Homily

Because you were faithful in small matters…

November 20, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

Because you were faithful in small matters…

come, share your Master’s joy.

Like the Master in this Gospel, St. Benedict teaches us “journey lessons.” We sense a journey motif from the opening words of Benedict’s Rule when he bids us: “Listen! The labor of obedience will bring you back (“coming back” requires a journey, doesn’t it?) “Let us get up then (he says) at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: “It is high time for us to arise from sleep… (come from the land of your dreams) …run while you have the light… go out to seek workers in the multitude of the people …”. Listen to Benedict: “moving on in your journey of faith, (and life in the monastery) “You will say, ‘Here I am Lord’.” Then he tells us how to prepare for our journey: “Clothed with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide…. Be just in all your dealings, speak the truth from the heart and do not practice deceit or listen to slander.”

By the time Benedict wrote Chapter 67 one can tell he’s had some experience with monks who journeyed far from the home monastery. We know that Benedict, in his youth, had escaped “big city life.” So, he wanted to protect his monks from the evils and temptations of the prevailing society. Those at home are to remember the absent ones in prayer for their confrere’s safety and protection from temptation.

I have to smile when I read what Benedict cautions next. He certainly knew human nature: “No one should presume to relate what was seen or heard outside the monastery.” Benedict didn’t want stories of the world to creep in and cause dissension or dissatisfaction to rankle or upset his community. We need to be on guard that we balance charitable interest in each other versus the drive to know every intimate detail about what was seen or heard on the other’s journey.

Benedict is solicitous of his monks sent on a journey that they appear neither embarrassingly shabby nor be clad in “rich folks” clothing. He charges the superior with checking that hemlines are a decent length and the members’ clothing be suited to the weather. And, it’s obvious that times were different when Benedict walked the earth. He makes provision that the members be LOANED underwear from the wardrobe that is to be laundered and returned after the trip.

In line with his admonition to pray always, Benedict reminds his monks when they are on a journey to keep an eye on the sun and listen for the bells from neighboring abbeys announcing prayer times. Benedict reminds them though at a distance too far to join the community, they should “observe the prescribed hours” as best they can. Thus, probably began the custom of the Angelus.

The Rule closes with this journey-question: “Are you hastening toward your heavenly home? Then keep this little rule … as you set out for loftier summits of the teaching and virtues we’ve mentioned.” Benedict, in his own unique way, shares Paul’s message to the Philippians: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Benedict adds this promise: “Under God’s protection” (together) we will reach our heavenly home.” That’s the same promise Jesus makes to his trustworthy followers: Because “You were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

Have a pleasant Thanksgiving… give thanks for all that has been and open your heart to all that will be…give another a reason to rejoice on this day.

First Reading: Proverbs 31 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Check Oil – long night ahead!

November 13, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

From the outset of this parable, it is helpful to understand that the oil lamps (in the Gospel) were not like what we know today as hurricane lamps. There was no glass chimney, no neat wick or adjusting device, and no attached tank in which oil would be stored. It was more like a large, flat, bowl, with a rag or rope-like “wick.” This kind of lamp could be attached to a pole and used as an outdoor torch to light one’s way. And erase from your mind the idea that the five foolish virgins ran out of oil. The text is clear on this point; the five foolish virgins never brought any oil with them. Otherwise, how would all five have run out at the same time?

Keep in mind that these ladies were the BRIDE’S maids. All ten would have waited for the groom to come to the bride’s house. But this groom dallied, eyelids grew heavy, time passed, and darkness set in. Suddenly the cry is heard: “He’s coming, he’s here!” But now it’s midnight and it’s pitch dark. Everyone scurries to their light lamps.

When the five foolish virgins realized their plight, they ask the five wise virgins to share their oil, but their request is denied. It wasn’t that the five wise virgins didn’t care; it was because they reasoned that it would be better to have a torchlight parade with five working lamps than with ten non-functioning, lightless, lamps. So, in the absence of five dancers looking for more oil, the torchlight parade took place. The groom, accompanied by the five wise virgins entered the celebration hall. The doors were then closed so that when the foolish virgins arrived with their new supply of oil it was too late. Jesus concludes the parable by applying it to His disciples (and thus to us and to the church). He urges His disciples to stay alert, because they do not know the day or the hour of His return.

Let’s consider a contemporary example of what’s happening here. The best I’ve come up with is printer cartridge ink. Modern day copiers warn us well ahead of the moment of critical need with a message: “prepare a new toner cartridge.” But still we wait, coaxing every drop of ink even as the copies grow progressively fainter. We wait until, like the printer without ink says, “Amen, that’s it – no more copies.”

