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What is your BE-attitude?

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Surely at least once in your life you’ve experienced a sinking sensation when your superior, your mentor or novice mistress, principal or boss sent for you, and maybe several others, looked you in the eyes, and said, “There’s something you need to understand….”  You felt quite literally like this was a “come to Jesus” moment.”  That’s the setting for the story in this Gospel reading.  This account according to Luke looks and sounds a lot like Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount.  The difference is that in Matthew we find only the “blessings.”  Here in Luke we find a set of contrasts: blessings vs woes.

Why do you suppose this is?  Well, like most people who have many speaking engagements, Jesus had in mind several basic concepts he wanted to be sure to cover.  Jesus spoke without notes, repeating the same truths from various angles.  In this particular talk He may have styled his presentation on the writings of the prophet Jeremiah (that we’ll hear in tomorrow’s first reading) – the section on curses and blessings.

Over Jesus’ three-year public ministry the disciples would have heard the same parables, the same stories, the same truths with some variation.  And, like any human being, their memories would have taken on different colors.  Surely you’ve been at a family or community gathering where inevitably the “do you remember when” stories come up?  You may have listened in amazement as your sibling related her memory of an event.  You thought you were there when it happened, but, my goodness, do the details differ!

So, it shouldn’t surprise us when we hear differences between accounts in the four Gospels.  And, we shouldn’t get all worked up, jump in to correct Sister X when she tells a tale with embellishments we don’t recall.  It shouldn’t destroy our trust in the evangelists when we encounter differences in their accounts.  After all, one evangelist calls the occasion “the sermon on the PLAIN” and the other the “sermon on the MOUNT.”  So, maybe it was two different occasions.

The match up of the blessings and woes in Luke is interesting to note …  they’re separated by several verses in the text.  For example: In the first comparison we find Jesus’ words on the blessedness of the poor, and a hopeless future for the rich.  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (v.20) “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” (v. 24).  Because of their faith and trust in God the poor are God’s beneficiaries.

The next parallel: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” (v 21) paired with “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” (v 25).  Jesus knows the people have experienced actual hunger… hunger for food and the necessities of life.  He contrasts it with being well-fed.  In our culture there are many overweight people.  But in a culture where poverty is rampant, only the rich are plump.  It’s easy to tell who is well-fed.  Jesus reminds us that there is something that is more valuable than “bread” – there is spiritual food that feeds our souls.

The third blessing/woe pair is weeping and laughing. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” (v 21).  “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.” (v 25).  We have all felt the pain of disappointment and loss, or rejection and struggle.  But the typical depiction of the well-to-do is of someone who is always partying and enjoying themselves.  They laugh and joke now while tragedy takes place all around them.

You can find many self-help aids on Amazon and Goodreads… POD casts on the Internet, books and tapes and DVD in the public library … in our library.  The more you read, and hear, about happiness – the longer you live – the more you will realize the impact attitude makes in one’s life.

Attitude is more important than facts. (Are you measuring the depth of emptiness in your glass?  Or, do you smile as the fullness in the glass of life expands?)  Attitude is more important than the past, than one’s education, than money, than circumstances, than failures or successes, than what other people think or say or do.  Attitude can make or break a person’s spirit; can build up or destroy a community …  a parish … a home … family.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace.  You can’t change our past …  we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We can’t change others’ attitudes.  The only thing we CAN do is adjust our own attitude.  It has been said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how we react to it.  We are each in charge of our own attitude.  What will be your attitude?  That is your BE-attitude.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading  Jeremiah 17:5-8
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Gospel Luke 6:17, 20-
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Reflection on Readings for St. Scholastica Day 2019

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I can imagine the twins (Benedict and Scholastica), soul-mates since before their birth when they grew together in their mother’s womb, spending hours talking about Benedict’s life in the big city of Rome, sharing their dreams for a better, more peaceful world.  How many times as they traveled the sandy, hilly road between their family home in Norcia, past their grandparent’s home to their summer home on the outskirts of the city.   Did they stop in to visit with the hermits that lived in the caves in the mountains above the roadway?  Did Scholastica share her brother’s desire to live as a hermit?  Women did, you know.  Did the twins challenge each other’s wisdom and curiosity about the spiritual life?  Was it Scholastica’s influence that made Benedict’s Rule for Monks have a softer tone than the Rule of the Master?  Together they dialogued – we know at least annually – about how to form communities of trust, love and moderation.  As Benedictines we have chosen to make their style of living our own.  We must be willing to die to self and live for Christ, according to the precepts of the Rule they fashioned.  For us as vowed monastics, it is an all or nothing proposition.  Benedictine Oblates challenge themselves to instill into their daily lives a balance that exemplifies the Benedictine core values.

