February 16, 2025 Luke 6:17-26 Lynne Smith, OSB I admit to feeling uncomfortable when I read this passage. I think I am more like those described in the woes than the blessings. I notice that those who are blessed are vulnerable, needy and rejected. I don’t want to be poor, destitute, rejected or have needs I can’t full myself. Matthew spiritualizes the Beatitudes, but not Luke. Jesus is speaking to his followers who are truly poor, outcast and needy. Isn’t there another way, I wonder? Several details in this reading catch my attention. First of all, Jesus …
Colleen Hartung’s Homily from Feb. 9, 2025
The Solemnity of Scholastica – Who are my mother, my brothers, my sisters?February 9, 2025 Today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark has always seemed harsh to me; an unfair judgement and rejection of family and friends doing their best to look out for someone they love. In some interpretations of this Gospel, Jesus’ family has come to speak to him and, perhaps, bring him home. They are worried; his teachings – the stand he has taken for the outcast, the poor, the sick, the lame, and even sinners, has caused a stir and upset religious and political authorities. Jesus’ …
January immersion concludes, new journeys begin
Submitted by Kathleen Owens, Manager of Clergy Programming and Communications for the Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR) On Wednesday, Jan. 29th, the January immersion for our fifth cohort of pastors concluded. As we gathered for midday prayer following the conclusion of the immersion time, the psalm we read was 126, which says in part: God brings us back to Zion, we are like dreamers, laughing, dancing, with songs on our lips. God, bring us back as water to thirsty land. Those sowing in tears reap, singing and laughing. This is yet another time when the Psalm that comes in daily …
Retreats as medicine
By Erin Trondson, Executive Director I have been thinking a lot about the meaning of retreat. The Oxford dictionary offers us the definition: a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax and a period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation. There is evidence of religious retreats that date back to the third century, and yet when I say I am going on retreat to my family or friends, they often tilt their head to the side and confusion clouds their expression. How can this gift be so unknown during a time when it …
Rev. Winton Boyd’s Homily from Jan. 26, 2025
Luke 4:14-21 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed …
Benedictine Values and Gender Identity
At Holy Wisdom Monastery, we acknowledge that there are more than two genders. This is and has been true across the world and throughout history. Everyone experiences life differently and brings with them diverse and unique perspectives and traits that we value. Transgender, nonbinary and people of all genders are welcome here for who they are. In difficult times, part of how we can practice Benedictine values is by leaning in to community and deepening our relationships with each other. If we want to see people for who they truly are, we must learn how they see themselves rather than …
2025 Lake Sediments Depths
Paul Slota, Howard Fenton and David Liebl, 1/15/2025 On January 15, Howard and I measured the lake depth and sediment layer at 6 locations on Lost Lake. We followed the plan developed by the Monitoring Committee (attached). The conditions were sunny with temperatures in single digits rising into the teens. The ice depth was about 6in with about ½ inch of snow covering the lake. The day was scheduled to coincide with a Wisdom Prairie workday adjacent to the lake as an added safety precaution. The lake has two drainage culverts that allow surface runoff and sediment to enter the …
Paul Knitter’s Homily from Jan. 12, 2025
You Are My BelovedJan 12, 2025 – The Baptism of JesusLuke 3:15-17, 21-22 Let us proceed now to break bread together and to remember who Jesus is and who we are. Paul Knitter
New books in the library—January 2025
Enrich your mind and spirit—visit the monastery library! January 2025 The monastery library added the following books to its collection: Armstrong, Karen. Sacred nature. New York: Alfred Knopf, 2022. Brink, Laurie. The Heavens are telling the glory of God. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2022. Delio, Illia. The Not-Yet God. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2023. Johnson, Elizabeth. Come, have breakfast. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2024. O’Murchu, Diarmuid. Ecological spirituality. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2024. Oliver, Mary. Devotions. New York: Penguin Press, 2017. Potos, Andrea. Her joy becomes. Newberg, OR: Fernwood Press, 2002. Potos, Andrea. Marrow of summer. American Fork, UT: Kelsay …
Leora Weitzman’s Homily for Dec. 8, 2024
2nd Sun in Advent • Malachi 3:1–4 • Philippians 1:3–11 • Luke 3:1–6 • 12/8/24 Where I grew up in California, the mountains were glorious. Intriguingly crooked mountain roads went winding between spectacular rocky heights and wooded valleys that seemed to offer endless solace. So, I’ve struggled with this quotation; it conjures images of leveling tracts for malls and parking lots where craggy forests and high, hidden lakes once freshened the air and spoke of awe and adventure. Yet awe and adventure are afoot in these readings. The Holy One who delights us is on the way. We are to …