Based on a homily by Rev. Fr. Pachomius Ma. San Juan, OSB We often hear about the Good Shepherd, the one who lays down his life for his flock, and we instinctively think of Jesus. And rightly so. The image is powerful: a shepherd who does not run at the first sign of danger, but stays, protects, and ultimately gives everything for the sake of others. But what if that image is not only meant to be admired? What if…
Based on a talk by Rev. Fr. Pachomius Ma. San Juan, OSB Let me begin with a simple but often misunderstood truth: learning to meditate is not merely about mastering a technique. It is not a skill to perfect, nor a method to optimize. At its heart, meditation is a relationship. Our living, dynamic relationship with God. This changes everything. When meditation is reduced to technique, it risks becoming self-centered, another personal practice aimed at self-improvement or inner calm. But…
Based on a talk by Rev. Fr. Pachomius Ma. San Juan, OSB Black Saturday is the quietest day of the Christian story. The noise of Good Friday has faded. The cries, the darkness, the final breath. And the joy of Easter Sunday has not yet arrived. We are left in between. In this stillness, the question lingers: What does love look like when nothing seems to be happening? What does mercy mean when God feels silent? Mercy as entering chaos…