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The Holy Trinity – There are Clues

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I quote Richard Rohr: “I think it’s foolish to presume we can understand Jesus if we don’t first of all understand the Trinity.  We will continually misinterpret and misuse Jesus if we don’t first participate in the circle dance of mutuality and communion within which he participated.”

The reality of the Holy Trinity a mystery – an incomprehensible concept.   Thankfully, mysteries can be talked about.  They can be described.  They have clues that our minds can grasp.  A mystery remains a mystery unless and until we grasp it in its totality.  But, when it comes to God we simply cannot grasp the total reality of God.

We know, because we’ve been taught, that the inner nature of God, in whose image and likeness we are made, is Three Persons who, however distinct they are, totally belong to each other.  Humans, because they are made in God’s image, are made to belong in a special kind of belonging.  We (Benedictines at Holy Name Monastery) are free persons who chose to live in a community where we are mutually dependent on each other for full existence.  While there is a style of belonging that enslaves – a possessive belonging – there is also a belonging that gives freedom, the freedom to be who we are as persons.

The concept of the Holy Trinity is a mystery, but not a total mystery.   Mysteries, after all, are made up of clues. In a mystery story we pursue and piece together clues in order to see the whole picture.  So it is with the Holy Trinity.  We have lots of clues about the Holy Trinity.  And when we pursue them and piece them together we get a good glimpse into what kind of a god our God is.  God is all about love.  And when we live in love we live in God, and God lives in us.  Living in love, however, does not mean we must all be exactly the same.

There’s a great deal of confusion about this in today’s culture.  But it’s ridiculous to think that all persons must be the same.  We aren’t meant to be ducks in a row, waddling to the same tempo.  We honor our Triune God in whose image we are made.  God the Creator is a distinct Person; the God the Son, our Savior is a distinct Person; and God the Holy Spirit is a distinct person.  Distinct though they are, however, they exist in one being of infinite love.  They exist in one unbreakable bond, in one infinite union of being together.

While all of that remains a mystery to us, it is not so mysterious that we cannot live with each other in a reality of life that reflects and shares in the reality of God’s life.  To live a God-like life we must forgive rather than condemn.  We must build-up and affirm rather than tear down.  We must see the best, not the worst.  We must be self-sacrificial and not self-centered.  We must be giving rather than grasping.  We must offer hope, not despair.  We must heal rather than wound.  All of this is best affirmed and nurtured in what we know as a community.  There is nothing in life that more closely reflects the reality of the Holy Trinity than genuine family life.   This concept is mimicked in intentional community life.  For it is in such a setting that we not only belong but also where we discover, nurture, and affirm our own unique and individual personalities.  It is in living the reality of being truly a community that we have a glimpse into the life of the Trinity.

In our community prayer, a “Trinitarian-like movement” echoes the rhythm of our whole lives.  In Lectio we go up to the mountaintop with Jesus, we have conversation with Him there, and we return to everyday life among his people.  Notice, too, in our communal prayer, a three-fold movement: we sit, we stand, we bow.  In our chants, we don’t always have to harmonize (singing different but complementary melodies) but we do strive to keep our voices in harmony with each other – one heart, one voice, one love.

We all have different views about the mystery we celebrate today.  We have different views in our heads about who God is and what God is like.   But I think we agree:  God is love and we are made in God’s image.  But, love is only a word until someone gives it meaning.  To be true to our calling we must be the ones who give meaning to love in our world.  We, Benedictine Sisters of Florida – and our Oblates and Volunteers – put flesh on that calling through our Corporate Commitment: We commit ourselves and our resources to respond with the compassion of Christ to the hungers of the people of God.

~Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading   Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9                  Second Reading 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Gospel  John 3:16-18                    
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Gun Violence Awareness Day

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The Peace and Justice Committee at Holy Name Monastery suggested the Sisters and volunteers wear orange on June 7th, Gun Violence Awareness Day, in support of groups working for an end to gun violence.  It seems that orange is the chosen color because it is the color hunters wear to protect themselves.

There are more guns than people in the United States. Since 1994 the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference has supported “reasonable measures to address the problem of gun violence.”  “We have seen too many shootings and much too often of late,” said Sister Mary David. We Benedictine Sisters of Florida do what we can – pray, sign petitions, call legislators … wear orange.”

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“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do greater works than I have done.”

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Can you recall a time (or 2 or 3) when you were anticipating with dread a hard conversation you felt compelled to have with a confrere or co-worker, maybe an aging parent, a good friend? You just did not know what you were going to say. You ask yourself: How can I be both diplomatic and kind; tactful and yet honest? You imagined every possible scenario. Picturing how your words would come out; how the other person would react? Then, when the actual conversation took place, you hardly recognized what came forth from your own lips – it was tender, persuasive but firm; you weren’t sweating or tense … the right words just sort of flowed out of you and rained gently on the loved one. That was a “SPIRIT MOMENT.” Remember, in Luke, Jesus tells us: the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Do we really believe Jesus?

The Holy Spirit is probably the least understood Person of the Blessed Trinity.   The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” The Holy Spirit is a Person – not someTHING, but, SomeONE. In 1st Corinthians we read that the Holy Spirit is in you.  That means a personal relationship – a special, intimate relationship with the Spirit.  Maybe you are not really comfortable praying to the Spirit – your relationship has been mainly with Jesus or God the Father.  Don’t start squirming …  you already know the Spirit of God.  Jesus told you: The Father and I are one…. and, I will send you the Spirit.  You affirm this every time you bless yourself “In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.”

If I knew how, I’d send you a recording of the theme music from a TV show you may remember.  And, I’d borrow the opening words from “Mission Impossible!”  “Good morning, my friends!  Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”  Just before He returned to heaven, Jesus said essentially the same thing.  He charged us to do something which seems like a “mission impossible.”  Recall His words – it’s one of the most amazing verses in the Bible.  “Verily, verily, I say to you: You that believe the works I do, you also shall do – and even greater works than these shall you do.”  Surely sounds like mission impossible to me!  And yet, our God, who cannot lie, has said it.

But how can we make it a reality?  To put “flesh on our mission” we must have a vision of what Jesus meant by “greater things.”  How well do I personally espouse the values of our family, our community, our company, our parish?  How well do we put them into practice?  Which ones do we do well – to which might we give more attention?

Jesus fed 5,000 people with a lad’s lunch.  He walked on water.   How can we do “greater”?  Jesus raised the dead.  How can we top that?  Exactly what was it that Jesus said?  Oh, He did not say we’d work greater miracles than He, but that we’d do greater works!  What greater works can we possibly do?

First, calm yourself.  Jesus’ primary work was not walking on water, healing people physically, raising them from the dead…though He did do all of those things.  His primary work was to seek and save that which was lost.  The miracle of Pentecost convinces us of the greater work the Spirit accomplished through the disciples.  Now, they can be worked through us.

In this season of Pentecost, let me ask you: when was the last time you had the courage to stand up for your convictions?  To sign a petition, write to your senator, or fire up a committee to action.  In some parts of the world having the courage to live the Gospel means risking your life. It may not ordinarily be that extreme but standing up for what you believe could cost you that promotion or disrupt relationships with family members. The stirring of the Holy Spirit compels us to every good action – to bless not curse – not to use God’s name lightly.   However, we only recognize the Spirit’s prompting if we are attuned to the signal … not in a dead zone where there are no lines to indicate connection or there is too much static to understand what is being said.

We have to make a concerted effort to develop, or continue, the habit of having conversations with God.  Psalm 139 asks us to ponder: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”  The Holy Spirit has all knowledge, sees everything that goes on, knows what’s in our hearts and minds.

Pope Francis writes (isn’t he a breath of fresh air – would that some of his charisma could rub off on our politicians) in The Joy of the Gospel, “The point is that we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power at all times.  But we can only experience this in the divine fullness by yielding ourselves and our will to God.”

Living (that is, literally “walking”) with and in the Spirit is the key…. If we turn our focus to the Spirit, we will be able to stand firm.   As Pope Francis reminds us: “Jesus said, “Run the way, not walk.  We must live with “one foot raised” ready for the journey, the path God has already trod for us.

That brings to mind the words of Paul to Corinthians:  “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God working in all of you.  To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

God has given each of us Spirit-gifts – you are to use them for the spread of God’s kingdom.  But be patient. It might take a while to get a good idea of how God has gifted you. One of your tasks is to discover which are your gifts.  To help with this, try different kinds of ministries to see which you do best. You will find that others will affirm you in your ministry in certain areas. You are also likely to find great joy and fulfillment in the areas where you have a spiritual gift.

This week let our prayer for each other echo Paul’s prayer for the Colossians: (1:9b-12) “May you be filled with the knowledge of God’s will for you in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, full pleasing to God as you bear fruit in every good work and you grow in the knowledge of God.  May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from God’s glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who as enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”                                                                                                                                      Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress    

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PEACE

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Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  It was originally called Decoration Day – a day to honor deceased soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers, flags and wreaths.  Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday wouldn’t legally be called Memorial Day until 1967 and its designation as a federal holiday came in 1971.

Enough history trivia!  The holiday prompts us to take some time to ponder the toll that war and violence have taken, and continues to take, on our society.  And lest that image overwhelm us we are moved to “raise our eyes to heaven; bow our heads in prayer” – hard to do at the same time.

In the Gospel we heard Jesus’ promise: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. … Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid …You heard me tell you…”.  I suspect that one of Benedict’s favorite words must have been PAX, PEACE – The kind of peace Jesus gives, not as the world gives.  But, Benedict doesn’t promote an attitude of “peace at any cost.”  This is simply a false peace – smooth the surface of the waters and there’s churning beneath.  Agreeing with another simply to avoid conflict too often comes back to haunt us in the form of inner turmoil, headaches and stomach ailments and a long history of unrestful emotions.

The guidelines Benedict offers to his followers may involve great personal cost.  He seems to have an attitude of “nip it in the bud.”  Confronting isn’t easy for most folks.  Being the first to apologize can go against the grain.  And, gracefully accepting another’s expression of regret is a humbling exchange.  Benedict encourages us at the outset of our Benedictine journey: “Let peace be your quest and aim.”  [RB Prologue 17]  It’s difficult, some days more so than others.  We are a flawed people.  We have weaknesses, limitations, distractions that burden us and can cause us to be defensive, resentful and irritable.  (Remind you of the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal?”)

We know Benedict is right when he says that seeking peace is the way to heaven – heaven in the after-life and a little bit of heaven here on earth.  “If you wish to have true and eternal life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit; turn from evil and do good; seek PEACE and pursue it.”  Another translation says, “Seek peace and go after it.”  And yet another says: “Chase peace and pursue it.”  Doesn’t that conjure up quite an image…   one that I imagine is depicted here in this drawing from What Do you Do With a Problem?  Can’t you see us – peace leading the way … dashing out of the chapel, into the dining room, down the halls, out the door, into the neighborhoods, climbing God’s holy mountain pursuing PEACE – never abandoning charity nor giving a false peace, peacefully performing whatever duties are entrusted to us and ensuring we have made peace before sundown.

Today, let us renew our commitment to make, to pursue PEACE so it is more than a concept that only we talk about.  Make a daily pledge to be people of peace, to be a peaceful people.  Make each day an echo of what Paul tells us in the Letter to the Corinthians “the old things have passed away; behold new things have come….  We have been reconciled through Christ and more than that, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A MINISTRY OF RECONCILATION.”  Peace is up to you and me.  Do you mean it when you sing: “Let there be peace on earth; and, let it begin with me?”

Another way to think about peace is expressed in this Chinese proverb.  It shows us the progression of light within to peace in the world…

If there is light in the soul,

There will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world.

(Chinese proverb)

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Lord, where are you going?

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Here (in this Gospel) we see Jesus troubled with the knowledge of who is about to betray him.  It is more troubling when you realize that Jesus truly did know who would betray him.  We may say: “I know what she’s thinking; I know why she did that.”  But, we don’t really – we’re second-guessing or assigning a motive based on our own behavior.”  Yet still knowing full well Judas’ heart and what would happen when they stepped into the garden after supper – watch what Jesus does.  He announces the imminent betrayal, and then proceeds to feed the betrayer:  “When he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.”  With the flavor of the morsel still in his mouth, Judas leaves to do his dirty work.  The narrator adds, “… and it was night” – the deed is done under the cover of darkness.  In this dark moment Jesus says: “Now is the Son of Man glorified.”  He speaks of being glorified and focuses on preparing his disciples for what is to come.

Not included in the text for tomorrow, but in John’s Gospel, the conversation continues, with Peter asking, “Lord, where are you going?”  Jesus responds, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward”.  Peter argues, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you.”  But Jesus knows before the sun comes up, that Peter – one of his closest companions – will deny him three times.  Yet his parting words to his disciples focus not on blame for their failures.  He assures them that although he will no longer be physically present with them, they will not be alone.  He reminds them of their need for community.  “Love one another,” He counsels, “as I have loved you.”

Seems to me this is what Benedict means in RB 72 …  “Show pure love to each other…. don’t pursue self-interests… rather seek to anticipate what is better for someone else …. supporting each other with the greatest patience.”

Jesus demonstrates the kind of love he preaches.  He shows no partiality.  He does the same for the one who laid his head on Jesus breast as he does for the disciples who will fail him miserably.  Jesus washes and feeds Judas who will betray him, Peter who will deny him, and all the rest who will fail to stand by him in his hour of greatest need.  The love that Jesus demonstrates is not based on any earned merit or reciprocity.  He asks only that we freely love others in the same way He loves us.

It could not be any clearer!  Jesus to telling us it’s not by our knowledge of the church law, liturgical rites, the catechism, or even by our sense of morality, our ministerial service, attendance at funerals or obeying driver safety rules; not by my formation experience, nor by how I was brought up; it doesn’t depend on how neat or clean we keep our personal spaces, our table manners,  or whether we practice an exercise routine.  Simply put: (as the hymn says) “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  We won’t be tested, evaluated or judge by any measure other than this: Have our actions and interactions been loving – has our manner of living exuded love… at all times: not just when there are guests, or we are sporting a Benedictine Sisters logo shirt, or we think others are watching or that we may be overheard.

It comes down to a choice.  Like Judas, we’ve seen the evidence – we’ve witnessed Jesus’ miracles in the Scriptures and in our own life-time.  Along with other Christ-followers we’ve read and pondered and puzzled over Jesus radical teachings.  We’ve been there in spirit with the Marys who sat at the feet of Jesus absorbing his words.  We’ve stumbled and been raised up by the same Lord whose teaching we chose to ignore, disregard or just never delved into to.  We’ve followed others’ lead when we knew full well the ugliness of gossip, tittle-tattle and unacceptable language or jokes.  We forgot Jesus and our guardian angels were in the same room with us … and heard and saw it all.  We may have snubbed the prompting of the Spirit.  But, that still small voice will keep pestering us until we pay heed.  [Persistence must be one of the Spirit’s major virtues…]

As Benedict says in the Prologue, “The labor of obedience will bring you back to God from whom you have drifted.”  Ever noticed how a stick thrown into a body of water seems to flounder until it is grabbed by the drift forcing it in a particular direction.  It just can’t continue for very long going in circles or struggling against the current.  That’s you and me …  searching for a direction …  striving to give up self-will …  awed by all we’ve witnessed of God’s goodness.  Now, roused from sleep and equipped with good zeal and a determination to prefer nothing whatever to Christ, we are ready – we’re perked up and prepared to heed Benedict’s first word:  LISTEN!

At Noon Prayer earlier this week God spoke to us from long before Jesus walked this earth – long before he endured disappointment and betrayal and death.  To this day God promises:  “I will never take back my love; my faithfulness will not fail.  I will never break my covenant or go back on my promise.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

5th Sunday of Easter (May 19, 2019)
First Reading Acts 14: 21-27 Second Reading   Revelation 21:1-5a
Gospel John 13: 31-33a, 34-15
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Do You Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice?

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Sunday, May 12th is designated Good Shepherd Sunday, a day of prayer for vocations.  We will certainly continue to pray for vocations to church ministries and for an increase in membership in religious communities.  In addition to that prayer, our community weekly intention is an intercessory prayer for MOTHERS – including all who mother others…  which in today’s society of broken families many daddies, too, serve in the role of both “mother” and “father” to their children.

The brief Gospel (just read) reveals Jesus as our unique “parent” – mother and father – our good shepherd.  Jesus is our means to salvation – the “sheep gate,” the gateway, the threshold to eternal life.  Jesus is the selfless, caring “shepherd” who provides protection and life itself.  How consoling and reassuring his words: “No one can take you out of my hand.  My Father, who has given you to me, is greater than all, and no one can take you out of my Father’s hand.”

A good shepherd’s life is not an easy one – the shepherd must be vigilant at all times, willing to keep the sheep close together (in community), lead them to green pastures and set a good pace sensitive to their endurance.  Jesus explains the difference between the concerned shepherd and the hireling.  The hireling is there only for the paycheck.  When trouble comes, he runs away and leaves the sheep to be devoured by the wolves.  The good shepherd, on the other hand, the shepherd who owns the sheep, has a vested interested in their welfare.  Therefore, the good shepherd is willing to pay any price to protect the sheep, even if it means that he has to give His very life for them.  Christ, the Chief Shepherd, knows our individual weaknesses and failings and watches over us with discerning love and sympathetic understanding.  With infinite concern He notes the doubts, fears, trials, conflicts, and defeats that disturb our peace, and He swiftly comes to our aid.

You’ve probably seen the painting titled “His Master’s Voice.”  It depicts a dog, looking with a cocked head, into an old gramophone.  It’s an apt symbol of what Jesus is saying to us or Benedict’s call to heed the voice of the Master.  Hear what Jesus says: “The sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

The spiritual writer, Tony Campolo tells the story of a census taker who went to the home of a rather poor family in the mountains of West Virginia to gather information.  He asked the mother how many dependents she had.  She began, “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey.  There’s Johnny, and Harvey, and our dog, Willie.”  The census taker interrupted her: “No, ma’am, that’s not necessary.  I only need the humans.” “Ah,” she said.  “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey, Johnny, and Harvey, and….”  At this the exasperated man interrupted, “No, ma’am, you don’t seem to understand.  I don’t need their names I just need the numbers.”  To which the old woman replied, “But I don’t know their numbers.  I only know them by name.”

Sounds like Jesus in today’s Gospel – Jesus says the good shepherd knows his sheep by name.  Although there may be several flocks sharing the same sheepfold, when the shepherds walk up to the gate and call their sheep, each one instantly recognizes the voice of its own shepherd or shepherdess.  When they hear the familiar voice, they instinctively follow (they are led and they follow, they are not driven, that’s for goats).  They will ignore the voice of a shepherd other than their own.  We will hear many voices competing for our attention, but there is a special note to the voice of Jesus that demands our immediate and full attention.

To the untrained eye, the individual sheep in a flock may all look alike.  A good shepherd, however, can tell them apart — often because of their defects and peculiar traits.  A man who was tending a large flock explained it this way: “See that sheep over there? Notice how it toes in a little.  The one behind it has a squint; the next one has a patch of wool off its back; ahead is one with a distinguishing black mark, while the one closest to us has a small piece torn out of its ear.”  Jesus says: “I know my sheep and they know me.”  (Reminds me of how we can detect who is coming down the hall by the sound of her footsteps.)

A man in Australia was arrested and charged with stealing a sheep.  But he claimed emphatically that it was one of his own that had been missing for many days.  When the case went to court, the judge was puzzled, not knowing how to decide the matter.  At last, he asked that the sheep be brought into the courtroom.  Then he ordered the plaintiff to step outside and call the animal.  The sheep made no response except to raise its head and look frightened.  The judge then instructed the defendant to go to the courtyard and call the sheep.  When the accused man began to make his distinctive call, the sheep bounded toward the door.  It was obvious that he recognized the familiar voice of his master.  “His sheep knows him,” said the judge. “Case dismissed!”

There is no question that Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  The only question that remains at this point is this: Do you know the Shepherd? Do you recognize His voice?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading:           Acts 13: 14, 43-52                      Second Reading: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel: John1o: 27-30
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