Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Holy Name Monastery

Tell All Around You of the Great Love of God

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“Tell All Around You of the Great Love of God.

When All Else Fails, Use Words.”

 

 

Today’s Gospel continues the messages of the readings we’ve heard for the last ten days or so and goes hand in hand with the current daily selections from the Holy Rule.  We get glimpses into Jesus’ practice of conferring extraordinary responsibility on ordinary people.  For instance, consider the amazing features of Jesus’ ministry in His choice of closest disciples.  They are hardly the kind of people we’d choose to put on a ministry team: fishermen, a former tax collector, a couple known to have quick tempers, a revolutionary and a traitor. Some were always getting into trouble, missing the point of Jesus’ teachings, putting a foot in the mouth. At times, they revealed their jealousy when folks outside their circle got too close to Jesus or when so-called outsiders were trying to perform healings.  When the going got tough, most of them walked away or denied their commitment to Jesus. Despite all this, Jesus used them to turn the world upside down. Doesn’t knowing that give us cause for hope?

Readings from the Rule of Benedict remind us three times annually that our founder picked up on Jesus’ theme when he reminds his followers to be satisfied with what the monastery has to offer.  The monks “must not eat with outsiders, unless perhaps the superior has ordered it.”  Concerning their clothing, Benedict recognizes that a monk’s everyday clothes – the clothes on his back – might disgrace him in public. He directs that the members should not come across as though they were better than the people they encountered.  Is he saying that we need not dress like the poor in order to minister to them?  We show respect for others by wearing attire which in an unspoken message conveys ‘You are special, I value you and so I made a special effort in my appearance to be with you.’   You’ll notice also that when Jesus sends His new missionaries out, it’s always in the plural: in pairs, two by two showing that His mission, our mission, is a communal endeavor.

And, when Jesus told the disciples to shake the dust from their sandals if they found themselves in a village where their message was rejected, this was not something new.  Jews often did this when they returned from a foreign land across the border back into their homeland. It represented a total disassociation from pagans and pollution.

Jesus did not limit his power to His little company of disciples.  He gives us, too, the grace to carry His message to the world.  We may feel inadequate but Jesus’ power rests in us and on us. Jesus assures us “Don’t worry about what you are to say.  At that moment, the words will be given to you” (Matt 10:19).  As one of our hymns says: “His love and grace, that’s enough for me!”

Surely you remember St. Francis, the son of a wealthy merchant who became known as the poor man of Assisi. He serves as an example of a Christian who responded to God’s call: “Repair my Church.” Asking another friar to accompany him to preach to the townspeople, the two walked together through the streets and returned home without ever uttering a word. Questioned by the friar as to when they would begin to preach, Francis replied, “We just did. Tell all around you of the great love of God. When all else fails, use words.”

This is the kind of pilgrimage 40,000 believers are taking along four (4) routes that lead to Indianapolis for the 5-day Eucharistic Congress that begins on July 17th.   Staff from our diocesan pastoral center, and over 100 Tampa Bay parishes, will be gathering in Indianapolis for liturgies, impact sessions, concerts and other faith-filled experiences culminating in a Eucharistic Procession through downtown Indianapolis. Let us pray daily this week that pilgrims may travel in safety and that their lives may be enriched by their experience.

Join us as we pray in spirit with the pilgrims at the Congress.  Choose your own prayer time or slip away for a few minutes at the times the Sisters will be at prayer.

 

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

Join Crusade: Pray 10,000 Holy Hours in July

Optional Holy Hours in union with pilgrims

At The Eucharistic Revival Congress

  

Tuesday, July 16 (travel Day)        4:45 p.m. + Vespers    

 

Wednesday, July 17                        10:45 a.m. + 11:15 Mass    

 

Thursday, July 18                              3-4 p.m.

 

Friday, July 19                                    6:30 + Compline

 

Saturday, July 20                              4:30 p.m. + Vigil Service

 

Sunday, July 21                                  4:30 p.m. + Evening

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   Amos 7:12-15         Second Reading:  Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel:   Mark 6:7-13

 

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St. Benedict Feast Day

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Summer Feast day for Saint Benedict

How many books written in the sixth century are still in print today? How many of those are in active, everyday use by tens of thousands around the world today — not only monks and nuns, but oblates and other lay people? The answer is one: The Rule of St. Benedict — what the author, whose feast day we celebrate this Thursday, called “this little rule that we have written for beginners.”

At the heart of his Rule lie the four guiding principles which are the foundation of daily life for the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. These four — community, prayer, service, and hospitality — can light the way to a deeper daily spirituality for anyone.

Community

Benedict understood that community, like family and friends, can be messy. Rooted in scripture, the Rule offers a cure: “No one is to pursue what is judged better for self, but instead what is judged better for someone else. To their companions, they show the true love of sisters or brothers…” How would your own world be transformed if this became the way of life for you and those around you?

