Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Gospel

Is it Time to Leave the Comfort Zone

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There is a term popular today that seems to me to fit with this message of Jesus.  The term is “comfort zone” which refers to those situations in which the person feels comfortable, safe, free from threat and challenge.  The comfort zone is, for the person involved, a thoroughly comfortable place.  Life there is marked by ease and familiarity.

It’s natural to like one’s comfort zone, but most of us would admit that we should not remain there indefinitely.  People do not become better or more mature or holier lingering in their comfort zone.  That just doesn’t happen.

In the first part of this Gospel, Jesus cautions against sitting in the place of honor at a wedding banquet and advises taking the lowest place instead.  But it is not simply a suggestion about etiquette.  Something more is going on here.  What Jesus advocates is not only for social occasions, but it’s meant to shape the entirety of our lives.

Choosing the seat of honor for ourselves is choosing the seat in our “comfort zone” – where we will be comfortable, safe, and free from the threat of interacting with strangers.  Jesus cautions us against moving into a comfort zone all on our own as though we know what we’re doing, as though it’s something we need to do.

In the second part of the Gospel, he urges us to invite the crippled, lame, and blind when we give a luncheon or dinner, rather than friends, relatives, and rich people.

So there’s advice here for us whether we’re the guest or the ones hosting an event.  Picture entering the banquet hall at our annual Gala.  Do you gravitate toward a familiar face or approach a table of “new friends” you’ve just never met before.  Do we sit in “us vs them” clumps?”  Do we do what Jesus says – ensure that our guest list includes those who are different, people who may make us uncomfortable, but whose difference from us may bring us a blessing?  This is what I think is so significant about our Thanksgiving Day dinner.  We open our door, our hearts and our table expecting nothing in return.  The blessing of being in a position to share is its own reward.

Jesus not only teaches us this lesson of stretching our comfort zone, he demonstrates it.  His entire life, his public ministry, his passion and resurrection, is full of one episode after another of his expanding what could have become his comfort zone.  Repeatedly, Jesus takes the low seat and invites unlikely types to be his guests.

Jesus left the comfort zone of his place by his Father to come to earth as a tiny, helpless infant.  Finally, he took the worst seat of all––on the cross.  He left the comfort zone of his earthly life, allowed himself to be placed in a narrow grave in order to experience ever-expanding resurrected life.  Jesus left the comfort zone within his family and friends on earth to become ever-present to all of us – to each one – at our beck and call.

Every day we encounter situations that place us outside our comfort zone – that stretch us to new territory in welcoming the “stranger” – persons or experiences.  Just be on guard against the inevitable danger that this place will soon become our new comfort zone.

I am reminded of the words of a hymn found in our Journey hymnals: “Now As We Gather” ….     “Now as we gather, God’s chosen people … there are no strangers in this holy place.”  When the stranger becomes friend, we must search out other strangers to befriend.

In this Gospel and in a hundred other ways, Jesus asks us that we do him the honor of keeping ourselves, our religion, our community from becoming trapped in some comfort zone.  This is what it means to live the life of faith – a life on the ladder of humility as described in the Rule of Benedict …  living in reverence and deference to others.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading  Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29     Second Reading   Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24
Gospel Reading   Luke 14:1,7-14   
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Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood

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From this Gospel we sense that Jesus understands how difficult it is to wait.  You can feel Him “chomping at the bit” as he says to this disciple: I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”  If Jesus felt that way over 2000 years ago, how would He feel with the world situation today???

The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles remind us over and over to have patience in waiting: wait for the Spirit, wait for the one who will baptize, wait for the fire of the Spirit.  From the beginning of Jesus’ coming on earth He taught lessons in waiting.  Mary and Elizabeth waited nine long months for the birth of their babes.  The Holy Family waited three years in Egypt until it was safe to return to Nazareth.  Remember Simeon’s prayer of gratitude (that we recite at Compline) upon seeing Jesus with Mary and Joseph in the temple.  “Now, Lord – at last – I can die in peace for with my own eyes I have seen Your salvation.”  Jesus waited 30 years to begin his public ministry, his baptism by his cousin John.  He waited three days to respond to Lazarus’ sisters’ news that his friend had died.  He waited 3 years for His Father to declare it was the right time: time for His last supper with friends, time for betrayal and crucifixion, time to rest in a borrowed tomb until he would be raised from the dead.  He waited for the right time to reveal himself to Mary Magdalene in the garden and later to appear to the disciples and his mother Mary closeted in the upper room.  He waited 40 days for the time to ascend and take his place at the right hand of his father.

