Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

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Every Ending Holds the Seeds of a New Beginning

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The readings this weekend continue the theme (as Father John has been reminding us) of endings that signal a beginning.  Every “good night” holds the promise of a “good morning!”  The sunset kisses the earth good-bye for a brief moment in time and surprises us with its rising on what seems to be the other side of the earth.  Every death is a hand-off to new life. St. Augustine echoes this concept when he calls to God: “O Beauty, so ancient, so new.”  Every “good-bye” uncovers a “hello” and every ending is a step to a new adventure.  When does the “NEW” become “NOW”?   When does “tomorrow” turn to “today”?  When we let go of yesterday, where does it go?  The character Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof sings about this phenomenon: “Sunrise, sunset; Swiftly flow the days; Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze.  Sunrise, sunset; swiftly fly the years, one season following another.”

In our Gospel Pilate asks: “What is truth?”  Jesus answers: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  A few evenings ago I was half-watching TV when out of my distraction I heard: “So, what is truth?”  I’d started this reflection earlier in the day so the question seemed like part of another reality.  A World War II veteran was sharing that upon retirement from active service, he’s been “down in the dumps”, experiencing a lack of appreciation for his years in service to our country in defense of freedom and truth. Then he’d recalled Jesus’ words: “The truth shall make you free.”  He turned his bitterness into working with youth when he came to the realization that “The truth that makes you free, is the truth that stirs you to action.”

This weekend we observe the Solemnity of Christ the King which was first proclaimed universally as a feast in 1925 by Pope Pius IX.  In 2015, the prescribed date was moved from October to the last Sunday in the church year and raised to a solemnity.  At that time Pope Francis added a phrase to the title of the day: “Christ the King, the living face of the Father’s mercy.”

In tomorrow’s responsorial psalm we will proclaim: “The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.”  We often raise a hand in benediction as we sing: “May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.”  If we believe it’s true that Jesus is Lord, why do we sometimes scramble to find a substitute to replace the word “Lord?”  That raises the question: Is Jesus my King?  Do I know him on my own or is my relationship with Jesus based on borrowed thoughts from books I’ve read or homilies and retreat talks that I’ve heard? Do I sing with conviction the sentiments of the kingly hymns that spring to mind: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”, “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”, “Praise to our victorious King”?  And let’s not overlook the triumphant echoing of a favorite Christmas carol: “Joy to the world! Let earth receive her king!”

At the other end of this week, we will be “jump-started” into the season of Advent, an experience of an “ending” that is a “beginning” – a time of waiting for the One who will come.  He is the One who is promised to us in the second Mass reading from book of Revelation: “Behold, he is coming and everyone will see him; the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading:   2 Daniel 7:1-14         Second Reading:  Revelation 1:5-8
Gospel:   John 18:33b-37
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We are called to BE the Good News

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Last weekend we observed Jesus as he sat in the temple quietly taking in what was going on around him.  We heard His remark about the contributions being made to the temple treasury.  We saw what he saw.  A widow, as unobtrusive as she could be, slipped (almost unnoticed) among the other donors to deposit her “two cents” that settled softly with the rich folks’ paper money. And if you’ve read Mark’s gospel continuously from that incident to today’s Gospel you also know Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of the Temple, his teaching about the cost of discipleship, the woes that will accompany the end times and Jesus’ instruction to his disciples about the need for watchfulness so that they will not be caught unprepared for the final judgment.

Jesus says: “Learn a lesson from the fig tree.”  Jesus could have said citrus tree or olive tree.  They grew nearby, too.  But, he says “fig tree” and happily for us we have fig trees to observe.   When the branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, we know that another season of fruit is near.

After Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree, He gives several brief parables. We know that Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us.   The prophetic Word of God is as sure and secure as the rest of His message.  It is offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetime and at the end time. Our consolation and hope are found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.

When you see the things happening that Jesus talks about, know that he is near, at the gates.   “But,” says Jesus, “of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”    Then He assures us: “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

So, how, as followers of the Jesus, do we prepare in the face of struggles not unlike our times as community and as a nation?  How well do you read signs?  Can you train yourself to be more observant of the signs?  Do you naturally notice signs in nature?  Road signs?  How well do you read nonverbal body language?   Do you work to sensitize yourself to recognize everyday signs?  How do you heighten your sensitivity to spirit signs?  Do you use Scripture, the Rule, the example of a favorite saint? What helps you to listen more keenly to your heart in the quiet of the night when sleep eludes you?  Maybe your quiet time is walking, working or driving along a familiar road; passing through the hall at a leisurely pace; setting the table, readying yourself for communal prayer in the chapel – do you hear God’s whisper in your heart?