Prayer

Benedict’s guidance for prayer might surprise you. “God regards our purity of heart and tears…not our many words. Prayer therefore should be short and pure…” Prayer, Sister Joan Chittister writes, “is meant to call us back to a consciousness of God here and now.” How would your day be transformed if it were laced throughout with short, simple prayer that opened your eyes to the Divine in your daily life?

Service

We often view work, especially work that benefits someone else, as a burden, something we have to do but would rather avoid. Instead, Benedict reminds us that work is a privilege and serving others is an honor — something that has been true since the day Jesus picked up carpenter’s tools, then laid them down to heal, to feed, and to save the lost. “…live by the labor of your hands, as our ancestors and the apostles did…” says Benedict. How would your workdays be transformed if you saw each as a gift from God and an opportunity to serve others in Jesus’ name?

Hospitality

Possibly the most challenging 11 words in the Rule are these: “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.” How would you welcome Christ if He came to your door today? How would our neighborhoods and towns, states and nations be transformed if each of us welcomed everyone everywhere as Christ?

As you can see, St. Benedict wrote something that is as practical today as ever. Our prayer for you, today and always, is that you find yourself in a loving community, that you infuse your days with prayer, that you cultivate a heart for happy service, and that you welcome even the most unlikely person as Christ. When you do, you will find more contentment than you can imagine.

 

 

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Do You Think You’re Really What They Say You Are?

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At the outset let it be understood that what follows may appear to be fiction, it is not.  More than one of the evangelists spent an afternoon sharing between themselves as I listened in.

This is some of what I gleaned.  One day, when the man of God Benedict was doing Lectio and pondering how to incorporate his set of values into his manuscript directed to his followers, the evangelists Luke and Matthew entered the reverie.  What an inspiration!  The exchange continued for quite a for a spell.  Look Ben, (one of the speakers said) “you’ve consulted the writings of the one you call the Master.  May I suggest you look at what’s recorded in our sayings of THE Master.   Sure enough!  Very many of our special Benedictine values are put forth by THE Master, Jesus.

+ A SPIRIT of POVERTY: take nothing with you (is how Jesus puts it) No money bags, no suitcase, no canvas bag or pretty tote and no sandals.  Or as you say it in your Rule: “No one may presume to give, receive or retrain anything as her own, nothing at all, in short not a single item … no one shall presume ownership of anything.“

+ A SENSE of STABILITY: Jesus advises his followers: Into whatever house you enter, stay in the same house; don’t be moving from one house to another.   Benedict, you describe the first kind of monastics called cenobites.  From what you say, I sense this may be your preferred type of members.  “Those who belong to a particular monastery, where they serve under the rule of a superior.”

+ Further, Benedict, you expect these cenobites to follow Jesus’ way of life, personally and communally, practicing a SPIRIT of SIMPLICITY and ACCEPTANCE of WHATEVER IS AVAILABLES:  In your words:  Eating and drinking whatever is offered to you; whatever is set before you.

You have an obvious understanding of human nature, Benedict. Could we attribute that to your twin sister’s influence?  She took her turn as cook for her group of women whom she loved as ardently as you looked after the rough and tough gang of men that lived with you. It’s evident in your words: Taking turns serving one another, using an unvoiced system of gestures when anything is required.  And (yes, PLEASE God) it will save you a heap of trouble if you, designate a weekly reader to proclaim the Holy Word throughout the meal.

In studying your Rule, Benedict, it seems to go without saying that there will likely be no harmony in the group unless the members each and all strive to AVOID EVIL and CLING to PEACE.   The evangelists remind readers: Remember what Jesus said: “If peace is not present in the house where you find yourself, go out into the streets and shake the dust from your feet and leave that town.”  When you feel evil arising in you, get in touch with the cause – shame the devil – leave the occasion of sin.

Mark interjected a stray thought.  Consider, he suggested, what ultimately did not happen in Nazareth: no healings, no mighty deeds.  Is it much of a surprise?  After all a miracle is not just an event, but it is an interpreted event. If Jesus is not reputed to be capable of healing, any healing that does take place won’t be attributed to him. So, the crowd’s attitude is “there’s nothing here to see. Let’s just move along, move along… and find some other excitement.”

Such is true with us, with our community.  Our guests won’t experience peace and harmony, generosity of spirit and light-heartedness, beauty in nature and in liturgy if they can’t witness those qualities in each of us.  They come expecting a miracle.  The miracles happen in our interactions, first with each other, then between us and our guests.

Remember Jesus’ question to this disciples, “Who do people say I am?  And, you: “Who do you say I am?”  Who do you say these Benedictine Sisters of FL are?