Each day the Scriptures link us to God and give us insight into the person and mind of God.  That’s where we get our philosophy of life.  The Holy Rule fleshes out portions of Scripture and helps us to develop personal and communal goals.  Scripture says: “Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction.”  But that can only happen if we constantly engage the texts in the dialogue of our lives.  We must make it our own whether it is Sacred Scripture, the Holy Rule or a favorite spiritual writing.  How else can any text reach full meaning in our lives?  We must savor it – not inhale it like lunch on the job; not look at it on the run or listen to it on a background CD – but savor it … patient absorption with every possible sense.  Looking at it from all angles, taking the slow approach, the step back for better perspective, relaxing to let it sink in.

Recall a time or two when you experienced the anticipation of taste figuratively signaled by licking of lips and spontaneous flow of saliva. Mmmm, that smells so good I can almost taste it!  The slow intake of a pungent essence that seems to go all the way to our toes.

Thus it should it be with the Word of God.  In lectio we make a conscious effort to imprint the Word on our memories.  It is ambrosia with a capital A: truly the food of God!  In this way God leads us, like Benedict and Scholastica, and speaks to our hearts.  God it is who espouses us in right and truth and justice; in love and mercy and fidelity.

Dare we, then, do any less for each other?  What does it mean to be in covenant with each other in justice and truth and right; in love, and mercy, and in fidelity?  WISDOM tell us: love with a love that is powerful as death; with a passion as strong as death itself?  What does it mean to love each other with a love so powerful it bursts into flame and burns like a raging fire.  You can’t buy that kind of love.  And once you have it and know it, you can’t quench it with water nor drown it with a flood.

The reading from Sirach tells us: “I directed my whole being toward her, (Wisdom) and in purity I found her.  I had a heart for her from the beginning.  For this reason I will never be abandoned.  My guts (my very being), my guts were stirred to seek her; for this reason I gained a desired possession.”

In tomorrow’s Gospel story, Jesus seems to have to go out of His way to visit Martha and Mary in their home.  We each need to know where our “Bethany” is – our home spot where Jesus comes.  The place where we minister to the weary Christ and feed our hungry Guest…. where we are fed daily by the Word at Eucharist, lectio and time spent at the feet of Jesus … when we savor the Word in the light – and that’s contemplation!

We don’t have to stop cooking and sewing; teaching, gardening or doing the data entries or bookkeeping.  We seek to take on a contemplative stance which extends into the time we are involved in the activities that fill our days in service to others.  This contemplative attitude becomes ME.  Contemplation is not something we DO; it is what we ARE.  Wisdom says: “I will lead you into the desert and I will espouse you.”

In the desert, two very different kinds of birds thrive.  The vulture sees nothing but dead and stinking carcasses.  The hummingbird seeks the lovely blossoms of the cactus plant.  The vultures live on the dead past.  The hummingbird lives on the fragrant present.  Each bird finds what it is looking for. So, too, do we.  It’s a choice we make.

Which do you choose to be: a vulture or a hummingbird?

 

February 10th, Benedictine Communities of Women had the privilege of celebrating the Solemnity of St. Scholastica – twin sister to St. Benedict …  we are thankful for this relaxing of the church’s regulation that no feast will take the place of a Sunday liturgy …  And, we are grateful for our monastic vocations …  pray that more women will be open to the voice of the Spirit and consider a call to the religious life …  yes, all orders not only Benedictines …  pray for our postulant and novice …

HAPPY FEAST DAY!   And, Happy Valentine’s day! 

Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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A Miracle – A Mantra

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The miracle at Cana has never ceased happening.  Every moment of every day Christ pours himself into the empty jars of our lives.  He is the good wine; extravagant, abundant, endless.  We can’t understand how it happens.  We don’t know how it happens.  We only know that it does happen.  We’ve experienced it and witnessed moments when death is turned into life, sorrow into joy, and despair into hope.  We’ve been surprised when fear was transformed into courage and we’ve seen people do things they never thought possible.  We’ve done what we thought was impossible!  We’ve known moments when empty lives have been filled back up.

