Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

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What New Road?

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This Gospel introduces us to the man John; John the Baptist, the voice of prophecy in a world where such a voice had been silent for 400 years.  Now John is: “The voice (that Isaiah described), the voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight His paths’.”

The highlight of John’s ministry was the fantastic success he enjoyed way out in the wilderness.  This guy doesn’t care what people think.  And, his style worked!

We still hear about it, don’t we?  When the people of Jerusalem and Judea left their cities to hear John preach, they probably had to walk twenty or thirty miles.  They did so in such increasing numbers that Scripture tells us (with only slight exaggeration) that “all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem” came out to hear this young preacher proclaim: “The Kingdom of heaven is near!  Repent and be baptized.”  That is all he did – he announced!  He never told them how it worked, or why.

And, he certainly was no fashion plate, with his camel hair clothing, leather sandals and the girdle around his waist.  His diet was very simple: locusts (grasshoppers) and wild honey.  This note is important, or it wouldn’t be here.  It is symbolic.  You can’t wear anything more simple in the way of clothing, or eat a more basic diet.  In other words, it is representative of his ministry — one of very simple beginnings – the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is all this saying to us?  What new road is God building in our lives?  When our life’s valley is filled in and the road made straight, will we be ready to “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud.”  As we approach the off-ramp of life – will we be so attuned to the divine whisper that we hear clearly the voice of the One crying out – Look!  The “salvation of our God” is at hand!

So what kind of forklift will it take to raise our weariness to a conscientious attention to those with whom we live?  What kind of backhoe does it take to crack the ridged set in our ways?  How many hosing-downs does it take to quiet a hot temper or a sharp tongue?  How tall a crane do we need for us to see the bigger picture?  What kind of work goggles do we need to protect our eyes from worldliness?  What kind of binoculars will it take to pinpoint and zero in on the evils we want to eradicate?  Are we keeping the traffic strips on the edges of our souls bright enough to protect us from running off the road to goodness?  How tough are the rumble strips that we put down to remind us of “danger ahead”?  Is our prayer life regular enough, strong enough and sincere enough to be the barricades we need to protect us from on-coming temptations?

And, then we have the task of repairing old roads.  In our lives, no matter how we might like to think that we’ve got it all together, sooner or later we all need to have a little “heavenly highway repair.”  Our God promises to fix what’s broken in our lives.  When a hurtful word breaks away a slab of our self-confidence, or when an extended period of neglecting our prayer life creates a pothole of emptiness and isolation, God is there to put out the orange cones.  When we are battered by life’s challenges and we feel that our bridge supports are beginning to fail, God promises to strengthen those areas of weakness that plague us so.

We are called to be prophets in today’s world.  Each of us has a mission to communicate Christ’s message of hope, love, freedom and peace.  We can help people fill in their valleys and make their rough paths smoother.

As we go along, day by day … driving through the work site we call “life,” imagine you see John the Baptist shouting with the powerful words of the prophet Isaiah, almost like a highway foreman, “Prepare the way of the Lord!  Make that path straight!  Fill in that valley!  Get that mountain outta here!  Hey, what happened over there?  It’s all crooked!  Make it straight!  Smooth out that rough place!  Get busy – do your part.  We gotta show everyone the salvation of God is coming.”

 

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
Second Sunday in Advent 2019
First Reading Isaiah 11:1-10                      Second Reading   Romans 13:4-9
Gospel  Matthew 3:1-17
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Meaningful Advent

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So, it’s Advent again.  Among the general populace, Advent remains an opportunity that is too often little appreciated, little understood and commonly ignored.  Advent is about learning to wait.  It is about not having to know exactly what is coming tomorrow.  Advent teaches us the difference between expectation, anticipation and waiting; suspense, eagerness and “twiddling your thumbs to pass the time.”

Advent is about the power of emptiness and the spiritual meaning of smallness.  We strive to live with the basics rather than hoard what, in God’s eyes anyway, after all is not ours.  When we have little to begin with, we have even less to lose.  When we have fewer possessions, fewer clothes in our closets and fewer books (even the holy ones) and papers that we MIGHT need someday, we spend fewer minutes caring for them.  It means that we have less to protect or to fight over and even less to boast about.  We can be more open to possibility.

Our conversations can turn to stories and concerns focused outward, on the other rather than the self.  There is a rare sprinkling of “I” and “my” and “mine.”  Attention is directed away from the self to shine our light on others.  We radiate the blessings of life, not the gloom of sadness, sickness, tiredness and woe.  We become more fully human, full of compassion and full of consciousness.  Our community Advent practices help hone the attitude of prayerfulness, almsgiving and compassion.

Take a stroll down memory lane and feel again the anticipation and impatience you felt for the night Santa Claus would come.  That’s the feeling we still need to be filled with as we await the coming of Christmas – the commemoration of the night Jesus opened His eyes and beheld the tender love of his earthly mother and his foster father Joseph; heard the voices of the angels singing praises and felt the warmth of the breath of curious animals.

I invite you to live again, the moment you discovered the reality of the Santa myth.  You’d probably had plenty of hints for a long time from older siblings or classmates.  In fact you might have known from the beginning that there was no one who was “Santa.”  But, you were slow to relinquish the fantasy of the jolly fellow enjoying the cookies you’d left for him and emptying his sack of toys to find the gift with your name on it.  Even children who are aware that their families are “dirt poor” cling to the dream of a Santa figure.

As we mature, so do our hopes and dreams.  The final line of the selection from Matthew’s Gospel reminds us first: we do not know what day the Lord will appear.  Then, “You must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”  That does not refer only to the hour of our death.  Remember the story of the Abbot who visited his Rabbi friend who shared with him a valuable lesson: “the messiah is among the ranks of your community.”  We are challenged to be Messiah to each other.  To treat each other, those who walk through the door, with gentleness and courtesy – that one may be the Messiah among us.  Now, in place of eager children looking forward to Santa bringing us gifts, we conger ways to be “Santa” to others.

So, we pray: “May the God of Israel increase our longing for Jesus our Savior and give each and all of us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of Jesus’ coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of Truth.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., Prioress

 

Isaiah 2:1-5                   Romans 13:11-14    Matthew 24:37-44
Intention:  Meaningful Advent
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Christ the King

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This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, during a time – like today – when respect for Christ and the Church was waning.  Originally, the full title of the celebration was “The Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe.”  In 2015, during the Jubilee year of Mercy, Pope Francis added another part to the title: “…the living face of the Father’s mercy.”  Christ is the one who binds up our wounds, heals us, blesses us, and saves us.  The combined readings for the solemnity, taken from Samuel, the Letter to the Colossians and the Gospel of Luke – give us a glimpse of how Christ is at the same time both king and the face of the Father’s mercy.

Daily we say these words in Jesus’ prayer: “thy kingdom come.”  Thankfully, Jesus has shown us how to bring about that kingdom.  We must abandon what the world considers important and be prepared to be ridiculed as Jesus was.  It is not easy, nor will it ever be easy, to remain true to values that are at odds with the society we live in.  It cost Jesus his life.  On that day he made a pledge to all his followers; “Indeed I promise you today, you will be with me in paradise.”

This Gospel pointedly reminds us that Jesus’ kingship is one of love and sacrifice, not power and domination.  The traditional way of referring to the day of Jesus’ death is “Good” Friday.  The mocking, derisive jabs that Jesus endured ironically proclaimed his true identity: the messiah, the chosen one, the king of the Jews and savior of all people.

When Isaiah crafted his description of the crucifixion, 700 years before it happened, he made Christ’s cross most prominent.  He described Jesus’ cross with many verses in careful detail and then simply stated that Jesus would be “numbered with the transgressors.”

Luke’s gospel tells us about one of the “transgressors” commonly referred to as the “good thief.”  As the crowd jeers, the thief hanging on the cross to one side of Jesus recognized Jesus as Messiah and King, and that day, that minute finds his salvation.

In tomorrow’s responsorial psalm we will sing: “Jesus is Lord – I will go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!”  Elsewhere we’ll say: “The Lord is king, in splendor robed.”  We’ll profess in the Creed: “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ.”  The priest-celebrant will greet us: “The Lord be with you.”  We sing a blessing on each other: “May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.”  In our hymns we sing: “Rejoice the Lord is King; our Lord and King adored.”  Is it just from the force of habit we say or sing those titles for Jesus?  Or deep down do we believe JESUS IS LORD?  And if we do – why do we sometimes scramble to find a substitute to replace the word “Lord”?

As we ponder that question, we might pray the sentiments of the 12th century prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux –

“I accept that Jesus is my Lord. I keep myself for him since I acknowledge his rights over me.  To me he is God, to me he is the Lord, and I declare: I will have no king but the Lord Jesus!  Come then, Lord, … reign in me, for you are my king and my God.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., Prioress
34th Sunday: Solemnity of Christ the King
First Reading 2 Samuel 5:1-3    Second Reading  Colossians 1:12-20
Gospel   Luke 23:35-43
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A Line from Star Wars

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In the 2nd reading for this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Paul says to the Thessalonians: Pray that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified.”  Sounds like a line from Star Wars or the Narnia Chronicles.  “Speed the Word of God forward.”  Paul continues – “I am confident that you are doing and will continue to do as the Lord directs your hearts to the love of God and the endurance of Christ.”  The “endurance of Christ.”  A reminder that, yes, we are the hands and heart of Christ in our world.

Relating to the Gospel seems a bit more tricky.  The Sadducees are once again challenging Jesus…  describing a most unlikely situation and quoting Moses as their authority.  One woman being wed, in turn to seven brothers.  Often Jesus answers a question with a question.  He responds differently this time.  But this time he uses the occasion for instruction.  Actually, Jesus makes four points.

First:  life here on earth and life after death are not alike.  The kingdom of heaven is not simply an extension of the good things in this life.  Even though some give the impression “if ice cream will make you happy, yes, you’ll have it in heaven.”  Jesus makes it clear that eternity is more than just an extension of what we have here.

Second: Jesus explains that there is no marriage in “that age.”  He doesn’t say that a married couple won’t know each other in the age to come, but, Jesus let us know rather that the relationship will be different.

Jesus’ third point, is that there is no death in “that age.”  Jesus identifies the quality of life when He says “neither can they die anymore,” it’s all about eternal life.

The fourth thing Jesus points out, is that the redeemed will be “like” the angels in heaven – not that they will be angels, but “like” the angels they will be forever praising and serving God.

And, if we drill deeper into the Jesus story, we’ll discover that the Sadducees were impressed with Jesus.  Like the twelve-year-old in the temple who amazed the people with his knowledge.  The Sadducees congratulated Jesus on his logic and his use of Scripture.  Jesus proved, from Scripture, that there are some references to life after death.

As we wrestle with questions about resurrection and after life, especially in this month when we honor our deceased Sisters and our loved ones.  And, at times like this week’s Veterans’ Day celebrations, we confirm our belief in Jesus’ promise of life beyond this one.  The trivia of this life loses much of its importance, while the values, the important things take on added meaning.  Living with the assurance of heaven, we live differently, we live for God.  The promise of eternal life is not just some pie in the sky hope for us. In eternity, in the everlasting life, we’ll be ourselves at our ultimate best and will be more loveable and more capable of loving than ever before.  [And it would serve us well, also, to think about the one who just jostled our nerves: she’ll/he’ll be more loveable in the life to come.]

[I’ve a story to share but could not figure out how to slip it into the body or the reflection….]

A newly-assigned young pastor had just received his first visitor.  The parish council president came by to visit him on a Sunday afternoon.  The man was a highly respected member of this congregation for over 25 years and president of the Parish council.

It was a balmy – not too humid kind of day – unusual for a day in August.  Taking advantage of the nice day, they were sitting on the back porch of the rectory.  The man seemed uneasy but slowly started to speak, “Father, first off I want to tell you this is a personal matter – nothing to do with Parish council business.  I want to share this with you, and seek your advice.  I’ve never told this to a soul, it’s extremely difficult to tell you this now.  Well, here goes:  “My wife and I have had a fight almost every day for the past 30 years of our marriage.”

The young priest was taken aback.  He nervously took a sip of his sweetened Southern iced tea.  He didn’t know what to say.  He had never personally experienced that kind of thing growing up.  Of course he’d taken counseling courses in the seminary.  He wanted to respond with compassion.  This was real life, not a set-up scenario from seminary days.

After a brief pause, he asked:  “Everyday?”  “Yes, just about every day.”  “Did you fight before you came to church this morning?”  “Yes.”  “Well, how did it end up?”  “It was different this time. She came crawling to me on her hands and knees.”

Trying to hide this shock, and keep his voice calm, Father ask:  “Oh, my goodness what did she say?”  “She pounded the floor with her hand and said in a voice that I’ve never heard before.  It was low and commanding as she growled: “Come out from under that bed, you coward, and fight like a man!”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

32nd Sunday, November 10, 2019
2 Macabees 7:1-2, 9-14   2 Thessalonians 2:16-3::5
Gospel Luke 20:27-38
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A Modern Day Parable

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Jesus began his parable thus:  Two people went up to the temple area to pray…”

So, you know this parable – you’ve heard it many times – Luke says Jesus told the people about some who trusted in themselves, who believed that they were righteous, and they treated others with contempt.

This time around,  I will leave you simply to contemplate an adaptation of an ages-old story – a modern-day parable.

It goes like this ….   Three women religious – we’ll call them Sisters, but not siblings, you understand?   Well, these three Sisters were praying in their monastery chapel.  Two were on their knees; one sat (the picture of exhaustion). 

After a short time, one Sister felt herself rising out of her body.  She felt ever so holy.   As she moved closer to heaven, she could see the other Sisters (poor sinners – God have mercy).  She prayed for them, those poor souls! 

A second Sister was ecstatic – she was caught up in a trance – she felt a vision coming  on –  she began to hear heavenly voices of the angel choirs singing HER praises. 

The remaining Sister was filled with distractions ….  She wasn’t aware if the others were sitting, standing, kneeling or bowing.  Thoughts flitted everywhere!  She’d never finished that memo – oh, and she’d forgotten to return that phone call. Her thoughts took off in another direction.  How long it had been since she’d had a good cup coffee.  Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a Dairy Queen blizzard!  Or even a McDonald’s burger – or a Sonic shake.  Oops, missed it again – that’s our side of the chapel praying – better tune in.

Later that night the devil’s assistant was reporting on the day’s activity.  “Well,” the little apprentice devil said, “It was really quite interesting. I was working on three of those nuns at Holy Name in St Leo.   They all looked quite pious at their Evening Prayer Service.  But, I suppose I failed at the job you gave me.  I was successful in tempting only two of them!”

Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

First Reading – Sirach 35:12-14, 1618 * Second Rading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 * Gospel – Luke 18: 9-14

 

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Persistent as a Boxer

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One of the keys to understanding the meaning of this Gospel can be found in the description of the judge as corrupt and unjust.  Jesus is saying that if even an unjust judge responds to the persistence of the widow, how much more will God heed our prayers.  Didn’t Jesus say: “Ask and you shall receive?”  Jesus is telling us that God wants us to be like the persistent widow, persisting in our relationship with God, confident that God hears and answers prayers.  Jesus also understands how easy it is to lose heart.  Maybe that’s why Jesus asks: “Will such faith be found when the Son of Man returns?”

The Gospel implies “yes” but it may be in unexpected places, not among the ones certain of their own righteousness, but among the “widows” among us –  the outsiders, the unlovely, the unclean, the ones certain of their sinfulness.

If we could read the Greek version of this parable, we’d get a glimpse of Jesus sense of humor.  In the Greek Scriptures the judge gives in to the widow because if he doesn’t he fears she may give him a black eye.  Jesus uses this metaphor from boxing to make his point about the need to continue in prayer.  Be as persistent as a boxer in the ring.

We say, but do we really believe, God always answers our prayers.  We just don’t know WHEN because God takes the long view.  Sometimes we have to wait for answers until we’re, as they say: on the other side of the grass.”

Now, I think it’s a safe bet that I don’t have to explain “stubbornness.”  Some of us had it sprinkled on us in our cradles!  We can prettify it, call it by another name, whatever we want: high principles, perseverance, tenacity, determined or we can call it what it is: just plain pig-headedness.”  Some of us seem to be naturally endowed with the “great gift of stubbornness.”  We ask God’s help to learn how to be stubborn for the right causes.  In that case, we may talk about a “holy stubbornness.”  That happens when we start not only to say our prayers, but when we start to live our prayers.  In other words, we put our actions where our words are … we put flesh on our Corporate Commitment.

“Will the Son of man find faith when he returns?”  That depends.  Can prayer move our own arms?  Are we willing to put flesh on our words?  God always has relied on his children–people like you and me–to usher in His Kingdom.  Are our prayers effective?  The answer lies squarely with each of us: “it depends on how effective we help make them.”

And, just suppose as Fr. Ed (Lamp) suggests (based on an idea he gleaned from S. Melannie Svoboda) that the characteristics of the widow and the judge are reversed:

What happens, if we say that we are the judge and God is the widow?  We, like the judge in the parable, are basically unjust.  And, sometimes we have no fear of God; that is, we do not allow God to scare us into being good.  Similarly, like the judge we persist in refusing to listen to the cries of the poor all around us. 

So, suppose God is the persistent widow who will not go away.  God keeps badgering us, refusing to accept as final our “no” to love.  God will persist until we render a just judgement, that is, until we let the goodness out, until we learn to love.  In Genesis we are told we are made in the image and likeness of God.  (Fr. Ed suggests) Perhaps our prayer this week could be: “Dear God, Persevering One, make us more like you!”

 

(See prayer down below)

 

 

‘Who Do You Say I Am?’

 

Lord Jesus, You are a Lord who walks beside your people.

So I pray for people who march for justice.

 

You are a Lord who raises up those who are bent low.

So I pray for those held down by the grindings of life and the indifference of the world.

 

You are a Lord who feeds the hungry.

So I pray for all who long for bread and the means to provide it.

 

You are a Lord who celebrates the small and the insignificant.

So I pray for the children and for those who are never noticed.

You are a Lord who says ‘Follow me.’

 

So we pray for courage, faith and cheerfulness in my heart that I may take up the cross and find it leads to life. Amen.

 

Kathy Galloway (adapted)
 The Gift of this New Day: Praying
with the Iona Community,
Wild Goose Publications

 

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