“What do we make of a story like this that describes a theophany so extraordinary, so spectacular, so dazzling, so supernatural, that it defies logic.  The whole experience lies so far beyond anything any of us has or ever will see or know, it is almost impossible to imagine. For a few brief moments, the veil is lifted and the disciples see the radiant glory of God beaming from the person of Jesus.” On the feast of the Transfiguration, Br. David Vryhof encourages us to allow ourselves to be transformed by the glory of God, and to reflect that glory into the world.

“God’s revelation to us will be a kind of synergy between what is going on with a very old scriptural story, and what is going on today in our own heart and imagination. And that creates a whole new story.” Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to approach the Scriptures as a window through which to experience life today from a new perspective: God's perspective.

“What was it like to grow up with Jesus as an older brother? Did Jesus seem withdrawn? Did he seem brilliant? Was he weird? We don’t know.” Br. Curtis Almquist imagines his way into Jesus' family system from multiple perspectives in this engaging take on Jesus' full humanity.

“Friendship, then, is not just a sharing of idiosyncrasies or a catalogue of commonalities. Friendship is a training of our affections, an opening of our hearts, and an expanding of our capacity to love. Friendship invites us to love more and more—indeed, to love all—because we have come to love the fulness of our friends. And the more we love, the more we become like Christ.” On the feast of Father Benson, Br. Lain Wilson celebrates how friendship transforms us.

“Our longing for intimacy is often hindered by the fear of judgment, dismissal, and rejection. To cultivate intimacy with our neighbors, it is crucial to establish a safe space where difficult conversations can unfold in the light of God’s grace.” Br. Jim Woodrum invites us to stand in and return Jesus' adoring gaze, allowing ourselves to know Jesus as we are fully known.

“From the very start, Jesus consistently bequeathed dignity and showed the warmest welcome to the widest cast of people, not just to kindred spirits, not just to those with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but also to those among the least, and the last, and the lost. Lepers come in many forms, and Jesus was at home with everyone.” Br. Curtis Almquist reflects on the way that Jesus calls us to love: both those to whom our hearts are tender and those to whom are hearts are hardened.

“It is only in true friendship that we can know and be known in ways that heal our sorrows and multiply our joys. Such friendship takes hard work and a level of emotional commitment not found solely on a keyboard. While a computer may help to nurture such a friendship over time and long distances, it cannot replace the face – time that true friendship requires to survive and thrive.” Along with Aelred of Rievaulx, Br. James Koester marvels at the "medicine" that true friendship is, in our life and in our life with God.

“Like Jesus, we know our lives are going to be filled with interruptions. We know from the second we wake up in the morning to the moment we fall asleep, things will never be going exactly according to plan.” Br. Jack Crowley studies Jesus, the master teacher, for a model of how we are to handle the interruptions that populate our lives.

“Jesus’ being “the way” may give you enormous help and hope as you try to keep finding your own way in life. Life is not going to be what you thought. Your life script will keep changing. And you will probably go through seasons of life where you are overwhelmed and feel lost: having lost your bearings, lost your direction, lost your meaning, maybe lost your hope.”

Br. Curtis Almquist offers the comfort of knowing that Jesus is with us all the way, really.

“Jesus came and is for all of us, in the diversity and messiness of our stories. No one is beyond reach of God’s saving power. Pay attention for surprising grace in unlikely people and places.”

Br. Luke Ditewig marvels at all the mediums our Divine Maker uses to reveal expansive love.