Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

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Good Shepherd Sunday

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In the earliest Christian art, the only depictions of Jesus are of Him as a Good Shepherd. That image of Jesus persisted until about 500 AD.   By that time eighty-eight frescoes depicted the Good Shepherd on the ceilings of the Roman catacombs because artists had run out of space of the walls of the churches of Rome.  The image of the Good Shepherd speaks to us about the protection, intimacy, security, and compassionate care.  If one looks carefully in many of those first paintings the Good Shepherd is a woman.  Yes, the ladies stayed close to the home to keep an eye on the flock and stir the all-purpose kitchen pot in preparation for the for the mid-day main meal.

In some images we see Jesus holding a lamb around his neck, over his shoulders, holding the two front legs of the sheep in one hand and the two rear legs in the other. Our minds naturally begin to wander and we realize it holds personal meaning for us. We are that lamb who is being carried by Jesus. It’s reassuring for us, in the dark days of our lives, that although we may feel empty and alone, we are never abandoned.

The image of the Good Shepherd is symbolized in a beautiful way by the Pallium which the pope and archbishops wear over their shoulders while celebrating Mass. The Pallium is made from lamb’s wool from sheep raised by the Trappist monks on the outskirts of Rome.  When mature, the sheep are taken to the Pope for a blessing and then cared for by Benedictine Nuns at St. Cecelia’s (where Benedict lived while he was going to school in Rome) until they are sheared on Holy Thursday.   The lamb’s wool is meant to represent the lost, sick or weak sheep in the desert which the shepherd finds and places on his shoulders and carries to the waters of life.

At night a shepherdess can walk right through a sleeping flock without disturbing a single one of them, while a stranger cannot step foot in the fold without causing pandemonium.  And when several shepherds and their sheep are at a watering hole and it is time to leave all the shepherds have to do is call and their flock separates itself and follows their shepherd.

This is what we need to do when confronted with a cacophony chorus of conflicting opinions … but we can only do this if, as Pope Francis frequently reminded us, “it is essential in order to cope with complexity and change, that we have developed the ability to withdraw for quiet reflection.  Only then will we truly know the voice of our shepherd, heed His voice and follow wherever God calls.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52         Second Reading:  Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel:   John 10:27-30
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Believing Can Bring Sight

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Each day since Easter we’ve heard post-Resurrection stories of personal encounters. The resurrected Christ has visited the disciples and his mother Mary in the Upper Room to breathe peace upon them.  We’ve heard the story of how Jesus slips in and out of the company of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.   In John’s narrative Peter’s head is whirling at all that was going on.  It appears his message to the others is: “This is too much for me; I’m going to clear my head. I’ll be back later. I’m going fishing!” A few of the others jumped aboard.  At daybreak a very human Jesus appears to these disciples who’ve spent a night of non-productive fishing.  We know that Jesus must have known this but still he calls to them: “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”  Then he suggests to them that they toss the nets on the other side of the boat.  Lo and behold, the nets encircle 153 large fish!”  No one dares ask him: “Who are you?”  To their astonishment, Jesus invites: “Come, have breakfast.”

Last Sunday the church made sure that we heard the message that Jesus came a second time to the group in the Upper Room.  Again, He came right through “locked doors.” He greeted the fearful group: “Peace!”  And He turned to address Thomas to quiet his fear that the one the disciples claimed they had seen a week ago might be an imposter.   Nothing could keep Jesus away from those who had been his companions for three years.

At that 2nd visit in the Upper Room Jesus praises those who do not seek proof.  On the other hand, neither does He condemn those who seek a sign.  He meets us where we are on our faith journey. He does not condemn Thomas for wanting to see proof in the nail marks.  Instead, he offers living proof to help his unbelief.  “See my hands; put your finger here.”  And then He nurtures maturity in faith when he says: “Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”

In Monday’s gospel there is an exchange with Nicodemus about the wind. From whence does it come, and where does it go?  Jesus gently tries to explain, “If I tell you of earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”  If only if we understood that seeing may not be believing but believing can bring sight.

 The lessons remembered by John continue.  “God does not ration the gifts of the Spirit; the Father gives everything to the Son.”  As the evening grows long, the disciples go down to the sea.  It grows dark as they rest and row and drift in the boat.  When they are several miles from shore, one by one the Apostles perk up and point to a silhouette of a man who appears to be walking on the water toward them A calming voice is heard: “It is I.  Do not be afraid.”  Those who are familiar with the voice of God will immediately recognize when Jesus speaks.

Today we hear a curious detail. John relates that before Peter jumps from the boat into the sea, he grabs his clothing “for he was lightly clad.”  He puts on more clothes to jump into the water?  Is that typical of what we tend to do?  If you think about it, it probably is.   We don’t want to leave anything behind even when it only adds weight to our journey.  What does Jesus tell us to do?  Not, grab all your belongings, we’re going on a journey of a lifetime.  Rather he says: Feed my sheep; feed my lambs.   Follow me!

