“Death cannot kill the love which binds us together with our departed loved ones in a bond and a communion which transcends time and space. For it is ultimately the unbreakable bond of love which lifts us above both time and space, and into the very life of God.” On All Souls Day, Br. Geoffrey Tristram celebrates the communion that links us with those we love, even after death.

“For the Christian, the resurrection of Jesus challenges the notion that death is the ultimate disaster, for in Jesus, life is changed, not ended, and death becomes not the end, but a door, not a wall, but a gate, not the end, but a new beginning.” On All Souls Day, Br. James Koester celebrates the audacious, bold truth that Christians claim even in the face of death's reality: that the dead are raised to life.

“What makes for a powerful encounter with God? Power filled life-altering encounters with God.  Do you long to experience that kind of power? I’ll confess, I find myself mixed with awe and wonder, as well as doubt and a fear of disappointment.  And I wonder what this does when and if I approach God in prayer.” Br. Todd Blackham looks to the examples of Job and Bartimaeus for a lesson in that posture of hopeful persistence with which we are to seek out encounters with the living God.

“Inspired by Saint James' holiness of life, his wise leadership of the Church, and the courage with which he faced a martyr’s death, we reflect today on our own role as witnesses of the Gospel of Christ in our own age, and pray that we may be found as faithful as he was.” Br. David Vryhof celebrates the witness of Saint James of Jerusalem on his feast day.

“God’s kingdom reorders relationships and creates one community where all belong. Where does “the sword of Jesus’ good news” pierce you today?” Br. Luke Ditewig urges us to listen as Jesus speaks, inviting radical change.

“Frideswide, is perhaps an odd saint for us to commemorate, but it is her connection as patron saint of Oxford that places her in our calendar, and in our windows. Her legend is quite fantastic, at least to modern ears. It involves virgins, royalty, attempted seductions, near escapes, vows, miracles, and holy wells. In other words, the works. But beneath the legend, is a story of dedication, devotion, mercy, and healing.” Br. James Koester honors a surprising saint, who was a meaningful connection to SSJE and a message about our universal human needs.

“Worldly weakness, not worldly strength, enables us to encounter God. The structures of human hierarchy, whether social, economic, political, sexual, or religious, are worldly things, passing away, because it is the universal order established by God, and that has its being in God, that persists eternally. By rejecting worldly power and ambition, we may be open to the guidance of God’s Spirit, and be led to encounter God face-to-face in the person of Christ.”

On the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, Br. Lucas Hall celebrates the message underpinning Luke's Gospel: that God can do wonders with our weakness.

“God is always present in the midst of conflict. That is really good news. God does not go away when people are angry at one another. There is always room for prayer no matter how much anger is in your heart or in the air. But please do not take my word for it, try it for yourself. Try praying for someone who really bothers you.” Br. Jack Crowley finds in the Gospel scene of conflict between Jesus and the "sons of thunder" a hopeful message – and a helpful practice – for all of us struggling with conflict in our relationships.

“'Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit…' I can still remember stumbling across this Gospel passage when I was a young boy. Yikes. It nearly frightened me to death. For several years of my young life I lived in a kind terror that I would accidentally blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and go straight to hell.” Br. Curtis Almquist tackles a thorny passage from Jesus' teachings and discovers grace waiting in the questions.

“Whatever we pray, in whatever capacity, is ultimately a response to something already initiated by God in the depths of our hearts. To know this—as Teresa knew—is to rest in the faith that, whether we feel anything or not, God has already initiated something within us whenever we pray.” On the Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila, Br. Sean Glenn ponders the true meaning – and source – of prayer.