God
Baptism of Jesus
Baptism of Jesus
Maybe you’ve heard the story about the poor wandering soul, lost in thought, who stumbled upon a baptismal service one Sunday afternoon. This was one of those “down by the river” sort of baptisms in the warm waters of the South. Curious about what was going on, this fellow walked right down into the water and stood next to the Preacher. When the minister finally noticed him, he asked the young man, “Are you ready to find Jesus?” With a quizzical look and some hesitancy in his voice, he answered: “Yes, Preacher, I think I am.” The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up.
“Did you find Jesus?” “No… should I have?” The preacher then dunked him under for a bit longer, brought him up and said, “Now, brother, have you found Jesus?” “No … I haven’t, Preacher.” The preacher in disgust held the man under for at least 30 seconds this time; brought him to the surface of the water and repeated the question, “Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?” The confused fellow wiped his eyes and gasping for breath said,.. “Naw, Sir, are you sure this is where he fell in?”
That’s sometimes us, with our heads under the waters that wash over us … cares, distractions, prayer for others’ intentions, confused by the circumstances of our lives … looking for Jesus in muddy waters of our own making.
In the Summa Theologiae, (12th century theological summary), St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that “Jesus did not become God’s son at his Baptism; he is the Son of God from all eternity. Nor did He become the Messiah at this point; he was the Messiah from the moment he became man. Baptism is the public manifestation of Jesus as Son of God and as Messiah, ratified by the presence of the Blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit descended visibly in bodily form upon Christ … so that we may believe him to descend invisibly upon all those who are baptized.”
We know the facts, right – but how slow we can be to absorb the meaning. We are witness to Peter’s awakening in the Second Reading from Acts. And what a day of enlightenment it must have been for him. He was deep in Lectio … the Scriptural account says: “He fell in to a trance and saw a vision in which a sheet came down from heaven full of all kinds of animals. God told him to get up, kill, and eat whatever he wanted.
What a surprise that must have been – now he could taste foods he’d been forbidden under Jewish law. Of course, God wasn’t really concerned that Peter could enjoy his first ham sandwich. God was teaching Peter, and us, that there is no distinction between “clean” and “unclean” neither in animals nor in people. The almighty’s plan of salvation wasn’t just for the Jewish people; it was for the Gentiles – for everyone – everyone is included in God’s far-sighted providence.
You’ll remember the story as it continues in Acts. The very next day Peter “got ready and went” to the home of Cornelius and “some of the believers from Joppa went with him…. Cornelius met him, fell at his feet and bowed down before him. But Peter made him rise: Stand up, I myself am only a man.” Cornelius related what led to his requesting Peter’s visit, ending his story with these words: “Now we are all here in the presence of God, waiting to hear anything that the Lord has instructed you to say.” Sounds like the sentiment of an opening to any Lectio time: “I am here, Lord, in Your presence, waiting to hear anything You are ready to say to me.”
The Cornelius story is the lead-in to Sunday’s Second Reading when Peter shares his awakening, “I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis…. (he continued) You know the message that God sent to the people … You know the great event that took place throughout the land. You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. We are witnesses of everything that he did.”
If you continue reading in Acts, beyond tomorrow’s selection, you’ll see – as Paul Harvey used to end his TV evening news – you’ll “know the rest of the story.” While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening.”
We hear the same message from St. Paul in his Letters to the Ephesians, Galatians and the Romans when he writes: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” And isn’t this same message in the Holy Rule? It’s true that in Chapter 2, Benedict is directly addressing the Prioress but it’s a top-down principle and, with the rotation of roles in monastic life, is intended for all. “We are all cautioned “… to avoid all favoritism in the monastery … “not to love one more than another.” Benedict echoes Paul when he writes: “One born free is not to be given higher rank than one of lowly birth … for God shows no partiality among persons.” Step by step, Benedict leads his followers from non-partiality in Chapter 2 to the ideal of mutual obedience and good zeal (in the closing chapters of the Rule): Deference, Respect and the pursuit of “nothing whatever to the Love of Christ.”
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
On Monday we begin what the Church refers to as “Ordinary Time” – Oh, if only! But the COVID and unrest in our country still rages … What’s the psalmist say “like a roaring lion.”
Praise God with us – we are grateful – that at Holy Name Monastery, we have received our first dose of the COVID Vaccine – knowing full well we still need to practice universal precautions with lots of extra hand-washing and marked social distancing.
We look forward the time when we can open our doors and welcome guests.
Thank you each for your loyal friendship, support and prayers.
Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
First Reading Isaiah 47:1-4, 6-7 Second Reading Acts 10:34-38
Gospel Mark 1:7-11
Continue Reading
Merry Christmas letter from Sister Roberta
Rejoice! The God of Peace is at Work among Us!
I don’t mean to slight or undervalue the testimony of John the Baptist that was just read (in John’s Gospel). After all, he’s “The voice of one crying out in the desert.” He was the star of the show last week with his cry: “Make ready the way of the Lord!” This week let’s turn our attention to the admonitions of St. Paul – in our second reading – in his Letter to the people of Thessalonica about how to prepare the way of the Lord. Paul says: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing! In all circumstances!” IMPOSSIBLE! You say. Always? Without ceasing? In all circumstances? Who can possibly do that in today’s world with all the violence, discord, illness and death? But Paul has an answer for us. “THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD. DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil….. the One who calls you is faithful, and will accomplish it.”
With his solicitous instructions, Paul sounds like “helicopter parents” as they drop their children at a new neighbor’s:
“Remember what I’ve told you: Always be respectful. Listen closely. Put away the toys you play with. And, if you forget everything else, remember: ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way. Call me if you need anything.” Most times the kids know the spiel by heart, “Okay, Okay! See yah Mom.” Many of us may have memorized Paul’s exhortations. Maybe our ears will perk up this round when we hear tomorrow’s reading proclaimed.
You may be surprised, if you consciously look for good, at all the positive things, all the surprises that God sends you each day – making Paul’s words ring true when he says: “The one who is faithful, will accomplish it.” In the 1950s the number one book on the New York best sellers list was Norman Vincent Peale’s: The Power of Positive Thinking – for 48 weeks – that’s almost a full year.
Peale said he wrote the book “with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life.” His techniques were simple and, the best part, if you are serious about it, they were achievable. For example:
- Believe in yourself and in everything you do
- Break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life
- Improve your personal relationships
- Be kind to yourself
Bet you’re thinking, that sounds like advice of someone I know? Like maybe John the Baptist, the Proverbs, my mother or grandmother… and certainly Jesus!
Perhaps one of the most reassuring statements in history is “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” I have not examined my Bible to prove it, but “Siri” tells me that the phrase “Do not be afraid” can be found 365 times in the Old and New Testament.” Think about it: that’s one time per day, for a full year that the expression is recorded in Scripture. Goodness only knows how many times in the short span of our own lives someone has said words meaning: “I’ll be with you; you don’t need to be afraid.”
Simple reminders like those given to a child before a first piano recital, or acting in play, or the first day at a new school. Or right here in this house, assurances to the first-time table reader, or Lector, or cantor. Sometimes the advice is silly, at other times, simplistic. But, if we let it soak in, it works. “Keep your eyes on me, I’ll be the one smiling.” Sometimes it’s hard to believe … like the person who says: “This dog doesn’t bite – I’ll hold him. “Don’t be afraid!” This one is from a movie but could have been heard in our back yard. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are pushing their way through a tall grass short-cut. She says: “Watch out for snakes.” He: “I don’t like snakes.” She: “Then walk nice; snakes won’t get you.”
Now – here it is the 3rd week in Advent – rose candles and vestments to remind us: “Be joyful!” The church offers us once again for our consideration – Paul’s admonitions as we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth and His final coming. Paul is insistent that Christ will come again! Pandemics, death, pain, suffering, turmoil, sadness do not get the last word. We await a Savior who has conquered Death. This period of waiting, though, is not a time to twiddle our thumbs. The words, the phrasing that Paul uses are all active verbs (nothing passive about it). Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks! Test EVERYTHING. Retain! Refrain! Model what is good and peaceful! Allow God’s Spirit to shine in your midst.” And why? Because: “The God of peace is really at work among us.”
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11 Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel John 1:6-8, 19-28
Continue Reading
Better Together
Giving Tuesday – Just One Day Away!
Give Online – December 1st:
www.benedictinesistersoffl.org
Click on the Donate Now button.
Please designate Giving Tuesday as the purpose of your donation.
Because you were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.
Have you noticed that, as you seek to probe a parable it can be as exciting and intriguing as the challenge of a Father Brown, James Patterson or Jessica Fletcher fictionalized mystery story. Ah, there’s one big difference – a mystery may seem pretty far-fetched while Jesus’ parables deal with real-life issues. They are alike in this: both are filled with clues – though some may be quite subtle. Lectio helps us probe Jesus’ parables – like in a game of Clue – bit by bit gaining us information that will enrich our lives.
These past few weeks, we move ever closer to the end of the church year, the liturgy has been offering us clues about the meaning of the “last days.” In this parable, Jesus uses the “root of all evil” metaphor. It’s about more than our monthly pocket money. This is about life and our allotment of gifts, talents, and responsibilities. We can’t be reminded too often that our gifts, our talents, our donors’ contributions are given to us primarily for service to others. And, there is a promise coming: If we make the intended use of these gifts, we will be rewarded and entrusted with even more responsibilities. Sadly, some people deliberately fail at a job or chore they don’t like so they won’t get asked to do it again. What about us and our talents? Do we let dislike of a job, or a personality conflict with a co-worker or the threat of failure, or someone else’s critical eye hold us back from using a God-given talent? Or how about a more mundane question: We get an allowance each month – do we bury it, hoard it, save it for vacation or a rainy day? On the other hand, do we tithe a portion for the good of others so it keeps moving forward, good upon good?
Like the Master in this Gospel, St. Benedict teaches us “journey lessons.” He speaks most directly to and about those who are sent on the journey… He doesn’t say that the Prioress, upon her return, will ask for an accounting – She knows “when the Prioress is away, the mice will play.” And in all likelihood she will not (like the Master in this parable) distribute money to the members who well-tended the vineyard in her absence. [But Benedict’s instruction does not preclude the Prioress from bringing home trinkets / mementos for everyone.]
We can sense the journey motif from the opening words of Benedict’s Rule when he bids us: “Listen! The labor of 
obedience will bring you back (“coming back” requires a journey, doesn’t it?). “Let us get up then, at long last,” for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: “It is high time for us to arise from sleep…” (come from the land of your dreams) “while you have the light… go out to seek workers in the multitude of the people ….” Listen to Benedict: “Moving on in your journey of faith,” (and life in the monastery) “you will say, Here I am Lord.” And, then he tells us how to prepare for our journey: “Clothed with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide…. Be just in all your dealings, speak the truth from the heart and do not practice deceit or listen to slander.”
By the time Benedict wrote chapter 67 one can tell he’s had some experience with monks who journeyed afar from the home monastery. We know that Benedict, in his youth, had escaped “big city life.” So he wanted to protect his monks from the evils and temptations of the prevailing society. Those at home are to remember the absent ones in prayer … which means the gathered community may have “counted” noses,” not for the sake of taking roll call, but to pray for their confreres safety and protection from temptation.
I have to smile when I read what Benedict cautions next. He certainly knew human nature: “no one should presume to relate what was seen or heard outside the monastery.” Sounds to me like he’s familiar with the saying from Ecclesiastes: “Everything is wearisome beyond description.” In plain English this can be interpreted: “No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” We need to be on guard to not be hungry/eager for a morsel of gossip to savor. Benedict didn’t want stories of the world to creep in and cause dissension or dissatisfaction to rankle or upset his community. Times haven’t changed much over the passing years – we still need to be on guard that we balance chartable interest in each other versus the drive to know every intimate detail about what was seen or heard by the other.
In line with his admonition to pray always, Benedict reminds his monks that on a journey to keep an eye on the sun … listen for the bells from neighboring abbeys announcing prayer times. … so, (Benedict reminds them) though at a distance too far to join the community, they should “observe the prescribed hours” as best they can. Thus, probably began the custom of the Angelus … the dialogue between Angel Gabriel and Mother Mary, a modified version of Sext (or Noon Prayer) that could be memorized so as not to neglect their “measure of service.”
The Rule closes with this journey-question: “Are you hastening toward your heavenly home? Then keep this little rule … as you set out for loftier summits of the teaching and virtues we’ve mentioned.” Benedict, in his own unique way, shares Paul’s message to the Philippians that we heard in Wednesday’s evening reading: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Benedict adds this promise: “under God’s protection” (together) “we will reach our heavenly home.” That’s the same promise Jesus makes to his trustworthy followers: Because “You were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.”
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
This Year’s Thanksgiving Outreach
This year, obviously, we will not be hosting our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We plan to collaborate with Pastor Cheryl Duke and the people at Dade City Presbyterian Church to provide food baskets for the needy. We will be contributing any monetary donations, along with supermarket gift cards, to extend our mission to “feed the hungers of the people of God.” The Knights from nearby St. Mark’s Parish have donated $1520 in gifts cards and $1305 was contributed by the Benedictine Sisters’ from their monthly personal allowances.
We are grateful for all the years that Saint Anthony Women’s Club and parish staff have allowed – and assisted us – in providing a free meal to the local community on Thanksgiving Day.
Twenty-six years ago the Sisters began small, in their monastery dining room, to provide a holiday meal for a handful of Saint Leo College International Students. Within three years, the Sisters moved the event to Marmion Cafeteria and extended an invitation to the public to join them for dinner. They gathered a crew of volunteers that grew over the years. In 1998, the Sisters sold Marmion Cafeteria to Saint Leo and the Saint Anthony Women’s club jumped on the bandwagon and have continued for the intervening years to provide all the desserts for the dinner. Saint Anthony School children got involved in making table centerpieces and place mats. We will greatly miss the gathering this year and look forward to a future when we can once again welcome our guests to bow their heads over a holiday meal to give thanks to God for all the gifts He provides.
