Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

John

Jesus invited: Come after me.

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Jesus invited: Come after me. 

At once they left their nets and followed him.

Our call to holiness is not a one-time beckoning.  Everything was not hunky-dory when Peter, Andrew, James and John rolled up their nets and walked away with Jesus.  The call back to the simple, predictable life of a fisherman may at times have been strong enough to give them second thoughts about this little-known upstart from Nazareth.  The barbs of criticism aimed at them and their hero and their suffering as the butt of jeers must have stung deeply.  But they were, for the most part, steadfast in their loyalty to the Master.  They could have spent time wringing their hands bemoaning the awful conditions of their known world.  Instead, they looked to Jesus for direction and followed his unwavering example of feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, comforting the sorrowful.

Even in the darkest hours they clung to hope.  Hope is a spark that can become a flame.  The same puff of breath that can snuff out the spark, more gently exhaled can coax the spark to burst into a lively flame.  The same vocabulary we use to engender hope, spoken in a derisive tone, may dash all hope to the ground.

In these days of our Sisters’ strategic planning I invite you to figuratively hold hands in fervent prayer that we will be courageous, hope-filled, sensitive, patient, considerate – truly “sisters” to one another as we grapple with the tough issues that lie in our laps.

We are made for this time.  Benedictines are committed to being life-long learners.  For all our preceding years we have been training, practicing, getting ready for this exact moment in our history. As Hel Basse writes in Give Us This Day for January 23, 2026: “If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, travel together.”

A few years ago, Pope Francis said in one of this Sunday addresses: ”Go forth and don’t be discouraged.  Don’t be fools, remember, a Christian doesn’t have the luxury of being foolish.  An idiot, a fool – you can’t give yourself that luxury.  You have to be clever, be astute!”

Let us reach out.   Let us catch the light from each other’s flickering flames, coax them brighter and bring them closer together to shed a united light on possibilities that will lead us into the future God already has in mind for us.

Pray this week that you may discern what nets are holding  you back from following Jesus’ daily quiet calls.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

This is also Oblate Sunday at the Monastery – they will gather at the monastery or via ZOOM for Mass and dinner with the Sisters.  This Sunday they will spend time with S. Tonette for a presentation on the obligations of Oblates.  As time permits, S. Mary David will lead a teaching session including discussion of the “homework” assignments.

Basically, a Benedictine oblate is a layperson or secular priest who associates themselves with a specific Benedictine monastery, committing to live according to the

Rule of Saint Benedict in their daily life. While not taking formal vows or living in the monastery, they become part of an extended monastic family, integrating prayer, work, and spiritual values into their personal lives in the world.

 Key Aspects of a Benedictine Oblate:

  • Spiritual Affiliation: Oblates affiliate with a particular monastery, participating in its spiritual life while maintaining their own vocations, whether single, married, or working.
  • The Rule of Saint Benedict: They adapt the principles of the Rule—such as moderation, community, and prayer—to their secular life.
  • Oblation as Self-Offering: The term means a “gift of themselves” to God in union with the monastery.
  • Promises: Oblates make promises that often include stability (a commitment to their monastery), fidelity to the spirit of the Rule, and obedience to God’s will.
  • Prayer Life: They often engage in the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio Divina (sacred reading)

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 8: 23- 9: 3-6         Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17
Gospel:   Matthew 4: 12-23
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Baptism of Jesus

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“Yes, Now’s the Time!”

Maybe you’ve heard the story about the fellow wandering soul, lost in thought, who stumbled upon a baptismal service one Sunday afternoon.  This was one of those “down by the river” sort of baptisms in the warm waters of the South.   Curious about what was going on, this fellow walked right down into the water and stood next to the Preacher.  When the minister finally noticed him, he asked the young man, “Are you ready to find Jesus?”  With a quizzical look and some hesitancy in his voice, he answered: “Yes, Preacher, I think I am.” The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up.

“Did you find Jesus?” “No… should I have?!” The preacher then dunked him under for a bit longer, brought him up and said, “Now, brother, have you found Jesus?” “No … I haven’t, Preacher.” The preacher in disgust held the man under for at least 30 seconds this time; brought him to the surface of the water and repeated the question, “Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?” The confused fellow wiped his eyes, gasping for breath said, “Naw, Sir, are you sure this is where he fell in?”