Do you recall the rock opera popular in the 1970’s: “Jesus Christ, Superstar”?   This line challenges us: “Do you think / you’re what / they say you are?”  Benedictine Sisters of Florida, do you think  / you’re what they say you are?  Are you really who you say you are?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Thursday, July 11, is the summer feast of St. Benedict.  The feast most folks know of is celebrated on March 21.  But that day usually falls during Lent when Alleluia is suppressed and music low key …  we, Benedictines “pull out all the stops” for the summer feast.  Whisper a pray for us at Holy Name as we continue to walk into an ever-evolving future.  God bless each of you!

 

 

 

Gospel:   Mark 6:1-6

 

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Ten Hugs a Day for Well-being

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This is a remarkable Gospel – actually two blended stories – that unfold in a most interesting way.  The story of Jesus healing the woman with the 12-year hemorrhages is sandwiched in the middle of the story of Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter. Seems a shame that lectors have the option of omitting the sandwiched story – the one about the lady with the 12-year hemorrhage.

One common thread in the appeals for healing are made directly to Jesus IN DESPERATION.   Jairus, one of the most important people in town, makes a scene in front of Jesus.  The ill woman calls attention to herself when she replies to Jesus’ inquiry: “Who touched me.”  It does not matter – they are desperate.  Jesus is their ONLY and LAST HOPE.

“My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” And afterwards, when Jesus walks into the little girl’s room and heals her, Mark tells us that the first thing he did was: “He took her by the hand and said to her, “Telitha cum.”  (“Little girl, get up!”)  Jesus tells them to give her something to eat. This twelve year-old is, after all, a growing girl.

A similar thing happens when Jesus heals the woman suffering from hemorrhages. This time however notice that it is the woman herself who takes the initiative to get close enough to Jesus, saying: “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”   Is this not also the case today? This is not some kind of magic or superstition happening here. No! Rather, it is by now an established fact that when humans are appropriately touched the body releases healing endorphins by the pituitary gland. That is why some say we need at least ten hugs every day for our health and well-being.

In the case of the woman with the hemorrhages, after Jesus realized that someone in the crowd had touched him and power had gone forth from him, he wants to know who did touch him. The woman comes to him in fear and trembling. Her life would have been a very lonely one filled with one rejection after another. Like Jairus she comes directly to Jesus in despair, desperation and humility. The Cistercian abbot Eugene Boylan talks about humility this way: “Humility is the one thing we need, and Saint Benedict knew it.  If you get humility, God can pour all his graces into your soul.  Our Lord can live his life in you.  God can look down at you in everything you do and say: “This is my beloved (Child), in whom I am well pleased….”

Another similarity is that in these stories Jesus speaks directly to those who are healed.  He says nothing in response to the question posed about the woman by the religious leaders, but he does make a statement.  He starts writing with his finger in the dirt.  Slowly Jesus is left alone with the woman. Jesus stands up and says directly to the woman: “DAUGHTER, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed.” Jesus concludes by blessing her with peace, which in the biblical sense, means complete health and wholeness, confirming to this new daughter, and to the crowd as well, that her disease had been healed completely.

Today we pray: Give us the insight, O God, to recognize your voice, to reach out in confidence for your healing touch and trustingly respond to your invitation: “Get up.”  We say with the psalmist: “A great prophet has risen among us.  The right hand of God feeds us; He answers al our needs.  He is near to all who call upon him.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Enjoy a peaceful, safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

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“He’s got the whole world in his hands.”

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I’m sometimes curious about the details that evangelists choose to include …  There are two details that intrigue and somewhat amuse me in this reading.  Listen to what Mark says “They took Jesus with them in the boat JUST AS HE WAS.”  What is being left unsaid.   Was Jesus half-asleep, half dressed, or still talking to the crowd?  They took him JUST AS HE WAS.  If only we could be that accepting of others – take them just as they are.  Not merely tolerating them, their behaviors and their attitudes – their differences, their unique diversity.  But, really, full-heartedly accepting them and their individualities; their differing values, experiences, styles, and activities that so often can create misunderstandings and frustrations.  Key elements of our life may differ. For example: balance of life, work ethic, fair share division of chores.  But, there need not be a right-wrong conflict – there are shades of gray and more than one way to be “right.”

It does, however, require awareness, sensitivity and a genuine effort to develop mutual trust and respect.  Awareness is the first step. A true attitude of open-handed and heartedness will be needed not to bridge the generations but to blend the generations.  Goodwill can cover a multitude of situations but it takes education and a sincere personal effort to make us ONE community in mind, heart and spirit.  “They took Jesus just as he was.”

