We are all on a shared sacred journey. Our individual paths may be diverse, but I am convinced that we are all geared to one destination – the realization of Love – the Love of God with God. There are many ways people interpret this mystical Presence in their own life experience. As Jalaluddin Rumi once said: “There are a thousand ways to kneel down and kiss the ground.” Many traditions have their own way of saying that all rivers lead to the ocean. I like the premise in Alco

In today’s gospel passage, Jesus lays out his conflict resolution plan for us. If we have a problem with someone, he doesn’t want us to publicly embarrass or humiliate the offender but to “point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” First, he wants us to address the conflict without involving other people. He instructs us to offer the offender a chance to make amends before we involve others. I don’t know about you, but I come from a long line of conflict avoiders.

Matthew 16:13-20 Skid Row in Los Angeles has roughly 10,000 homeless, poor, and marginally employed residents. The area, with its numerous street encampments, rescue missions, and single room occupancy hotels, has the dubious nickname of “the homeless capital of the nation.” It is also the most policed area in the country. In the heart of it all is the Hospitality Kitchen, also known as the “Hippie Kitchen,” run by the Catholic Worker program. The soup kitchen offers hot meal

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God.” ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS __________________________ On Sunday, I attended the Step Eleven Sound Bowl Meditation Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous at the Village Group in Oceano where we live. Although I have become a regular at the Thursday evening meeting, this was the first time I have attended this particular meeting on Sunday. I am glad I did. After opening the meeting with a c

As I pondered the holy scripture in our service today, I was struck by the theme of faithfulness. Especially what Psalm 85 says: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.” So beautiful. And in First Kings, Elijah found God in the sound of sheer silence, telling him that he had been very zealous for the Lord, but that the Israelites had forsaken their covenant, thrown down the al

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 by Brother Dennis The reading from Matthew makes clear that the reception of the Gospel message depends upon the soil. That is, the condition of the heart of the one who receives it. In this teaching, the seed and the sower are the same in each case, but the soil varies. There were many who did not respond favorably to his message, but the few who did produced remarkable fruit. This teaching is calling us to prepare the soil of our hearts so that we c

Saint Benedict, known as the Father of Western Monasticism and honored as the Patron of Europe, lived between 480 and 547 CE, born with his sister, St. Scholastica, into a Christian family in Nursia, Italy. Disillusioned by the immoral, corrupt life of Rome while at school there, he opted for an eremitical life at Subiaco. He went on to found his order, with monastic communities at Subiaco, Terracina and Montecassino. St. Benedict developed his Simple Rule for Beginners fifte

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40 Throughout the bible – both the old and new testaments, hospitality is a constant expectation of good people. Everyone traveling had to rely on the generosity of others. There are many references to foot washing and preparing meals for others. Hospitality has been baked into life for centuries of civilization. But nowadays, it seems almost easier not to offer hospit