Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Christ

Waiting

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Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Advent is all about waiting.  But not sit on your-hands and see what happens kind of waiting.  Nor waiting for someone else who is talking to God to hang up.  It’s more like a glorious party line.  You can pick up (or click on at any time).  Whenever you’re ready.  It is wonderful that we do not have to take turns – we don’t have to wait to be in touch!  At the heart of Advent is ACTIVE waiting.  Even when we don’t know that we are waiting, or what we are waiting for, we’re waiting.  Even when we can’t find words for what we are waiting for, we’re waiting.

We’ve been waiting for so long, actually for most of our lives, that the darkness may feel like home.  We’ve become comfortable in our incompleteness.  Now to leave home is downright scary!  Change my ways of interacting with God and God’s people?  Whew!  Allow my rough edges to be smoothed – mmmm, sounds irritating (no pun intended).  We are gifted with Advent-time to do personal “Isaiah work” of filling in every valley; leveling every mountain so the hills will become a plain, and the rough ways made smooth.  As the familiar banner asks: If not now, when?

There is a TV reality show on restaurant revival that is introduced with a premise that sounds like a good Advent theme.  “Turning around a failing restaurant or diner is a daunting challenge under the best of circumstances.  Attempting to do so …  may be impossible.  But we’re ready to take on the challenge.  Can it be done?”

From outdated décor to trendy interior, from canned food to fresh ingredients, from surly employees to service-oriented staff, they attempt to overhaul the whole shebang with straight talk, great cooking skills, creative interior decorators and an excited team of mostly volunteers.  The most important ingredient to the success of the project depends on the employees.  When the TV crew arrives, the expectation is that the local staff will be ready with their litany of what is going well and what they’d like to see changed.  They are looking for help to determine, and then implement the next best steps to be taken.

There is no pretense each week to portray the chef as a Christ figure, but one may see an analogy between our Advent Scriptures and the theme of this human example of this dramatic overhaul driven by someone who knows what they’re doing.  The overhaul of the run-down and failing restaurant, and our personal overhaul, is only possible if we’ll allow our goals and projects to be placed under wise management.  For us that’s Jesus, the One who’s coming to town in our Advent scriptures.

The Gospels that we’ll hear throughout the Advent season make frequent two-fold references to the already and the not yet.  This Sunday, Jesus berates the crowd for knowing how to interpret the signs in nature, but not the present time, the already.  This is where we, too, may fall short.  Often, even before one’s feet hit the floor, we tune in (or ask Alexia) for the day’s weather conditions, adjust the AC or heater and dress accordingly.  At the threat of a hurricane, we gather in supplies and hunker down.  We see the waxing moon and wait patiently for the night of the full moon.  This kind of waiting requires a common sense alertness to natural signs.  But the kind of waiting Jesus is talking about requires a deeper discernment and alertness to the signs of His appearance – the signs of the times, our times.

Advent offers us a new opportunity to awaken to the signs of the times.  In the words of John the Baptist, we hear the voice of Isaiah warning us to be alert for “the voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord.”  The last Gospel we heard as the liturgical year ended (this morning) and the first Gospel for the new liturgical year impress upon us the same warning: Be vigilant! Pray always! Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy!

One of the ancient Advent prayers offers us sentiments that Benedict echoes in the Rule: “Give us grace that we may cast off the works of darkness and put upon us the armor of light.”  Many Advent hymns express this same theme.  For example (the hymn we sang on Friday) – “Wise and foolish, still we wait.  Is the bridegroom at the gate?  Clear the shadows from our sight, fill our eyes with radiant light.  Come, Lord Jesus, come!” 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16                   Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-28,34-36
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Give and God Provides

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We can only give from our need if we trust that God will provide.

