Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Benedictine

“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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PEACE

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For today’s reflection I have chosen the theme PEACE because of the significance of tomorrow’s date: September 11 – Patriot’s Day.  I, probably like you, can remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of the attacks of 2001.

We find the theme of PEACE in our first reading from Exodus when Moses implores God to cool his wrath … and so, says the writer: “The Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on the people.”  We might add: “And, so Moses and the people slept in peace for the first night in a long time.”

In the second reading, Paul tells Timothy that Jesus came to save sinners and “for that reason I was mercifully treated.”  We may add: “And, that night Paul slept peacefully, secure in God’s love for him.”

But what are we called to do when peace is fractured?  The burden of reconciliation falls on the shoulders of each and all involved.  Before healing can begin each person on both sides of the splintering – even if it is only a hairline fracture –  must assume ownership for the breakdown in the relationship.  This acknowledgement must be done without an attempt at justification for the blunder.  The REASON for a disruption may explain what or how it happened.  But rarely is a reason an EXCUSE for the gap in peace.  Nor will it prevent the breach from growing wider unless each one picks up her piece to fit back into the puzzle of PEACE.

Several years ago, the American Benedictine Prioresses adopted a statement that, with slight adaptation, speaks to all of us.  “All parties must assume responsibility for calling one another to ethical, moral and spiritual awakening that will end violence in all its forms so that peace will again be part of home, country and world.”

In our former monastery each time we entered or exited the chapel we were blessed with a mosaic of Benedict’s by-word: PEACE.  It was a reminder that we want to be a peaceful community.  But PEACE must be more that a decision, it must be a commitment.  We must do all that it takes to offer each other an environment where PEACE can flourish individually and as a group.

It takes many small tiles placed “just so”, and the cracks filled with an adherent, to make a beautiful mosaic – a symbol reminding us that we are a flawed people.  We have weaknesses, limitations, distractions that burden us and can rise up to put us on the defensive making us resentful, irritable, feeling picked on and sitting on the “pity pot”.   We have to hold strong to the belief in the words of Benedict when he says that seeking peace is the way to heaven.  And, he doesn’t mean just in the heaven of afterlife.  We strive, too, to have a little bit of heaven here on earth.

In the Prologue to The Rule, we find Benedict’s tip for maintaining PEACE in community (family and society).   “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, down the hallway, into the dining room hoping to catch the coattails of PEACE.  We go climbing God’s holy mountain pursuing PEACE – never abandoning charity nor giving a false peace.  We peacefully perform whatever duties are entrusted to us and ensure that we have made peace before sundown.

Call to mind those beautifully colored tiles in the mosaic above the splashing holy water.  Ponder what a powerful impact PEACE can have on our lives.  Let us renew our commitment to make PEACE more than a concept we talk about; more than a gesture we exchange at Mass, more than a sign on a banner at a rally.  Let us make a daily pledge to nurture peace, be people of peace; to be a peaceful people.

 

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading  Exodus 32:7-11; 13-14      
Second Reading  1 Timothy 1:12-17
Gospel Reading  Luke 15 :1-32 or 1-10
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“I AM the BREAD of LIFE”

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Kindly remember our community in your prayers this week as we engage in prayer and participation in our annual community planning days.

Our 2021-2027 directional goals (here summarized) will guide us:

We will:

  • be an authentic contemporary Benedictine community attentive to relationships within community and beyond.
  • will work to increase awareness of our community and invite others to share in our vision and mission.
  • will use the Restructuring Process we designed to discern how viable our future is as a community.
  • we will intentionally work to insure our economic and environmental sustainability.

 

“I AM the BREAD of LIFE”

 

I think we probably could all agree that the Gospel of John can be difficult to understand.  So we can’t blame Jesus’ critics who are confused and ask for a sign when he says, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

This incident happened the day after the feeding of the 5000.  The crowd followed Jesus to a new location and were joined by many more curiosity seekers.  Remember, when John speaks of “the Jews” he is referring to a class of people: the religious authorities, the religious insiders of the day.  It is to this mixed group of people Jesus begins to explain the loaves and fish.

He gets pretty direct with them: “I am the bread of life.”  This makes the Jews – the religious insiders – angry.  Now, Benedict would tell them, “Don’t murmur.”  Their mothers might say “Stop your whining!”  Jesus lays it on the line, “Do not complain among yourselves.”  But, do they go directly to Jesus with their questions?  (Do you go directly to the source with your questions?)  No, they do what is fairly common (even in our house).  They go to one another and begin complaining, grumbling, and murmuring.  “Can you believe what he said?  Who does she think she is?  Where does she come up with that stuff?  Who gave her the right to change the schedule?”  And, the assignment of motivation for the person’s actions – well, all you can do is chuckle when you overhear another’s explanation about why you did something.  “You know why she did or said that?”  Like the Jews who were sure Jesus was the son of Joseph, so how could he be the Son of God?

