Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

God

First Sunday in Advent 2015

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waiting-on-god-bannerHAPPY NEW YEAR!  Welcome to the Year of Luke!  This year we celebrate the full cycle (minus one day) of Advent!  Just as a reminder of a piece of Catholic trivia ..  Advent begins on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew … since the feast is on a Tuesday, the closest Sunday is before the feast.

The opening article in the most recent LCWR newsletter entitled: “What Do We Do While We’re Waiting?” reminded me of my 3-year-old niece who was patiently waiting through what her mom had told her was my private time with God.  She had lasted through her first lectio experience with her books for 40 minutes.  She sat just outside the doorway where I was, heaved a heavy sigh and said: “OK, what do I do now God; she’s still talking to You!”

Advent is all about waiting.  But not waiting for someone else who is talking to God.  Is it wonderful that we do not have to take turns – we don’t have to wait to be in touch!  Advent is active waiting – that is what is at the heart of it. Even when we don’t know that we are waiting, we’re waiting. Even when we can’t find words for what we are waiting for, we’re waiting.

One of the ancient Advent prayers supplies us with a sentiment that Benedict echoes: “Give us grace that we may cast off the works of darkness and put upon us the armor of light.”    Many Advent hymns express the same theme.  For example: “When the darkness closes in, courage fails and hopes grow dim, clear the shadows from our sight, set our troubled world aright, fill our eyes with radiant light.  Come Lord Jesus, come!

We are waiting not just at Advent, but at all times for the advent of light, that ultimate light that is redemptive and terrifying at the same time. It is redemptive because it puts an end to the darkness, and that is also why it is terrifying because the light reveals all that was hidden in the darkness.  For so long, actually for most of our lives, the darkness has been 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 country will be made smooth.  As the familiar banner asks:  If not now, when?

Have you ever watched, or heard about the reality shows Restaurant Impossible or American Diner Revival.  Depending on which show you’re watching there’s a well-known renovation contractor and/or a chef that comes to a failing restaurant or diner and helps turn it around.  The premise is this:

Turning around a failing restaurant or diner is a daunting challenge under the best of circumstances. Attempting to do it in less than 36 hours, even with the help of the townsfolk, may be impossible.  But they’re ready to take on the challenge.  Can it be done?

From outdated décor to hip 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, innovative, creative interior decorators and an excited team of mostly volunteers.  But, most importantly, when the TV crew arrives, the expectation is that the local staff will be ready with their own litany of what is going well and what needs to change.

This chef is no Christ figure, but there is an analogy here between our Advent Scriptures and theme of this human example of a dramatic overhaul driven by someone who knows what he’s doing.  The overhaul of the dilapidated restaurant and our personal overhaul is only possible if we’ll allow our premises to be placed under new management.

That turns our attention on the person who’s coming to town in the Advent scriptures.  The Gospel from Luke connotes a double reference to the already and the not yet.  Jesus berates the crowd for knowing how to interpret the weather, but not the present time.  This is where we, too, may fall short.  We listen to the weather reports and dress accordingly.  We gather in supplies and hunker down for the onslaught of a hurricane.  We see the waxing moon and wait patiently for the night of the full moon.  Such waiting requires discernment and alertness to natural signs.  Waiting for Jesus’ presence requires a deeper discernment and alertness to the signs of His appearance – the signs of the times.  And, so we question: do our community Directional Goals reflect awareness of God in our midst –  as well as in the signs of the times and what is to come

The hymn I referenced earlier reminds us how foolish we can be to overlook signs of the coming Christ: “Wise and foolish, still we wait. Is our Bridegroom at the gate? At his voice, our hearts have stirred, listening for his healing word, confident our cries are heard. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Advent offers us time to waken to the signs of the times – Jesus, in the voice of Luke, reminds us we must remain on high alert awaiting the coming of the kingdom – it will be dramatic but that there will be little advance warning: “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed…  the kingdom of God is among you!   Remember:  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s words will not pass away.”  The last Gospel we heard as the liturgical year ended (this morning) and the first Gospel for the New Year impress upon us the same warning: Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy!

                                                                                                       Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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How Well Do You Read Signs?

