Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

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The story (I believe) calls each one of us to examine what mountain we must climb to see God’s glory.  I trust you have been using our assigned Lenten Lectio book.  So you are hearing daily about protection with a blue ribbon as you climb your Lenten mountain.  You can call the mountains whatever you will – it’s your personalize mount to climb: hurdles, challenges, enticing temptations, near occasions of sin, quirks of personality, Lenten resolutions, pet peeves….  Some days they are like just a little pebble on our path that we kick aside.  Other days, they can be like a grain of sand inside your shoe – no bother when you are sitting still but the instant you start to move it quickly makes itself felt.  Other days, they are like boulders we can’t move with a backhoe.  Everyone’s mountain is different; but, to witness God’s glory, we must climb our “mountains.”

When we reach the mountaintop, we must stay alert, have the insight to know that we are at the top.  The disciples could have missed Jesus’ transfiguration if they:

  • had been too busy taking in the view
  • gloating over their status or talking about those left behind
  • wondering about what was on the agenda for tomorrow
  • how long were they going to be up on this mountain anyway
  • would there be time to finish what they had started when Jesus summoned them
  • bickering over who was going to get to use the walking stick going down the mountain
  • and, who’s going to provide the fish for tonight’s supper?

You fill in the blanks…you know what it is that keeps you from seeing God’s glory.  What causes you to miss the “small miracles,” the “everyday transfigurations” in yourself, in each other, in nature.  We need to thank God when we get to the top of the mountain; but we can hardly stay there.  There are more mountains to climb.  While you are at the top, if only for an instant, don’t miss the transfiguration.

Jesus did not become “more God” that day on the mountain.  I don’t think the change was so much in Jesus, as it was in the disciples.  They were ready.  They had climbed the mountain.  And their eyes were open to witness the miracle of the moment.  Transfigurations we sometimes call “miracles” are all around us IF we but have the eyes to see.

  • Miracle of God’s graciousness when a person holds a door open for another
  • Miracle of God’s loving-care when a chair is vacated to give another a seat
  • Miracle of God’s inclusion when we make space at table
  • Miracle of God’s mercy when a mistake is not challenged in public
  • Miracle of God’s hospitality when an open invitation is extended
  • Miracle of God’s steadfastness when day after day we gather for communal exercises
  • Miracle of God’s perseverance when we come through tough times – individually and as a community
  • Miracle of God’s humility when reconciliation occurs
  • Miracle of God’s generosity when we give from our need
  • Miracle of God’s compassion when an offer is extended before the other has to ask
  • Miracle of God’s humor when it rains on our picnics
  • Miracle of God’s artistry in the beauty of nature that surrounds us
  • And always, God, thank you for the miracle of tomorrow: the gift of a new sunrise, a new slate, a new beginning.

Make your own litany of miracles.  God is already there, is here.  Jesus invites us up the mountain and leads the way.  We just need to open our eyes to witness the transfiguration.

Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
Mark 9: 2-10   [Vigil of the Second Sunday in Lent  3.16.19]

 

 

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Reliance, Worship , Trust

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Here in the story of Jesus’ experience in the desert lies our hope – we can, as the saying goes, “tell the truth and shame the devil” by striving during Lent to cultivate virtues and attitudes that Jesus exhibited in his encounter with the devil:

  • RELIANCE  We can practice confident reliance on God to provide for our needs – you don’t need the devil’s stones turned into bread.  A verse we pray in Noon Prayer reminds us of what God can do with stone – not make bread but “fashion a pool of water from desert rock, a fountain from wilderness stone.”
  • WORSHIP  We strive to worship God who alone has dominion over us and our world – we don’t need ill-begotten, “suck up” kind of glory.  Keep a Word of Scripture on your tongue to refute Satan’s tricks.
  • TRUST  We want to trust God to be faithful to His promises – no bargaining with God …  “I’ll do this for you, if you do that for me.”

Notice how Luke ends his report – the devil departs for a time.  The implication is that the devil will return.  And we know he does in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The depth of Jesus’ trust in God is shown most fully when He rejects the temptation to turn away from his God-given mission.  Christ let Satan try all his force, and defeated him on every angle until the devil got discouraged and left “for a time.”

Compassion-fatigue is one sure way of letting the devil have dominion over us.  So, what are the signs we need to be alert to so we do not suffer burn out trying to be all things for all people, to wear every hat that the community life possesses?  Behaviors to watch for include: impatience with others, using humor inappropriately, being demanding or critical or denigrating the people we live with, work with or serve, publicly complaining of being tired all the time and neglecting community obligations, distancing self from friends, expecting everyone to meet my standards of perfection and/or being depleted of the sense of satisfaction that I originally had in my vocation and in ministry.  Failure to recognize symptoms of compassion-fatigue cause people to leave a profession they once dearly loved, to leave spousal relationships and religious communities, to fall into self-destructive behaviors.

If you had a check list of misconceptions, to which of these would you say, “that’s me”:

  • If they give me the chance, I can fix this community – in fact, I could save the world if anyone would only listen!
  • If “they” only cared enough, everything would be OK and they’d volunteer without being asked.
  • I can do all the “fix it” work around here by myself – I might as well, it seems like I do it anyway.
  • If this group were only more holy, we could deal with the stress of our corporate commitment.

Said yes, to any?  Sounds like you’re on a downhill slide into compassion-fatigue?  What can you do?  This gospel gives us a good start – retreat, take time to self-examine any symptoms you may be experiencing.  Know the devil for what it is: evil personified, self-doubt, yearning for power and prestige.

Jesus knew what would refresh him.  I suspect Jesus’ mother Mary had helped him as he matured to get in touch with his feelings and needs as well as his strengths – helped him find a sense of balance in his life – time with others, time alone and time for fun (I bet that Jesus had a glorious time at the wedding in Cana.).   Following Jesus’ example we know we need to take quiet time and to exercise.  Surely, Jesus put in many foot-miles on the hillsides and the desert terrain – you see, he didn’t have a golf cart.  We need to take care to find companions and a mentor – Jesus had the company of his apostles, of Martha, Mary, Lazarus, his cousin John – and above all His family and His heavenly Father.

The secret to being fully alive and free, is listening to the small voice which speaks with ardent yearning in the depth of our being.  Lent is a good time to practice what Mother Teresa of Calcutta recommends – we can practice it for a lifetime.

ANYWAY

Attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.  Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow.  Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

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The Measure With Which You Measure

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We live in a society that seems to have forgotten much of this Gospel message.  Children come to believe there is a trophy for every event in life.   They have forgotten – if they ever knew – the thrill of running for the sheer joy of feeling the wind on their faces, a hug from a parent – a loving squeeze without words that conveys “I am so proud of you!”

All-too-quickly lose (many sadly never rediscover) the warm, fuzzy feelings of self-satisfaction that was once a natural reaction to success – that gleeful, almost smug smile the first time they stood alone, took their first step… when for the first time, to the consternation of the adults, they opened a child-proof container, hammered the first nail into mom’s precious table or exhibited their wonderful drawing with indelible pen on the living room wall…no one could be prouder of an achievement!

School children vie with each other to make donations to a collective cause.  Why?  Because they are learning the virtue of mercy?  Or because they get a “free dress” day at school?  When they come home with evidence of a playground tussle… what often is a parent’s response?  Did you offer your other cheek?  Hardly likely – too frequently I suspect it is more like “I hope you let that other kid know what it’s like to get hit.”

Jesus tells us: Give to everyone who asks; treat others as you’d like to be treated; don’t take back what you gave as gift; give God the credit due for the generous urges you feel toward others and the charitable thoughts that squelch the unkind words that try to spring thoughtlessly past our lips.

Jesus advises us: Give your cloak AND your tunic – not just your warm coat (since you have another at home) but also the shirt off your back.  Today Jesus might challenge us – Why is your closet stuffed with blouses you haven’t worn since before you lost weight – or gained it?  It is quite unlikely you’ll never wear them again.  But that DAYSTAR customer, or that lady from the Sunrise women’s shelter who is going for a job interview?  Your blouse would fit her perfectly and add an ounce of confidence to her self-esteem.

Jesus reminds us, when we invite company for a meal not to wait for a return dinner date.  Don’t ask: whose turn is it to pick up the tab this time? He says to lend freely without expectation of repayment.  And when you respond generously to the impulse to do good – what caused that desire to arise?   Be slow to assume it is due to anything you have done.  Remember Jesus says, “even sinners lend to their own kind.”  Give, and gifts will be given to you – in good measure, tamped down, packed tight, so your vessel can hold every tiny possible grain of blessing – full to overflowing – spilling over into your life and influencing all around you.

But there is a condition – if you are stingy, stinginess will be yours.  But, If you give without measure, ah, blessed the gift! – generosity will be yours.

So how will you measure out your kindness – by the teaspoon, tablespoon or a cupful?  By the minute, by the hour it might take you?  You have 24 hours in a day (you know?) …  a 168 a week, (true not all waking hours). That’s time in excess of 8000 hours a year!  How flexible will you be with these God-given hours?  Will you respond to an imposition on your time – Now?  Tomorrow?  Next week?  Or with a prayer that the request will be forgotten?  Or will you give with open hands and heart – freely, without measure?  Jesus promises us: “the measure with which you measure, it will in turn be measured out to you.”

~Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
Luke 6:27-38
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What is your BE-attitude?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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