The people were partially right – they did know Jesus.  But they only knew him through historical facts.  Now, we need to know the facts but too often the facts, the other’s history – and we are so sure we know all the pieces – about Jesus, about other persons, even ourselves.  But what little we know can be used to limit possibilities.  You can almost hear the Jews saying, (sometimes it’s our refrain, too) “We’ve never done it like this before.”  It is both amazing and sad that it is the Jews, the religious insiders, who do this.  They go to the synagogue, say their prayers, keep the fasts and dietary laws and try to live faithfully.  And yet they have a habit of accepting only historical knowledge.  Doing this limits not just our understanding – it also narrows our world, closing us to wonderful possibilities, great opportunities and enriching relationships.

The Spirit calls to us “A feast of life has been prepared for you.  The table is full, ready and waiting.  God is drawing, pulling, wooing, and loving you to the table.”  This sentiment is expressed in many of our Communion hymns such as: “We Come to Your Feast,” “Remember Me,” “Table of Plenty,” “One Communion of Love.”

Sometimes the history of our fears, regrets, pain, and losses become so established we are deceived into believing that we are not even hungry for new relationships, for the Bread of Life.  Maybe it’s a history of things done or left undone – or words said or affirmations left unsaid.  Perhaps we have a history of a particular way of thinking, believing, seeing the world, each other or ourselves.  You know the saying: Insanity is when you keep doing the same thing, the same way and expect a different result.

Jesus teaches us how to focus on the heart of the issue. He says, “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me …”  Here Jesus reminds us that it is an act of God that in the first place brought us to the table and continues to gift us with the power to risk entering into the Christian life, into monastic life.  The God-image, PAPA, in THE SHACK movie – says to Mack: “Faith does not grow in the house of certainty – faith is a risk.  The good news is that God is willing to be present and teach us.”

So, let us be a people who dare the risk, and enjoy the daily privilege to respond to and consume the Bread of Life.  Remember, faith is a verb, not a noun … it is a way of life.  It’s not a once and forever thing – it needs to be nourished at the Table.  Let us share in the joys and challenges of being the Body of Christ for a hungry world, and drink for those who thirst for justice, peace, fullness of life, and even eternal life.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:   1 Kings 19:4-8           Second Reading:   Ephesians 4:30—5:2
Gospel:   John 6:41-51
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Lent 2021

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Abbot Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B. is the Abbot Primate since 2016 of the 1500-year old Benedictine Order residing at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome.  He serves the Benedictine community as its liaison to the Vatican and civil authorities to promote unity among the various autonomous Benedictine monasteries and congregations.  Abbot Polan is the tenth Abbot Primate and the fourth American elected.  We were pleased to have him with us directing our 2019 summer retreat week.

 

The following is from Abbot Polan’s recent Circular:

Greetings of Lenten peace, faith, hope and support in these uncertain times. Strong confidence in God’s inscrutable ways calls us to walk the path to Easter. In the midst of these times when we see a light beginning to shine with the roll-out of the vaccine to all parts of the world, we give thanks for what has been happening and we pray for a just and right distribution of these healing remedies. Let us remain strong in following the instructions given by the governments, the health professionals, and the Church leadership which calls for continued care, protection and proper protocols. It is clear, we will not be moving back to life as it was; there will be a new normal which will only develop with time, patience, practical wisdom, spiritual insight, sacrifice, generous service toward the needy and a deeper sense of care for one another. One of the graces that has come from this pandemic, has been the awareness of how this situation has touched the lives of all of us. The effects of the pandemic have marked our lives in uniquely different ways. Yet what has united us is that as brothers and sisters in the human family, children of God and as members of the Body of Christ, we are all striving to move forward. Our experiences are so vastly different, but we are unified in our endeavoring to find the way forward and to see how this will open for us in time, in grace and in hope. In the recent visit of Pope Francis to Iran, his words to continue working toward peace, mutual care for one another and a world that shows tolerance and mutual acceptance speak loudly to our hope of moving forward with confidence.

