Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Benedict

Even When You Say You Did Not Believe

by Leave a Comment

I’ll repeat the last line of that Gospel reading: “Yet even when you saw, you did not later change your mind and believe.”

Speaking in St. Petersburg (FL) on Friday (September 25) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all restrictions statewide that were imposed to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.  In his words: “Every business has the right to operate.”  The executive order will stop cities and counties from fining people for not wearing mandated face coverings.  The governor says there are no signs of a possible “second wave of infections.”  I am a bit skeptical of what signs of the times this man and many others are reading?  And, who or what advice are they listening to?

In our country – in the U.S. – there have been more than 7 million confirmed COVID cases – and God only knows how many more unreported.  There have been more than 200,000 deaths.  In Florida there have close to 700,000 reported, confirmed cases (not counting those that go unreported) and 14,000 COVID-reported deaths.  That is approximately 4500 more than the combined populations of (nearby) St. Leo, San Antonio and Dade City.

The daily reading from the Holy Rule, this Gospel, and other words we’ve prayed this past week, warn us about paying mere lip service to directives and about the danger of letting our diligence slip.

We heard Jeremiah say: The Lord searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward each one according to what their deeds deserve.”  And the psalmist who reminded us: “God searches the hearts and minds … The Holy One knows our thoughts.”  In the words of Benedict: “The disciple’s obedience must be given gladly, for ‘God loves a cheerful giver.’”  If the disciple obeys grudgingly and grumbles, not only aloud but also in her heart, then, even though the order is carried out, their actions will not be accepted with favor by God, who sees that she is grumbling in her heart.  She will have no reward for service of this kind.”

The evidence is all around us – the virus is still present in our world.  We can’t dispute the fact that there is confusion, fear and challenges that cause us to reflect on how we interact with each other and the greater community.  There is much soul-searching and a heightened awareness of the “hungers of the people of God.” (BSoFL Corporate Commitment) We need look no further than across the highway to witness the challenges of having university students on campus.

Yet, we still hear comments like: “it’s all a hoax – it’s only another form of the flu – I’m strong, I can fight it – She is my friend, they wouldn’t be here if she thought she was sick – the virus can’t be passed if we’re outdoors – it’s not in our part of the county – I’ll take an ibuprofen tonight, just in case – I don’t follow rules I don’t agree with or don’t like.”  What is not said is: “I’m scared – I can’t think about it – I have too many other health issues – there is so much confusion, I gave up – it’s like climate change; the scientists will figure it out – I followed the CDC and our house restrictions for a while, but not anymore; if it comes, it comes – if God wants to take me, that’s OK – if I get sick it’ll be someone else’s problem – they’ll take care of me.”

That’s the sticking point.  In truth, in time of illness, death or distress, we do care for each other.  The question before each of us each day is: am I taking care of, not just myself, but am I taking the most solicitous care I can of the 14 others I live with?  Do I keep in mind Jesus’ admonition: “Don’t do to others, what you would not want done to you.  Love others as you love yourself.”

These are times when the yoke of obedience and submission can really pinch – more for some personalities than others.  Listening to the “abbot” is one thing – listening to an external source, quite another: the bishops, local governments, the CDC, health departments, medical professionals …  where do they rank in our promise of obedience???  Our “conversion of life”?

Hospitality to each other is another whole package.  But, we know we are (like it or lump it) in these times -TOGETHER – either we will survive it without scarring OR the enemy: lack of diligence, carelessness, or disregard for others (the REAL fatal virus), will break through cracks in our walls.   Even hands held tightly can weaken – so hold tight…. Try not to be the one who loses grip.   Let us hold each other tightly in prayer and patience in the trials of “Safe at Home.”  We’ve a “mile to go before we can sleep” – i.e. let up on our vigilance.  Know and believe that God has a plan.  Be patient with the divine timing in day-by-day revealing that plan.  Remind yourself “the best IS yet to come.” Our ancestors in community got through the 1918 pandemic – so will we!

Peace – and good health and many blessings.
We’ll be praying in particular all this week for all health care workers and on Monday joining in spirit the Bishops for International Day of Prayer for Migrants, Refugees, Immigrants and Sojourners.
God bless you each!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28       Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
Continue Reading

To Listen is to Understand

by Leave a Comment

I offer you two brief stories.  The first – a familiar story (one of many versions that can be found on the Internet) –

There once was a man that prayed, “God, speak to me.”  And a meadowlark sang.  But the man did not hear.

So the man spoke aloud: “God, speak to me!”  And thunder rolled across the sky.  But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, “God, let me see you.”  And a star shone brightly.  But he noticed it not.

The man then shouted, “God, show me a miracle.”  And a babe was born.  But the man was unaware.

So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me, God, and let me know that you are here!”  Whereupon God reached down and touched the man.  But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked away.