We can lull ourselves into thinking that there is still plenty of time for dealing with problems, enriching our prayer life, showing gratitude, expressing compassion. False confidence has gotten many people into trouble. Those who think they will have other chances to come to faith in Jesus are making a very dangerous assumption. The coming of our God may well be sudden and unexpected, when we are least ready. We do well to pay heed to the words of the Gospel Acclamation, “Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

When you travel southward along I-275 through Tampa you had best be alert to the signage: “Check gas – long bridge ahead.” This Gospel story could have been titled: “Check ink level – no back up cartridge on hand.” “Dancers, check oil – long night ahead!”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Service, not status, is the measure of a true Christian

November 6, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

In this Gospel we see Jesus under fire. In turn, He speaks sternly to the religious leaders of Israel accusing the scribes and Pharisees of seeking the glory that rightly belongs to God. In their misguided zeal for religion, they sought respect and honor for themselves rather than for God.

Jesus raises three objections. They do not practice what they preach, they adopt a very narrow and burdensome interpretation of the Torah, and they seek public acknowledgment of their presumed spiritual superiority. Instead of allowing any relaxation, they “built a fence around the Law.” They fail to realize the truth that when religion becomes a depressing affair of burdens and prohibitions, individualistic dictums or endless rote prayers it ceases to be true religion. Jesus condemns the lack of compassion of religious leaders, evidenced in their unwillingness to apply laws in a way that would make obedience less oppressive. By contrast, Jesus says: “My yoke is easy; my burden is light and I will give you rest.”

The Pharisees Jesus is speaking to liked to be seated in places of privilege, prized seats on the left and right of their host. You remember the request posed by the mother of James and John? “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”

The Pharisees preferred to be addressed as “Rabbi.” They liked to be called “Father”, to be known as the fathers of the faith. They overlooked that respect has to be earned. However, in spite of their personal failings, Jesus recognizes that the scribes and Pharisees are stewards of a great spiritual treasure. He teaches respect for them for their role as official teachers and interpreters of the Torah. Jesus demands that his disciples honor the office that these men occupy and to do what they teach, at least insofar as their teachings accord with the Torah. Jesus taught, honored and applied two principles: reverence and respect i.e. reverence for God, the name of God and God’s due. Jesus modeled respect for one’s parents and for a person’s life, the other’s possessions, and good name, lessons sadly lacking in many segments of our society today.

Jesus’ criticism was mainly a warning to future Christian leaders about possible abuses of authority in their ministry. His words are a strong invitation and challenge to render humble, loving service without expecting honor or rewards. Benedict echoes this attitude in The Rule in the opening lines of Chapter 7 on humility recalling the words of Scripture: “Whoever exalts themselves shall be humbled, and whoever humbles themselves shall be exalted.” Jesus and Benedict remind us that service, not status, is the measure of a true Christian. It’s not how many servants we have, but how many persons we serve.

In today’s society where smear campaigning and negative comparative advertising are rampant, it is easy to unconsciously assimilate this style of language and attitude as acceptable. Jesus may not have used these words but remember what you learned as a child: “When you point one finger at someone else, you have three fingers pointing back at yourself.” Beware of being the “pot” calling the “kettle” black. The Gospel message reminds us that whatever we are and have is not simply a birthright, but a gift given to us by our loving God. Hence, let us use everything we are and have for the greater honor and glory of God.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

Have a good week.

First Reading: Malachi 1:14- 2:2, 8-10 Second Reading: James 2:14-18
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Give to Caesar – Give to God

October 23, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

Today’s Gospel is built around the saying in verse 21, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” It is a “wisdom saying” and the passage invites us to enter into it with our feelings.

We would not be able to properly grasp the meaning of this sentence without bearing in mind the context in which Jesus said it. Often, it is said that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” In other words, two people who are enemies will often come together if they see an opportunity to jointly attack a greater enemy. This is what was happening in today’s Gospel. The Pharisees were strict observers of the Law of Moses. It was their view that the people should not pay taxes. The Herodians on the other hand supported the payment of taxes supported the policy of arresting anyone who did not pay their taxes. Jesus was considered the greatest enemy of the Pharisees and the Herodians, and both groups joined together in a plot to trap Jesus even though they greatly disliked each other.

Let’s consider the question they brought to Jesus- Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? If Jesus said the people should pay taxes, the Pharisees could turn the people against Him. If Jesus said it was unlawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He could be arrested by Herod’s soldiers. The question to us is: If you were in Jesus’ position – what would be your response? Would you most likely give two contradicting answers to each group just to please each party? Would you shy away from the confrontation, manipulate the truth, or speak the truth firmly?