Sunday’s first reading, the widow in Elijah’s time, and the Gospel of the widow in Jesus’ time, prompt us to take a hard look at our individual and communal giving practices.  If, as followers of Jesus Christ, we see clearly that God is the giver of all, how do we offer thanks?  What portion of our blessings do we give back to honor God and build up God’s Kingdom on earth?  We can apply the lesson in this story of the widow’s mite to our current collection of donations to Daystar Hope.  With the kind support of the Knights of St. Mark’s parish, and individual donors, we are enabled to distribute gift cards and bus passes to Daystar clients to help brighten their Thanksgiving.  Truly, we can all give something, the amount is between the individual and God.

In this reflection instead of emphasizing the spirit of giving often connected with the story of the Widow’s mite, I’d like to share some ideas that convey the perspective that it is not all about GIVING.  The Benedictine value of STEWARDSHIP (preserving the earth and respecting people) calls us to responsibility and care rather than oppressive domination.  To live out this value can require a radical shift in our thinking.  We can too easily become accustomed to regarding earth’s resources as if they had no intrinsic worth beyond their value to us.  For example, the demand for fast, prepackaged food contributes to a stripping of rain forests in order to provide pasture land.  In the process, many indigenous peoples have been rendered homeless, and the habitat of endangered species has been lost forever.  Advances have been made in the production of biodegradable substances but so far it’s only resulted in a reduction in the time it takes plastics and styrofoam to disintegrate – they still constitute a hazard to the environment.

One of the biggest offenders of violence to our environment is plastic bottles.  We hear frequently of the health value of drinking more water and those 12-16 oz. bottles are so handy.  Some plastics are recyclable or reusable.  But others, each time you refill it can leach toxins into the water you will consume.  And, in landfills or trash heaps toxic gases are leached into the environment causing a variety of health issues.  Landfills in the U.S. have over 2 million discarded plastic bottles that each take up to 1,000 years to decompose.  How many thousand years did we toss into the landfill in this week?  In the last month?  Trying to conserve by switching from plastic to glass containers here in our county is foiled because glass is not recycled.

Our primary motivation is that all (now and in the future) may have a share in God’s gifts.  We have to think bigger than the cash register.  Each day is our moment to resist any act of violence against creation.  It’s a special challenge now when COVID and CDC regs seem to thwart some of our progress.  For instance: it’s OUT with a cloth hand towel for everyone’s use; IN with paper towels to avoid the risk of virus transmission.

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

This widow in the Gospel was made destitute by life’s circumstances.  We, by no means live a life of destitution – but we know people who do.  We are invited to ask ourselves, what can I, what can we, do to reverse the destructive patterns of life that are making a negative impact on our earth and in the lives of those we profess to serve?  Each day we are challenged to figure out what to do with our “too much.”  The answer is NOT to find an empty shelf or an empty room to store it.  If we are not using it, do we REALLY need it?  If we haven’t worn it since we moved to this building, who could use it?  If we have forgotten we ever had it, did we ever really need it?  Are we saving it because, deep down, we don’t trust God to come through for us on a “rainy day?”  We can only give from our need if we trust (really and truly) that God will provide.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

This week we pray for veterans of all nations: for their families who support them and suffer with them … for spouses who raise children in their absence … and families who agonize when they are injured, missing or imprisoned … for support services personnel – we pray in gratitude for all their sacrifices.

 

First Reading:   Kings 17:10-16            Second Reading:  Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel:   Mark 12:38-44
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“He has done all things well!”

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In this story we find clues that promote our understanding of sacramental “laying on of hands” and the sacredness of human touch.  We are struck by the physical means Jesus used to heal the man’s lack of hearing and speech, the use of spittle and touch – both discouraged in today’s “stay safe” world.  Jesus cannot tell the man verbally what He is about to do, so He uses a rough form of sign language to communicate His intentions.  First, He sticks His fingers in the man’s ears to let him know that He is going to do something about his deafness.  He spits on His finger and touches the man’s tongue to let him know that He is about to restore his speech.  Might sound gross, but it’s what Jesus does!  And, it awakens faith in this man’s heart.