The situation in the second story may also have a familiar ring –

A woman was having difficulty communicating with her husband … (or I could say two Benedictines Sisters were having difficulty with that same problem).  Each had concluded that the other must be hard of hearing.  So, (in the original scenario) the wife decided to conduct a test without her husband knowing about it.

One evening she sat in a chair on the far side of the room.  Her husband’s back was turned to her so he could not see her.  The room was very quiet; no TV was playing.  She whispered, “Can you hear me?”  There was no response.

Scooting a little closer, she asked again, “Can you hear me now?”  Still no reply.  Quietly she edged closer and whispered the same words, but still no answer.

Finally, she moved right in behind his chair and said, “Can you hear me now?”  To her surprise and chagrin, he responded with irritation in his voice, “For the fourth time, yes!”

And Jesus said: Whoever has ears ought to hear.

So, pondering both of these stories, we might ask:

  1. When God speaks, do we make sure we don’t miss some part of the message because the blessing is not packaged the way we expected?
  2. Is the problem that God is not speaking? Or, that we are not listening?
  3. Or, is the third step where we fail – Are we listening and hearing but, then, failing to act on what we hear?

We are all well aware of Benedict’s opening word to us in his Rule – it’s the same that Jesus speaks in this Gospel: Listen.  According to a footnote in my Bible, the phrase “Let they who have ears, let them hear” (or a similar expression) appears approximately 14 times in Scripture.  I find this interesting because the number 14 is considered to be a symbol of salvation and deliverance.  The 14th day of the first Hebrew month is Passover – the celebration of the deliverance from death of the firstborn of the Children of Israel.  The angel passed by all the homes where the doorposts had been painted with blood.  The word “Hear” (h e a r) in Greek means to understand, to perceive the sense of what is.

Benedict’s first word (in the Rule) – LISTEN is the key to what he says in the last two chapters of the Rule.  If only that one instruction were heeded, what an impact it could make on our own happiness and it would foster concord between peoples.  Isn’t attentive listening the master key that opens our hearts for good zeal?  Deep, sensitive listening is the undergirding to mutual obedience, anticipating one another’s needs, picking up on feelings, being aware when we’ve pushed another’s “buttons” and recognizing we need to change the course of this interaction.  To truly listen requires an attentive spirit.  Recall some of the points in Celeste Headlee’s TED talk that we viewed the other evening  [Celeste Headlee  10 ways to have a better conversation] Simple things but ones that take attention and self-discipline to put into practice.  Celeste reminded us: if your mouth is open, you’re not listening; if you want to pontificate, write a blog; listen to people and be prepared to be amazed; everyone is an expert at something!”

Jesus and Benedict each offer us a challenging but attainable ideal.  When the monastic breaches the ideal, we are expected to humbly ask forgiveness both from God and from our Sisters-in-Christ to whom we freely pledge to “form bonds of mutual love and respect and to call forth the best in one another.” (community Philosophy statement 2018)

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading Isaiah 55: 10-11       Second Reading Romans 8:18-23
Gospel Matthew 13: 1-9

 

Continue Reading

PEACE

by Leave a Comment

Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If there is light in the soul,

There will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world.

(Chinese proverb)

Continue Reading

Lord, where are you going?

by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

5th Sunday of Easter (May 19, 2019)
First Reading Acts 14: 21-27 Second Reading   Revelation 21:1-5a
Gospel John 13: 31-33a, 34-15
Continue Reading

The Prodigal Son

by Leave a Comment

This Gospel says that while away the prodigal “came to himself.”   Developmental psychologists say that some young people need to reject their conventional faith (e.g. of their family) in order to come to their own faith.

Put another way, at least some may need to go to “a distant land” in order to “come to themselves.”  Note that the second son who stayed home also had his rebellion from conventional faith as he talks back to his Father, refusing to go to the feast.

Rather than having failed, parents of prodigals or rebels may have succeeded – in giving their young person the confidence to leave home to spread their wings and find their own faith.  You’ve probably heard the saying: “If you love something set it free, if it returns it was meant to be, if it continues to fly let it soar, and have faith that God has something better in store.”  And another one: “Sometimes, you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.”

The gospel suggests that the Prodigal Parent is on the look-out for their wandering child, scanning the horizon, hoping against hope for their return.   Upon sighting their child, the parent’s heart is “filled with compassion” and rushes out to welcome the one for whom they have yearned and prayed.   “Prodigals” of all ages need to know that we are hoping for their return and that they will always be welcome home – with open arms.

Our Gospel shows us the difference between “coming home” and a “home-coming.”  The son approached in fear and trepidation; the parent flung aside any resentment and ill-will.  The child was coming home to he knew-not-what kind of a reception.  The parent threw a spontaneous homecoming party.

The Parent welcomed and embraced the Prodigal before an apology crossed his lips.  What a picture of unconditional love!  Our diocesan motto “Live the Gospel Courageously” includes the theme of welcome to all, Saints and Sinner alike.