And, what do we do?  We tap our foot and mutter when we have to wait a few minutes in the grocery line, or for a red light to turn green, or for an elderly person to negotiate a curb or unfamiliar hallway; or move ahead in the food line at meal time; or hit “print” repeatedly on the computer thinking we can hurry it up.  With a minor adaptation of words in the St. Louis Jesuit’s hymn TRUST IN THE LORD, we should be singing: “Wait for the Lord, you shall not tire; wait for the Lord, you shall not weaken.  For the Lord’s own strength will uphold you, you shall renew your life and live.”

This Gospel is where Jesus reminds us that choosing to do good, to be good, requires on-going decision-making.  To do the right thing, the good thing, won’t always be easy.  Life isn’t conflict-free no matter how holy, easy-going or patient a person may be… living in a monastery can’t protect you.  We’re all still human, with human limitations.  But, we are followers of Jesus who said, “What makes you think I have come to establish peace?  I tell you I have come to sow division.”  He is alerting us to be prepared for difficult decisions; conflicts in life.

It’s good to get this reminder so when conflicts arise we don’t fret: “What did I do wrong?  Why doesn’t God fix this situation?”  Jesus is letting us know beforehand that He is right in the middle of the fray.”  Remember He said: “I have come to set the earth afire.”  He’s is telling us that when we make the decision to follow him, we may face opposition from some quarters, perhaps even from our peers, our family or friends.  He probably cheers us on when conflicts arise and He can foresee the peace of reconciliation coming down the pike.  Figuratively, if we engage the faucet, turn the nozzle, we have the hose that can put out the fire between us.  The ashes will remain.  Ah, but, out of the ashes will come new life: green plants, colorful flowers, and, yes – peace.  Our choices to act or bite our tongue, cool our jets and exercise patience do shape our future.  [If you are interested: this month’s Reader’s Digest has several stories illustrating how insightful, caring mentors change children’s lives.]

At the University’s Opening Mass on Monday, President Senese preempted one of my choices for this reflection when he quoted Robert Frost’s poem: “The Road Not Taken.”  You can probably recite some lines from your 8th grade memory: (edited here for my purpose)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And, sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler,
Long I stood and looked down one as far as I could
Then took the other, as having perhaps the better claim…

Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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PEACE

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Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  It was originally called Decoration Day – a day to honor deceased soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers, flags and wreaths.  Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday wouldn’t legally be called Memorial Day until 1967 and its designation as a federal holiday came in 1971.

Enough history trivia!  The holiday prompts us to take some time to ponder the toll that war and violence have taken, and continues to take, on our society.  And lest that image overwhelm us we are moved to “raise our eyes to heaven; bow our heads in prayer” – hard to do at the same time.

In the Gospel we heard Jesus’ promise: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. … Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid …You heard me tell you…”.  I suspect that one of Benedict’s favorite words must have been PAX, PEACE – The kind of peace Jesus gives, not as the world gives.  But, Benedict doesn’t promote an attitude of “peace at any cost.”  This is simply a false peace – smooth the surface of the waters and there’s churning beneath.  Agreeing with another simply to avoid conflict too often comes back to haunt us in the form of inner turmoil, headaches and stomach ailments and a long history of unrestful emotions.

The guidelines Benedict offers to his followers may involve great personal cost.  He seems to have an attitude of “nip it in the bud.”  Confronting isn’t easy for most folks.  Being the first to apologize can go against the grain.  And, gracefully accepting another’s expression of regret is a humbling exchange.  Benedict encourages us at the outset of our Benedictine journey: “Let peace be your quest and aim.”  [RB Prologue 17]  It’s difficult, some days more so than others.  We are a flawed people.  We have weaknesses, limitations, distractions that burden us and can cause us to be defensive, resentful and irritable.  (Remind you of the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal?”)

We know Benedict is right when he says that seeking peace is the way to heaven – heaven in the after-life and a little bit of heaven here on earth.  “If you wish to have true and eternal life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit; turn from evil and do good; seek PEACE and pursue it.”  Another translation says, “Seek peace and go after it.”  And yet another says: “Chase peace and pursue it.”  Doesn’t that conjure up quite an image…   one that I imagine is depicted here in this drawing from What Do you Do With a Problem?  Can’t you see us – peace leading the way … dashing out of the chapel, into the dining room, down the halls, out the door, into the neighborhoods, climbing God’s holy mountain pursuing PEACE – never abandoning charity nor giving a false peace, peacefully performing whatever duties are entrusted to us and ensuring we have made peace before sundown.

Today, let us renew our commitment to make, to pursue PEACE so it is more than a concept that only we talk about.  Make a daily pledge to be people of peace, to be a peaceful people.  Make each day an echo of what Paul tells us in the Letter to the Corinthians “the old things have passed away; behold new things have come….  We have been reconciled through Christ and more than that, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A MINISTRY OF RECONCILATION.”  Peace is up to you and me.  Do you mean it when you sing: “Let there be peace on earth; and, let it begin with me?”

Another way to think about peace is expressed in this Chinese proverb.  It shows us the progression of light within to peace in the world…

If there is light in the soul,

There will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world.

(Chinese proverb)

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Do You Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice?

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Sunday, May 12th is designated Good Shepherd Sunday, a day of prayer for vocations.  We will certainly continue to pray for vocations to church ministries and for an increase in membership in religious communities.  In addition to that prayer, our community weekly intention is an intercessory prayer for MOTHERS – including all who mother others…  which in today’s society of broken families many daddies, too, serve in the role of both “mother” and “father” to their children.

The brief Gospel (just read) reveals Jesus as our unique “parent” – mother and father – our good shepherd.  Jesus is our means to salvation – the “sheep gate,” the gateway, the threshold to eternal life.  Jesus is the selfless, caring “shepherd” who provides protection and life itself.  How consoling and reassuring his words: “No one can take you out of my hand.  My Father, who has given you to me, is greater than all, and no one can take you out of my Father’s hand.”

A good shepherd’s life is not an easy one – the shepherd must be vigilant at all times, willing to keep the sheep close together (in community), lead them to green pastures and set a good pace sensitive to their endurance.  Jesus explains the difference between the concerned shepherd and the hireling.  The hireling is there only for the paycheck.  When trouble comes, he runs away and leaves the sheep to be devoured by the wolves.  The good shepherd, on the other hand, the shepherd who owns the sheep, has a vested interested in their welfare.  Therefore, the good shepherd is willing to pay any price to protect the sheep, even if it means that he has to give His very life for them.  Christ, the Chief Shepherd, knows our individual weaknesses and failings and watches over us with discerning love and sympathetic understanding.  With infinite concern He notes the doubts, fears, trials, conflicts, and defeats that disturb our peace, and He swiftly comes to our aid.

You’ve probably seen the painting titled “His Master’s Voice.”  It depicts a dog, looking with a cocked head, into an old gramophone.  It’s an apt symbol of what Jesus is saying to us or Benedict’s call to heed the voice of the Master.  Hear what Jesus says: “The sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

The spiritual writer, Tony Campolo tells the story of a census taker who went to the home of a rather poor family in the mountains of West Virginia to gather information.  He asked the mother how many dependents she had.  She began, “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey.  There’s Johnny, and Harvey, and our dog, Willie.”  The census taker interrupted her: “No, ma’am, that’s not necessary.  I only need the humans.” “Ah,” she said.  “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey, Johnny, and Harvey, and….”  At this the exasperated man interrupted, “No, ma’am, you don’t seem to understand.  I don’t need their names I just need the numbers.”  To which the old woman replied, “But I don’t know their numbers.  I only know them by name.”

Sounds like Jesus in today’s Gospel – Jesus says the good shepherd knows his sheep by name.  Although there may be several flocks sharing the same sheepfold, when the shepherds walk up to the gate and call their sheep, each one instantly recognizes the voice of its own shepherd or shepherdess.  When they hear the familiar voice, they instinctively follow (they are led and they follow, they are not driven, that’s for goats).  They will ignore the voice of a shepherd other than their own.  We will hear many voices competing for our attention, but there is a special note to the voice of Jesus that demands our immediate and full attention.

To the untrained eye, the individual sheep in a flock may all look alike.  A good shepherd, however, can tell them apart — often because of their defects and peculiar traits.  A man who was tending a large flock explained it this way: “See that sheep over there? Notice how it toes in a little.  The one behind it has a squint; the next one has a patch of wool off its back; ahead is one with a distinguishing black mark, while the one closest to us has a small piece torn out of its ear.”  Jesus says: “I know my sheep and they know me.”  (Reminds me of how we can detect who is coming down the hall by the sound of her footsteps.)

A man in Australia was arrested and charged with stealing a sheep.  But he claimed emphatically that it was one of his own that had been missing for many days.  When the case went to court, the judge was puzzled, not knowing how to decide the matter.  At last, he asked that the sheep be brought into the courtroom.  Then he ordered the plaintiff to step outside and call the animal.  The sheep made no response except to raise its head and look frightened.  The judge then instructed the defendant to go to the courtyard and call the sheep.  When the accused man began to make his distinctive call, the sheep bounded toward the door.  It was obvious that he recognized the familiar voice of his master.  “His sheep knows him,” said the judge. “Case dismissed!”

There is no question that Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  The only question that remains at this point is this: Do you know the Shepherd? Do you recognize His voice?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading:           Acts 13: 14, 43-52                      Second Reading: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel: John1o: 27-30
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Foregiveness

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PRAYER: “I know that God won’t give me anything I can’t handle.  I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”  (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

 

This past Thursday our nation celebrated the National Day of Prayer.  The Bill for the observance was initiated by Conrad Hilton, (founder of Hilton hotels) and was signed into law in April 1952 by President Truman.  Here’s an interest note: the president of the U.S. is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on the first Thursday in May.

Thinking about “prayer” – (but not directly connecting it to the Gospel just read) I find it curious that the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray “just as John taught his disciples.”  They wanted the words, didn’t they, for certainly Jesus had given them an example of prayer.  He had modeled time alone, told them to “go to your room and pray,” raised his eyes, hands and voice in intercessory prayer before miraculous healings.  But they, like we, wanted “the words to say.”  We forget sometimes that when we descend into our hearts in silent waiting that it is there we meet the Spirit who is already praying within us.

We look for “words,” don’t we … in a prayer book, on a holy card, in the life of a saint ….  We look for a guide, a director, a mentor.  I don’t mean to belittle the worthwhile role these companions play in our lives which is often critical to our spiritual growth and our salvation.  We just need to keep in mind, and really believe, the tremendous role that Scripture plays in our lives.  Jesus promised: “The Spirit of Truth will show you all things.”  St. Paul reminds us: “If you do these things you can be saved: be joyful at all times, pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things.”

Let’s look for a few minutes at the shortened version of what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.”  In it we pray “give us each day” EACH DAY – not a train load of blessings to last us all year – just today’s help, Lord, that’s all I am asking … not even tomorrow’s help … just get me through today – I trust you will be there tomorrow – even when I feel like Mother Teresa once prayed: “I KNOW GOD WON’T GIVE ME ANYTHING I CAN’T HANDLE …  I JUST WISH HE DIDN’T TRUST ME SO MUCH.”

In Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, have you noticed the difference in the phrase regarding forgiveness?  We pray, “forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.”  A strong, firm statement of my willingness to forgive everyone.  In the traditional version we pray: forgive us our debts, or trespasses, as we forgive our debtors…”  It sounds as if God’s forgiveness to me is measured by my willingness to forgive others.

I like Luke’s version even while I feel it is a greater challenge.  I commit, I promise: I will forgive EVERYONE who is in debt to me.  No willy-nilly “this one I forgive but not that one, at least not today.”  When we pray Luke’s words we vow “I forgive EVERYONE.”  Think of that the next time you pray the Our Father … at Mass or in private prayer, you are agreeing to forgive EVERYONE.  What a huge and freeing commitment.

And we promise to do it day after day after day.  Repetitious practice isn’t just what we may have told our mothers seemed “stupid” and useless. Things like making the bed that we are only going to rumple up in a few hours or doing the dishes after every meal instead of collecting them until the cupboard is bare or cleaning the toilet that someone is going to mess up the minute I leave the bathroom.  Repetition perfects, and makes permanent skill in music, in handwriting, in the acquisition of good, or bad habits.  And, in the repetition of daily chores (even the tasks only God sees) there is a meaningful expression of hospitality to myself and my companions.  In the repetition of the Psalms, of favorite prayers, and liturgical actions there is a meaningful acknowledgment of our creaturely participation in God’s creative act, day after day, after day.

So, we pray day after day for vocations, for peace, for relief from suffering and war and for a forgiving heart.  Through our community and personal prayer we feed not only our own spirits, but we are, so to speak, attached by a spiritual cord to everyone we have ever come into contact with. We feed ourselves spiritually, and we also nourish all those contacts through our prayers.  Our prayer is universal.  We forgive everyone who is in debt to us.   Note, in Luke’s memory Jesus did not say “everyone to whom we owe a debt” … rather those who are in debt to us.  Who would that be?  And, why would someone be in debt to me?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First reading Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Second Reading Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel John 21:1-14
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Ask Yourself: Am I a mirror or a window?

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I like this Gospel story from Luke – used on Palm Sunday for the Blessing of the Palms.  I find Jesus’ directive intriguing – has an ESP flavor.  The first reading in the Mass for tomorrow, from Isaiah tells me: “Morning after morning God opens my ear that I may hear.”  We know Luke wasn’t there on the first Palm Sunday or at the last supper.  So, this is an incident that he recalled his friends telling him.  His ear was open to hear their story and recognize its significance.

And, it’s a challenging one …  “Go into the village and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her.  …  Untie the animals and bring them here to me.”  What a story of trust: Jesus trusts that the disciples will do exactly what he tells

them.  The disciples trust that what Jesus asks them can be done … for He never asks of us something that can’t be done.  The owners of the donkey and the supper room trust the disciples’ honesty in their request.  What implicit trust these men had in Jesus: you’ll see an ass, a donkey – take it.

In another gospel the story continues: Follow the man with the water jar – most likely a servant – to the house he enters – and ask the owner where the feast is being held or where we can prepare it.  The title “The Teacher” conveyed all the man needed to hear.  When Jesus comes to St. Leo looking for a place to eat a Passover meal with friends, do I open my door to say, “Come In – the place is yours – stay as long as you like?”

It reminds me of an old fable about the colt that carried Jesus on Palm Sunday.  It seems the colt thought that the reception was organized to honor him.  “I am a unique colt,” the excited animal thought.  When he asked his mother the next day if he could walk down the same street alone and be honored again, his mother said, “No, you are nothing without Him who was riding you.”  Five days later, the colt saw a huge crowd of people in the street.  It was Friday, and the soldiers were taking Jesus to Calvary.  The colt could not resist the temptation of another royal reception.  Ignoring the warning of his mother, he ran to the street, but he had to flee for his life as soldiers chased him and people stoned him.  Thus, the colt finally learned the lesson that he was only a poor donkey without Jesus to ride on him.

In the Gospel story, at least this time around, it appears what Jesus wants – Jesus gets!  At least today …  this time – but not for long.  Or, do I have that wrong?  Jesus may not have wanted the suffering (afterall he was human and could experience all our feelings of dread) but he does want what His Father wants – a procession with pomp and circumstance through the city streets, an event that shook the whole city.  The actual “quake” came later.  This is a foreshadowing of the quake that will shake the whole world 5 days later – at Jesus’ crucifixion.  Today, a procession with all the hoopla that surrounds a parade; five days later we witness a procession of ignominy with Jesus dragging a heavy cross.

I am reminded of another Palm Sunday story.  A little boy was sick and wasn’t able to go to church on Palm Sunday.  When his dad came home with a palm branch, the boy asked about it.  “Well, you see,” said his dad, “when Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm branches to honor him; so we got palm branches today at church.”  The child grimaced and responded “Wouldn’t you know it!  The one Sunday I can’t go to church, and Jesus shows up!”

Everyday concerns and obligations may fill the first few days of the coming week, but when the sacred Triduum opens on Thursday evening, let’s endeavor to personally and communally contribute to an atmosphere of quiet, solemn reflection …  to set a tone that says something of great religious significance is underway.  Let us be contemplative windows into the story we commemorate – an expression of gratitude, a repayment – or a paying forward, for Jesus’ expression of GREAT love for us!   Recall the story of the donkey.  As we enter Holy Week, let us examine our lives to see whether we carry Jesus and bear witness to him through our living or are we Christian in name only.

Tomorrow when we follow the palm-decorated cross in procession into the chapel…  or maybe later in the day when you weave a cross with your palm branch, ask yourself: “Am I a mirror or a window?  Do I reflect values or reveal them?  Am I opaque or translucent glass?  Is my life stained with the magnificent colors of God’s touches or filled in with more and more chunks of dulled or muted, blackened or smudged – ill-shaped light-resistant challenges to God’s voice?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  Isaiah 50: 4-7  Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Gospel: The Passion According Luke 22:14—23:56
Gospel for Blessing of Palms Luke 19:28-40
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