace that institution with themselves as the ultimate authority. Since reason and logic ruled, there was no room for
One Who Hates his Brother is a Murderer The scriptures tell us that one who hates his brother is a murderer. In the Our Father we pray that God will forgive us our trespasses (debts) just as we forgive those who trespass against us. If we do not forgive those
The enemy are not armies, but demons Many people are convinced we are living in the end times. They look to changes in the earth’s climate, ever more disastrous storms and the failing economy, as well as the political upheaval in our land, as signs of the end times. Coupled
With Peace of Heart Disappointments are Meaningless We often find ourselves disappointed in life. The job we really wanted is given to another person. An associate at work doesn’t invite us to the dinner party, yet invited a coworker and his wife. A person we’d love to have as a friend
We must strive for inner peace through meekness, kindness towards others, and gentleness of heart. Inner peace in a world of torment and sadness brings joy to our hearts, and joy to those around us. If we have inner peace, we can change the world. With love in Christ, Abbot
Visiting with our friend Archbishop Lukas() What We Believe does Matter As our society has become more pluralistic, it has been easy for some to fall into the error of believing that it ultimately does not matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere. Just as we have
A tugboat in Quarter Master Harbor near the Monastery () Do unto others as you would have done unto you. It is a terrible temptation to wish our enemies destruction. Our Lord instructs us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us or persecute us.
Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth We have moved from a period in which little Samuel said, “speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,” to one in which we now say, “Listen, Lord, for they servant speaketh.” Our American culture has become so enamored, even consumed, with the importance of “self”