What is your excess baggage?  What needs to be left behind?  We have to clear out old expectations if we are to have room to welcome new experiences.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Acts 5:27-32; 40-41         Second Reading:  Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel:   John 21:1-19
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Divine Mercy Sunday

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This weekend end is an unusual, wonderful, seasonal combination of themes, ceremonials, rituals.  Early today, (the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday) millions were glued to the TV as in Rome a good and holy man was laid to rest.  Our Gospel reading from John rings out a message of PEACE.  Jesus comes through locked doors to greet His mother and friends proclaiming: “Peace be with you!”  An unbeliever has his faith boosted when Jesus says:  “I’m here, see me!  I’m real!  Yes, you can touch me.”  In my mind’s eye I see Peter trying to keep up with the younger guys, I spy Mary Magdalene trying to “up the tempo” of Mother Mary and some other ladies who are walking sedately and chatting quietly.  All are mystified and inspired and ever so grateful!

Here at home, as in the Gospel reading, it is the evening of the first day of the week.  The faith community is gathered behind locked doors, for fear of the unknown.  Suddenly, this evening,  Lynn and Judith will appear in our midst bringing greetings of PEACE.  The community rejoices and we pray them a blessing: PEACE BE WITH LYNN AND JUDITH!

We are grateful for their presence and grateful that we live in this time and space – in this Jubilee Year of HOPE.  This weekend’s liturgical readings for Divine Mercy Sunday combine MERCY with HOPE – and HOPE with KINDNESS.

KINDNESS (it seems to me) is the virtue par excellence of a person who is truly patient, a person like Pope Francis.  In an early interview, Pope Francis said he hoped that his legacy would be expressed in this way: “He was a good guy doing good things.”  Kindness rubs off.  Isn’t this the shining image we have in Francis!?  Kindness is fueled by MERCY.  MERCY, one author offers, is not one aspect of the Gospel of Jesus; MERCY is the very center of the Gospel.

Divine Mercy is offered to us in the Eucharist, in each celebration of the sacraments, (all seven of them), and in every sacramental exchange of hope and kindness and mercy.

To paraphrase Abbot John in the Dove and the Hawk series by Penelope Wilcock: we re – member Christ in communion – Christ will re – member us in the coming of his kingdom.  We are healed, we are made one with each other, we regain our integrity as Christ’s kingdom comes on earth.  Where (he asks) does Christ come into his kingdom?  It happens wherever, and whenever, we allow it.” We allow it in every act of HOPE, every act of KINDNESS, and certainly in every act of MERCY.   We allow it every time the Eucharist is presented to us, the “BODY of CHRIST” (That’s the moment of invitation).  It happens when we allow it to happen – when we affirm it with our AMEN.

Yes, Jesus stands at the door and knocks.  We just have to turn the key and open the door. Even an auto-button won’t open a locked door.  That’s your part, our part.  Turn the key to let the door swing open.    It’s true that the turning of the key is a life-long process. [But, praise GOD!] It’s the gift of a moment. A lifetime made up of a sequence of moments giving us the chance to say “I hear you …  I’m coming! I was waiting for your knock.”    “Please, do come in.  May I offer you some refreshment?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Acts 3:42-47         Second Reading:  1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel:   John 20:19-31
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Good Friday

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Reflection on a Good Friday Afternoon

The hour of Jesus’ death draws near.

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

The sky grows dark, thunder rumbles and the air turns chill.

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

The bickering among the soldiers stops, the murmuring crowd grows quiet.

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

All attention focuses on Jesus.

In the silence His voice in utter anguish cries:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?”

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

Refusing the sponge of wine which might numb his senses and dull his awareness,

He cries aloud as His spirit at last departs from His earthly body.

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?

Yes, were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?  WERE YOU?

WHERE WERE YOU?

Were you part of the jeering crowd; caught up in the mob emotion?

Were you a silent on-looker, trembling lest you be recognized (like Peter had been) for one of Jesus’ followers?   Or were you one of the soldiers doing a task – not so tasteful but all in day’s work, required to collect that almighty silver coin?

WHERE WERE YOU?

Were you among the women quietly lending mutual support to each other; heart-broken and helpless to do naught but weep and hope for a miracle of deliverance for your Lord?

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?  Look into your heart . . .

The hour of His death has come.  And, gone.  Will you gather up your picnic cloth and go home to wait for another day’s excitement?  Or, will you silently mourn His passing, confused but confident that He will rise again?  He told you “this temple shall be rebuilt.”

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY LAID HIM IN THE TOMB?

When the sky was dark and the earth quaked; when spirits walked the earth and on-lookers beat their breasts in fear and withdrew from the scene.

WERE YOU THERE?

Were you there to help linen-wrap His broken body, to place it in the newly hewn tomb and set the stone at the entrance?

WHERE WERE YOU?

Were you among the women who went home to prepare spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Your Lord?  Valiant women, strong in respectful silence for each other’s grief.  Strong in the promise of Passover.  Strong in the love of the Man of Nazareth, their Lord, and now their Redeemer.

