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Showing posts from January, 2016

John the Baptist: a homily delivered on the Sunday after Theophany

By Brother Luke Malachi 3:20-4; Ephesians 5:8-20; John 1:19-34             Who left the coffee cup on the window sill? What? Not me!             Who left the dog poop out on the lawn? What? Not me!             Who left the light on in the mud room? What? Not me!             Who left the light on in the dog run? What? Not me!             Who took the library book out without checking it out? What? Not me!             Anybody know where the car keys are?  What? Not me!             Now these are all very small matters. And the answers may all be true. We joke about this in our house and sometimes say: “Well, it must be the 13th monk!” Of course, there is no 13th monk. In the Gospel of John, the story of Jesus Christ does not begin with the birth in a manger but rather with John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. And as we heard in this morning’s gospel passage, John the Baptist is busy denying many things more weighty than those I just mentioned.

On the Road at Emmaus House

New Skete Guesthouse Improvements Under Way by Brother Gregory One year ago, in an effort to continue the tradition of hospitality already well established by the Companions of New Skete, the Monks determined that they would continue to use Emmaus House to welcome visitors. The response has been overwhelmingly positive from those seeking to renew their relationship with God and neighbor, and to spend some quiet time in reflection.  Some visitors came with sadness, some with joy, some as part of a planned group retreat or seminar or individual spiritual retreat, and some to catch up on their relationship with the monks and nuns. We even had a professional photographer use the house for her “Seeing with New Eyes” photography retreat. Her attendees enjoyed the experience so much that she has booked two more retreats here in 2016.  All who have stayed at Emmaus House left as friends of New Skete. It is apparent that New Skete’s Emmaus House has a future.  It fulfills our monastic