The trap that the Pharisees set for Jesus presents what could be a challenge to personal loyalty. What is owed to Caesar and what is owed to God? Jesus did not defend Himself irrationally, He did not shy away from the confrontation, or manipulate the truth to His own advantage. In response, Jesus spoke the truth in a simple way and refused to engage his opponents in their tricks. Jesus’s response challenges us to consider the standards by which we owe things to an authority, in other words, where our loyalties lie. How do we respond when we feel as though another person is trying to trap us or challenge us? Do we become more concerned about our defense than with speaking the truth or are we tempted to twist our answers rather than speak with sincerity and honesty? Are we more like the Pharisees and Herodians whose goal was to trap and win?

In our lives, the truth may require that we admit our mistakes and faults and apologize when confronted.

Jesus’s response also helps us acknowledge that while we owe our loyalty ultimately to God, we often must honor that by respecting our duties toward the community to which we belong i.e. the society, and the government of our country. But if we are to take our faith seriously, we are also concerned about others who are far away from us.

This Sunday presents us with another profound opportunity to renew our commitment to the Great Commission. The World Mission Sunday, celebrated globally serves as a call to mobilize faith, resources, and action in advancing the Gospel to our brothers and sisters living in the different parts of our world. Importantly, it is the only collection mandated by the Code of Canon Law.

As the theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis has chosen: “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move.” It is based on the narrative of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on their way to Emmaus, as narrated in Luke 24:13-35. This passage of the scripture vividly reminds us that when our hearts are set ablaze by the living Christ, our feet naturally move in mission, spreading the warmth of His love and the light of His Word.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of four Pontifical Mission Societies, was founded by French laywoman Blessed Pauline Jaricot in 1822. She planted the seed for what today is the World Mission Sunday Collection by asking her friends to pray daily and donate a penny a week for the missionaries working on spreading the Gospel to all nations. Let us join our Holy Father Pope Francis in praying for the young, persecuted, and poor Churches in over 1,100 dioceses around the world that benefit from the World Mission Sunday collection this weekend.

As we reflect on our baptismal promise to be disciples and missionaries, to embrace the call to have our “Hearts on fire, feet on the move.” I invite you to live simply, care deeply, love genuinely and give generously, speak kindly, and bloom where you are planted!

We come before the Lord, asking Him to fuel our passion and direct our steps as we bear witness to His love throughout the world.

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

This is World Mission Sunday and our week’s reflection is presented by our monastery guest: Sister Elizabeth Ogbu. Sister is living with us and serving in the Accounts Receivable Office of the Pontifical Mission Society’s National Office based in St. Petersburg. Sister travels 3 days a week to the office in downtown St. Petersburg. She works two days remotely (and spends weekends) here at the monastery. We pray God bless her labor for the church and, please God, travel with her as she makes that long trek on I-75 three days a week. We wish her good luck as she seeks to secure partial-week housing closer to her place of work.

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Second Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

Stand in Solidarity

October 17, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, stand in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in their condemnation of violence of any kind against vulnerable, civilian populations.

LCWR Stands in Solidarity with the People of the Middle East

“Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake.
War begets war, violence begets violence.”

Pope Francis, Angelus, September 1, 2013.

The members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), in solidarity with the global community of faith, stand in the shadow of the horrors initiated on October 7, 2023 in Israel and Gaza. As women of the Gospel, we grieve with those who grieve, seek release of those held captive, and recognize the root causes of violence as well as the urgent call for the use of all possible resources to stabilize the Middle East, secure refuge for those in humanitarian crisis, and negotiate peace that will last.

United with the interfaith community, we take seriously our responsibility to protect the safety of all people of faith throughout the world. We stand united with leaders of other faiths, intolerant of any form of hate or violence towards places of worship, and ready to witness to the transformation of consciousness necessary for sustainable peace.

LCWR is compelled to work toward a world where reverence for all living beings finds expression in a life of nonviolence. We stand in solidarity with the victims of brutality and with faith leaders as we heed the Gospel call to follow Jesus’ way of nonviolence, reconciliation, and care for the most vulnerable across lines of division.

We commit ourselves and the members of our religious communities to choose the peaceful path of Jesus and exercise all of our rights and duties as citizens to urge our leaders to act as responsible members of the world community. We join our prayer with religious people of all faiths who recognize that war is not the solution, and we commit ourselves to be those who believe that peace is possible.

We call upon world leaders and the United Nations to activate those mechanisms necessary for an immediate ceasefire and the negotiation of peace, so that justice may prevail. We are each responsible to be aware, to be informed by factual information, to look at root causes, and to reject rhetoric that fuels violence.

We, the members of LCWR, will continue to speak on behalf of the truth of faith, the strength of prayer, the power of nonviolence and the only pathway that will provide a future for our children: peace.

