The month of November has been hallowed by time, tradition and practice as the month in which we pay special reverence to the saints and, of course, to our beloved dead. In our own Cistercian tradition in Ireland we will celebrate, within a few short days, the Solemnity of All Saints (1st November), the Feast of All the Saints of Ireland (6th November), and the Feast of All the Saints who followed the Rule of Saint Benedict (13th November).
Author Archives: Bethlehem Abbey
Mark 7:24 – 30 – A Scrappy Encounter
One of the striking things about all four Gospel accounts is the place and role given to women in their relationships with Jesus and how he meets them and engages with them. It was certainly a counter-cultural way of behaving, in that it is obvious that Jesus gave space to women to become real protagonists with him.
Silence
If there is anything in the popular imagination that is associated with the monastic and contemplative life it is probably silence. But the type of silence which people imagine reigns in monasteries and hermitages is really only a very pale reflection of reality…
Vocation – How Do We Get There?
Fr Michael Casey ocso, a monk of the Cistercian community at Tarrawarra outside Melbourne in Australia, has enjoyed a distinguished career as writer, commentator, teacher, and above all, monk, which has embraced the span of his adult, and therefore monastic life. It’s not simply that Fr Michael can be said to be well and widely read…
Mark 7:14 – 23 – A Personal Examen
In these few verses Mark draws what appears to be a particular conclusion from Jesus’ teachings, but uses it to bring us to a very deep place, a place of specific personal reflection. What comes from within us and what work must we do if what we bring forth is at variance with the Gospel, or spiritually unhealthy, or morally unacceptable.
Mark 7:1-13 – Letter and Spirit
Jesus confronts the tension which can arise between being too observant and being too lax – our understanding of what law is helps us to accept and live the new law of the Gospel.
Sunday 4th October – Retreat Sunday and Day for Life
It seems that moral decline is continuing at pace in the Republic of Ireland. Having dismissed the dignity of the unborn child in the womb and equated same sex relationships with marriage it should not take us by surprise that elected representatives now have their sights set on legislation which would…
Obedience – Joyfully Counter-Cultural
Obedience is indistinguishable from religious life because religious life is always about the imitation of Christ – and Christ is the one who comes not to do his own will but the will of Him who sent him (see John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, and many other moments throughout John’s Gospel).
Mark 6:53-56 – They Recognised Him
The extraordinary events which have taken place on the water and the disciples incredulity is immediately left behind when the little boat reaches the far side, at Gennesaret, and ties up. These few verses, while in themselves providing just a simple narrative conclusion to the larger section and a link to the next section, still invite us with a serious question…
Retreat Sunday – 6th September – The Way of the Cross
The month of September is dominated by the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on Monday 14th. Today, for your retreat Sunday, we would like to offer a series of meditations on the Cross, specifically the devotion known as The Way of the Cross. The Cross is…
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone 