starting the year off right: reflections on epiphany

12Jan09

The calendar year opens with the Christian feast of Epiphany: oft celebrated as the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles–a commemoration of the Magi’s recognition (and therefore worship) of the child as Divine. Beyond belting out strains of “We Three Kings” at Christmas, as a child Epiphany served as a form of ‘shock and awe’ [...]

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the ‘blessed’ poor

12Jan09

My uncle is in the process of becoming a Cistercian monk.  It is a lengthy journey, full of long periods of silence and contemplation over a period of years.  During this time, the vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty are considered.  In his final days of the process, he met with the Abbott and made [...]

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