It doesn’t matter if prodigals don’t return to our particular expression of faith within God’s family.  We hear the expressions “fallen away Catholic” or “lapsed Catholic.”  We remain hopeful that they will make their way home to God.  The path may not be ours.  We pray that the good values that were instilled and modeled for them over the years – will sustain their journey, whatever road they take.  And, we pray that we remember: true “forgiveness” is present long before the embrace of a homecoming.

The waiting father, the renegade son and the “look at how good I have been” son … all knew peace at the end of the day.  The father seems to have completely forgotten his agitation, worry and concern as peace overwhelms him at the return of his younger son.  That wayward son must have been so very relieved at the response of his father that peaceful gratitude must have washed over him.  I suspect that the older brother forgot to sweep at his own front door – yes?   What peace must have invaded his attitude as his father – and younger brother – assured this embarrassed, humbled fellow of their never-ending love.

We believe Benedict when he says that seeking peace is the way to heaven – heaven in the after-life and a little bit of heaven here on earth.  In the Prologue to Benedict’s Rule we find the admonition: “If you wish to have true and eternal life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit; turn from evil and do good; seek PEACE and pursue it.”  Another translation says, “seek peace and go after it.”  That conjures up quite an image…  dashing out of the chapel, into the dining room, down the halls, out the door, into the neighborhoods, climbing God’s holy mountain pursuing PEACE – never abandoning charity nor giving a false peace, peacefully performing whatever duties are entrusted to us, ensuring we have made peace before sundown.

Let us renew our commitment to make PEACE more than a concept that we talk about … let us make a daily pledge to be people of peace, to be a peaceful people.   Make each day an echo of what Paul tells us in the second reading: “the old things have passed away; behold new things have come….  We have been reconciled through Christ and (this is the punch line) WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A MINISTRY OF RECONCILATION.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

4th Sunday in Lent (March 31, 2019)
Joshua 5:9a; 10-12      2 Corinthians 5:17-21     Luke 15:1-3; 11-32

 

 

Continue Reading

Are You a Stumbling Block?

by Leave a Comment

Last week we heard Jesus chastise his disciples for their arguing about who was the greatest in the group.  Today they take offense because they perceive a stranger’s action as a direct threat to their exclusive calling by Jesus.  Their attitude is clear: “you have no right; He gave us that job.”   They guard what they feel is their gift and they’re not about to share it.   Envy and jealousy raises its ugly head.

It seems we are witnessing how Jesus deals with this ages-old human condition.  We saw it first in the story of Cain and Abel.  In our own lives we may have been victim or culprit of it with our siblings or classmates.  St. Benedict guards against inroads of it in describing the Qualities of the Abbot, in the Tools of Good Works and the Steps of Humility; the distribution of labor and his directives about property and gifts.  The psalmist even applies the trait to God, and St. Paul says he experiences “a godly jealousy.”  We sing of it in our hymnody: “Our God is a jealous God.” And, here in this Gospel we hear the disciples grousing (Benedict called it “murmuring”) “How come they’re trying to use the gift you gave to us?”

So far they’ve missed the point of Jesus teaching about true discipleship.  That it’s how we relate to each other especially our interactions with the little ones and the least ones.  Jesus has shown by example that true disciples are to “forbid not the little ones to approach” and warned that true followers are not to “cause little ones to stumble.”

He’s been saying that who is included in the Kingdom is not within our authority, it’s not even within our concern!  Who is included in the Kingdom belongs alone to God.  Jesus makes it quite clear: whoever is not against us, is for us.  I think that’s why I struggle, and I know it really rankles with some, when an announcement is made at Mass about who can and cannot receive communion.

In this instance, Jesus in fact, immediately turns the tables on the disciples.  He warns them that they are the ones in danger of doing harm.  It’s as though Jesus says, “The problem is not those folks, guys.  Don’t worry about them — they are not the problem.  Rather, look at yourselves.  How are you getting in the way of the gospel?  Are you a stumbling block?”

We get a clear message that finger-pointing will not get us far with Jesus.   While the disciples are eager to bring judgment on the outsider who is acting in Jesus’ name, Jesus himself wants the disciples to pay attention instead to their own behavior.  Jesus couldn’t be more clear with his vivid example: a dire image of drowning to get his point across.  Better to drown (be thrown into the sea with a millstone around one’s neck) than do harm to “these little ones.”

He warns us that scrupulosity about others behavior or a judgement about their motivation can distract us so that we do harm and cause others to stumble.  Sometimes, even our best intentions to reprove others can have unintended consequences.  Jesus turns the focus back to our own behaviors, the ways we speak and reflect an image of Gospel living.  How authentic is it?

This gospel challenges us as individuals, and as community, to a self-examination.  What are the stumbling-blocks, the mind-fields we scatter before others that often unwittingly impedes the spread of the Good News?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading Numbers 11:25-29           Second Reading James 5:1-6
Gospel Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
Continue Reading