" As we read the biographies of our departed brothers around their death dates in chapter, I am moved over and over again by the recurrence of a phenomena: at some point in the life of each brother he heard, he got up, he met a purpose, and he gave himself in a way that served a particular need, provided an essential offering of work and wisdom for the community. For some it was a role in leadership, especially those who brought care and calm in times of turmoil or change. For others it was the realization that their best service was a quiet, steady, behind-the-scenes gift for keeping things going. For all of the variety of stories and personalities, and indeed many struggled and suffered profoundly with their own issues, none of them could have predicted the twists and turns their lives would take within this community or how responding to the monastic vocation in this Order would be a source of stretch and challenge, of joy and consolation. The only assurance was that they had each other and their common commitment to keep getting up together. I think to myself as I hear the biographies, “It’s almost as if he were born for this”. And of course he was. If there are saints in our history, saints among us now, and there are, they did not and do not ask for the title, much less the trials and sacrifices that formed their holiness." . . .

" As Lent gives way to Holy Week and Easter the question we can ponder is how can we die? What of my own attachments can get nailed to the cross with Jesus? What pieces of myself can I toss into the tomb? Can I kindle a bonfire of my own vanities at the Easter Vigil? What space can I clear for resurrection to fill? What seeds can I drop into the ground? And what might spring up from them?" . . . .

"Springsteen’s remarks describe something of the interaction between the Crucified and Glorified Savior and the believer who turns to him entirely wholeheartedly. David Remnick is asking Springsteen about his manner of concert performance in the 70s, to which he replies: “Losing myself was something I was shooting for. I’d had enough of myself by that time to want to lose myself — so I went on stage every night to just kind of do exactly that. Playing is orgiastic. It’s a moment of both incredible self-realization and self-erasure at the same time.". . .

"Jesus comes to our Temple/world with the challenging questions and the listening ears of the young, those on the cusp of adulthood who perceive, perhaps as we cannot, the ever-widening gap between our rhetoric and our realities, both within the church and without. I think of those students from Parkland and from around our country who are rising up to become the ears and the eyes and the voices of conscience to our nation and who cry: “Enough already!”". . .

Who are you following?

"It happens quite often, when speaking about prayer, that an associate, or a student, or a directee, or a guest will say something like: “I’m so busy, that I can’t find time to just sit and pray. But, I mean, I talk to God all the time. I talk to God while I’m working, while I’m exercising, while washing dishes.” Etcetera. My response is always the same: “That’s great that you talk to God all the time, but think about this. If to a loved one (spouse, child, close friend, etc.) all you do is to say: ‘I would love to spend time talking to you, but I’m so busy. Let’s talk while I’m working, while I’m exercising, while I’m washing dishes.” But you never stop, set time apart to just be with that loved one. What would that do to the relationship?". . .

"He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them."Mark 1:31

"When you know yourself, then you will be known, and you will know that you are the children of the Living One. If you do not know yourselves, you live in poverty, and you are poverty."

"Today, I ask ourselves: What is God’s desire for us? How are we resisting that desire? Can we ask God to tip us over into His desire? Can we pray that? When He calls, can we answer “I’ll be out in a minute!” -- rather than in 2 years, in 5 years, whenever my conditions have been met.". . .

"We have heard the phrase “created in the image and likeness of God” so often that we don’t appreciate what it says about us. Our family of origin is divine. We were created by a loving God to be love in the world. Our core is not original sin, but original blessing. Good theology cannot make up for negative anthropology. From God’s side, we are always known and loved subject to subject, just as the persons of the Trinity know and love one another. We are never an object to God. Yet, like Samuel, all too often we are sleeping, not fully sensing the divinity around us or within us. Our hearts, minds, and souls are dulled so that we can spend our lives in the temple, but never hear or recognize God’s call.". . .