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?  WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY NAILED HIM TO THE TREE?  WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY LAID HIM IN THE TOMB?      Where were you?

~by Sister Roberta Bailey

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Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday

 

Note: Inspired and expanded from an unidentified note in my journal.

This Palm Sunday we are the two friends, sitting on angel wings, waiting for the unfolding of 2000-year old story. Iit unfolds each year during what earthlings call LENT.  We are  watchful, attentive, waiting.

We, you and I are aware that the ministry of Jesus has not been a secret ministry, but a public one.   People constantly surround him. Today the crowd is particularly exuberant.

All morning, the people kept coming in droves to laud his praises: to sing and wave branches, to spread their cloaks on the street.  They shouted with joy at his arrival.  But only days later, we know the story, and their shouts change.  No longer do they sing, “Hosanna in the highest.”  Their shouts that day are cruel: “Crucify Him!”  Then, just like that, there is no crowd.  There is only the tomb and Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who “remain[ed] sitting there, facing the tomb.”  In the end, there is only the Lord, placed in the tomb, and his two friends, still there, with Him.

This Palm Sunday we are two friends, sitting watchful and attentive. Mystified.  How heavy our hearts, and yet we would not be separated from our Jesus.  We recall that He had promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  So, we stay here together, watching and waiting.

Reminiscing about the wonders we have seen (even still see around us) binds us all the more to Him. Now is not the time to abandon Him. Now is not the time to turn from faith. Now is the time to cling to Him!

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrive at the tomb on the morning of the third day. They bring with them spices to anoint the Lord’s body in an attempt to preserve, to keep death at bay.  And yet, the Lord has so much more in store for them. The Lord will not be beholden to death!

And so we will stay, two friends, seated beside the tomb, at a loss and shaken by what the Lord is doing. We could not yet see all that would come to pass.

This Holy Week, 2025, may we not leave Him. Let us revel in this time alone, which can be time alone with Him.  May our thoughts and prayers always turn to Him. May our hearts reach out to Him – and to each other. Let us give each other time, quiet and space to ponder the mystery about to unfold.  If we remain with Him, watchful and waiting, we will not miss the glory He intends to reveal.

   ~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Last Sunday we heard the parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke.  Our selection here from the Gospel of John offers another lesson about God’s mercy and forgiveness – not a parable but a report of a personal encounter between Jesus, some scribes and Pharisees, and a woman.  In this case, Jesus’ response to those who accuse the woman of adultery is a lesson in profound mercy and forgiveness.  It is a forceful reminder that we too have been saved by Jesus’ compassion.

The Gospel account says these people brought this woman to Jesus to trap him.  You see, Jesus had forgiven some people of their sins, like the man born blind and the crippled man. But the sins that those people had been accused of were not considered crimes. Here was a woman accused of a major crime.  Had a trial already taken place and a verdict of GUILTY already upon her head? Would Jesus fulfill the law? Or would he do what he’d done before: forgive her?   She is counting on the compassion of this man of God.

Thinking about that crowd.  It may be pretty easy to spot a Pharisee, and we might not like to admit it, but we can all behave like a Pharisee.  How will you know if you’re a Pharisee?

  • If your official title is longer than your given name.
  • If you’re willing to be merciful – once. You’re getting you final chance
  • If God’s still small voice… sounds exactly like your own.
  • If you know the Word of God, but not the God of the Word.

What does Jesus do?  He stoops down and writes in the dirt.  What’s he writing?  Was he just doodling or was he writing something meaningful? The Gospel does not say.   What John tells us is Jesus’ last words to the woman, “Go away and don’t sin anymore.”    He does not say to her, or to us, “Leave your life of sin, then I will no longer condemn you.”  He does say this: “I do not condemn you; now leave behind your life of sin.”  He did not simply ignore sin or overlook it.  Jesus chose not to condemn the woman, but He did not tell her that her sin was unimportant.

Maybe this little story, a true one I’m told, reminds you of someone you know most intimately.   Like, you know, yourself?  I’m told that a 4-year-old said to his mother, “Mom, I decided I’m not going to sin any more.  I’m not going to be like those bad guys Jesus was talking to.  I’m going to be a good child of God.” “Mmm, that’s very nice,” Mom answered.  “What made you decide that?”  “ ‘Cause Jesus said if you don’t sin, you can throw the first stone. I want to throw the first stone at the bad person.”

Maybe you never thought that way.  But you may have noticed that when you point your finger at “her,” there are three fingers on your hand pointing right back at you.  Self-examination opens us to self-revelation.  And, Jesus reminds us: “Judge not, lest you be judged.”

Notice in today’s second reading Paul says: “it is not that I have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it.”    Let us pray that same gift for each other.  May I be mindful of Jesus’ way of not looking at the past.  Instead, he says: “Neither do I condemn you.  Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”  Today, I promise you, Jesus, with Your help, I will not hold anyone’s past against them.  May God strength me/us in my/our resolve.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 43:16-21       Second Reading:  Philippians 3:8-14
Gospel:   John 8:1-11
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