“There is for each of us a moment of encounter that, whether all at once or over the course of many years, changes who we imagine ourselves to be and who we imagine God to be. And while there are surely many other kinds of encounter along the spiritual road, Andrew’s story reminds us that our encounters with God will generally come to us through secondary causes—that is, in the concrete, flesh-and-blood lives of Image-bearing humanity. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Br. Sean Glenn invites us to remember with thanksgiving all those human feet who have brought us good news.

“We see Jesus reigning not from a throne in glory with majesty, but rather from a tree that has been cut and hewn into a device of torture meant for criminals. This is the good shepherd sent by God, the righteous Branch executing justice and righteousness in the land. This is Jesus, who Paul claims is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” On the feast of Christ the King, Br. Jim Woodrum marvels at the restoration our King brings, as we begin to see the divine image in ourselves.

“Since the beginning of the Christian Church, women and men of faith have suffered death at the hands of others, not as a sign of surrender, or defeat, but as a witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Like the Maccabeans, by their death, the martyrs declare that they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.” Why should we care about the Maccabeans? Br. James Koester unfolds the pattern they cast for people of faith.

“I felt broken. I felt destroyed. I felt like a demolished city, burnt to the ground. And it was horrifying. And it was good. Because the abject admission of weakness and vulnerability I encountered in this experience was the great clearing of the brush, the great pouring out of old and perishing things. I was shattered, and I was made new.” Br. Lucas Hall reflects on his own experience of conversion to cast light on the new life that can come with the destruction of false idols.

“As Christians it is important for us to be aware that the way in which we have catalogued our library of sacred texts is not an accident or by happenstance. It is on purpose. By doing it the way we have done, we are declaring, not only our expectation of the coming of the Saviour, but our proclamation that the Saviour has come, in the person of Jesus Christ.” Br. James Koester reveals the distinct purpose in the way our sacred texts have been catalogued.

“In your prayer, you may just also catch sight of an even deeper mystery. That the one you are seeking is also seeking you. That in his eyes, you are the pearl of great price, for whom he is prepared to give all.” Br. Geoffrey Tristram marvels at the many-layered meanings and invitations of the pearl of great price.

“Do you feel powerless in some ways? Perfect! You’re in a perfect place to receive Jesus’ resurrection power now.” From Br. Curtis Almquist, an uplifting sermon on heaven, resurrection power, and God's glory.

“Truly, the Kingdom of God is now or never, because God’s invitation is always offered within this very moment. In this sense, abiding in the Kingdom of God doesn’t have any reality in the past or the future. Here and now is when the choice is made to accept God’s invitation to the Great Banquet, dwelling in the eternal life of this eternal moment.” Br. Nicholas Bartoli invites us to dwell in that place of willingness and humility where we will remember who we truly are: a child of Christ’s Light, already sitting at the Heavenly Banquet.

“Do you feel or have you ever felt that God is distant, uncaring, unhearing, without respect or shame, refusing. Has prayer felt like repetitive knocking or finger pointing to one who doesn’t seem to care? Sometimes life is so hard that we conclude God is unjust, uncaring or not powerful.” Br. Luke Ditewig offers encouragement for praying when it's hard, when we're tempted to lose heart.

“What is the body for? To a culture than prizes physical strength, beauty, and perfection while creating nearly religious burdens around our body size, exercise, eating, and sexual habits, Ignatius asks: what is the body for?” Br. Sean Glenn finds unexpected wisdom for our moment's body-preoccupied culture in the witness of Saint Ignatius of Antioch.