After touching the man, Jesus looks toward Heaven.  This act served two purposes.  First, it told the deaf man where the healing was coming from.  Secondly, the act of looking toward Heaven demonstrated Jesus’ dependence on his Father.  As Jesus raised his eyes heavenward he “sighed.”  Of course, the deaf man could not hear the sigh, but he could see Jesus’ expression.  And, it spoke volumes more than words could say: “I care about you and what you are going through!”  Jesus says one word, “Ephphatha” – “be opened.”  When Jesus says this, the man’s hearing is healed and his tongue was loosened.  He could hear!  He could speak!  What a miracle!  One command from Jesus and his life changed forever!  The witnesses declared: “He has done all things well!”

Today, this week we do well to take an honest inventory of our true needs.  Have I found contentment?  Am I close enough to God to receive guidance and strength?  Have I secured peace of heart and mind?  Deciding what we lack is the first step in securing it.  Only then can we express our needs to Christ who has said: “Ask, you shall receive.”  But, remember God-time may not match our unspoken expectation.  When God takes time answering our prayers, it’s not because he didn’t hear us or doesn’t already know our needs.  We are being given us the gift of time to recognize what our true needs are.

In by-gone days, peddlers would walk the streets with their wagon load of wares crying out, “What do you lack?”  The idea was to let especially the housewives know that the peddler was in the vicinity.  The kids and housekeepers would come drifting out to see what the peddler was selling today.  Sounds like a flea market, or Big Lots or the Dollar Tree.  How many shoppers drop in, (maybe we are counted among them?) nothing on their shopping list, but just to see what’s new today?  It might be something we’ve forgotten we really need – for sure, it’ll likely be gone tomorrow.

When his friends presented the man in the Gospel to Jesus, his needs were obvious – he lacked physical abilities.  We may lack spiritual abilities.  We may suffer a kind of a spiritual deafness.  The affliction of not really listening to people.  Or, to put it another way, we suffer the affliction of physically hearing what people say, yet failing to comprehend and come to grips with the full meaning of their message.  Remember the expression: “What you are not saying is speaking so loud I cannot hear what you are saying.”

 One of the greatest weaknesses of the human heart is the inability to tune into people’s underlying needs.  One may indeed lack food for the table, but his/her real need may be for a fair wage for an 8-hour job.  We can hear the cries of broken, suffering people in lands across the sea, but be oblivious to the cues of the persons that every day are sitting right beside us.

This man in the Gospel, even though he was lacking hearing and speech, he had people around him that cared about him.  They heard that Jesus was passing by and they brought their friend to Jesus.  Benedict calls us to carry each other, to help one another understand the word of God spoken in community decision-making, to help us accept decisions that are contrary to our personal wishes.  We are to uphold the weak, challenge the faint-hearted, rouse the sleepers, and open our eyes to the light that comes from God – and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out to us.  This is how St. Benedict teaches that we shall “progress in the way of life and faith, running on the path of God’s commands, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”  With the help of community, he says “We will run, and not grow weary.”  The closing words of our Gospel remind us that Jesus does all things well.  “All” may only be a three-lettered word but it is a mighty big word!  It covers a lot of territory.  Jesus does all things well.  Come to Him and let Him teach you the truth!  He can fix it so you’ll shake your head saying, “Well done!  Well done!  Very well done!”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

God, we know you have a lot “on your plate” – we ask, please, in Your goodness to hear our special intentions this week:

Remember in particular employees and employers and those seeking employment: may justice, fair wages and appreciation for service prevail at all levels.

We pray, too, for the victims, survivors and all who re-live September 11, 2001 … may they know peace of mind.

Remember, too, all the victims of so-called “natural” disasters: earthquakes, flooding, high winds and fire.  God grant them strength and inspire generosity of all in positions to relieve their plight.

