br daniel

Pentecost XIX – 19 October 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

1 Comment / Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

Among the things that I’m currently reading is the latest novel by my favourite conspiracy theorist. The main focus seems to be on noetic science, and the ways in which it can be used and abused by those in power.

I confess I do not know much about this science, and there is so much information available online that it is quite bewildering. However, I was able to find a concise definition of noetic science: ‘Noetic (from the Greek word meaning “mental”) science is a branch of metaphysical philosophy concerned with the study of mind as well as intellect. Noetic science investigates the role of consciousness in shaping personal experiences and perceptions of reality.’

So, I understand that it is a deeper investigation of how our thoughts shape our world. As Christians, it would thus guide me as to how our faith would inform our thoughts and our understanding of God and thus our experiences of God in this world and in our lives.

…

Pentecost XIX – 19 October 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

Pentecost XIX – 19 October 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – 14 September 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

There is a story of a woman who went to a jewellery store to buy a cross. After perusing the crosses presented to her, the jeweller said he had some more crosses in the back, with a little man on them!

Bishop Robert Barron offers this reflection on this scenario:  “We are so accustomed to seeing religious images of Jesus on the cross that much of the horror and humiliation of crucifixion is lost on us.  But, for a person of the first century, operating within the confines of the Roman Empire, crucifixion was about the worst thing he or she could imagine.  What was involved in that form of capital punishment was just too vividly present in the popular imagination.”

Salvador Dali, a genius of obscure art and brilliant talent, painted a painting called Christ of St John of the Cross. I think it is an astonishing painting. It shows Jesus on the Cross, but from above. Someone once pointed out that that was the point from which God surveyed the suffering of his Son. I find that very poignant, sad and wonderful.

…

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – 14 September 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – 14 September 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Pentecost X – 17 August 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

1 Comment / Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

I do not have any children, but sometimes I do wonder about them. What would they have looked like? Would they be as obtuse and difficult as I am? What music would they have liked? What would their lives look like? Most importantly, however, I often wonder how I would have loved them.

As it happened though, I had dogs, mostly Great Danes, and lately our mutt Molly of beloved memory. I also have a lot of nieces and nephews, and I can only extrapolate from how much I love them and their children and have loved my dogs, how I hopefully would have loved my children.

Those of you that do have children and grandchildren, know how much you love them. If we believe what we read about the God of Love in the Bible, how much more does God not love us?

…

Pentecost X – 17 August 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

Pentecost X – 17 August 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Pentecost V – 13 July 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

Those of you who have been around the monks since Thursday would have heard a lot about St Benedict, since Benedictines worldwide celebrated his Feast Day on Friday, the 11th of July. I won’t repeat all that was said, except that he lived in very turbulent times in 6th century Italy and was fairly disgusted by the way society had collapsed around him. Sounds familiar? Except, unlike us, he withdrew to a cave to find himself and, fortunately for us, he found so much more than just himself.

So, as a Benedictine monk, with the above in mind, I pondered what St Benedict would have to say to us in today’s world about today’s Gospel reading. My guess is, as in all things, he would have admonished the example of Jesus, and of course, prayer.

Let us then look at this familiar story of the Good Samaritan and see how it challenges us to live out our faith with love and compassion, and how St Benedict might lead us in a way of life grounded in humility, community, and attentive listening to God and neighbour.

…

Pentecost V – 13 July 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

Pentecost V – 13 July 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

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

Sermons / /

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!

…

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

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

Palm Sunday – 13 April 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

Sermons / /

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.

…

Palm Sunday – 13 April 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

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

Lent 1C – Sunday 9 March 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel

Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

Who am I?

This seems to be one of the most consuming questions of the ages, especially of our age, where identity seems to be such a labile and questionable thing.

We live in an age where we are inundated with all kinds of self-help books that are guaranteed to help us find ourselves, our identities, until we don’t, and then just find ourselves even more lost. And I think this is probably one of the main lessons in today’s Gospel reading. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, shows us who he is and who we are: beloved children of God. And, as importantly, that we are worthy of that love.

…

Lent 1C – Sunday 9 March 2025 – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

Lent 1C – Sunday 9 March 2025 – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany – Sermon by Br Daniel

1 Comment / Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

I wasn’t going to prepare a sermon for today, because this was rather a different week and our Superior preached a wonderful sermon on love and discernment yesterday, taking care of the Corinthians reading. So, I was going to find a nice sermon online and just read it for today.

I wasn’t going to preach on being known and being consecrated by God before he formed us in the womb. How we are not to be afraid, because the Lord is with us to deliver us from those who might hurt us when we do our Good Lord’s bidding. I wasn’t going to preach on the incredible love which God confesses for us in this Jeremiah passage.

…

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

The First Sunday after Christmas – Sermon by Br Daniel

1 Comment / Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

We tend to live our lives from one happening to the next. We all have diaries or reminders on our cell phones or laptops or tablets, or whatever electronics we use. We have lists of stuff to do. And once we have attended to the schedule, we delete it with satisfaction; job well-done. And so, it seems with Christmas: it was on the list and now it is done and deleted; job well-done. Thing is, John has a different understanding of Christmas. John invites us to contemplate a Christmas that fills us with hope and joy the whole year.

…

The First Sunday after Christmas – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

The First Sunday after Christmas – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Sunday 24 November 2024: Feast of Christ the King – Sermon by Br Daniel

Sermons / /

Scripture Readings

And so, the liturgical year ends with the celebration of Christ the King.

The Catholic Echo tells of the origin of the Feast of Christ the King as follows.

Since the first century A.D., Christians have acknowledged that Jesus is a king. However, it was only 99 years ago that the feast day of Christ the King was created and inserted into the annual church liturgy. 

…

Sunday 24 November 2024: Feast of Christ the King – Sermon by Br DanielRead More »

Sunday 24 November 2024: Feast of Christ the King – Sermon by Br Daniel Read More »

Scroll to Top