Chapel of St Luke: Recent Episodes
Fr Carel-Piet van Eeden
The Chapel of St Luke is part of the White Robed Monks of St Benedict in South Africa. We are a Catholic community in the Old (Dutch) Catholic tradition. The Pastor of the Chapel is Fr Carel-Piet van Eeden.The Order has two rules - The first word of the Rule of St Benedict, which is "Listen" and secondly we believe that Jesus never said no to anybody. To that end we offer the Sacraments to any person who asks for them.
Although not officially recognised as a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Mychal Judge stands as a beautiful reminder of human love and compassion. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The words of Jesus in the reading today are quite jarring - how are we supposed to hate our loved ones when He teaches love for all? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus teaches people the value of compassion for the sake of compassion, not for the honor that it might bring us on earth to be seen doing good. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Why should we try and live good lives? Why should we show compassion to each other and to ourselves? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus himself said that he came to bring discord between people. How does that then equate to the love and compassion that He taught? We look at the beauty of the differences of expression that we get to celebrate. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Death is seen by so many as something to fight against with all our might, yet it is the one thing that we can be assured of. How do you prepare for that day? Are you prepared for that moment? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
We are taught to fight death at all costs, we strive for survival. Yet, death is the one constant in life. How do we reframe our thoughts on death? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray and said that what they ask for will be given. What then went wrong? Why are our prayers not always answered? Perhaps there is more to than just reciting a pretty verse and then coming to God only in our times of need. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Martha and Mary were sisters but had different approaches to life. How often do we get bogged down with "having to do things right" and getting everything "perfect" before we feel ready to live? Jesus shows us that all the earthly is temporary and that the important parts of life are to be found in Spirit. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The idea of neighbors has been rethought with the implementation of modern technology. Today, more than ever, we are reminded that our neighbor is all, even the person at the other end of the screen. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus Christ sent his disciples with clear instructions on how to go about sharing the message of peace and unconditional love. How do we respond when faced with an expression of God today? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Christ gave the people enough to eat when he shared the bread and fish with the masses. So too can we bring our spiritual hunger to God and know that we will be filled. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The Spirit that resides in all of us shares with us the Truth that is of God. How does this impact us in daily life and what can we do with that Truth? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
With the celebration of Pentecost, we are reminded that God is more than with us - God is through us and in us. That can bring up a lot of conflicting emotions if we consider the lives that we are living. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus left us to be with God. We oftentimes struggle with feeling alone and not being able to know that God is near. But God is more than near, God permeates through our very beings! The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The past couple of years forced us to disconnect from numerous things and many people feel a disconnect from God. What if God never left and we have just closed our eyes and ears because of anxiety en fear? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus shared a commandment with us - to love one another. This transcends religious expression and is something that any and all of us can/should do. But why is it so difficult? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
What would Jesus do if he were born today? Why is it important to have a shepherd and someone to show us the way? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Perhaps we do not always see the answers and the blessings that God sends in response to our prayers. This could be because we create an image of what these answers and blessings need to look like and we blind ourselves to the manner that God sends them. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Thomas the unbeliever is someone that many of us can relate to - how do we believe in God when we cannot see God? How do we believe in Christ? When we open our eyes and start recognizing the immense grace that we live in, we cannot but see God everywhere! The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Even the most dedicated of us have moments of doubt. Many times just before stepping into a truth of acceptance. The hesitancy of John to enter the crypt after the resurrection of Jesus highlights that for us - and that sometimes we need a nudge to accept what is! The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus meant different things to different people during his time. The Messiah was supposed to free the Jews from Roman rule, yet they did not understand that Jesus came to free all from the illusions of separation that we have created. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus teaches us a masterclass in how we are allowed to judge others, yet it comes with the prerequisite that we be blameless ourselves. How often do we not condemn others and ourselves whilst we have our own challenges and things we do not wish to face? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The parable of the Prodigal Son teaches a lot of different lessons. In our reflection today we look at the parable from the point of view of the prodigal son and we see how, no matter what we do, God loves us unconditionally. It does not make sense to us as humans that there is truly no condition to the love of God. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
How many times do we get so excited at doing what we believe the will of God is that we completely miss the plot and let ego drive our decisions rather than God? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
There are so many lessons that we can learn about the time when Jesus took some of his disciples up the mountain and Moses and Elijah appeared to him. Even with the greatest of intentions, we often miss the bigger picture of events happening in front of us. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Jesus spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. We, too, are tempted by many things these days. One of the hidden temptations is apathy - seeing the hurt of someone else, feeling sympathy, and then continuing with our lives. How can we become Christ-like in our actions? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
How has our survival instinct not evolved with the rest of our systems? We look at how we can approach life with God in mind and become true channels of peace. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
When Jesus told us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek - did he perhaps mean more than what we see on the surface? What if one of our greatest enemies were ourselves? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
How do we achieve the blessings that Jesus spoke about in the Gospel according to St Luke? Perhaps there is a deeper meaning than what we think with regards to our future. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Mary started the ministry of Jesus by giving him the task of helping out the wedding couple at Cana. We see that she is there throughout the life of Christ. With her last recorded words in the Bible, Mary gives us instruction too which is practical and very specific. The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
We look at the baptism of Jesus from the eyes of a Father. How do we share the love of God with each other? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
Mass Celebrated at the Chapel of St Luke by Father Carel-Piet van Eeden of the White Robed Monks of St Benedict
Celebrated at the Chapel of St Luke Johannesburg by Father Carel-Piet van Eeden of the White Robed Monks of St Benedict
Celebrated at the Chapel of St Luke by Father Carel-Piet van Eeden of the White Robed Monks of St Benedict South Africa.
John the Baptist shared many truths with us. How do we give when we have extra? And how do we keep balance in our lives? How do we share the love of God with each other? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
The message today is about clearing the way for the coming of Christ. How do we block the spiritual expression and growth of ourselves and of others through our judgments? Is it the will of God to enforce our viewpoints, or is it perhaps the will of God to allow love to permeate all that we do and are? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.
As Christians, we celebrate that Christ is the King of all. How do we then reconcile the commandment of Love with all the rules and regulations that we created in order to be acceptable to God? How do we truly live lives of unconditional Love in this world? And those with different religious and spiritual convictions? The White Robed Monks of St Benedict believe that Jesus never said no to anyone and try to focus on the lessons that Christ came to teach humanity - that of unconditional love.