The other detail that I found curious is the passing remark that Jesus was asleep on a cushion.  Why was it so important to point out He had a cushion?  Makes it sound like not everyone had a cushion.  Cushions often line the hull of the boat but when cushions are scarce, having a cushion implies respect and comfort, doesn’t it?  Was Jesus sleeping like a baby, unaware of the turmoil around him.  Or was he peeking through one half-open eye?  Was his ear attentive to the murmuring about him and his seemingly uncaring attitude?  I recall when my brother and I were preschoolers and under strict orders not to leave the room or disturb my mom who was resting on the living room couch.  One day Bill tried in vain to get Mom’s attention.  In desperation he went to her side to rouse her.  No luck! So he pried open one eye lid and shouted in glee: “She’s still in there.!  When the disciples had enough courage to rouse Jesus, they must have been equally gleeful.  They are familiar enough to dare to wake him with words of reproach, questioning his care for them.

We are in the boat, the storms of life are raging around us, and like the disciples, we may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.” We hope that we will be as familiar with Jesus as his disciples. If we feel that Jesus is sleeping, are we comfortable, are we as familiar with Jesus as the disciples, to rouse him and present to him our fears and concerns? Jesus did not scold his disciples for waking him. Rather he chided them for their lack of faith.

Storms don’t worry Jesus. He’s right there in the boat with us, perfectly calm, not impatient, in no hurry for a solution or relief. In fact, He has one ready to hand us but how often do we tell God how to do things and then fret that God is doing nothing because it isn’t happening as we proposed?

Our lived experience should teach us that we need to relax and take heart in knowing that Jesus isn’t scared of the storm.  He isn’t depressed.  He might be asleep, or he might not be, but either way, like the song says, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”  Even if we think that he doesn’t wake at our first call, we are safe with Him. Be alert! He’s going to straighten up and say to us: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have so little faith?”

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading:   Job 38:1,8-11         Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel:   Mark 4:35-41

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Be Patient! It’s a Waiting Game.

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Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels.  It is full of parables, stories told by Jesus, the best of Storytellers. With some of His stories, Jesus uses elaborate details, making it easy to understand His point. Today’s “riddle” sounds like heaven is a “field of dreams.”  This is a field where a man one day casts seeds with abandon, unmindful of whether they fall on soil that is good or not-so-good.  That night he sleeps unaware that something mysterious is happening in the soil.  Violá!  Overnight the earth has sprung forth blade, and ear and then the fruit!  Jesus queries exactly what our curious minds may be wondering: “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God?”   Jesus floats another riddle for our consideration.  The kingdom can be compared to the smallest of seeds that when nurtured grows into the largest of trees.  Literally, the word parable means “a riddle.”  Jesus told more than 40 riddles or parables during his ministry.  Usually when a person tells you a riddle, they eventually tell you the answer.  But Jesus only explained one parable to the crowds – the parable of the Sower and the Seed.  Mark says Jesus explained everything to his disciples in private and they did not share for future generations the meaning of all the parables. Then, Jesus ascended into heaven and took the answers with him!   So that left the later disciples, and us, with a lot of figuring out to do.

Let’s start with one of the most amazing seeds in the world:  Chinese bamboo.  The seedling lies buried in the soil for five long years before any sprout appears above ground.  It seems dormant, or at least stunted.  But don’t be deceived into thinking it’s a lost cause.  The seedling requires constant cultivation during gestation, needing watering and fertilization on a regular basis. Then it requires much patience!  Wait, wait, wait.  It will make up for lost time.  When the bamboo seedling finally emerges from the ground, it grows at an astonishing rate, ninety feet into the air in just six weeks.  That’s fifteen feet a week, more than two feet a day, two inches every hour.  Once it finally gets going, you can almost watch it grow before your very eyes!  Why does it take so long to emerge, and grow so fast once it does?  Plant experts say that during its first five years, the seed is busy building an elaborate root system underground.  This is what enables it to grow ninety feet in six weeks.

Think of yourself as a “Chinese bamboo”.  Growth in us within God’s Kingdom is in a similar pattern.  We take a long time to emerge.  Sometimes it takes so long we wonder, “Did the seed of God’s kingdom planted in me at Baptism ever take root?  Maybe it fell on a rock in my heart and died.  Maybe it got choked by the thorns of my sins.”  More often than not the seed of God’s Kingdom is building an elaborate root system.

This means that we need to trust God who in the first place planted the seed of the Kingdom in us. God understands what’s happening inside us because he sees into the heart, even if we can’t.  We also need to be patient with ourselves and overly generous with mercy and compassionate with others.  Even though the Kingdom may not seem to have taken root in you, and you don’t seem to be getting any holier, there’s no need to be discouraged.  Growth may not be visible for a long time, but eventually something wonderful, beautiful and multi-faceted will emerge.

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Ezekiel 17:22-24         Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Gospel:   Mark 4:26-34
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