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.
Embodied Love – Br. Luke Ditewig
“Being human is amazing. Remember the wonder of our breath, every movement we make, our capacity for imagination and discovery, for being playful and creative. Remember how skin and other organs work to protect from and then restore after injury. Remember the healing power of touch, listening, tears, and laughter.”
As we marvel at the mystery of “Word made flesh,” Br. Luke Ditewig invites us to embrace the joys of being human, even amidst the challenges, even right now.
Read MorePiercing the Darkness – Br. James Koester
“Like Mary and Joseph, we live in a particularly dark world, filled with uncertainty, anxiety, fear and even resentment. Decisions made hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, have a direct and immediate impact on our lives. Suddenly, a decision made far away, throws our life into turmoil and chaos, and we find ourselves where we would never have imagined, less than 12 months ago. And into the darkness of our life comes a beam of light, as precise as a laser, piercing the darkness of the world, and illuminating the face of a tiny, helpless baby.”
In a year none of us wanted or planned, Br. James Koester invites us to hear still the promise of Christmas.
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The Lamp of Imagination & the Womb of Faith – Br. Keith Nelson
“The symbiosis of imagination and faith is the fuel that is keeping my lamp lit in the darkness. Imagination and faith also are at the heart of the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas. So I lift my lamp and walk a little further.”
Br. Keith Nelson takes us one step closer to Christmas in the company of those two women who shared a vivid, tender, visionary Visitation.
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I Will Make You A House – Br. Sean Glenn
“God does not need our repentance. Repentance is not something we do for God. Repentance is, in the end, more about making room to see what God has been doing and will do for us. God alone can give us grace, at last, to say ‘be it unto me according to you word.’”
Br. Sean Glenn wanders the Advent wilderness and sights in the near distance the miracle of Christmas, with its gift of God’s own self.
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Christmastide at the Monastery, 2020-21
Tuesday, December 22 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist Wednesday, December 23 6:00 pm Evensong Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve 6:00 pm Evensong of Christmas Eve 9:30 pm Musical Prelude 10:00 pm Holy Eucharist of Christmas Eve Friday, December 25 Christmas Day 5:00 pm Evensong of…
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Life and Lineage – Br. Lucas Hall
“God’s will is done, even in the midst of the failings of human expectations. So we’re challenged: we should not become reliant on simply expecting the Christ we know. And we’re comforted: we should not become reliant on images of ourselves that degrade and dismiss.”
Br. Lucas Hall discovers freedom in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ.
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Making Room—Allow Christ to be Reborn in you this Christmas
Dear Friends, Br. Lucas will be giving an address to the National Cathedral in Washington via Zoom as a part of their Advent series, we invite you to join tonight. Register Here.
Read MoreJesus Heals – Br. Jack Crowley
https://www.ssje.org/4.audio/2020/121620_jc.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: RSS Luke 7:19-23 Jesus heals. Jesus heals so often, so many, and so much, that it is easy to forget about. If you stick your finger in a random page in the Gospel, chances are your finger is close to healing. Our Gospel today features yet…
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I have seen God face to face and yet I live – Br. Geoffrey Tristram
“I personally recognize these past months of pandemic as an experience of the wilderness such as they describe. Maybe you do too. I know what it is like to have familiar landmarks taken away; to lose one’s moorings. One day merging into the next, and for how long? It’s too much; how long can I keep on going? And yet, I too have seen new things. The Spirit I believe has opened my eyes in new ways.”
Br. Geoffrey Tristram invites us, like the seers before us, to consider the gifts of our time in the wilderness.
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Progress to God – Br. James Koester
“A monastic priesthood is one rooted preeminently in baptism. As a priest, your ministry will be to call us all to live more authentically our baptismal vocations.And you are to do that Luke, from your place within the circle of the community.”
Br. James Koester preaches on the joyful event of Br. Luke Ditewig’s ordination to the priesthood.
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