Br Roger Stewart

April 2025 News

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A significant focus of our community life during the past month was of course on our observance of Holy Week. We started our preparations for this by making palm crosses together, for use during the Palm Sunday procession in remembrance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for us to begin the procession outside in the chapel garden.

We constructed an Altar of Repose in the smaller chapel together during the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, before the evening liturgy which included foot-washing, the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar. Most of those who attended spent some time in silent prayer before the Altar of Repose afterwards, remembering Jesus with his disciples in the garden before his betrayal and arrest.

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April 2025 News Read More »

Easter 4C – 11 May 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

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Scripture Readings

Many years ago, when I had more hair than I do now, I did a few months of theological studies at the College of the Transfiguration in Makhanda, as part of my novitiate. I think the thing that I remember most vividly is that one of the lecturers said something like: Good theology is not about good answers, but about good questions.

And so, with that in mind, we move, in what feels like one fell swoop, from “Hallelujah, Christ is Risen,” to “Tell us plainly, are you the Messiah?” – and do not keep us in suspense!

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Easter 4C – 11 May 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter

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Scripture Readings

Among the Scripture readings assigned for today, we find two stories that I think resonate strongly with each other. They are stories of two men who had each been very sure of who they were and what their lives were about, until they encountered Jesus after his resurrection. They are each conversion stories that include descriptions of wonderful intimacy with Jesus. They each contain a significant pause that invites deep introspection on the part of each man.

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Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter Read More »

Sermon by Br Josias for the Second Sunday of Easter

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Scripture Readings

In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

During the course of this week, I came across a quote by one of the American revolutionaries, Malcom X, which said: You cannot separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.[1] In other words, we cannot receive peace without freedom. And I believe this could be the case with the gospel passage this morning.

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Sermon by Br Josias for the Second Sunday of Easter Read More »

Thursdays at Volmoed – 24 April 2025 – Reflection by Br Aelred

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Scripture Readings
— Acts 3:11-26
— Psalm 8
— Luke 24:36b-48

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.

During Cardinal Stephen Brislin’s interview on the SABC news, regarding the death of Pope Francis, he said that, after hearing the news, he felt sad, but he also felt a sense of serenity and peace, knowing that the Holy Father lived his whole life for that moment.

If we are to die, can the same be said about us?

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Thursdays at Volmoed – 24 April 2025 – Reflection by Br Aelred Read More »

Palm Sunday – 13 April 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

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Scripture Readings:
Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
Luke 19:28-40

Liturgically it makes sense, I suppose, to have the Gospel reading as appointed for today; however, as the preacher for today, I have decided to add verses 41 and 42, to help my sermon.

So, Luke 19:41-42 reads as follows:

“As he came near and saw Jerusalem, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”

The Oxford Dictionary gives the definition of betrayal as the act of betraying somebody or the fact of being betrayed, or a sense or a feeling or an act of betrayal, by somebody, or ourselves. We will come back to this.

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Palm Sunday – 13 April 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

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Scripture Readings

In the few days that remain before the suffering and death that await him in Jerusalem, Jesus spends time with those he loves, visiting with his close friends in Bethany. Of all the people around him, Mary alone seems to recognize something of the significance of Jesus’ approaching death, and to want to honour it in whatever way she can. She alone wants to do something for Jesus, rather than expecting anything more from him, this man who had been so moved by her tears and who had returned her brother to life. She does something beautiful for Jesus while she has him with her, preparing his body for its inevitable death, a death that ultimately will gather into one all the scattered children of God, a death that will bring everlasting life to all who turn to him in faith.

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Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent Read More »

March 2025 News

News from the Priory / /

Br Luc left us at the beginning of March, for a more extended time with family and friends in Kenya before returning to the USA. We wish him well in this transition. We are grateful for the contributions Br Luc made while with us, especially in his role as the local Formator, accompanying Br Mpumelelo as the latter prepared to make his Initial Profession.

Our Ash Wednesday observance at the beginning of Lent was a more intimate affair this year, in the side chapel due to a funeral taking place in the main chapel. Nevertheless, we were joined by several people, including some from the Tutu Foundation group who were at Volmoed.

Volmoed hosted a quiet day for the local Anglican parish on the following Saturday. In the morning, Br Roger provided some input on ways of praying the psalms. In the afternoon, the Brothers made themselves available for individual spiritual accompaniment and Br Daniel heard several confessions in the sacrament of reconciliation.

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March 2025 NewsRead More »

March 2025 News Read More »

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent by Br Mpumelelo

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Scripture Readings

Let us pray: Make us to know Your Ways, O LORD JESUS CHRIST; teach us Your Paths. Lead us in Your Truth, and teach us, for You are the LORD of our Salvation; for You we wait all day long. Amen.

EVERY SOUL IS PRECIOUS TO GOD, EVEN YOURS! That is what the Gospel is trying to tell us this morning. The Pharisees and the Scribes are criticizing JESUS, because He received sinners. They are astounded that someone like JESUS would spend His time with “publicans and sinners.” They are stunned that He would receive such wicked and evil people. In response, JESUS tells them three parables. Each of these parables is designed to teach the same great truth: “Every soul is precious to GOD, even yours!”

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Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent by Br MpumeleloRead More »

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent by Br Mpumelelo Read More »

Reflection for Sunday 16 March 2025 – Lent II – by Br Aelred

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Scripture Readings

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.

Lent 2025: another opportunity for deep reflection and for strengthening our relationship with Almighty God. Another desert journey to make right with Almighty God, where we have wronged, sinned, hurt or offended His loving heart.

In our gospel passage today, we find our Lord Jesus being warned by the Pharisees that he should leave — flee — for Herod wants to kill Him. Now we might wonder, why the Pharisees? Was the warning sincere or was it part of their scheme to get Jesus away, out of their territory? Whatever the reason may have been, Jesus’ response is declaring His mission, that He is not going anywhere, He is there to heal, to cure and to restore.

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Reflection for Sunday 16 March 2025 – Lent II – by Br AelredRead More »

Reflection for Sunday 16 March 2025 – Lent II – by Br Aelred Read More »

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