Cultivation of the inner spirit helps prepare us to see the direction of the cultural winds we face, whether agreeable or frightening.    God does not usually shout to us in fury or in a tumultuous hurricane.  Much of the time God speaks softly.  So stay tuned.  In the face of cultural garbage and shifting government structures or a changing church, we steady ourselves not to be tempted to hoard food and possessions.  We guard against the temptation to build a hermitage and hide out.  We pray to be strengthened to stay in the fray.  Many things will just happen in our lives – things not scheduled by the calendar, or watch, or clock or a computer “ding”.  With all the scheduled things we have to do, we are called by today’s Gospel to keep our hearts attuned to the significant things that just happen.

How can we do this day in and day out and year after year?  Can we do it by heeding Jesus’ directive to the disciples who accompanied Him in the garden the night before his death:  Stay here, watch and pray.   Watch: ask for God’s Wisdom to let us see God’s perspective so we discover our moment within our cultural context.  And, pray!  Remember, “to pray” is not simply to read books about God, spirituality or prayer, or to think about those topics.  To pray is simply – to pray!  We don’t even have to start the conversation.  Simply let God in.  Let us strive to keep in mind that we are called not so much to do the Good News.  We are called to be the Good News.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   Daniel 12:1-3         Second Reading:  Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Gospel:   Mark 13:24-32
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Each day is our moment to resist any act of violence against creation.

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This weekend’s first reading, the story of the widow in Elijah’s time, and the Gospel of the widow in Jesus’ time, prompt us to take a hard look at our individual and communal giving practices.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we see clearly that God is the giver of all.  That raises the question: What portion of our blessings do we give back to honor God and build up God’s Kingdom on earth?

In this reflection, instead of emphasizing the spirit of giving often connected with the story of the widow’s mite, I’d like to share some ideas that convey the perspective that it is not all about GIVING.  This summer’s siege of storm devastation and raging fires in the western U.S. is often blamed on changing weather patterns.  But is not much of it due to poor land management, human carelessness and a growing history of trying to control the forces of nature?  The Benedictine value of STEWARDSHIP (preserving the earth and respecting people) calls us to responsible care rather than oppressive authoritative dominance.  Our current readings from the Rule of Benedict remind us: “Treat all things as INSTRUMENTS of the ALTAR.”  “A good word is better than the best gift.”  Living out the Benedictine value of prudent stewardship can require a radical shift in our thinking lest we too easily become accustomed to regarding earth’s resources as if they had no intrinsic worth.  For example, the demand for fast, prepackaged food contributes to the stripping of rain forests in order to provide pastureland.  In the process, many Indigenous peoples have been rendered homeless, and the habitat of endangered species has been lost forever.  Advances have been made in the production of biodegradable substances but so far, it’s only resulted in a reduction in the time it takes plastics and Styrofoam to disintegrate – they still constitute a hazard to the environment.

One of the biggest offenders is plastic bottles.  In landfills toxic gases are leached into the environment causing a variety of health issues.  Landfills in the U.S. have over 2- million discarded plastic bottles that each take up to 1,000 years to decompose.  How many thousand years did we toss into the landfill this week?  In the last month?  Trying to conserve by switching from plastic to glass containers is foiled here in our county because glass is not recycled.  Our primary motivation is that all (now and in the future) may have a share in God’s gifts. We have to think bigger than the cash register. Each day is our moment to resist any act of violence against creation.

We wrestle prayerfully with questions about how we can adopt, and adapt, to a simpler lifestyle: letting go of some things, being patient when our preferences are denied by unavailability of pantry supplies. We have to start where we are, doing what we can, with the insight and energy we have to make a difference.  Maybe we begin with one thing, one purchase, one habit a month that we change.  For example: spend a few pennies more to make a purchase from a local vendor that you usually make at a big box store.  Or make a pint or gallon purchase of hand soap instead of several smaller bottles.    Run 2-sided copies and use scrap paper for note pads. After a month, don’t forsake the new habit, keep it up and add a new pattern.  By the end of the year, you’ll be 12x more conservative.  You may ask: how does doing any of this help the people in the 3rd world?  The truth is, it doesn’t directly.  It changes YOU.   At the heart of our actions must rest the conviction that our world belongs to God and any misuse dishonors the Creator.

The widow in the Gospel was made destitute by life’s circumstances.  We by no means live a life of destitution – but we know people who do.  We are invited to ask ourselves: What can I, what can we, do to reverse the destructive patterns of life that are making a negative impact on our earth and in the lives of those we profess to serve?  In the mix, is the challenge THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL.  Each day we are challenged to figure out what to do with our “too much”?  The answer is NOT to find an empty shelf, an empty room, to store it.  If we are not using it, do we REALLY need it? If we haven’t worn it since we moved into this building, who could use it?  If we have forgotten we ever had it, did we ever really need it?  Are we saving it because, deep down, we don’t trust God to come through for us on a “rainy day?”  We can only give from our need if we trust (really and truly deep down) that God will provide.   We can sing God’s praises with Elijah’s widow in tomorrow’s first reading because, for nigh on 137 years, our community “jar of flour has not gone empty” and “our jug of oil has never run dry”.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Thank God for the gift that Veterans have offered for our nation and for world peace ….   Remember, too, the families of veterans …  their lives too were, and are, affected by the impact on service women and me …  witnessing the effects of turmoil between peoples and nations.  Pray for strength for veterans and their families to be compassionate, supportive, faithful to relationships and seeking available medical and mental services.    

Have a good week!

 

First Reading:  Kings 17:10-16                 Second Reading:  Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel:  Mark 12:38-44
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“The Son – Who will take the Son?”

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I want to tell you a story – it’s been in my collection just waiting to be told.   I trust, in the end, you will see how it relates to this weekend’s Gospel selection

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They would often sit together and admire them.  When the conflict in the Mideast broke out and Desert Shield and Desert Storm were declared, the son went to war where he died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.  He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  I recall that he often talked about you, and your love for art.  I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this”.  It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. The father stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son. His eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.  A few months later the older man died. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.  On the platform sat the painting of the son. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence.  Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.”  But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”  Another voice shouted angrily: “We didn’t come to see this painting. Get on with the real bids!”  But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime housekeeper of the man and his son. She bid her last penny.   “I’ll give $10 for the painting.”   The crowd shouted angrily: “Give it to her for $10. Let us see the works of the masters.”  The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”  A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now, let’s get on with the collection!”

The crowd grew quiet; shocked when the auctioneer responded: “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. And, whoever bought that painting, would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.  The person who took the son, gets everything!”

Much like that auctioneer, God’s message today is: “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?”  Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!

In our Gospel today the Son reminds us of his two-pronged commandment: love of God and love of neighbor.  When we accept the Son, we accept the responsibility, along with all the blessings, the Son offers us.  Part of our acceptance package, like the housekeeper-bidder in our story, is the “whole collection.”  It is not an easy choice but one we know is possible because we trust the words of Scripture.  In the writings of the Evangelist John we read: “My friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  God is love!  We love because God first loved us.”

What is your response when the auctioneer’s voice rings out in our assembly: “The Son – who will take the Son?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Pray for a peaceful election season: Bless our nation in this time of great transition.

 

 

First Reading:   Deuteronomy 6:2-6         Second Reading:  Hebrews 7:23-28
Gospel:   Mark 12:28b-34

 

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The story of blind Bartimaeus

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The story of Bartimaeus has a familiar ring in the lives of many people today as it follows in the wake of storms, fires and other disasters of unheard proportions.   Imagine what might have been his story.   He once had a family, a job, a house, kids, the whole works. He was active at the local synagogue. He would tell his children stories of their ancestors.  Then things started to change and his vision would become blurry. At first, he did not allow this to bother him but kept on working and living, but eventually the blurred vision got worse and worse so that he could barely see his wife and children.   Then things went black and that’s the way they stayed.

He would lay his cloak on the ground so people could throw their loose change on the ground next to him. Most people avoided him altogether because in those days many people felt that blindness was caused by sinfulness either by the person or by their parents.

Despite all the hardships that he faced he still loved God. He recalled how God always came through in the end. Now Bartimaeus sat daily next to the road listening to the people passing by. The conversation lately had been about this guy named Jesus who had healed people, even blind people. Some had even said that he was the Messiah that had come to redeem Israel. Bartimaeus thought, “Wow, if only Jesus would come around here.”

Then one day there was a commotion. There were more people on the road than usual and then Bertimaeus heard the name, Jesus. Should he say something? Would Jesus come to him? Could he restore his vision? Something deep inside said “Yes, call out his name.”  But the crowd around him tried to silence him. Yet Bartimaeus persisted, calling out more loudly and with greater urgency.   Notice how quickly the crowd’s reaction changed when Jesus called for Bartimaeus. Those who sought to quiet him now encouraged him.