The Kingdom of God is Open to Everyone

October 16, 2023 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

Have you ever watched a make-over program on TV? I’ve watched a few on house make-overs. But recently when I was channel surfing, I was attracted by a young lady’s plea to get her boyfriend to dress appropriately for a wedding. This was one of those make-over shows where a person gets their entire wardrobe revamped. As these shows go, they took him – he seemed to go without protest – to an up-scale clothing store for a new wardrobe that would make him acceptable at the wedding – at least in the eyes of his girlfriend. He watched helplessly as his favorite clothes were thrown in a heap and replaced with more “fashionable items.”

The party in today’s Gospel would have been a highlight in many people’s lives. free food, hobnobbing with people whose names they’d only heard in passing. Why would they not jump at the chance to be a guest at such a fantastic occasion? But you just throw a party yourself and you will quickly figure out that some who say “yes” won’t show up and a goodly number will figure you knew they’d come so they did not really need to RSVP.

The people to whom Jesus was telling this parable understood the absurdity of the situation. They knew that Jesus was not simply telling them a strange story but that he was telling them something about their own lives. He was in essence telling them that they were the invited guests and that they had refused the invitation. They understood that Jesus was telling them that the kingdom of God is open to everyone: to the outcasts and the sinners and to them.

But Jesus doesn’t stop his parable with that. He goes on to say that once the street-people had been invited into the banquet, the king spotted someone who wasn’t properly dressed. When asked why, the man was speechless. The king demanded that he be handcuffed and thrown into the outer darkness. How are we to understand this part of the parable? Why was lack of a certain type of garment such a big deal?

Some may say the king invited everyone so people should come just as they happen to be when they decided to join the banquet. Others argue it means we should be given a special robe at the door of the church to wear during the service. Of course, these answers miss the point. This is a story that has a deeper meaning. Yes, it is a story, but remember parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

I find it intriguing that while the last group brought into the wedding came from the hedgerows and by-ways, the main character was still expected to be wearing a wedding garment. This lets us know, doesn’t it, that we better be ready at all times to come to the wedding. The point, of course, is not what type of clothing covers our nakedness. At some stage in life we’ve all learned that although not the most important thing in life, fashion is not something to be totally ignored either. Just ask anyone who is getting married, or celebrating a jubilee or going to a funeral, if what people wear isn’t of some significance. At one end of the spectrum, there are folks who believe brand name labels are the key to admittance into their coveted social circle. But for others, fashion is just not a big deal at all. They may not even own a full-length mirror.

The wedding garment Jesus was talking about was like a choir cloak that was provided at the door. To the listeners, this guest was one who snubbed social rules, the significance of the occasion and the prestige of being included on the guest list.

Even though everyone is invited into the banquet of the kingdom of heaven, there will be some who simply don’t send back their RSVP card. There will be those who show up but do so without the proper spiritual clothing and are sent away. The reading leaves us with that same probing question we first heard in our mother’s voice: “You’re wearing that?!” We quickly recognized it was not really a question but an order.

Maybe a good place to start re-doing our spiritual wardrobes would be to heed St. Paul’s admonition to the Colossians (3:13): “As God’s chosen people … clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Just be sure you’re wearing the proper attire when Jesus says: “Come in, Friend, I’ve saved a seat with your name on it.“

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

Pray for peace in the world and people’s safety; for justice and access to health services; and protection from all forms of violence.

Because you were faithful in small matters…

Because you were faithful in small matters…

come, share your Master’s joy.

First Reading: Proverbs 31 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Check Oil – long night ahead!

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Service, not status, is the measure of a true Christian

First Reading: Malachi 1:14- 2:2, 8-10 Second Reading: James 2:14-18
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Give to Caesar – Give to God

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Second Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

Stand in Solidarity

We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, stand in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in their condemnation of violence of any kind against vulnerable, civilian populations.

LCWR Stands in Solidarity with the People of the Middle East

The Kingdom of God is Open to Everyone

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

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Homily

Because you were faithful in small matters…

come, share your Master’s joy.

First Reading: Proverbs 31 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

First Reading: Malachi 1:14- 2:2, 8-10 Second Reading: James 2:14-18 Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Second Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-5

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, stand in solidarity with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in their condemnation of violence of any kind against vulnerable, civilian populations.

LCWR Stands in Solidarity with the People of the Middle East

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

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Prayer / Newsletter / Info

Contact Info

Benedictine Sisters of Florida

Mass Schedule

First Reading: Proverbs 31 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

First Reading: Malachi 1:14- 2:2, 8-10 Second Reading: James 2:14-18
Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12