(There is a repeating refrain here- a mantra – please, join in if you like …)

When the wine runs out and you are confused – but others are looking for answers – DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and troubles swirl about you so your head is a muddle … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and your “umph” does, too DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and you know aridity and still you struggle to be upbeat … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, when a loved one dies or a friendship withers, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When good intentions don’t fill the void but only seem to pave the road to you-know-where – DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When prayers seem to be unheard, listen closely and DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When your illusion of self-sufficiency is shattered and your spirit is empty and you shake your water jar and hear the sound of hollowness, don’t despair – just … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the day is a disaster, an embarrassment, a failure, grab your empty jar, fill it with what water of your tears and DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine is running low, and no one else seems to notice, tell Him, and, then DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When self-doubt abounds and life seems meaningless, He is there: DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life lacks vibrancy and the future is colorless, fill the jar with the water of common life, not bottled water, not Dasani or Zephyrhills water … the water of your everyday life, and DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When hope wears thin and faith is shaky DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When you’re filled with guilt for deeds left undone and offenses given, bend your knee and bow your head and, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When you have more questions than answers, here’s an answer for any query … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life is full of changes that threaten, lean into the One who is changeless, DO WHAT EVER HE TELL YOU.

When your best efforts fall short and your life-glass looks more than half-empty, breathe deeply and, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

“They have no wine,” Mary said. But they will. The miracle always begins when the wine gives out.  Regardless of how it feels or what we think about it, the day the wine runs out is the beginning of a miracle.  Christ does not simply refill our glasses.  He transforms our lives, turning water into wine.  That which was colorless becomes vibrant.  That which had no taste now tingles the tongue.  That which had no fragrance now has a full bouquet.

Simply remember this – plant it in your heart: when the wine runs out DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
January 20, 2019  (Wedding at Cana)
First Reading Isaiah 62:1-5            Second Reading 1 Corinthians12:4-11
Gospel John 21:11
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Mary and Elizabeth Rejoicing

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It is appropriate in the season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation.  Mary’s faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people’s history and in her own life.  Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone.   Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church.

The story on the fourth Sunday of Advent is about two pregnant women, the first one 6 months along is already experiencing the movement of the child in her womb.  The baby leaps when her cousin calls out to her.  This is a story of utter delight of a meeting of mothers and infants.  The babies, John and Jesus – both of whom got their names directly from angels of God.  They were to be friends and fellow prophets, recognized each other when they were still in the womb.

First, we hear about Mary and her journey.  When left her Mary eagerly goes dancing over the hills (well, maybe not quite “dancing” after all the distance she traveled was close to 50 miles).  Did she tell anyone on her way about the angel, the message or why she was hastening to her cousin?  I’m guessing she might have shared her experience and her concerns with her mom, Anne.

Rushing to share her secret with her cousin, Mary found another surprise: old Elizabeth was expecting a child of her own!  God was up to something big here!  Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God’s plan for salvation.  If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke’s Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth’s greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat.  Both women recall and echo God’s history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.

To me, in this part of the Nativity story, Elizabeth is the star of the show and we do well not to overlook the significance of Elizabeth’s role in our salvation history.  She is the “amazed saint.”  She is exemplary in her response to her baby’s movement in her womb.  She is so in tune with her own body, she appreciates that something new and wonderful is going on here.  Elizabeth then broke out in joyful exclamation!  “Why am I so favored?”  Hers is humble amazement at being able to participate directly in God’s plan.  How muted Zechariah must have wished he, too, could sing with his wife over Mary’s news!  We who have a role in God’s plan should share this wonder.

Some of you may recall Fr. Simeon sharing a one-minute nugget of a Fourth Sunday of Advent homily in which you’ll find these lines:

 

Two women, cousins.

Girls giggling gladness, dancing delirious dream,

Marveling mystery, barely hearing –

 

He ended with this question: “Can God enter earth if there are no women?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading  Micah 5:1-4            Second Reading   Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel Reading  Luke 1:39-45              Intention   Christmas Novena
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