Essays

The not-so-prodigal son

Aug 1 • Center for Benedictine Life

Bread from the earth

Jul 4 • Center for Benedictine Life

The Paralytic Who Was Lowered Through The Roof

A midrash on before she arrived

Jun 6 • Center for Benedictine Life

Grateful (?) Simplicity

Credit: Dorothea Lange

May 2 • Teresa Jackson

Easter Vigil homily at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 2026

Apr 5 • Teresa Jackson

The parable of the cleaner

One night, in the college history department, a young professor sat with his head in his hands.

Apr 4 • Center for Benedictine Life

The angel Gabriel would like a word. . .

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Annunciation was simply an historical event?

Mar 25 • Teresa Jackson

Living into transformation

as part of a complex community

Mar 7 • Jane Somerton

Benedictine wisdom in a time of uncertainty

Is it a curse to live in interesting times?

Feb 7 • Teresa Jackson

The Parable of the Rope

Once there was a Seeker who heard of a Holy Hermit living near the top of a mountain.

Jan 3 • Center for Benedictine Life

Is it really "All about the work?"

I have lived and worked in the Monastery of St.

Dec 6, 2025 • Teresa Jackson

The Parable of the log

Nov 1, 2025 • Center for Benedictine Life

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts