Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

God

Second Sunday of Advent

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Our God of the Promise

 

In Advent, like the child we once were, we eagerly await the coming of Christ as an infant in Bethlehem.  At the same time, we invite him into our hearts in the present, the “now” of our lives. And we look forward to his future coming as king of glory. Dwelling in the past or wishing for a perfect future can keep us from hearing the will of God NOW, in our today.  Many recognize in Pope Francis a voice that is, like that of John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness … urging us forward in the present to mend the past as we confront the life as it greets us today, in the NOW of our lives.

The opening lines in Mark’s gospel greet us with the words: “the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.  But, the first character we meet is not Jesus, but John the Baptist, the fiery preacher who came out of the desert where he lived on honey and locusts.   And, he is no fashion plate, with his camel’s hair clothes, leather sandals, and leather girdle around his waist. His diet was very simple: locusts (grasshoppers) and wild honey. This is important, or it would not be here.  It is symbolic. But what does it symbolize? Well, you cannot wear anything more fundamental in the way of clothing, or eat a more basic diet, than John did. It is representative of his ministry — one of simple beginnings. It is not the end; it is the beginning.

John is very honest. He says, “Don’t look to me for answers beyond what I have already told you.  That must come from another, who is coming right after me. He is so much greater than I.  I am not even worthy to untie his shoes.”  Remember, this was Jesus’ cousin, his elder by six months, that he was talking about!  You’ll recall John jumped for joy, (maybe he was dancing) in his mother’s womb when he was introduced to Mary and Jesus.  John could bring people to God, but he could not take them beyond that.   Something drew these people into the desert to listen to this strange and rugged young preacher proclaim good news.  That’s all he did! He never told how it worked, or why; he just announced it.  And, this was in a desert in the wilderness.  But it worked, in part because In John’s day, as now in ours, people needed to know they can begin again.

But, keep in mind what the prophet Isaiah said about John’s message. This business of reconciliation will resemble a great bulldozer, building a highway in the middle of nowhere.  (I wonder if they put in roundabouts?)  John was God’s bulldozer to build that highway.  We know how roads are built; we see the process in almost any direction we go on the highway.  Isaiah says: “Every mountain shall be brought low, and every valley shall be lifted up; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places plain.”  And, that is what repentance does. It bulldozes down all the high peaks of pride that we stand on and refuse to admit we’re wrong. It takes the depressed areas of our life and lifts them up. It takes the crooked places and straightens them out. And it makes the rough places plain. Then, there is God!  God comes to us so that we can come to God.

Our hope is in the promise of God; in our God of the Promise.  It is a promise that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  It is a hope that will not be disappointed because God, although He may delay or tarry, He will not forget His promise.  Be assured: God will never let us down!

 

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading  Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11                        
Second Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14  
Gospel Reading  Mark 1:1-8
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Because you were faithful in small matters…

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Because you were faithful in small matters…

come, share your Master’s joy.

Like the Master in this Gospel, St. Benedict teaches us “journey lessons.”  We sense a 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 (he says) 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) …run 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’.”   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 far 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 for their confrere’s 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.”  Benedict didn’t want stories of the world to creep in and cause dissension or dissatisfaction to rankle or upset his community.  We need to be on guard that we balance charitable interest in each other versus the drive to know every intimate detail about what was seen or heard on the other’s journey.

Benedict is solicitous of his monks sent on a journey that they appear neither embarrassingly shabby nor be clad in “rich folks” clothing.  He charges the superior with checking that hemlines are a decent length and the members’ clothing be suited to the weather.   And, it’s obvious that times were different when Benedict walked the earth.  He makes provision that the members be LOANED underwear from the wardrobe that is to be laundered and returned after the trip.

In line with his admonition to pray always, Benedict reminds his monks when they are on a journey to keep an eye on the sun and listen for the bells from neighboring abbeys announcing prayer times. 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 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: “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

 

Have a pleasant Thanksgiving… give thanks for all that has been and open your heart to all that will be…give another a reason to rejoice on this day.

 

First Reading:   Proverbs 31         Second Reading:  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel:   Matthew 25:14-30
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Service, not status, is the measure of a true Christian

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In this Gospel we see Jesus under fire.  In turn, He speaks sternly to the religious leaders of Israel accusing the scribes and Pharisees of seeking the glory that rightly belongs to God.  In their misguided zeal for religion, they sought respect and honor for themselves rather than for God.

Jesus raises three objections.  They do not practice what they preach, they adopt a very narrow and burdensome interpretation of the Torah, and they seek public acknowledgment of their presumed spiritual superiority.  Instead of allowing any relaxation, they “built a fence around the Law.”  They fail to realize the truth that when religion becomes a depressing affair of burdens and prohibitions, individualistic dictums or endless rote prayers it ceases to be true religion.  Jesus condemns the lack of compassion of religious leaders, evidenced in their unwillingness to apply laws in a way that would make obedience less oppressive.  By contrast, Jesus says: “My yoke is easy; my burden is light and I will give you rest.”

The Pharisees Jesus is speaking to liked to be seated in places of privilege, prized seats on the left and right of their host.  You remember the request posed by the mother of James and John?  “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”

The Pharisees preferred to be addressed as “Rabbi.”  They liked to be called “Father”, to be known as the fathers of the faith.  They overlooked that respect has to be earned.  However, in spite of their personal failings, Jesus recognizes that the scribes and Pharisees are stewards of a great spiritual treasure.  He teaches respect for them for their role as official teachers and interpreters of the Torah.  Jesus demands that his disciples honor the office that these men occupy and to do what they teach, at least insofar as their teachings accord with the Torah.  Jesus taught, honored and applied two principles: reverence and respect i.e. reverence for God, the name of God and God’s due.  Jesus modeled respect for one’s parents and for a person’s life, the other’s possessions, and good name, lessons sadly lacking in many segments of our society today.

Jesus’ criticism was mainly a warning to future Christian leaders about possible abuses of authority in their ministry.  His words are a strong invitation and challenge to render humble, loving service without expecting honor or rewards.  Benedict echoes this attitude in The Rule in the opening lines of Chapter 7 on humility recalling the words of Scripture: “Whoever exalts themselves shall be humbled, and whoever humbles themselves shall be exalted.”  Jesus and Benedict remind us that service, not status, is the measure of a true Christian.  It’s not how many servants we have, but how many persons we serve.  

In today’s society where smear campaigning and negative comparative advertising are rampant, it is easy to unconsciously assimilate this style of language and attitude as acceptable.  Jesus may not have used these words but remember what you learned as a child: “When you point one finger at someone else, you have three fingers pointing back at yourself.”  Beware of being the “pot” calling the “kettle” black.  The Gospel message reminds us that whatever we are and have is not simply a birthright, but a gift given to us by our loving God.  Hence, let us use everything we are and have for the greater honor and glory of God.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Have a good week.

 

 

First Reading:   Malachi 1:14- 2:2, 8-10         Second Reading:  James 2:14-18
Gospel:   Matthew 23:1-12
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Give to Caesar – Give to God

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Today’s Gospel is built around the saying in verse 21, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” It is a “wisdom saying” and the passage invites us to enter into it with our feelings.

We would not be able to properly grasp the meaning of this sentence without bearing in mind the context in which Jesus said it. Often, it is said that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” In other words, two people who are enemies will often come together if they see an opportunity to jointly attack a greater enemy. This is what was happening in today’s Gospel. The Pharisees were strict observers of the Law of Moses. It was their view that the people should not pay taxes. The Herodians on the other hand supported the payment of taxes supported the policy of arresting anyone who did not pay their taxes. Jesus was considered the greatest enemy of the Pharisees and the Herodians, and both groups joined together in a plot to trap Jesus even though they greatly disliked each other.

Let’s consider the question they brought to Jesus- Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? If Jesus said the people should pay taxes, the Pharisees could turn the people against Him. If Jesus said it was unlawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He could be arrested by Herod’s soldiers. The question to us is: If you were in Jesus’ position – what would be your response? Would you most likely give two contradicting answers to each group just to please each party? Would you shy away from the confrontation, manipulate the truth, or speak the truth firmly?

The trap that the Pharisees set for Jesus presents what could be a challenge to personal loyalty. What is owed to Caesar and what is owed to God? Jesus did not defend Himself irrationally, He did not shy away from the confrontation, or manipulate the truth to His own advantage. In response, Jesus spoke the truth in a simple way and refused to engage his opponents in their tricks. Jesus’s response challenges us to consider the standards by which we owe things to an authority, in other words, where our loyalties lie. How do we respond when we feel as though another person is trying to trap us or challenge us?  Do we become more concerned about our defense than with speaking the truth or are we tempted to twist our answers rather than speak with sincerity and honesty? Are we more like the Pharisees and Herodians whose goal was to trap and win?

In our lives, the truth may require that we admit our mistakes and faults and apologize when confronted.

Jesus’s response also helps us acknowledge that while we owe our loyalty ultimately to God, we often must honor that by respecting our duties toward the community to which we belong i.e. the society, and the government of our country. But if we are to take our faith seriously, we are also concerned about others who are far away from us.

This Sunday presents us with another profound opportunity to renew our commitment to the Great Commission. The World Mission Sunday, celebrated globally serves as a call to mobilize faith, resources, and action in advancing the Gospel to our brothers and sisters living in the different parts of our world. Importantly, it is the only collection mandated by the Code of Canon Law.

As the theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis has chosen: “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move.” It is based on the narrative of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on their way to Emmaus, as narrated in Luke 24:13-35. This passage of the scripture vividly reminds us that when our hearts are set ablaze by the living Christ, our feet naturally move in mission, spreading the warmth of His love and the light of His Word.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of four Pontifical Mission Societies, was founded by French laywoman Blessed Pauline Jaricot in 1822. She planted the seed for what today is the World Mission Sunday Collection by asking her friends to pray daily and donate a penny a week for the missionaries working on spreading the Gospel to all nations. Let us join our Holy Father Pope Francis in praying for the young, persecuted, and poor Churches in over 1,100 dioceses around the world that benefit from the World Mission Sunday collection this weekend.

As we reflect on our baptismal promise to be disciples and missionaries, to embrace the call to have our “Hearts on fire, feet on the move.” I invite you to live simply, care deeply, love genuinely and give generously, speak kindly, and bloom where you are planted!

We come before the Lord, asking Him to fuel our passion and direct our steps as we bear witness to His love throughout the world.

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

This is World Mission Sunday and our week’s reflection is presented by our monastery guest: Sister Elizabeth Ogbu.  Sister is living with us and serving in the Accounts Receivable Office of the Pontifical Mission Society’s National Office based in St. Petersburg.  Sister travels 3 days a week to the office in downtown St. Petersburg.  She works two days remotely (and spends weekends) here at the monastery.  We pray God bless her labor for the church and, please God, travel with her as she makes that long trek on I-75 three days a week.  We wish her good luck as she seeks to secure partial-week housing closer to her place of work.

 

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6     Second Reading:  1st Thessalonians 1:1-5
Gospel:   Matthew 22:15-21
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The Gift of Wisdom

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This Gospel invites us one more time to focus on agriculture – a familiar topic here in Florida.  Surely, you’ve noticed that this is the third Sunday in a row that Jesus and Matthew have shared parables that call our attention to tilling the earth: the mustard seed, vineyards, lazy workers, late hires, wishy-washy sons, disappointed overseers and generous owners.  We are invited to consider the difference in attitude between tenants and owners; sons and indentured servants; wise waiting for growth and rash action to weed out suspected imperfection.

Here in Pasco County many fret when we experience a long dry period.  Our soil longs for rain and we can empathize with the farmers and ranchers in the fire-ravaged areas in California and the far west.  We sense the feelings of desolation and devastation of farmers in the mid-West as they stand overwhelmed (once again) and survey their flooded acres and acres of lost crops.  How do the people of India – second largest producer of wheat and rice, the world’s major food staples, recover when their prospect of annual income is washed away by the monsoons and the gushing waters from the dams that were opened upstream, miles away?  And what are the ripple effects in our country and throughout the world?

How is it, in the richest country in the world, we see food sacristy and insecurity?  Before the pandemic, in the U.S. more than 35 million people, including 10 million children, suffered from food insecurity, meaning they have uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life.  During and following the pandemic more than 54 million people, including 18 million children, continue experiencing food insecurity.  Insufficient income, due to loss of employment and low wages, is a major cause of food insecurity.  “Food deserts” are also a problem …  lack of nearby food markets – and lack of transportation to food stores – especially for persons who are home bound or are not on public bus routes.  Couple that with holiday periods when schools that ordinarily serve meals are closed.

Let’s look at our “back yard” here in Pasco County.  Last year 54% (or 42,000) children in Pasco County were eligible to receive free or reduced meals at school.  Agencies and churches strive to staunch the tide of hunger and “fill tummies”:  Daystar, Meals on Wheels, Pasco Feed, Suncoast, Homeless Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay, and others.   There must be times when these volunteers feel like they are putting a finger in the dike only to watch another crack appear.  Fear and anxiety weigh heavy on many: will congress get their act together for the people or will there be government shutdown, will their food stamps be cut off, will they lose rent subsidies.   “My children – what will they eat tomorrow.”

The problem is HUGE.  What can we do?  More specifically, what can I do?  Some simple things – (maybe they even sound simplistic) –

+ Be grateful for what we have; make do with what is available.

+ Be conservative in purchasing; be patient when supplies run out; be prudent in meal-planning so you have few unplanned left-overs

+ And, yes, pray!  There is a saying, “When all else fails, pray.”  But let’s don’t wait for “all else to fail” – pray frequently for wisdom and discernment; examine how election candidates stand on issues – not just what they are saying, but what is their record, what are their actions telling you?  Don’t be complacent or fail to exercise your right to vote.  Be wise voters.

In Proverbs (4:6-7) we read: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”  We just celebrated our Guardian angels (October 2) – call on yours for the gift of wisdom.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 5:1-2         Second Reading:  Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel:   Matthew 21:33-43
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It isn’t over, til it’s over!

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The dynamic in this Gospel is an ages-old story.  It happens in families, between friends, in the work force and in monastic community.  The situation Jesus poses is rather straight-forward.  Two sons are given the same task by their father: one asserts his objection, right up-front but in the end obeys his father’s wish.  The second son signifies obedience in his words but his actions betray his words.

The question that Jesus poses is direct: Which son did what the father wanted?  Jesus could ask us the same question.  Do our words reflect our obedience to God?  God desires a full conversion of heart –  that our actions (and our words as well) will give evidence of our love for God.  The older brother had no intention of working and had the honesty to say so.  He was in the wrong, but he was honest.  The younger brother was the opposite.  He said the expedient thing knowing what his father wanted to hear but he had no integrity.

For Benedict obedience is central.  As postulants when we officially knocked on the door and asked to be received as a candidate we were greeted with the question: “What do you seek?”  We declared that we’d come to the monastery to hear and seek God.  To do that you have to be willing to listen and then obey God’s voice as heard in personal prayer, in the voice of the superior and in interactions with each other.  Benedict asks that our obedience be open, honest, prompt and positive, (even if it is painful) and given without murmuring.

We would do well to recall both this gospel story, and Benedict’s words about obeying with alacrity, when we are asked to do a favor for one of our sisters or a co-worker.  We know that for Benedict, murmuring was an abomination, anathema, a curse in community and any sign of grumbling was to be censured.

In one of her first commentaries on the Rule, Joan Chittister suggests: Say to the member who signs up for a task but then complains, “Please don’t sign up.  Kindly give the community the gift of not murmuring about it.  The rest of the community will get the work done.  Please just stay home and keep a smile on your face.  Don’t do the work and then poison the environment of the house with murmuring.”

Oh, you may think: it’s easy for you to talk about obedience.  You’re the prioress, who do you have to obey?  Bear in mind that the leader, any leader, may have some authority with her position, but the power lies in the hands and will of the membership.  Obedience in monastic life is mutual.  It springs from the bloom of mutual respect.  Without both, there is no community.  There is just a group of women living under the same roof.  Thankfully for all of us, in life, growth is always possible.  It’s not how we start that matters, it’s how we finish!  “It isn’t over, til it’s over!”

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Have a pleasant week!  Happy feast of your Guardian Angel and the Feast of the Holy Rosary!

 

 

 

Readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28    Philippians 2:1-Be like
Gospel:   Matthew 21:28-32
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