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March – Celebrating Women and their Accomplishments

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We are excited to share a video on March 8th in celebration of National Catholic Sisters Week.  The video features the practices and ministries of several Benedictine monasteries across the country including the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.  In addition to how catholic organizations honor women religious during March, this is the fifth year that they are part of National Women’s History Month.  While Sisters and nuns do not seek recognition, making them a part of this annual celebration every March is only fitting.

Our country has been served since the early 1700s by Sisters and nuns who established exceptional schools and hospitals and have been remarkable in their out-reach to the poor.  Their history is closely tied to the very development of our nation.  Today there are 45,605 Sisters and nuns who are consoling, inspiring and praying for those who have lost loved ones during the Covid pandemic.  Now as in so many past crises, vowed women are a God-send.

This year’s theme for National Women’s History Month is “Valiant Women of the Vote,” focusing on those who worked for women’s right to vote.  Faith and religion played a significant role in the fight for fairness.  Suffrage was not only a legal issue, but certainly a moral one.  Journalist Elaine Weiss wrote “The Women’s Hour: the Great Fight to Win the Vote,” highlighting the fact that women of various faiths came together to organize and lobby.  They saw suffrage as a matter of divine justice as well as human rights.

 

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The Best is Yet to Come

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The Best is Yet to Come

To quote Notre Dame theology professor, Ralph Martin: “The page of a modern book that first catches our interest is the title page … Ancient books had no dust covers or words printed on the spine to arrest attention.  So the first page—or even, as here in (Mark’s) first sentence, (it) had to convey the writer’s main message.  This is exactly what Mark’s opening verse is trying to do: to alert the reader to what is to follow.  It is both his “table of contents” and title page brought together in a bold statement; “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” 

I suspect we’ve all had occasion to say, or hear, “You think this is great?  This is only the beginning.  The best is yet to come.”  Part of the surprise for us could be heard in this morning’s (Saturday) proclamation by the prophet Isaiah: “The harvest will come: rich and abundant; the towers will fall, the light of the moon will be like the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days; the Lord will bind up the wounds of his people.”

While the opening line in Mark’s gospel points to Jesus, the first person he introduces is not Jesus, but the fiery preacher who came out of the desert resembling the Old Testament prophet Elijah.  Andrew Greeley observes that an important influence on Jesus was John the Baptist, whose ascetic lifestyle he continued to imitate.  John was no fashion plate, with camel hair clothing, leather sandals, and leather girdle around his waist.  His vegetarian diet was very simple: locusts (grasshoppers) and wild honey.  This information must have been important to the evangelist, or it would not have been noted.  So what might it symbolize?  Well, you cannot wear anything more fundamental in the way of clothing, or eat a more basic diet.  Could it be representative of John’s ministry of simple beginnings.  Like Mark says: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

And what a simple message John preached: “Don’t look to me for answers beyond what I have already told you.  Anything else will come from another, who is coming right after me.  He is so much greater than I that I am not even worthy to loosen his sandals straps.  (Remember, this was his younger cousin that he was talking about!)

John began his ministry in the wilderness, the worst possible place.  BUT IT WORKED!  Mark says: “all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem” came out to hear John.  What attracted them to trek 20-30 miles through the wilderness to listen to a man preach?!  That is all he did!  He never said how it would work, or why; he just announced it.  John’s preaching and charisma could bring people to God, but he could not take them beyond that.

How fitting, it strikes me, that we have John’s message of forgiveness and repentance as a prelude to our Penance Service this coming Wednesday evening.  God offers us, once again, an opportunity to sincerely repent.  To discern what it is that keeps “me” from being an effective channel of God’s compassion?  What are the “barnacles and burrs … the personality sandspurs” that keep others from seeing the God-image our Maker intended?  The reconciliation service will give us a chance, once again, to be our own critic and say, “You know what, God?  I’ve finally realized it’s not those others, it is just me.  This is just the way I’ve become — and I need help.”  In the quiet of your own heart, where God alone hears and listens, you can say, “I repent, send me your Spirit.”  The responsorial psalm (Psalm 85 adapted) promises us: “The Lord will give his benefits; kindness and truth shall meet; near indeed is God’s salvation.”

In the meanwhile, be mindful of Habakkuk’s prophecy (2:3).  “God may delay; He may tarry” … but God has a plan – God will not forget, but it will be done on God’s time.  Indeed, that is what the readings help us proclaim today, that the Holy Spirit has called each one of us to this place, at this time, for a divinely ordained purpose:  to embody the Benedictine charism and live out a specific mission – personally and communally.

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

Readings:  Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11     2 Peter 3:8-14     Mark 1:1-8

 

 

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