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 35:4-7a          Second Reading:  James 2:1-5
Gospel:   Mark 7:31-37
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WE TRAVEL TWO BY TWO

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Luke and Matthew relate the same story heard in this gospel from Mark.   With Luke, you do realize, it was hearsay …  he was not there to give an eye-witness account.  It’s interesting to see the minor, but specific differences in the three accounts.  For example, here where Mark says, “take no money,” Matthew lays out the details, saying “take no silver, gold or copper coins.”  With his usual specificity he covers all the bases, not just the coinage in current use.  Matthew begins his account of Jesus’ reminder to his disciple-missionaries: “You received without paying, so now give without being paid.”  Where we read in Mark “whatever house you enter,” Matthew is more direct: “Look for someone to welcome you.”  And, if when you wish them peace it is not returned, “take back your greeting.”  Unlike today’s account by Mark, both Luke and Matthew quote Jesus telling the disciples what not to take on their missionary journey: “take no beggar’s bag.”   [An interesting side note:  St. Benedict tells his followers when they go on a journey to take clean underwear, launder and return it when they return from their journey.]

Jesus instructs his disciples to live dependent on the hospitality of the community, just as Jesus depended on others to provide for his needs.  Remember what he told one of his potential followers – “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”   Jesus expected his disciples to “eat what is served, be satisfied with the bedding provided, follow their schedule, and don’t try to go it alone.”  Remind you of the Benedict’s norms?

So let’s from all Jesus’ DON’T cautions, look at what Jesus says IS appropriate for our journey in order to carry on the mission of Jesus.

The first thing Jesus recommends is that we travel two by two. He is reminding us that we don’t have to go it alone.  We need a good support system as we experience life’s ups and downs; sunrises and sunsets; pandemics and family times of togetherness.  Sharing the good times is as important as sharing the not so great times.

Reminds me of an event years ago at the Special Olympics 100-meter dash.  Shortly after the start of the race one of the participants fell.  His sobs caught the attention of the other eight runners.  With little hesitation, they turned back, lifted up their fallen friend, locked arms and all crossed the finish line together.  The crowd rose to their feet and CHEERED for a long time.  These young people were all winners!  They understood that what really matters is supporting one another even if it means slowing down and changing the course to your intended goal.

Jesus continues: He recommends sandals for our feet and a tunic, but not a second of anything.  (How does your closet hold up to this mirror?)  Jesus asks us not to carry so much in our gunny sacks.  Stuffing our sacks full does nothing to change the situation – just adds wrinkles to our brow and sours our spirit.  Do what Jesus says: “shake the dust off your feet” and move on.

Jesus gives his approval to our carrying and using a walking stick.  That way we can keep moving when we encounter ruts and pebbles and unexpected sharp turns in our path.  Add support when you became worn out, tired and weary or wander off the edge of the road.  (Listen for the sound of those rumble strips – they are not just for decoration.  They call us to “stay alert”.)  A good walking stick helps us stay upright and get past mistakes which could hinder our spiritual growth and practice of conversio.  And, beyond that, it’s a fact that in order to do what we say in our community Corporate Commitment.  If we hope to “alleviate the hungers of the people of God with the compassion of Christ,” we must first be compassionate with ourselves.  (Corporate Commitment Statement)

Today Jesus sends us out once again, with authority over unclean spirits … over the rancor, the violence, the rudeness, the degrading language and actions, the insensitivity.  The list could go on and on.  We can conquer the darkness with a refusal to lower our behavior, language and standards.  We can “shake that dust from our feet” and support actions on behalf of justice and peace because we are traveling “two by two,” with the sturdy walking stick of community and prayer, and wearing the sandals of our vows.  Like the disciples, we heed Jesus’ admonition to stay put in the house where they took us in, we can anoint others with inclusivity, affirmation and peace.  Pray God we stay the course…

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

First Reading :  Amos 7:12-15     Second Reading:  Ephesians 1:3-14 
Gospel:  Mark 6:7-13
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Growing Within US

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Mark’s Gospel is full of stories, parables about the Kingdom of God.  The fourth chapter alone has three stories and all three are about seeds.  In one story Jesus tells of a farmer who planted seed in both good and not so good soil.  That’s the story Jesus elaborates on making it easy to understand. But the second, (which was the first parable that was just read) is a little more mysterious.  It describes how the seed grows without the farmer knowing how.  The third marvels at how large beautiful plants can grow from such tiny seeds.

Literally, the word parable means “a riddle.”  Jesus told more than 40 riddles or parables during his ministry.  Usually when a person tells you a riddle, they eventually tell you the answer.  But Jesus only explained one parable to the crowds – the parable of the Sower and the Seed.  Mark lets us know that Jesus did explain everything to his disciples in private.  Then, Jesus ascended into heaven and took the answers with him!  So that leaves us, with a lot of figuring out to do.

I’m told that one of the most amazing seeds in the world is Chinese bamboo.  It lies buried in the soil for five years before above-ground sprouts begin to appear leading one to believe it has died, is dormant, or stunted or defective seed.  During those long five-years it is important to cultivate, water and fertilize it regularly.  When the seedlings finally emerge from the ground, you can almost watch them grow before your very eyes  – growing at an astonishing rate, ninety feet into the air in just six weeks.  That’s fifteen feet a week, more than two feet a day, two inches every hour.  Why does it take so long to emerge, and then grow so fast once it does?  Plant experts say that during its first five years, the seed is busy building it’s elaborate root system underground that enables it to grow ninety feet in six weeks.

We can be tempted to want parables to unfold in neat little, decodable life-lessons.  But that’s not Jesus way.  He simply floats the parable out there, to rise or fall on ears of those who hear more than is said.  Those who have learned to really listen and read between the lines.

I am reminded of a short film that was popular in the 1970s – produced by a Canadian film maker: “The Parable.”  It was described by critics as “a very subtle Christian worldview.”  It raised eyebrows and questions about the prophetic role of the artist.  There were teachers’ guides galore explaining the symbolism in the story.  However, the film maker said he did not see Christ in the story.  It was not his intention to do anything other than tell a good short story and maybe win an award.

Parables are like dreams.  I can learn about universal symbolism but only the dreamer herself can discern the deep and hidden meaning of her dream.  We may both have dreams about rocks falling on us but each of us must interpret what the rocks represent.  You cannot explain for me what my dream about floating like a manatee down the Peace River means for me.  You may guess what it might mean for you if you had a similar dream.  If I am deathly afraid of water it may terrorize me while it may mean calm and serenity for you.

Remember the Chinese bamboo: God’s Kingdom grows within us in a similar way.  It takes a long time to emerge.  Sometimes it takes so long we wonder, “Did the seed of God’s kingdom planted in me at Baptism ever take root?  Maybe it fell on a rock in my heart and died.  Maybe it got choked by the thorns of my sins.”  More often than not, the seed of God’s Kingdom is building an elaborate root system inside.  Its growth may not be visible for a long time, but eventually something wonderful and beautiful will emerge.

This means that we need to trust God who in the first place planted the seed of the Kingdom in us.  He understands what’s happening inside us because he sees into the heart, even though we don’t.  We also need to be patient with ourselves and with each other.  Even though the Kingdom may not seem to have taken root in you, and you don’t seem to be getting any holier, there’s no need to be discouraged.  Keep on cultivating the seed with private and communal prayer, Eucharist and Lectio.  And, trust that others are making similar efforts to cultivate the seeds in their lives.  Hold in your mind the image of that bamboo … so much happening beneath the surface that the God of surprises patiently cultivates to bring to blossom in our lives!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

In your prayers, kindly remember S. Elizabeth and her family …  Sister’s nephew Janosh and his 3-year-old son, Daniel drowned over the week-end in a rip tide tragedy at Apollo Beach, FL. 

May they rest in peace!  And may the family be sustained in faith and the comfort of friends who mourn with them.  Sister is with the family in Riverview …  some information can be found on BayNews 9 and Facebook.

Elizabeth Mathai (srelizabeth@ymail.com)

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