Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Follow Me

Will You Come and Follow Me if I but Call Your Name?

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This Gospel reading from Mark is only a glimpse into a single day that the church wisely spreads over a few weeks of readings. It gives us the opportunity to study each event of the day more closely.  We get the impression that it would have been a challenge for the people following Jesus to keep up with Him.   You may have noticed one of Mark’s favorite words is “immediately.” He uses it twelve times in the first chapter alone.  So far in the story, Jesus has called four fishermen to leave their nets and their boats and follow him, which they did “immediately.  In last week’s portion from Mark, a demon-possessed man challenged Jesus who promptly told the unclean spirit to be silent and come out.  The demon obeyed “immediately”.

The next part of the story happens over the next few hours of the same day. The band of men went to Simon’s house, maybe because it was closest to the synagogue. Or maybe it was because Simon’s mother-in-law had the reputation for quickly putting a nice spread on the table.   But today she is down with a fever.  Simon doesn’t miss a beat.  He tells Jesus this “immediately”.   Perhaps he does this to apologize for the woman not greeting them at the door.

Jesus doesn’t say a word. He simply takes the woman by the hand and brings her to her feet. The fever is gone “immediately”. As Jesus brings her to her feet, the verb Mark uses is identical to the one he uses later in the Gospel to describe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead: He lifts her up.  The mother-in-law “immediately” responds by getting busy on dinner preparations.

Then, in the early hours before sunrise while it was still dark as night, it sounds like Jesus tiptoed out of the house.  Scripture tells us He went to a deserted place to pray (not a desert – there was not desert nearby).   This was the only place on this night, with many others to follow, where he could talk one-on-one with his Father, without interruption. But it didn’t last long.  Our English translation says Peter and the others PURSUED him.  Think of a mother having escaped to the bathroom for a few minutes of aloneness.  “Mom are you in there?”  Or a prioress who leaves her office for a few minutes. “You’re never in the office!”  Peter tells Jesus “EVERYONE is looking for you.”  Jesus’ response probably was not what they were expecting to hear.   “Let’s go to the neighboring towns so I can preach there, too. That’s my job.”  The disciples were at a crossroads, at one of those “bend in the road” moments.  Do we stick with this fellow who can never say NO to any request? Do we keep following?

That’s a choice we must make many times over in our lives.  It begins each and every day with “Shall I hit the snooze button and roll over, or turn off the alarm and get to chapel to join in communal prayer?”  It’s a choice we make in multiple ways, probably more times than we realize, throughout each day and into the evening.  What word of kindness can I share? Can I tear myself from what I’m doing to get to chapel with some breathing space before prayer begins?  At night, will I force myself to stay awake to finish this chapter or TV program, or do I go to bed so I’ll be rested for the morrow with all its new challenges and choices?

The people of Capernaum missed the point. They showed up for the miracles, but they failed to hear and absorb Jesus’ message.  It’s the same news Jesus wants to share with you, with us.  Repent, turn away from your old ways, and believe the Good News that God is with you in the NOW   Are you willing to be changed?  Will you be transformed? Will you keep following? Will you get up, as Simon’s mother-in-law did, and join the laborers to feed God’s people and further the Kingdom?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

The Sisters remembered your intentions in our prayers on Sunday when we had our monthly Recollection Day … a quiet day of prayer, Holy Hour and Evening Prayer.  God bless you each and all with good health, much happiness and abundant peace!

 

First Reading:   Job 7:1-4, 6-7         Second Reading:  Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel:   Mark 1:29-39
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Consider the call

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Do You Hear the Call?

The woman said to him, “Sir give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:15)

Imagine yourself at the well with Jesus.  Ask Him what He wants you to do.  What is the answer that you hear?

If you hear the gentle yet persistent call, “Follow me”, consider religious life.

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida are welcoming single women who are practicing Roman Catholics to spend some time with us to learn more about religious life.  You will have the opportunity to worship with us, pray with us, relax with us.  You will also be welcome to participate in our ministries and learn about the Benedictine charism.

Holy Name Monastery, our home, is located in Saint Leo, Florida, about a 40 minute drive north of Tampa on Interstate 75.

The time available is Holy Wek and the First Week of Easter (April 2-16, 2023).  You can stay for a few days, a week or longer.

To schedule a visit with us or to request further information, please email us at Vocations@saintleo.edu.

 

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What Nets Entangle Us?

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Day after day it was the same thing; the same sea, the same nets, the same boat, the same back-breaking chores with the same guys.  Day after day it was wind, water, fish, sore muscles, tired bodies.  They’d grown up watching their father and their grandfather, maybe their great-grandfather and uncles do the same thing every day – .watching their future playing out before them.

Cast the net, pull it in.  Cast the net, pull it in.  If you were not casting the net, then you were sitting in the boat mending the nets or on the dock preparing the bait.  Maybe that’s where we get the expression: either fish or cut bait – but don’t just sit there and do nothing.

We may not fish for a living but we do know about preparing bait, mending and casting nets.  Some days it seems like nothing changes.  We get tempted not to expect anything to change.  This is the reality; it’s is just the way it is and the way it’s going to be.

But then we hear Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me!”  It’s an invitation to a new life.  It’s a knock a side of the head – an eye-opener.  When Jesus said, “I will make you fish for people,” he was describing the transformation of our own lives, not simply a promise of new vocations.

Jesus doesn’t work for AAA – he doesn’t offer us a map, an itinerary, or a destination, only an invitation.  Remember what I said last week: Always, Jesus offers an invitation AND a promise.

This invitation is to an inner journey, a journey into the deepest part of our being.  It’s not about planning and organizing, making lists, or packing camping gear or backpacks or suitcases.  It’s not a vacation invitation.  It’s not about gathering stuff, it’s about leaving things behind.  The Scripture says:  “Immediately upon hearing Jesus’ invitation they left their nets behind and followed him.”  Imagine the look of puzzlement on Zebedee’s face at finding himself alone in the boat.  They didn’t simply leave what they were doing; they left their father and the tools of their livelihood: their boat and their nets.

That’s the hard part for most of us.  We’re pretty good at accumulating things and clinging to relationships but maybe not so good at letting go.  More often than not our spiritual growth involves some kind of letting go.  We never get anywhere new as long as we’re unwilling to leave where we are.  We accept Jesus’ invitation to follow, not by packing up, but by letting go.

So, what are the nets that entangle us?  What are the little boats that contain our life?  What do we need to let go of and leave behind so that we might follow Jesus?

People who enjoy fishing are patient people.  They cast their line into the water then wait and wait for a fish to swim by and take the bait.  A plain hook alone does not interest most fish.  And, some fish are picky about what will tempt them.  There must be something on the hook that attracts the fish’s attention and whet’s their taste.

If you ask a person who likes to fish what is the best bait to use, they’re usually eager to tell you what works best to attract the attention of a fish.  What they use for bait often depends upon what type of fish they are trying to catch.  Sometimes it is the color of the lure on the line that attracts a fish.  Sometimes is it actual bait.  Sometimes it’s not food at all.  It can be a “fly,” a lure fashioned out of thread and small feathers to look like a real fly or another type of insect.

Jesus told his disciples that he would teach them how to “fish for people.”  He showed all of us that the way to do that is to have God’s love in our own lives, evident between us and to share it with others.

A variety of motives influence people to exchange their old lives for new ones.  What commitments convince Vocation Seekers that it’s worth leaving behind life as they know it?  Most of us know from our own and each other’s vocation stories, it’s the relationships we witness and experience within a community much more so than ministries that prompt new-comers to “test the waters.”

We, our community, can put all full energy into the production all kinds of “lures” and “bait” …retreats and workshops, attractive vocation materials, holy cards, videos, websites and other social media … but that’s only part of what Jesus meant when he promised to teach us how to fish for people.  And, remember if we’re fishing from our boat each one has to do her assigned task of mending the nets, casting the line or preparing bait … no slackers allowed.  And, all of us have to row in sync lest we tangle oars or go in perpetual circles.  Look to Jesus – how did He fish?  He taught, He gave witness, He invited, He did not disappoint, He was (and is) faithful to His word.

Knowing all that, what witness do we need to be constantly giving?  What do we need to leave behind (individually and communally) to convince an observer that our community is worth a further look?  What is the bait, the lure that will prompt more questions, extended visits, developing relationships and finally prompt the Seeker to have the daring to say “This is where I feel God is calling me; I’m willing to leave all behind for the sake of Jesus’ call, with these Sisters (whom I now call my own) here at Holy Name.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading  Jonah 3:1-5,10   Second Reading  1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Gospel Mark 1:14-20
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Third Sunday of Easter

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FishingwithJesusAt the end of a long day, swapping stories about Jesus and his miracles, Peter’s friends may have asked him, “When do you think we will see Jesus again?”  Peter could have replied, “I have no idea.  In fact, I’m getting a bit frustrated with his absence.  It had been easy to follow Jesus around during his earthly ministry, but now they never know where he’s going to appear.”

