Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Holy Spirit

Trinity Sunday

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On this, the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we celebrate the Church’s understanding of who God is: three unique, equal, divine persons in one God.  It is a celebration of our lived faith experience that we attempt to put into words.  We turn to the Scripture writers for a fuller understanding of this experience and for the ability to share the experience of God in our own lives.  I like Bishop Barron’s description, “The love that God the Father and the Son breathe back and forth is the Holy Spirit, the life of the church.”

But, nowhere in Scripture will you find a specific teaching of the Trinity.  However, we do find many places where the biblical experience of God is so rich that it cannot be encapsulated in a single word.  Jesus is the visible icon (as it were) of the invisible God, making the mystery of God tangible to us.  It is important that we believers have a welcoming attitude to the triune presence of God, so we are ready whenever, and through whomever, God chooses to continue to be revealed.  In this way we will be ready to listen to  and become involved in that dialogue.  Without the continued experience of Father, Son, and Spirit (or some may choose to say: Creator, Savior and Spirit) the doctrine ceases to be a lived experience.  But, if we expect today’s readings to give a clear presentation of the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity, that simply will not be the case.  Ours is a God so generous… who loves us so much, that this whole world was created for us and continues to gift to us the gift of Self through the appearance of bread and wine.  Here is a God, generosity personified, who loves us beyond our wildest imaginings.

God wants us to discover this Love and celebrate it.  The fact is: God wants to be found and is constantly calling out to us – but not necessarily with words. He gives us so many opportunities – so many times when we travel through even the darkest tunnels of our lives and then come out the other side to encounter, unexpectedly, something surprisingly, great beauty and holiness.  As I came through the connector this past week, I found myself surprised and confounded by a glimpse of an awesome glorious dawn!  The words of Sirach spring to mind: “As the rising sun is clear to all!  How beautiful are all God’s works!  Even to the spark of a fleeting vision.”

As long as we have our feet planted on “this side of the grass” it makes sense that we might not be able to completely understand how something can be “one” and “three” at the same time.  We need symbols to help us delve deeper and deeper into the mystery of the Trinity e.g. St. Patrick’s shamrock or three-leafed clover … three leaves, one stem.  Or consider the egg you might have for breakfast: yolk, white and shell – three parts, one egg.  Or we might’ve heard the Trinity compared to an Apple….  ONE apple, three different parts: skin, flesh, and seed.

This is a feast, a solemnity beyond words.  The Holy Trinity is a privilege and not merely a commemoration of a doctrine.  Through the celebration the Trinity we enter into a communion of Persons who has loved us into being and continues to call us each day to a fuller experience, a deeper lived knowledge, of our Triune God.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34. 30-40             Second Reading: Roman 8:14-17
Gospel:  Matthew 28:16-20
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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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Trinity Sunday

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This past week, as you know, we returned to Ordinary Time.  However, it’s as if today the Church says: “Wait a minute – there IS one more idea we need to explore.  Let’s celebrate our Triune God.”

But if you expect today’s readings to give a clear presentation of the doctrine of the Trinity, you will be sorely disappointed. In fact, the word “Trinity” is not found in the Scripture.  One writer has said if Jesus were to ask the question today, “Who do you say that I am?”, a modern theologian might answer: “Thou art the Logos, existing in the Father as His rationality and then, by an act of His will, being generated, in consideration of the various functions by which God is related to his creation, but only on the fact that Scripture speaks of a Father, and a Son, and a Holy Spirit, etc. etc.”  Jesus might have replied: “What’s that you say?”

We may not be able to understand the how of the Trinity, but it is important to understand the why.  The concept gives us a more personal, a more dynamic experience of God.  We are made in the image of God, and, therefore, the more we understand God the more we can understand ourselves.   The mystery of the Blessed Trinity tells us about the kind of God we worship and about the kind of people we should be.

Here is a generous God who loves us beyond our understanding! This whole world was created for us.  God gave us Himself in flesh, to suffer with us and die for us.  Here is a God so generous as to continue to offer Himself to us through the appearance of bread and wine.  Here is a God whose generosity spills over for us in gifts of wisdom and understanding, courage and piety, knowledge and counsel and fear of the Lord.  Here is a God who loves us beyond our wildest imaginings.

God wants us to discover this and celebrate it.  The fact is: God wants to be found and is constantly calling out to us. But he does not necessarily call out to us with words. We are given many opportunities; so many times, when we travel through even the darkest tunnels of our lives and then come out at the other side of the encounter to discover, unexpectedly, something surprising and beautiful and holy.  There is an example from this past week, when I came into the connector and was surprised by an awesome glorious red dawn!  Recall the reading earlier this week (from Sirach): “As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all His works.  How beautiful are all God’s works!  Even to the spark of a fleeting vision.”

Recall the analogy of a community to a three-legged stool.  As individuals in community, we need God and others.  The stool becomes lopsided or falls if any one leg is shortened or missing.  It takes all of us to make community: God, me and all our members.  Sometimes we may feel it really doesn’t matter if I miss an activity; that the meals, card games, choral prayer will still go on whether I am present or not.  And, it will!  And it will be done in your name.  There are legitimate reasons to be absent, but never, ever feel that your presence doesn’t count or is not important or significant.

A recent study reports that people between the ages 25 to 44 saw a nearly 30% increase in heart attack deaths over the first two years of the pandemic.  Another study tells us that people who experience prolonged feelings of loneliness are 26% more likely to suffer a heart attack.  So, let’s be on the watch for symptoms of loneliness in ourselves.  And, likewise, be on guard that we are inclusive of each other.

This celebration of the Trinity reminds us of the limitless possibilities of God.  Our god is One God, and cannot be contained but must co-exist as three persons. Let us seek out God in divine magnificent creativity, in all the manifestations as Father Mother as Sister Brother, as Counselor, Friend.  God is waiting for us.  Ours is a God who wants to be found.

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading: Exodus 34: 4b-6, 8-9   Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Gospel Reading: John 3:16-18
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Pentecost Sunday

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A few minutes ago, we concluded this year’s Novena to the Holy Spirit, the Church’s first novena.  For Mary and the eleven Apostles it was nine days of waiting (they did not know how long).  For us, it is nine days of anticipation leading to the feast of Pentecost.  At various times Jesus has greeted his disciples with the gift of peace and commissioned them to continue the work that he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  Heads up! Listen intently because the “you” Jesus speaks of includes each one of us.  Where does Jesus send us?  And to do what?  Where is anywhere we can be an agent of peace and harmony.  And what is to be a reconciling presence in the world amidst situations of conflict in our own homes or our workplaces.

If we believe Jesus’ words when He said “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I” then we know that people have only to come to us, to our community, to find the power and peace of the Spirit.   What a truly breathtaking gift that is!  We can make God present!   Wherever, whenever we pray, whenever “two or three gather” Jesus is there.   What an awesome responsibility rests with us!  And consider this: what form of the gift of the Spirit has God imparted to you?  Look back through the years.  What have family, coworkers, community members, friends reflected back to you?  Has it been your gift of discernment, your kindness, your optimistic, joyful outlook?  Or was it maybe your serenity, calmness and peace, your simplicity, or your awareness of God’s presence everywhere?

If we are to be true to our commission, we need to nourish our ability to call upon this Spirit and to stay close to Jesus because others are depending on us.  We need to proclaim the Good News to them with our words and our lives. We may be the only image of God they’ve come to know. Peace must be for us more than just a wish; more than a handshake or a hug. It is a GIFT – a deep confidence that can withstand even the most tragic experiences.

When we live in a positive and loving way, we are fulfilling the mission of Jesus in our world. We may seem to be warming and redeeming only the small, chilly space that we happen to occupy in life. Our kindness radiates, in fact, in wonderful ways like the ripples in a pond ruffling the surface of the water far beyond where we stand. What may begin with a simple, unpretentious act in our dining room, chapel or community room vibrates the air full-circle and comes back to us in a new, life-giving form. Like the game of GOSSIP you whisper a message that gets repeated and distorted many times over.  By the time it comes back to you, there is little left of the sentence that you spoke.

There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit from which spring twelve fruits of the Spirit.  The fullness of the Spirit can comfort and challenge us doing lectio with the titles of the Spirit found in our Novena: Comforter, Peacemaker, Root of Virtues, Bestower of Gifts, Bond of Unity, Fountain of Faith, Cause of Holiness, Soul of Ministry, Source of Love.  We can BE these gifts to each other only through the Power of the One who commissions us to affirm the mysteries of the universe, to see the lasting value of justice and mercy, to fill our lives with wonder and awe in God’s creative omnipotent presence.

Light years ago, in the first catechism class I taught as a postulant in Dade City, there was a child who, in those days, was labeled “retarded.”  The pastor, Father Benedict, Sister Rosaria and I deliberated and prayed for insight to determine whether the child was able to understand the mystery to be received.  At the First Communion Mass all doubts were erased.  At the elevation of the sacred host, his childish, high-pitched pronouncement could be heard throughout the church: “Here He comes!”

Jesus prayed: “I wish that where I am they also may be with me.”  And, so we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your presence.  May our lives be rooted in your love and wisdom.”  The words of that excited child are worth inwardly proclaiming whenever any person or situation approaches us: “Here He comes!”

~S. Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading: Acts 2:1-1              Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Gospel Reading:  John 20:19-23
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Trinity Sunday

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This past week we returned to Ordinary Time.  However, the mood reverted quickly this weekend with the solemnity of the Holy Trinity and reappears next Sunday with the celebration of Corpus Christi – the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Gospel just proclaimed comes near the end of Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper and is an example of the implicit teaching on the Trinity.  Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will declare what the Spirit hears from Jesus.  Elsewhere Jesus says, “The Father and I are one.”  If Jesus and the Father are one and the Spirit speaks what Jesus says, it follows that the three must be one.  Further evidence found in Scripture regarding the doctrine of the Trinity is found in the other readings for the feast.  But, if one expects today’s readings to give a clear presentation of the doctrine of the Trinity – they will be disappointed.

Remember the old saying “Two is company, three’s a crowd?” The Trinity shows us that three is community, three is love at its best; three is not a crowd.  When Love becomes complete is  Trinity.  Each one of us becomes fully human only when we are in relationship with God and in relationship with others.  I am truly Christian insofar as I live in a relationship of love with God and other people.

The important question for us today is: What does this doctrine of the Trinity tell us about the kind of God we worship and what does this say about the kind of people we should be?   With our three-fold vows, we are reminded of our commitment to a balance of prayer, labor and leisure.  We pray many times a day, in various ways, the familiar words of one of the first prayers many of us learned: the “Glory Be” in honor of, and thanksgiving for, the revelation of the Trinity:  Glory be to the Father…..

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

1st Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31          2nd Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel : John 16:12-15
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