Blessed Weakness: Homilies for Sundays in Year A(69 Monastic Wisdom Series)

Blessed Weakness contains Dom André’s homilies on the Gospel passages for Year A of the church’s three-year liturgical cycle. These homilies reflect Dom André’s spiritual insights about the wisdom in the teachings of Christ. The title conveys a favorite theme of Dom André’s: God’s special love for humans in their weakness, manifested in Jesus’ leaving behind his glory to become one of us in weakness, living among and ministering to the poor. Contemplative reflection on these Gospel passages and on Dom André’s insights will provide a path for the reader and hearer to seek a deeper union with God.

Table of Contents:
Contents Foreword   ix      Thomas X. Davis, OCSO Preface   3 First Sunday of Advent   5 Second Sunday of Advent   8 Third Sunday of Advent   11 Fourth Sunday of Advent   14 Christmas   17 Feast of the Holy Family   20 Epiphany   23 Baptism of Jesus   27 Ash Wednesday   30 First Sunday of Lent   33 Second Sunday of Lent   36 Third Sunday of Lent   39 Fourth Sunday of Lent   43 Fifth Sunday of Lent   47 Palm Sunday   52 Holy Thursday   56 Good Friday   60 Easter Sunday   65 Second Sunday of Easter   68 Third Sunday of Easter   72 Fourth Sunday of Easter   76 Fifth Sunday of Easter   79 Sixth Sunday of Easter   83 Ascension   86 Seventh Sunday of Easter   89 Pentecost   92 Trinity Sunday   95 Second Sunday of Ordinary Time   98 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time   101 Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time   104 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time   107 Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time   110 Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time   114 Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time   117 Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time   120 Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   123 Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time   126 Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time   129 Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   132 Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   135 Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   138 Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   142 Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   146 Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   149 Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   152 Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time   155 Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time   158 Twenty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time   161 Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time   164 Twenty-fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time   167 Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time   171 Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time   175 Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time   178 Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time   181 Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time   184 Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time   187 Thirty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time   190 Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time   193 Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time   196 Sunday of Christ the King   200

About the Author :
Dom André Louf, OCSO (1929–2010), became a monk at the Cistercian abbey of Mont-des-Cats, in the northwest of France, in 1947. After being elected abbot in 1963, he continued in that position for almost thirty-five years, earning widespread admiration for his preaching and teaching.

Review :
“This book is a treasure. These homilies are like personalized words of wisdom from Fr. Louf that can serve to keep me grounded in the Cistercian charism. The prudence in these pages transcend culture and ecumenical tradition.” Michael C. Voigts, lay Cistercian and author of The Fourth Degree of Prayer “Like St. Bernard, in these short sermons for the liturgical year Dom André Louf ‘speaks Scripture.’ Rarely does he refer to contemporary or historical events, to the history or contemporary situation of his own community. Again like St. Bernard, he interprets Scripture with Scripture. He tells no stories or jokes. He does illuminate each gospel passage with some new insight—a helpful comparison to another scriptural passage, reading the gospel passage from a different perspective, in light of an observation about human nature, or in relation to another scriptural passage. In this jejune style Dom Andre speaks to all men and women, monastic and lay, and makes the gospel ever new. These sermons, I felt, invited me to a deeper, quieter reflection on the Gospel.” Fr. Abbot Peter Verhalen, OCist, Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey “The depth of Dom André’s homilies on the Gospel readings throughout the liturgical year reflect a lifetime of monastic prayer and community life. These eminently readable yet profound meditations draw from the rich Cistercian tradition to offer spiritual wisdom that speaks to anyone seeking deeper connection with the Divine. While engaging the major themes presented by the Gospel readings, especially the teachings of Jesus, Dom André provides countless opportunities for readers to ‘taste and see the goodness of the Lord.’” F. Tyler Sergent, associate professor and medievalist, Berea College, Kentucky “Here is a preacher who truly knows how to bring forth treasures both new and old. André Louf speaks as one steeped in the Cistercian tradition but with an approach to the scriptures that is fresh and personal. His words are filled with an urgency to make known to every person that they are beloved by a God who is forever coming to meet them in their ‘blessed weakness.’ Addressed not simply to those living the monastic life but to all believers, these homilies speak to all who seek greater intimacy with Jesus Christ in their lives.” Sr. Grace Remington, Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey