Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Faith

Come After Jesus

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“Jesus called and they immediately left their boats and parents and followed him.”

Matt. 4:22 adapted

The late Speaker of the House “Tip” O’Neill loved to relate a valuable lesson he’d learned early in his career. During his first political campaign, one of O’Neill’s neighbors told him: I am going to vote for you tomorrow, even though you didn’t ask me to! O’Neill was surprised and said: Why, Mrs. O’Brien, I have lived across from you for eighteen years, I cut your grass in the summer, I shoveled your walk in the winter; I didn’t think I had to ask for your vote! Mrs. O’Brien replied: Oh, Tommy, let me tell you something … people like to be asked!

My mother spoke with great admiration about the Benedictine Sisters who were her teachers in elementary school. I asked her once why she didn’t become a Sister – she replied “None of them asked me – so I figured I was not worthy.” Of course, I would not be here telling you this story if she’d been asked and said YES.

A vital faith community, one that “courageously lives the Gospel message” will always be inviting followers to come share our joy as followers of Jesus. Visitors are welcome in our churches. We are happy when a newcomer “pops in” but we need to take the first step in also inviting people to “come and see.” Or, how about inviting prayer partners to connect with us in the heart of Christ. A direct “ask” may encourage a vocation to church ministry as a priest or Sister. Or a person may be coaxed out of their loneliness to join a parish committee.

Promise God and yourself that the next time God presents you with the opportunity you will courageously invite someone to join you in a church service or a volunteer ministry or an activity that extends Jesus’ compassion for the poor and needy of our human family. Start simple. Start where you have energy and interest. Make a phone call, text, or write a letter to an overlooked relative or friend. Donate to that organization you’ve had on your “to do” list. “Smile when you’re feeling lonely” at someone who is carrying the weight of the world on their drooping shoulders.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. With his brother Peter, the two at once left their nets and followed Jesus. May we be the beckoning voice that calls others to “Come after Jesus.”

This reflection was written by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

on November 30, 2021 – Giving Tuesday.

 

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“He Beckons Us to Lie Down in Green Pastures”

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Did you know that today’s story of the miraculous feeding is recorded in all four New Testament gospels?  It is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that all four evangelists relate.  It must have held great import for each of them: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story of the day when Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Each embellishes his version with their own details and emphases.  Mark and Matthew tell us Jesus commands the people out there in the wilderness to sit down on the green grass.  Why this reference to the color of the grass?  To know the answer one will have to wait until the day we see those fellows in heaven.  It reminds me of Psalm 23: “He beckons me to lie down in green pastures.”

John’s version of the event is probably the one we learned as children.  We could relate to the generous young boy who shared his five barley loaves and two fish.  We’re not told how it happened that the boy had the fish and the loaves.  I like to project my thinking that he, like most people at that time, would not dream of going out into the wilderness without at least a little something to eat and drink.

So the story, it seems to me, continues in a “pay it forward” style.  You know, similar to the Dairy Queen drive-thru customer who paid for the car coming up behind him.  That started a chain reaction that lasted for three days, 200 thankful Dairy Queen customers!  Like the generosity of the young boy on the green grass at Jesus’ feet.  He started a chain pay-it-forward reaction that enabled Jesus to feed the hungry crowd.  Some evangelists say it was 5,000 people; others 5,000 not counting the women and children.  I find it interesting that in John’s version Jesus tells the apostles to have the people recline and John says the men reclined.  What were the women doing?  I would venture a guess they were doing “women’s work” – rounding up the kids, wondering if there’d be enough bread and what they were going to give the men to drink???

What trust!  What faith in Jesus the apostles showed in telling the people to relax!  Be patient.  Sit down!  Surely they could not fathom how all these people could be fed.  Even pooling all their supplies, they certainly did not have the resources to feed this crowd.  What were they to do now that they had people seated and waiting to see what would happen next?  That’s what you call FAITH!  That’s obedience – trusting the wisdom of God to do the impossible!  We just need to take the first step: Listen and obey the prompting of the Spirit: tell the people to be seated.

No doubt Jesus could have multiplied the available supplies if he wanted to.  But, as John asks, to what end?  John asks and answers that exact question.  The very next day the people would again be hungry.  They’d be looking for something to fill their bellies.  They’d not be clamoring “Speech! Speech!  Share a good word!  Let’s hear it!”  Likely they’d be waiting for the apostles to open Jesus’ food distribution center.

On this day, out in the wilderness, John tells us that the people ate and were satisfied.  Which would be more satisfying to you, a full belly for a single afternoon, or a glimpse, a vision of what life looks like when lived in the company of generous people under the reign of God?

What would our world be like if people acknowledged that they are called to be transformed?  What if we were truly as open-handed with our possessions as the young boy on the hillside was with his?  What would be the status of the pandemic if everyone followed CDC advice: get vaccinated, wear a mask, wash your hands?  And, what if we really believed that Jesus still has the power to take the gifts we offer and to create from our generosity, widespread outbreaks of sharing?  As I watched the Olympics opening ceremony I was thinking “This is lovely – a testament to the ingenuity of computer whizzes, but with the millions spent in the production and given by sponsors – so much good could have been done.  But quickly it seemed God said, yes, that may be true.  But wouldn’t you rather see all those dollars and tech savvy spent to amaze and inspire people than on cyber-crimes and weapons of violence?  With positive, other-directed thinking and actions, I daresay that the world could be transformed, and over 3.1 million children a year (one child every 10 seconds) would not die of hunger.  More people would reflect the attitude and model the efforts of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, our Oblates and our supporters in their ministry to respond “with the compassion of Christ to the hungers of the people of God” (BSofFL Corporate Commitment).

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

Join us this week in prayer as we remember our Grandparents and the elderly: their needs and in gratitude for their contributions to our lives.

This week the Sisters are also remembering in a special way our guests: those who have visited us over the years AND those who have met and become our friends via social media – God bless them / you all!

 

First Reading:   2 Kings 4:42-44           Second Reading:   Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel:    John 6:1-15
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“They Took Jesus Just As He Was”

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I’m sometimes curious about the details that evangelists choose to include.  There are two details that intrigue and amuse me a bit in this reading.  The evangelist says, “They took Jesus with them in the boat JUST AS HE WAS.”  What is being left unsaid?  Was Jesus half-asleep, half dressed, still talking to the crowd?  They took him JUST AS HE WAS.  If only we could be that accepting of others?  Take them just as they are.  Not merely tolerating them, their behaviors and their attitudes – their differences – but really, full-heartedly accepting them and their individuality.

We hear and read studies on generational differences and expectations.  Our community’s median age hovers around 75.  Candidates will come to community with their own, well-defined personalities.  Most often they will come having been raised or worked in a society far different from the environment most of us were raised in.  For the first time in our country, four generations are working side by side.  I heard the comment on TV the other day that today’s young adults are not interested in perfecting existing athletic records.  They want to try new – even risky – endeavors.  Always striving to set new records.  The 18-year-old who won first place on the U.S. Women’s Swim Team exceeded the previously set speed record for the 100-meter race.  This desire to try something new does not necessarily condemn the past nor belittle its achievements although sometimes the drive to make “my mark” can give that impression.

Different values, experiences, styles, and activities can create misunderstandings and frustrations, tis true.  Or, it can serve to enrich our lives.  The interpretation of key elements of our life may differ … Consider, for example: balance of life, work ethic, fair share division of chores.  It doesn’t mean the living out of values will fight with each other.  There need not be a right-wrong conflict – there are shades of gray and more than one way to be “right.”  The bottom line is: it’s up to each and all of us whether we accept, fight, deny or, as they say: “roll with the punches.”  By the event of the past week (we lost two family members of S. Elizabeth to drowning), we’ve been made keenly aware of the power of rip tide currents.  You can’t right it, you must lean into it, let it toss you about until it calms down and release its hold on you.  Change is in the air!

Generational change does require awareness, sensitivity and a genuine effort to develop mutual trust and respect.  Awareness is the first step.  A true attitude of open-handed and open-heartedness is needed not simply to bridge the generations but rather to blend the generations.  Goodwill can cover a multitude of situations but it takes education and a sincere personal effort to make us ONE community in mind, heart and spirit.  Remember what the evangelist says: “They took Jesus just as he was.”

The other detail in his Gospel that I find curious is the passing remark that Jesus was asleep on a cushion.  Why was it so important to point out He had a cushion?  Makes it sound like not everyone had a cushion – cushions must not have lined the hull of the boat like water-proof safety floats might be seen today.  Having a cushion implies comfort, doesn’t it?  Jesus was sleeping like a baby unaware of the turmoil around him.  Or was He?  Was he peeking at them through a half-open eye?  Was his ear attentive to the murmuring about him and his seemingly uncaring attitude?

I assume they were all guys … women would have grabbed anything nearby to cover and protect Jesus from the sloshing waves.  When the storm increased and the boat rocked, Jesus’ friends roused him, with telling words.  They are familiar enough to dare to wake him with words of reproach, questioning his care for them.  They are hurt by His non-responsiveness to their needs.  Reminds me of the Martha – Mary incident … and maybe sometimes ours “Why doesn’t she get up off her duff and help me …  can’t she see I could use some help?!”

We are in the boat, the storms of life are raging around us, and like the disciples, we may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.”  We hope that we will be as familiar with Jesus as his disciples.  If we feel that Jesus is sleeping, are we comfortable, are we as familiar with Jesus as the disciples, to rouse him and present him our needs?  Jesus did not chide his disciples for waking him.  Rather he chided them for their lack of faith.  Storms don’t worry Jesus.  He’s right there in the boat with us, perfectly calm, not impatient, in no hurry for a solution or relief.  He has one ready to hand us but how often do we tell God how to do things and then fret that God is doing nothing because it isn’t happening as we proposed?

Our lived experience should teach us that we need to relax and take heart, remain strong in faith that believes that Jesus isn’t scared of the storm, he isn’t depressed.  He might be asleep, or he might not be, but either way, like the song says, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”  In the words of the Responsorial psalm: “He hushes the storm to a gentle breeze, and stills the billows of the sea.”  Even if Jesus doesn’t wake up at our first call, we are safe with Him.  He’s going to wake up and say what you heard in the Gospel to us: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

 

First Reading:  Job 38:1,8-11                       Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel Reading:  Mark 4:35-41
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Happy Valentines Day!

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There are several legends about Saint Valentine and most especially that there were three who all shared February 14th as their feast day.  Each lived around 250 A.D.  While they shared a great love of Jesus, legend has it that one performed weddings in secret for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.  Thus the feast day connection to love, young people and happy marriages.

 

Love and affection from the,

Benedictine Sisters of Florida

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily Noon Prayer for Peace

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Daily Noon Prayer for Peace

Pax Christi Florida invites all members and friends to join in a prayer at noon, from inauguration week through Easter.

We pray for the healing of our nation.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

 

~Article from Pax Christi, Florida which is a regional section of Pax Christi USA

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