“We accept the gift of perfect freedom when we surrender everything to God, exchanging willfulness for willingness in union with Christ. From this place of surrender and servanthood, we see that what appears to be choices in human terms, choices made by God, ourselves, and others, are ultimately just the unfolding of God in the world.” Br. Nicholas Bartoli shares his own personal experience of realizing that true freedom is to be found only in surrender, the perfect freedom of being God's humble servant.

“As followers of Jesus, and as his sisters and brothers born of God we must not, in these challenging times, let our love grow cold or allow our commitment to prayer and service slacken. May we be brought to urgently desire the fulness of Jesus’ peace and the glory of his resurrection already at work within us!” For all those of us missing participation in the Sacraments, Br. Jonathan Maury encourages reflection on our participation in Christ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

“God’s love surrounds you on every side and in every circumstance of life, and that love can never fail, or be taken from you.  You are loved unconditionally, now and forever.  Abide in that love, draw strength from it every day, rest in it every night.  Whatever you’re going through right now, of this you can be sure: you are deeply loved by God, and always will be. God will never forsake you.” In these times of trial, Br. David Vryhof encourages us to draw on Christ's strength, trust in his power, claim his steadfastness, and embrace his promise of life.

“You are a seasoned traveler in life. Undoubtedly you have been on uncharted territory before. And God has been with you and is with you. Recollect your life, which will inspire confidence in the present and hope for the future. This is a way of 'praying your life.'” During this season of staying home, Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to remember our travels through life.

“The life we have been given is now. Where Christ will be really present is in the real present, in the now, right now, wherever and however we are. Our life will indeed come to an end, if not today, someday, maybe soon. Live today as if this were your last day. It could be.” Br. Curtis Almquist takes Saint Paul’s words and overlays them on our own Coronavirus circumstances, to find some good counsel for life together during our own conflicted time.

“The Spirit teaches us to pray in Jesus’ name, training us to love what Jesus loves and desire what Jesus desires—sometimes to the detriment of our own private desires, ambitions, or assumptions. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with the hopes that God will refine our desires.” Br. Sean Glenn takes up Jesus' "vexing consolation," which promises, "If in my name you ask for anything, I will do it."

“What strikes me today about Julian, is that in the midst of a world filled with such grief, loss, death, and uncertainty, she could write with so much confidence about the mercy, grace, and love of God. In the midst of her own illness, the Great Famine, the Black Death, and so much political and religious turmoil, she could still write all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Br. James Koester echoes Lady Julian of Norwich's powerful words, spoken across the centuries, from one time of pandemic to another.

“The winter has been destroyed. Death has been conquered. As the leaves and flowers burst forth, so Jesus burst forth from the tomb. ‘Behold I make all things new!’  There are so many reasons right now in our world why our own hearts might feel frozen or wintry: anxiety, restlessness, uncertainty, loneliness, grief. Yet the Risen Lord is longing to draw near to us, and to draw us ever closer to the fire of his love.” Br. Geoffrey Tristram points our hearts toward Spring.

“Jesus does not desire to enter your heart by means of force, deceit, or for hope of his own gain. Jesus desire is for intimate relationship with his beloved. Jesus is calling your name with the hope of gaining your trust for the invitation to enter.” Br. Jim Woodrum tunes our hearts to hear the Good Shepherd calling us by name.

“The love which John's gospel portrays and Jesus commands, is not a sweet, sentimental, romantic love. It is a love which we know propels and compels Jesus to the cross. It is a love which is self-giving, self-offering, and self-denying.” In these times of isolation and quarantine, Br. James Koester suggests how we follow Jesus in self-denying love, even as our arms ache to embrace those we love.