Bartimaeus recognized power and authority when he sensed it. We do the same thing. If we had a broken leg we wouldn’t go to AutoZone to have it fixed.  If the doctor comes into the examination room in overalls, we might have a few questions, but if he wears a white coat, with a stethoscope and a pocket protector, we generally don’t immediately ask for credentials or references.  Bartimaeus recognized Jesus’ authority.  Jesus didn’t wear a uniform, and even if he did, Bartimaeus was blind and he couldn’t see him anyway. He’d heard stories, and he’d heard false rumors, fake news.  This recognition of Jesus as a man of authority came from a place deep within him.   We experience that same recognition of Jesus. We have never seen Him.  We’ve seen artistic renditions of Jesus but our recognition originates from a different sense than sight.  It comes from a spiritual sense. It comes before anything. It is grace that allowed us to have that first moment with God, when God was not just a figure in CCD or Faith Formation classes or in the Bible. God became personal, a friend.

When Bartimaeus recognized Jesus, he still had a choice to make; act on that recognition or let it pass by.  Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He addressed Jesus by name and by title, Son of David, the messianic title reserved for the redeemer of Israel.   We cry out as well when we get to the last point, the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  We cry, “Help me, Jesus.” “Have mercy, Jesus” Or simply, “Jesus” “Gott im Himmel.”  “Mi Dios!”  We realize that only God can help us in whatever situation we are in. God’s grace not only gives us the ability to perceive God’s power and love. It also gives us the strength to respond to it. Unlike Bartimaeus however, we are not limited to a once in a lifetime response. We must continually respond to the gift of grace and power in our lives.

What is Jesus’ response to Bartimaeus? “Go; your faith has made you well.” It is interesting to see that Jesus says that it is Bartimaeus’ faith that produced his healing not Jesus’ faith that made him well.   Bartimaeus’ faith, and ours too, is not born out of nothing, nor does it come out of thin air.  It is a response to the love and grace of God.  It was Bartimaeus’ response to God’s initial contact through grace that made him well – restored his sight. Our response to the power or grace is also a restoration and a reconnection.  We might not be physically blind but spiritually we may be walking around aimlessly. Our spiritual vision may be black as night, but God still initiates the reconnection through grace and gives us the freedom to respond or reject His gift.

That’s the end of the story, right? Not quite. What does Bartimaeus do once his sight has been restored?  Immediately he follows Jesus on the way.  It is not the end, but the beginning of a journey.  We don’t receive the fire of the Holy Spirit, the connection with God, only to sit it in the corner or in the closet, or even the chapel.  We can’t isolate ourselves in a cozy niche.  We are impelled to take up the invitation and follow Jesus on the way.  The question facing us is: Am I going to do for God today or for myself?  Am I going to spend today in connection and in conversation with God and God’s people or am I going to satisfy my own selfish wants and desires?  Our blind eyes opened, we have a unique opportunity to spread God’s love in the world.  Lord, we pray: open our eyes and strengthen us to following your prompting to be an expression of your compassion and mercy in our world today.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Reminder: next weekend the time changes “fall back one hour”.

Have a good week and pray fervently for an optimal election outcome.

 

 

First Reading:   Jeremiah 31:7-9         Second Reading:  Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel:   Mark 10:46-57
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“When we become aware of our humility, we’ve lost it.”

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Here we have two brothers, who belong to the innermost circle of Jesus’ disciples, trying to insure they get special privilege in the kingdom to come.  But listen to Jesus: “The last be shall first and the first shall be last.”  Greatness, He says, consists not in what we have, or what we can get from others but in what we can give of ourselves to others.  Jesus asks us: Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?  These two brothers, in their eager ignorance, answer without hesitation: “No problem!”

For us as Benedictines – in Benedict’s view, we are all called to cultivate a humble awareness of our place in creation.  Being humble requires an unassuming trust in God’s providence.  For St. Benedict, everything a monastic does must be credited for the glory of God.  That’s why we were created.  Remember your Baltimore catechism?  We were made to know, love and serve God.  A fifth century monk says it well: A proud monk needs no demon. He has turned into one, an enemy to himself.

In our own lifetime, Mother Teresa gives us a few ways to practice humility that sound much like Benedict’s steps of humility.

 

To speak as little as possible of one’s self.

To mind one’s own business.

Not to want to manage other people’s affairs.

To avoid curiosity.

To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.

To pass over the mistakes of others.

To accept insults and injuries.

To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.

To be kind and gentle even under provocation.

Never to stand on one’s dignity.

To choose always the hardest.

 

Words from Prayer for Humility by an Anonymous Abbess is worth pondering line by line.

Lord, you know better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples’ affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But You know, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask you for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn’t agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil’s masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

AMEN

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

Thank God for blessings received; pray for those who were no so fortunate.

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 53:10-11         Second Reading:  Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel:   Mark 10:35-45
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