Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Gospel

“They Took Jesus Just As He Was”

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I’m sometimes curious about the details that evangelists choose to include.  There are two details that intrigue and amuse me a bit in this reading.  The evangelist says, “They took Jesus with them in the boat JUST AS HE WAS.”  What is being left unsaid?  Was Jesus half-asleep, half dressed, still talking to the crowd?  They took him JUST AS HE WAS.  If only we could be that accepting of others?  Take them just as they are.  Not merely tolerating them, their behaviors and their attitudes – their differences – but really, full-heartedly accepting them and their individuality.

We hear and read studies on generational differences and expectations.  Our community’s median age hovers around 75.  Candidates will come to community with their own, well-defined personalities.  Most often they will come having been raised or worked in a society far different from the environment most of us were raised in.  For the first time in our country, four generations are working side by side.  I heard the comment on TV the other day that today’s young adults are not interested in perfecting existing athletic records.  They want to try new – even risky – endeavors.  Always striving to set new records.  The 18-year-old who won first place on the U.S. Women’s Swim Team exceeded the previously set speed record for the 100-meter race.  This desire to try something new does not necessarily condemn the past nor belittle its achievements although sometimes the drive to make “my mark” can give that impression.

Different values, experiences, styles, and activities can create misunderstandings and frustrations, tis true.  Or, it can serve to enrich our lives.  The interpretation of key elements of our life may differ … Consider, for example: balance of life, work ethic, fair share division of chores.  It doesn’t mean the living out of values will fight with each other.  There need not be a right-wrong conflict – there are shades of gray and more than one way to be “right.”  The bottom line is: it’s up to each and all of us whether we accept, fight, deny or, as they say: “roll with the punches.”  By the event of the past week (we lost two family members of S. Elizabeth to drowning), we’ve been made keenly aware of the power of rip tide currents.  You can’t right it, you must lean into it, let it toss you about until it calms down and release its hold on you.  Change is in the air!

Generational change does require awareness, sensitivity and a genuine effort to develop mutual trust and respect.  Awareness is the first step.  A true attitude of open-handed and open-heartedness is needed not simply to bridge the generations but rather to blend the generations.  Goodwill can cover a multitude of situations but it takes education and a sincere personal effort to make us ONE community in mind, heart and spirit.  Remember what the evangelist says: “They took Jesus just as he was.”

The other detail in his Gospel that I find curious is the passing remark that Jesus was asleep on a cushion.  Why was it so important to point out He had a cushion?  Makes it sound like not everyone had a cushion – cushions must not have lined the hull of the boat like water-proof safety floats might be seen today.  Having a cushion implies comfort, doesn’t it?  Jesus was sleeping like a baby unaware of the turmoil around him.  Or was He?  Was he peeking at them through a half-open eye?  Was his ear attentive to the murmuring about him and his seemingly uncaring attitude?

I assume they were all guys … women would have grabbed anything nearby to cover and protect Jesus from the sloshing waves.  When the storm increased and the boat rocked, Jesus’ friends roused him, with telling words.  They are familiar enough to dare to wake him with words of reproach, questioning his care for them.  They are hurt by His non-responsiveness to their needs.  Reminds me of the Martha – Mary incident … and maybe sometimes ours “Why doesn’t she get up off her duff and help me …  can’t she see I could use some help?!”

We are in the boat, the storms of life are raging around us, and like the disciples, we may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.”  We hope that we will be as familiar with Jesus as his disciples.  If we feel that Jesus is sleeping, are we comfortable, are we as familiar with Jesus as the disciples, to rouse him and present him our needs?  Jesus did not chide his disciples for waking him.  Rather he chided them for their lack of faith.  Storms don’t worry Jesus.  He’s right there in the boat with us, perfectly calm, not impatient, in no hurry for a solution or relief.  He has one ready to hand us but how often do we tell God how to do things and then fret that God is doing nothing because it isn’t happening as we proposed?

Our lived experience should teach us that we need to relax and take heart, remain strong in faith that believes that Jesus isn’t scared of the storm, he isn’t depressed.  He might be asleep, or he might not be, but either way, like the song says, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”  In the words of the Responsorial psalm: “He hushes the storm to a gentle breeze, and stills the billows of the sea.”  Even if Jesus doesn’t wake up at our first call, we are safe with Him.  He’s going to wake up and say what you heard in the Gospel to us: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

 

First Reading:  Job 38:1,8-11                       Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel Reading:  Mark 4:35-41
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Because you were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.

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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.  

 

First Reading  Selected verses Proverbs31       Second Reading  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel Reading  Matthew 25:14-30
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Jesus challenged – “Why are you testing me?”

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First, let me speak a bit about World Mission Sunday which is celebrated in parishes this weekend.  The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was founded in 1882 by a young French laywoman, Pauline Jaricot, to aid the Church in preaching the Gospel in areas of the world where it had not been before.  In our diocese, in answer to our baptismal call, the Propagation of Faith, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities continue that mission.  The “people in the pews” contribute their prayers, moral support and financial help, that collectively feeds, cares for and nourishes bodies and spirits of the needy all over the world.  In the Responsorial Psalm we will pray repeatedly: “Give the Lord glory, glory and honor.”  As always, the prayers of the faithful are the most treasured gift to the Missions – to God give the glory and thanks for the generosity of the “people in the pews” and missionaries, lay and religious all over the world.

Mention of the Propagation of the Faith reminds me of a story about another call to mission told to me by our late Sister Pauline. (Some may recognize the story.)  When Pauline was a young Sister in community, she and Sister Rita O’Connell embarked on a “begging tour” up the east coast of the U.S.  When they reached Boston, Sister Rita told Sister Pauline they were going to visit a “very nice” bishop – whose name just happened to be William O’Connell (notice the family name?).  However, it seems when they arrived unannounced it was the auxiliary bishop … the future Cardinal Spellman in the office that day.  (You may recognize his name as the author of THE FOUNDLING.)  Sister Pauline was “parked” with the secretary – they became life-long friends.  Pauline said hours went by – no Rita.  When the secretary went to check, it seemed Sister Rita had exited another door and left for Ireland!  Now there is proof of such a trip in Sister Rita’s passport, stamped June 14, 1934 – a steamship passage that would have taken 7-10 days each way.  Bishop Spellman and his secretary quickly came to Sister Pauline’s rescue.  She related happy memories of the “few months” (as she described it) at the home of the secretary’s family on Commonwealth Avenue.  She kept up with the sons many long years.  And, yes, eventually, Sister Rita did return and they continued their tour across the U.S.

However, not too long after their return to Holy Name, the superior was informed that their “begging tour” had not been approved by the Propagation of the Faith and the funds were to be returned.  The rest of the story is lost to history awaiting a deeper dive in the archives.

But to focus on the Gospel…. Pity Jesus – what a set up.  According to Matthew’s account it sounds quite deliberate.  “The Pharisees plotted that they might entrap Jesus in speech.”  Then comes the set up.  They open the encounter with: “We know you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God … and you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.”  Ever felt like someone was trying to program your response?  I had a friend who more than once would start out sounding like she was looking for advice.  But soon her tune would change: “Now, I’ve been praying about this, and God told me that this is what I – or you – should do.”  That said, who am I to argue with God?

Or perhaps you’ve been handed a gift by someone who says: “I just know you’re gonna love what I bought you!”  She’s standing right there waiting for you to look in the gift bag or unwrap the present.  So, smile!  And, hope you can fake it if it’s not something you wanted all your life.

It’s obvious, in such instances, only one answer can be right.  Are they talking to hear their own voice rather than looking for information, allowing for some feedback or a sincere response?  By stating a preference up-front, all chance of discussion is cut off.  What’s worse, the listener is unlikely to honestly answer my question unless they feel like taking up the task of a debate.

What did Jesus do?  He turned the tables on the group – the ones quizzing him were the anxious by-standers.  “Why are you testing me.”  He knew full well the answer.  But he did not walk away.  He gave them a chance to examine the coins in question.  He knew the skill of engaging in a win-win dialogue.  It’s true – He is God and would have the know-how.  But being fully human, He had to have learned and practiced that skill somewhere.  First in his family, then among neighborhood playmates, then, out, as they say “in the world.”  Remember what is said about him when he was found in the temple?  “After three days his parents found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.”

Interactive, social skills, interpersonal communication skills are learned behaviors.  They take practice.  Learning how to “start – continue – stop” takes repetition and rehearsal.  Jesus is the perfect model.  As you lectio with Scripture notice his style.  As Paul says in tomorrow’s Second Reading: “Our gospel did not come to us in word alone, but also in the power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”  Jesus modeled what he prescribed. He prayed, he listened, he engaged others in verbal exchange.  He complimented, he corrected, he appealed to the listeners’ best selves.  He promoted self-learning and self-correction.  And, yes, Jesus challenges us: “Why are you testing me?”

~ Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
1st Reading Isaiah 45:1;4-6      2nd Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
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Even When You Say You Did Not Believe

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I’ll repeat the last line of that Gospel reading: “Yet even when you saw, you did not later change your mind and believe.”

Speaking in St. Petersburg (FL) on Friday (September 25) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all restrictions statewide that were imposed to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.  In his words: “Every business has the right to operate.”  The executive order will stop cities and counties from fining people for not wearing mandated face coverings.  The governor says there are no signs of a possible “second wave of infections.”  I am a bit skeptical of what signs of the times this man and many others are reading?  And, who or what advice are they listening to?

In our country – in the U.S. – there have been more than 7 million confirmed COVID cases – and God only knows how many more unreported.  There have been more than 200,000 deaths.  In Florida there have close to 700,000 reported, confirmed cases (not counting those that go unreported) and 14,000 COVID-reported deaths.  That is approximately 4500 more than the combined populations of (nearby) St. Leo, San Antonio and Dade City.

The daily reading from the Holy Rule, this Gospel, and other words we’ve prayed this past week, warn us about paying mere lip service to directives and about the danger of letting our diligence slip.

We heard Jeremiah say: The Lord searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward each one according to what their deeds deserve.”  And the psalmist who reminded us: “God searches the hearts and minds … The Holy One knows our thoughts.”  In the words of Benedict: “The disciple’s obedience must be given gladly, for ‘God loves a cheerful giver.’”  If the disciple obeys grudgingly and grumbles, not only aloud but also in her heart, then, even though the order is carried out, their actions will not be accepted with favor by God, who sees that she is grumbling in her heart.  She will have no reward for service of this kind.”

The evidence is all around us – the virus is still present in our world.  We can’t dispute the fact that there is confusion, fear and challenges that cause us to reflect on how we interact with each other and the greater community.  There is much soul-searching and a heightened awareness of the “hungers of the people of God.” (BSoFL Corporate Commitment) We need look no further than across the highway to witness the challenges of having university students on campus.

Yet, we still hear comments like: “it’s all a hoax – it’s only another form of the flu – I’m strong, I can fight it – She is my friend, they wouldn’t be here if she thought she was sick – the virus can’t be passed if we’re outdoors – it’s not in our part of the county – I’ll take an ibuprofen tonight, just in case – I don’t follow rules I don’t agree with or don’t like.”  What is not said is: “I’m scared – I can’t think about it – I have too many other health issues – there is so much confusion, I gave up – it’s like climate change; the scientists will figure it out – I followed the CDC and our house restrictions for a while, but not anymore; if it comes, it comes – if God wants to take me, that’s OK – if I get sick it’ll be someone else’s problem – they’ll take care of me.”

That’s the sticking point.  In truth, in time of illness, death or distress, we do care for each other.  The question before each of us each day is: am I taking care of, not just myself, but am I taking the most solicitous care I can of the 14 others I live with?  Do I keep in mind Jesus’ admonition: “Don’t do to others, what you would not want done to you.  Love others as you love yourself.”

These are times when the yoke of obedience and submission can really pinch – more for some personalities than others.  Listening to the “abbot” is one thing – listening to an external source, quite another: the bishops, local governments, the CDC, health departments, medical professionals …  where do they rank in our promise of obedience???  Our “conversion of life”?

Hospitality to each other is another whole package.  But, we know we are (like it or lump it) in these times -TOGETHER – either we will survive it without scarring OR the enemy: lack of diligence, carelessness, or disregard for others (the REAL fatal virus), will break through cracks in our walls.   Even hands held tightly can weaken – so hold tight…. Try not to be the one who loses grip.   Let us hold each other tightly in prayer and patience in the trials of “Safe at Home.”  We’ve a “mile to go before we can sleep” – i.e. let up on our vigilance.  Know and believe that God has a plan.  Be patient with the divine timing in day-by-day revealing that plan.  Remind yourself “the best IS yet to come.” Our ancestors in community got through the 1918 pandemic – so will we!

Peace – and good health and many blessings.
We’ll be praying in particular all this week for all health care workers and on Monday joining in spirit the Bishops for International Day of Prayer for Migrants, Refugees, Immigrants and Sojourners.
God bless you each!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28       Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
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