Peter, the leader, decides to make a move. “I’m tired of sitting around waiting for him.  I’m out of here. I’m going fishing.” It is what he knows best. The others go along with him.   I think he’s simply saying: I gotta get out of here – I need some space to unwind – figure this out!  Like a lot of people, Peter is grateful that the others joined him.  It’s comforting to have friends who are on the same page. And, this is where Jesus finds them.  Strange isn’t it since Jesus had told them to go into Galilee and wait there for Him?

These disciples had been fishermen most of their lives before Jesus called them.  Some say they suffered a moment of doubt – a scary moment of spiritual darkness. I prefer to think of it merely as a night stress reliever, not unlike the desire that many people have to go fishing today.  Like us sometimes, they just wanted to get away for a while – an excuse to leave the stress of the everyday by returning to nature.

They know their trade well, they know these waters like the back of their hands – just where to get the best fish.  But this is a frustrating night – nothing, nil, zip, nada!  After each toss of the net, they come up empty.

Well, it’s dawn by now.  They were ready to draw up the nets and call it a night, when they spied someone at the shore line – there by a charcoal fire.  They don’t recognize the fellow.  This time, unlike the night of the storm on the lake, Jesus does not tell them “It is I.”  What he says is, “Try the other side – lower the nets on the other side of the boat.”   Baffled but trusting that the stranger might know what he’s talking about, or maybe just to humor him, they switch the nets.  And AMAZINGLY they pull in a huge haul!  If you know anyone who goes fishing, you know they have to tell you about their catch.  It appears it is such an ingrained trait even the evangelist reports it – 153 fish!  The number may be symbolic or it may just be to emphasize it was a BIG catch.

Suddenly the light bulb goes off: this is a familiar voice – John cries out, “It is the Lord!”  Always the impetuous one, Peter grabs his garments and drives in the swim to shore.  He throws clothes ON to jump in the water – isn’t that a bit backwards?  But Jews regarded a greeting as a religious act that could be done only when one was clothed.”

The disciples reach the shore; they find that Jesus had a fire prepared with fish already cooking.  Jesus had all the things they needed after being out all night on the water.  They found food, warmth and companionship.  They found a Savior who loved them and who had all the provisions in place that they needed.  Everything they lacked on that boat, they found when they came to Jesus!

The last thing we hear Jesus did is to give Peter this command, “Follow Me!”  It wasn’t the first time Peter’d heard this.  The last call is the same as the first.  It’s a re-commissioning.  We see that Jesus hasn’t changed His mind about Peter, even though Peter had denied him or any knowledge of him.  Peter’s call had not changed.

What can we learn from this folksy story which is found only in John’s Gospel?  What lesson is Jesus teaching us?

First, I believe we have to acknowledge that our first call is our forever all.  And, I don’t mean a vocational call.  Long before our call to a state in life or a ministry in the church or a career, God called to each of us: You are Mine!  We may back step, misstep, wander off the path. But God still calls Follow me.  Remember the hymn: What a Friend we have in Jesus. – He is our forever friend.

Another thing we see in this story … we have to be willing to wait through the dark night, the darkness, the emptiness in our boat when nothing seems to be happening.  When fishing and everything else seems in vain….  Seekers go elsewhere, we have poor attendance at programs, plans fizzle, volunteers don’t show up.  Be patient!  As it says in the Benedictus we pray each morning: “In your tender compassion, O God, the morning sun will rise, giving list to those who wait.”

This is when we have to flexible – cast the nets of the “other side of the boat.”  Look at the trends, where the fish are biting – listen to others’ suggestions and try new ideas – that’s where the 153 fish are ready to take a nibble.

Remember the part in the story about Peter being lightly clad.  (Some translations say “naked”.)  We have to be willing to be unclad before God – to stand naked before the Lord: put down our defenses, let up the shades and face the shadow-self so that when Jesus appears we can be clothed with the garments of innocence and integrity to greet the Lord.

When the night is over, and the dawn approaches, our ministries will be expanded, our nets will be ready and in good shape to catch the “fish” God sends to us for hospitality and membership.  We’ll bring our gifts of bread and wine, made from gifts that God gave first us: grain and grapes, the fruit of the earth. God has no need of anything further. Yet God accepts the offering we bring  – “the work of human hands”—and transforms them into the gift of his very presence.

As the dawn comes, Jesus meets us on the shore with everything we need.  And it’s customized, personalized just for me, just for our faith community.   Jesus is not only standing on the shore, he is waiting.  The question for us is: how long must he wait?

~Reflection by Prioress, S. Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

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