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reading signsLast Sunday we heard Jesus’ observation about the contributions being made to the temple treasury and the example of sacrificial giving that he saw in the poor widow’s offering.  If we read Mark’s gospel continuously from that incident to yesterday’s Gospel, we also know about Jesus’ prediction about the destruction of the Temple, his teaching about the costs of discipleship, the woes that will accompany the end times and Jesus’ instruction to his disciples about the need for watchfulness so that they will not be caught unprepared for the final judgment.

This past Sunday’s Gospel continues Jesus’ teaching by offering signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is near. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially images found in the Book of Daniel.  In the historical context, Jesus is actually describing the coming destruction of the Temple and the ruination of the nation, as both fall under GOD’s judgment at the hands of the Roman Empire.

Next, Jesus says: “Learn a lesson from the fig tree.”  The emphasis, of course, is not on what kind of tree – the warning is: WATCH.  Jesus could have said citrus trees or olive trees.  But, he says “fig trees” and happily for us we have a lot of experience with fig trees that we had right outside our dining room windows at the old monastery. When the branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, we know that another season of fruit is near.

After Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree, He gives several brief parables to show what the response one should have when the signs appear.

We know that Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us.   The prophetic Word of God is as sure and secure as the rest of His message.  They are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetime and at the end time. Our consolation and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.

When you see the things happening that Jesus talks about, know that he is near, at the gates.  “But,” says Jesus, “of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”   Then, He assures us: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”  Or, said still differently, the coming judgment and destruction that Jesus predicts will be the very signs that will vindicate his message.
Let’s drill down a little deeper into one phrase of the text — “of that day or hour no one knows.”   We do not know exactly what Jesus in his prophetic ministry would say to us in our moment of history, but we do know that the general thrust would be similar to what he has already said:  In the face of struggle, persecution and difficult times, when the tide of public popularity turns against God’s people, I tell you: remain faithful even though you do not know the future, even though you do not know the day or hour of your deliverance.

So, how, as followers of the Jesus, do we prepare?  In the face of struggle read the signs of the times.  How well do you read signs?  Can you train yourself to be more observant of the signs?  By personality do you notice signs in nature?  Road signs?  How well do you read non-verbal body language?   Do you work to sensitize yourself to recognize everyday signs?  How do you heighten your sensitivity to spirit signs?  Do you use Scripture, the Rule, the example of a favorite saint, a confessor or a friend-guide?  What helps you to listen more keenly to your heart?  In the quiet of the night – when sleep eludes you – or out walking or driving along a familiar road; riding alone in the elevator, climbing the stairs, passing through the hall at a leisurely pace; setting the table, readying yourself for communal prayer in the chapel – do you hear God’s whisper in your heart?

Cultivation of the inner spirit helps prepare us to see the direction of the cultural wind we face, whether agreeable or antagonistic.    God does not usually shout to us in fury or in a tumultuous hurricane.  Much of the time God speaks softly – so stay tuned.  In the face of cultural garbage and shifting government structures or a changing church, we steady ourselves not to be tempted to hoard food and possessions.  We guard against the temptation to build a hermitage and hide out.  We pray to be strengthened to stay in the fray?  Many things will just happen in our lives – things not scheduled by the calendar or our clock or our watches or the bell.  With all the scheduled things to do we are called by today’s Gospel to also keep our hearts attuned to the significance things that just happen.

As individuals that form this community I believe we make valiant efforts to sift through all that bombards us and continue to make the choice (our corporate commitment) to meet the needs of the left-out, locked-out and dropped-out?

How can we do this day in and day out and year after year?  By heeding Jesus’ directive to the disciples who accompanied Him in the garden the night before his death:  stay here, watch and pray.   Watch: seek GOD in and about the events of the day asking for GOD’s Wisdom to let us see GOD’s perspective so we discover our moment within our cultural context.

And, pray:  clear off space in our lives for GOD. Remember, to pray is not to read books about God, about spirituality or prayer, or to think about those topics.  To pray is simply – pray!  We don’t even have to start the conversation. Simply let God in and sit in expectant silence, with a listening heart.  A disciplined, determined prayer practice, sustains us (individually and as a community) in the battle of our heart’s faithfulness to the LORD.

Let us strive to keep in mind that we are called not so much to DO the Good News – though faith-in-action is important.  We are called to BE the Good News – a model of all that is implied when we call ourselves Christian and Benedictine.

                                                                                                                   Mass Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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Two Cents

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two centsI would venture to say that most hearers or readers think that this Gospel passage is only about the widow or about how honorable the poor are for being generous.  If we do, we’re missing the point.   Of course we cannot simply look at the story of the widow: (having lost her spouse – possibly at a young age given men’s’ life expectancy then – she might have had no children; now she’s considered a burden to both her parents and her in-laws.

Jesus commended her giving, in contrast to that of the scribes, because she gave everything she had! She could have kept one of those coins for herself, but she willingly gave everything she had to Jesus.  That widow could never have known what her gift would accomplish. She walked into the Temple, ignored by the rich, the religious and those caught up in the celebrity worship of the day. She walked in with her little gift and she gave it without fanfare – no trumpet blare, no applause. Everything that poor woman had earned for her own needs was given willingly to the Lord. She is an example of extravagant giving!

The rich gave, too.  Some came in with great fanfare, standing back and tossing in their gift for the greatest effect. Others gave with a frown on their face, holding onto their coins as tightly as they could to the very last second. Others probably stopped to make sure that everyone was watching them as they gave their offerings. They wanted to be recognized, honored and in control – they wanted a say in everything.  People like that are dangerous, divisive people! They are religious fools.

They received their applause and they walked proudly away. This poor widow gave her “two cents” and walked away, but her gift is still giving today. How many people have been challenged to go ahead and give their little because of this woman’s example?

Why would she bother to give such an insignificant gift? Her two cents among the thousands of dollars given by the wealthy seems so small. Why bother? This little lady is everything the religious scribes and the rich hypocrites were not. Why would she bother to give such an insignificant gift?

It’s her attitude that speaks volumes: humble, unassuming, unpretentious.   One’s attitude makes all the difference.  How we give is far more important than what we give!  Reminds me of a definition I heard many moon ago of the difference between cooperation and collaboration.  Cooperation is when all the stakeholders put their money on the table; collaboration happens when they put their hands in their laps.

In her quiet giving she was preaching a powerful sermon. Hear her as she humbly explains:

  • I give because God loves me and I love in return
  • I give because I trust God
  • I give because God has given to me

Three other lessons we might glean:

  • God will do great things with our small offerings –We do not know what any others giver put in the basket that week in the temple. But, after over 2,000 years the tiny gift of that widow has been multiplied into untold billions as people have been motivated to give out of their own poverty.
  • The Lord will settle His accounts one day – The scribes and the wealthy men there that day had their reward then and there – they blew their own trumpets – they got public attention and admiration. This widow will receive hers later! Do what you do for God – just keep it simple and silent.  Be honest: have you ever taken credit for a gift NOT given … failed to contribute to a collection (like we do for Daystar, the Heritage Christmas or AIM) but smiled as if you had contributed when the community is praised for its generosity?
  • God does not want our money; He wants us – He wants our love and our devotion and when He has that, He has everything else that we possess. When God has us, He has our pocketbooks.

So, in summary, the important lesson we might take from this story is: that real giving is sacrificial and reckless.  How much of your personal monthly allowance do you dedicate to doing good for someone else?  Do you contribute at the end of the month if you have something left over?  Or do you automatically designate 10% of your allowance to a cause each month?

If you remember nothing else, remember this: the attitude of your heart in giving makes all the difference.  How we give is far more important than what we give!

                                                                                                                Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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Our Blind Eyes Opened, Spread God’s Love

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eye for GodMark 10:46-57                                           Intention:  Jubilarians

 

The story of Bartimaeus rings with a familiarity of the plight of many people today.  He once had a family, a job, a house, kids, the whole works. He was active at the local synagogue. He would tell his children stories of their ancestors.  Then things started to change, he started to get these real bad headaches and his vision would become blurry. At first he did not allow this to bother him but kept on working and living, but eventually the blurred vision got worse and worse and eventually he could barely see his wife and children. He told them to leave because he wouldn’t be able to support them or protect them. Then things went black and that’s the way it was.

He would lay his cloak on the ground so people could throw their loose change on the ground next to him. Most people avoided him altogether because in those days many people felt that blindness was caused by sinfulness either by the person or by their parents, so they were avoided. That’s the way it was for years. He struggled to survive, always hungry and thirsty and everything always black.

Despite all the hardships that he faced he still loved God. He remember the stories that he told his children and he saw in his mind the people in those stories and how God always came through for them in the end. Now Bartimaeus sat daily next to the road listening to the people passing by. The conversation lately had been about this guy named Jesus who had healed people, even blind people. Some had even said that he was the messiah that had come to redeem Israel. Bartimaeus thought, “Wow, if only Jesus would come around here.”

Then one day there was a commotion. There were more people on the road than usual and then he heard the name, Jesus. He was coming. Should he say something? Would Jesus come to him? Could he restore his vision? Something deep inside said “Yes, call out the name.” Bartimaeus opened his mouth: the crowd around him tried to silence him. Yet Bartimaeus persised, calling out more loudly and with greater urgency. He will not be silenced or deterred from getting Jesus’ attention. We notice how quickly the crowd’s reaction changes when Jesus calls for Bartimaeus. Those who sought to quiet him now encourage him.

Bartimaeus recognized power and authority when he saw it. We do the same thing. If we had a broken leg we wouldn’t go to AutoZone to have it fixed.  If the doctor came in overalls, we might have a few questions, but if he was in a white coat, with a stethoscope and a pocket protector we would have no problem. Even though it might be some Joe Schmo from the street dressed as a doctor, we recognize the uniform as power and authority; we don’t ask for credentials or references, we simply accept what experience told us was the situation.

Bartimaeus recognized Jesus’ authority.  Jesus didn’t have on a uniform, even if he did Bartimaeus was blind he couldn’t see him anyway. He had heard stories, but he had heard false rumors, too. This recognition came from a place deep within him.

We have that some recognition of Jesus. We have never seen Him.  We’ve see artistic renditions of Jesus but our recognition originates from a different sense than sight..  It comes from a spiritual sense. It comes before anything. It is grace that allowed us to have that first moment with God, when God was not just a figure in religion classes or in the Bible but God became personal, a friend.

When Bartimaeus recognized Jesus, he still had a choice to make: act on that recognition or let it pass by.  Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He addressed Jesus by name and by title, Son of David, the messianic title reserved for the redeemer of Israel.   We cry out as well when we get to the last point, the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  We cry, “Help me, Jesus.” “Have mercy, Jesus” Or simply, “Jesus” “Got in Hiemel.”  “Mi Dios!”  We realize that only God can help us in whatever situation we are in. God’s grace not only gives us the ability to perceive God’s power and love. It also gives us the strength to respond to it. Unlike Bartimaeus however, we are not limited to a once in a lifetime response. We must continually respond to the gift of grace and power in our lives.

What is Jesus’ response to Bartimaeus? “Go; your faith has made you well.” It is interesting to see that Jesus says that it is Bartimaeus’ faith that produced his healing not Jesus’ faith that made him well.   Bartimaeus’ faith, and ours too, is not born out of nothing, it does not come out of thin air, but it is a response to the love and grace of God.  It was Bartimaeus’ response to God’s initial contact through grace that made him well – restored his sight. Our response to the power or grace is also a restoration and a reconnection.  We might not be blind, physically but spiritually we may be walking around aimlessly. Our spiritual vision may be black as night, but God still initiates the reconnection through grace and gives us the freedom to respond or reject His gift.

That’s the end of the story, right? Not quite. What does Bartimaeus do once he has been restored?  Immediately he follows Jesus on the way.  It is not the end, but the beginning of a journey.  We don’t receive the fire of the Holy Spirit, the connection with God, only to sit it in the corner or in the closet, or even the chapel.  Instead we must take up the invitation and follow Jesus on the way.  The question facing us is: Am I going to do for God today, or for myself?  Am I going to spend today in connection and in conversation with God or am I going to satisfy my own selfish wants and desires?  Our blind eyes opened, we have a unique opportunity to spread God’s love in the world.  Lord, we pray: open our eyes and strengthen us to following your prompt to be an expression of your compassion and mercy in our world.

                                                                                                                        By    Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B.
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27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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I think it a shame that pastors have the option of omitting the last portion of the Gospel just proclaimed – the part about the children.  I hope they don’t exercise that option especially after Pope Francis’ display of affection and regard for children.

In this Gospel the people were bringing their children to Jesus, much like they did to Pope Francis.  It was the children (urged on by their parents) who could manage to break through security the lines and approach Pope Francis – the preoccupied attention of the disciples to get to Jesus.  Again the disciples just don’t get it.  This has been demonstrated in the readings for the last two Sundays. Jesus has summed up his lessons pointing out the value and importance of these “little ones” in the Kingdom of God.

But once again in today’s Gospel, the disciples try to prevent people from bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus reprimands them and welcomes these children.  Jesus offers the children as an example of the kind of complete trust and dependence upon God that ought to be the attitude of all believers.

The popular spiritual writer, Henri Nouwen, in his powerful meditations on Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son – says:

I saw a man in a great red cloak tenderly touching the shoulders of a disheveled boy kneeling before him.  I could not take my eyes away.  I felt drawn by the intimacy between the two figures, the warm red of the man’s cloak, the golden yellow of the boy’s tunic, and the mysterious light engulfing them both.  But, most of all, it was the hands – the old man’s hands – as they touched the boy’s shoulders, that reached me in a place where I had never been reached before.”

His attention moves to the elder brother and finally to the father’s role in the family dynamic.   Nouwen came to the realization that in life we all must mature from son (or child) to father (or parent and adult).   But, he says, there is a subtle pressure in church and society to remain a dependent child.   Who is it (in life) that truly challenges us to liberate ourselves from immature dependencies to accept the burden of responsible adults?

It would be comfortable, wouldn’t it, to remain in the warm embrace of childhood – on Jesus’ lap in the place of blessing.  But, we don’t really want to be a child all our lives using our role as child to keep us in a safe place distanced from others.  We grow in recognition that we have had blessings bestowed on us and now it is our turn to offer God’s immense love to others.

So how can we heed Jesus injunction to accept the kingdom of God like a child – or risk never entering it?  What does it mean to be childlike, and not childish?  What qualities is Jesus asking us to hang on to in order to enter the kingdom not only beyond the “pearly gates” but right here on earth, in our community, where God’s kingdom exists?

A few qualities I think he might encourage would be:

  • Live Spontaneously – taking in every moment and the opportunities in unplanned instants.
  • How about never letting a lack of qualifications deter you –If you’ve never done something before, be fearless like a child who pulls out a kitchen drawer to scramble up to the cabinet to get the peanut butter.  Isn’t this how Olympic gymnasts start?
  • Kids Know Exercise Can Be Fun –It’s just a matter of finding an active, healthy activity we actually enjoy doing.
  • Keep an Open Mind –  Keep a childlike wide open mind and you’ll learn something new every day – maybe more than one thing.  Don’t let force of habit slow you down.   Ask questions: you’ll never get an answer if you never ask.  So, she might say NO – but did you give her a chance to say YES?
  • Express your feelings – nurture and value relationships – Open, honest, direct face-to-face expression of feelings makes communication easier, maintains sincerity and integrity in your life.  Children like nothing better than to “hang out” with their friends.  Do you look forward to unstructured time with community members – your “sisters?”
  • Use Your Imagination –  Robert Kennedy get credit, but Walt Disney said it first::  If you can dream it, you can do it!  If you have a creative idea, share it.  If its aster, smarter or better and see what happens.  You’ll never know unless you try.
  • Learn by Imitation – have you ever seen a little boy walking behind this father, trying determinately to imitate his father’ stride?  Or a little girl who has practiced putting on make-up just like Mommy?  St. Benedict was a firm believer in the axiom: “fake it til you make it.”  Live monastic traits until they become part of you.
  • Play  – Sometimes it’s healthy to fool around and engage in recreation for the sole purpose of having fun.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: When I was a child I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became an adult, I put away with childish things.  Jesus might respond: Yes, put away childish ways but hang on to the delightful child-like traits that are the keys to the kingdom.

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How are you Salting the World?

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Not to make light of the Scripture just proclaimed, I would like to share with you the next verses after today’s reading – which liturgists omitted when they organized the Lectionary.  We do get them sometime during the year.  But, they will not be read next Sunday –They are too rich, I believe, to let them slip from our attention.

Everyone will be purified by fire, as a sacrifice is purified by salt.  Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?  (I like the translation that says “if salt become insipid.”  “Insipid” is a rich descriptive word.  If a person become “insipid” how can her tang be restored?

Everyone knows about salt. It has an interesting taste, doesn’t it?  I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like at least a hint of salt.  We use it every day to make our food tastier – even when the doctor dictates against it, most people crave it.

On the other hand, many of people are picky about spices.   Some think food is distasteful unless it’s pepper-hot.  The mere thought of hot spicy foods ties my stomach in a huge knot.   I marvel at people who devour a whole jalapeno pepper.

Making food taste better is just one of many uses for salt.  Reader’s Digest lists 60 everyday uses.  I will not boar you – or entertain you with them all – just a few.   It can be used to end an ant parade, deodorize your shoes, clean flower residue from a vase, freshen up artificial flowers, remove water rings from furniture, extinguish a grease fire, or a cloth soaked in salt water will prevent cheese from getting moldy.      Remember S. Bernadette’s big dye pot!  Well, salt is used in fixing the dye in fabric.  Without salt, the bright colors that we wear today would quickly fade.   It’s used in the production of over 14,000 different products – for instance in the making leather products.  Each year, food companies use an amount of salt that is every bit as staggering as it sounds: 5 billion pounds

The usefulness of salt was a well-known fact prior to the time that Jesus walked this earth.  At one time, salt was so important and valuable that people were paid with salt. Thus came the expression “are you worth your salt?”   Is it any wonder that Jesus told us that we were to be like salt to the world?  Listen to the words of Jesus.  “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” I think that he was saying that we should “salt” that is, flavor our world with love and that we should allow him to use us in making the world a better place.

Recently S. Elizabeth shared with me an Indian folk tale about salt.  A Google search revealed that every culture has a variation of the tale – most have a princess (not a prince) as the main character.

The story line goes: Once upon a time there was a king who had several daughters.  He was trying to decide which should inherit the kingdom.  So he asked each one, “How do you love me?

The first three daughters answer: “I love you as sugar or honey and sherbet. ”  To the last and youngest the king asked, “And how do you love me?”   “I love you as salt.”  On hearing the answer of his youngest daughter the king frowned, and, as she persisted in repeating it, the king was no longer listening and waved her away.

Some time later the daughter ordered the cook to prepare a meal for her father but not to add salt to any of the food.   When the king sat down to eat, the first course included only sweets which he either passed by altogether or merely picked at with displeasure.  Next he was served meat, which he usually enjoyed but this was AWFUL and he waved it away.  But, he was very hungry, and was longing sorely for something which he could eat.   The princess sent him a dish of common spinach, seasoned with salt, coarse salt such as farmers eat.  The king signified his pleasure by finishing off the dish with relish.

Then the princess stepped forward to reveal herself saying, “Oh my father, I do love you so.  I love you as salt.  My love may be homely, but it is true, genuine and lasting.

Thus, as the saying goes, were the Scriptures fulfilled: let us “Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”

Certainly, Pope Francis is proving to be a “salty” personality.  He speaks gently, with a voice of persuasion – not just to Catholics, or some denomination, not just to Christians nor his immediate audiences but to ALL peoples.  As one columnist put it, he teaches the Gospel, not the catechism.

How about you?  Are you allowing Jesus to use you to be salt to the world?  How are you flavoring the world?  Are you an irritant rubbing salt in the wound?  Or are you a soothing poultice held lovingly to a tender hurt?  Are you worth your salt?  Are we drying the salt of tears for the abused?   Salt seasons soup in order to fulfill its purpose Remember salt is no good by itself – it takes companionship to bring out its flavor?   In whose life are you bringing out the flavor; who is salting your life?

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