We believe passionately that God has given us a mission: to draw others to know and experience in their lives the love of God in Christ. Sharing this “Good News” is at the center of our call and our life. In our chapels and retreat houses, and our online teachings, we hope to offer a still point in the midst of the chaos of contemporary life. We hope that as you explore these pages, you’ll find “Good News” that will help you live authentically, responsive to God’s call of love.
Normal worship schedule resumes August 28
The normal worship schedule at the monastery in Cambridge resumes on Tuesday, August 28. Please join us on Tuesday, September 5, for our “First Tuesday Supper” following the 5:30 pm Eucharist.
Read MoreThe Gift of Laughter – Br. James Koester
Church of Saint Mary and Saint John, Cowley Philippians 2:1 – 18 Matthew 15: 21 – 28 I want first of all to express my gratitude for the invitation for us to be here today. As you know my brothers and I are members of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, known better here…
Read MoreThistle Theology – Br. Jim Woodrum
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIsaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Our gospel lesson for today made me recall what I remember as the very first theological conundrum of my childhood. I was probably 7 or 8 years old, it was summertime, and my Mom had admonished me to go outside and play. …
Read MoreOnly Believe – Br. Lucas Hall
John 20:11-18 Feast of Mary Magdalene Throughout the gospels, Jesus comes again and again with a simple message: do not be afraid. Sometimes he says this himself, and sometimes he sends a messenger. At his conception, the angel said to the Virgin Mary, “Do not be afraid.”1 At his birth, the angels announced to the…
Read MoreWoe to you – Br. David Vryhof
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMatthew 11:20-24 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” I doubt there are many preachers who would clamor to preach on the…
Read MoreWild Love – Br. Luke Ditewig
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadGenesis 25:19-34 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 The vegetable garden at Emery House is flourishing as we partner with Nourishing the North Shore. With our land and water, they labor to grow, harvest, and distribute vegetables, mostly to neighbors in need. They carefully prepared the soil, made plans, and planted precise…
Read MoreDo Not Fear! – Br. Jim Woodrum
Matthew 10:24-33 On August 20, 1965, Jonathan Myrick Daniels, an episcopal seminarian did an amazing thing. When confronted by a white man with a 12 gauge shot gun, Jonathan jumped in front of 16 year old Ruby Sales, an African American woman from Alabama, and absorbed the bullet meant for her at point blank range. …
Read MoreInvited to Weakness – Br. Lucas Hall
Luke 19:1-10 Our world paints weakness in a very bad light. It’s seen as something to be exploited, or mocked, or—at best—pitied. But today’s Gospel reading flips that script. I think this passage is a very clear example of the necessity of weakness with Christ. Zacchaeus was the chief tax-collector in Jericho. He was a…
Read MoreA Three Alarm Day – Br. James Koester
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadZechariah 9: 9 -12 Psalm 145: 8-15 Romans 7: 15 – 25a Matthew 11: 16 – 19, 25 – 30 When I was in seminary, one of my professors frequently spoke of alarms bells. He’d be in the middle of his lecture, or answering a question, or making a…
Read MoreWhat’s My Motivation? – Br. Keith Nelson
Matthew 9:14-17 As a high school actor I was initiated into the fundamentals of method acting. Later in life, that experience was put to the test when I myself began teaching high school and was unexpectedly asked to direct student theater. The method actor asks the classic question, “What’s my motivation?” The director of method…
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