Br. Luke Ditewig Ascension Day Luke 24:44-53 Gathered together, the disciples and friends are amazed Jesus had appeared to Peter. The two who walked to Emmaus just returned and told of meeting Jesus in breaking bread. As they speak, Jesus stands among the gathering. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says. “Look, it’s me. Look at my hands and my feet. Reme…

1 John 5:1-13 “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry’s famous words take on extra resonance these days, as we begin celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation …and as we’ve got an administration who is actively redefining long-held norms of American freedom and liberty. Yep, guys, we’re diving right in…what does it …

Br. Jack Crowley John 10:22-30 How long will you keep us in suspense? Of all the questions Jesus was asked in his life, this is one of my favorites. How long will you keep us in suspense? Despite all of Jesus’ miracles, teachings, healings, and feedings, people kept wanting more from Jesus. People kept wanting more signs and more explanations. No m…

Br. Jack Crowley John 10:22-30 How long will you keep us in suspense? Of all the questions Jesus was asked in his life, this is one of my favorites. How long will you keep us in suspense? Despite all of Jesus’ miracles, teachings, healings, and feedings, people kept wanting more from Jesus. People kept wanting more signs and more explanations. No m…

Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30 Whatever your feelings about it may be, sheep-and-shepherd imagery is an inescapable facet of Christian tradition, which finds its roots in scripture. This body of imagery plays a prominent role in the Christian imaginary – imaginary used as a noun, rather than an adjective. One literary scholar defines an i…

Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30 Whatever your feelings about it may be, sheep-and-shepherd imagery is an inescapable facet of Christian tradition, which finds its roots in scripture. This body of imagery plays a prominent role in the Christian imaginary – imaginary used as a noun, rather than an adjective. One literary scholar defines an i…

Br. Luke Ditewig John 6:41-51 We usually serve homemade bread at both altar and supper table. One guest told me: “Your bread is substantial and satisfying. Here at the monastery, I’ve experienced Jesus as substantial and satisfying.” Bread is ordinary, daily, necessary nourishment, and a key symbol in our salvation story. God provided ancient Israe…

Br. Luke Ditewig John 6:41-51 We usually serve homemade bread at both altar and supper table. One guest told me: “Your bread is substantial and satisfying. Here at the monastery, I’ve experienced Jesus as substantial and satisfying.” Bread is ordinary, daily, necessary nourishment, and a key symbol in our salvation story. God provided ancient Israe…

Julian of Norwich Psalm 27:1-9 “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Ps 27:5-6) The psalmist’s words take on special resonance today, the feast of the English anchoress, mystic, and theologian Ju…

Julian of Norwich Psalm 27:1-9 “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Ps 27:5-6) The psalmist’s words take on special resonance today, the feast of the English anchoress, mystic, and theologian Ju…

Br. Lucas Hall John 6:25-40 We hear, in today’s Gospel reading, a claim that is at once familiar and bizarre. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” If you’ve been going to church long enough, it’s easy to gloss over this language. It’s all just so bible-y. But we should…

Br. Lucas Hall John 6:25-40 We hear, in today’s Gospel reading, a claim that is at once familiar and bizarre. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” If you’ve been going to church long enough, it’s easy to gloss over this language. It’s all just so bible-y. But we should…

Br. Jack Crowley John 21:1-19 One Friday afternoon many years ago, my boss called me into his office. Of course, immediately I thought I was being fired! I had only been working at this school for a few weeks, and on that particular week, I had made a minor mistake. It was such a minor mistake that I honestly don’t even remember what it was, but wh…

Br. Jack Crowley John 21:1-19 One Friday afternoon many years ago, my boss called me into his office. Of course, immediately I thought I was being fired! I had only been working at this school for a few weeks, and on that particular week, I had made a minor mistake. It was such a minor mistake that I honestly don’t even remember what it was, but wh…

1 John 5:1-13 “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry’s famous words take on extra resonance these days, as we begin celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation …and as we’ve got an administration who is actively redefining long-held norms of American freedom and liberty. Yep, guys, we’re diving right in…what does it …

Mark 16:15-20 Have you ever had the experience of speaking with another follower of Jesus from a different tradition within the church, with whom you could not agree? Yes, of course you have. So have I – many times! This is an incredibly common experience between people who nonetheless all claim Jesus as their teacher and savior, especially in the …

Mark 16:15-20 Have you ever had the experience of speaking with another follower of Jesus from a different tradition within the church, with whom you could not agree? Yes, of course you have. So have I – many times! This is an incredibly common experience between people who nonetheless all claim Jesus as their teacher and savior, especially in the …

John 20:19-31 “This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow! … now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen!”[i] Perhaps you sing this with confidence. If so, give thanks! Perhaps you find this hard to sing because life still feels full of sin and sorrow. Triumph or “death’s flood hath lost its chill” doesn’t ring true. Death and cruelty, sickness and …

John 20:19-31 “This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow! … now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen!”[i] Perhaps you sing this with confidence. If so, give thanks! Perhaps you find this hard to sing because life still feels full of sin and sorrow. Triumph or “death’s flood hath lost its chill” doesn’t ring true. Death and cruelty, sickness and …

Acts 4:13-21 Mark 16:9-15, 20 For the past few days, we’ve been making our way piece by piece through a single story from the book of Acts – the story of Peter and John healing a lame man in the temple courtyard. Each installation of the story has been paired with gospel accounts of post-resurrection visits from Jesus. Oftentimes during a worship s…