Sound familiar?  Isn’t that sometimes how we are?  Our heads under the waters washing over us?  Cares, distractions, prayer for others’ intentions, confused by the circumstances of our life?  Looking for Jesus in muddy waters of our own making?  Sometimes we aren’t quite sure if “now” is the right time for things. At the Jordan River, about 30 years after Jesus was born, NOW was the time. If you could go back and stand on the shoreline of that river in the wilderness, you’d probably be nodding your head in agreement, “Yes, now is the time!”

John recognized Jesus as one who didn’t need a baptism of repentance or forgiveness. He knew that Jesus was much greater than he was, and that he wasn’t even fit to tie Jesus sandals. John must be thinking, “This is backwards! This shouldn’t be happening this way!”  But listen to Jesus’ response, “‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” And John consented.  Jesus was saying, “At another time, John, you would be right in what you’re thinking. But NOW is the time for this baptism. This is what my Father in heaven is asking of us NOW!   NOW is the time for Jesus to begin his public mission, the course that would take him to the cross. NOW we hear the Father’s affirming commendation: “Outstanding, Son!”

In our lives, too, there have been times, (haven’t there?) when we had no idea how close the kingdom of heaven had come to us.  A time when you just didn’t see it or recognize it for what it was. You had no idea that God would show up in that way, that place, that time, that situation.  You can look back and realize what you missed.

How many times, I wonder, do we ignore God simply because we have no idea or we doubt the possibility?  Or we’re just plain were oblivious to the truth that divine providence is working in the mix.  “And do you come to me?” That’s not just John’s question; it’s also ours. Sometimes it just seems too incredible to believe that God would come to us. Maybe it’s because we see God as distant … sitting on a throne, up there in heaven … observing but not really involved.  Maybe it’s because we see ourselves as unworthy and undeserving. Maybe it’s because we were raised with the idea that God is more concerned about our behavior than our life. Maybe the pain, difficulty, and losses in one’s life have caused them to wonder whether God even cares. Maybe God’s ways don’t fit within our expectations. God won’t fit within our box and we can’t seem to get out of it.

Whenever or however that question comes up for you – reach down deep – you DO know the answer.  The answer is found in the baptism of Jesus. His baptism answers once and for all the question, “And do you come to me?”  He answers: “Allow it for now… thus it is fitting.” That’s Jesus’ answer to John … and, to you, to me, to everyone.  “Allow it for now.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 47:1-4, 6-7         Second Reading:  Acts 10:34-38
Gospel:   Mark 1:7-11

 

 

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John the Baptizer

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In our Gospel account for the second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptizer is the voice of prophecy in a world where such voices had been silent for nigh on 400 years.  It’s hard for us to realize as we read the Old Testament and turn to the New Testament, that there is this lengthy period of time between the prophetic word of the Old Testament and the prophetic voice of John the Baptist.  Now, in the Scriptures we hear the echo of John’s voice sounding once again through the voice of modern day prophets.

Jesus’ cousin had a message that people were ready to hear.   Is the same true today? The key is when I perceive that voice to reply, “Yes, I believe that the Lord is coming! The Kingdom of heaven is near!”  The oppressed Jews looked forward eagerly to the coming Messiah.  Many listened to what John had to say.  His was a teaching firmly anchored in their religious traditions.  John was speaking their language, and they understood what he had to say.  The practice of baptism which earned John his nickname “John the Baptizer” was not new to the Jews. It was a frequent practice used to mark atonement for sin and a renewed and purified spirit, to show that one who had been unclean was made ritually clean again.

John was an inspired preacher, one in whom could clearly be seen the power of God. After all, who would live like John out in the wilderness on locust and wild honey?  Well, take a look around!   Look at the effects of climate change and just plain selfishness!  Hundreds, thousands go to bed hungry.  They wake up (if they ever got any sleep) hungry and freezing or exhausted from the heat. If we listen with an open heart, we can hear their cries.   Do we act on it?  Do we take heed, and put flesh on our Corporate Commitment?  Or do we apply “band aids” (a stamp and a dollar) while we stuff our monthly allowance in our purses and pockets?  Do we remain blind to what surrounds our 39 acres?   Are we true to our word that we “respond to the hungers of the people of God.”  And pay honor to the slogan “Think global, act local.”

We must take care that we do not become complacent when we hear an overlay of quiet unassuming accounts of today’s inspired, even unaware, leaders. Or we don’t listen to the news because it just may “rattle our cages.”   We can’t just admire others’ good deeds or simply shake our heads when we see newscasters talking about how cold it is across the country as they stand there in a cozy warm newsroom smiling in a short-sleeve shirt while the homeless huddle shivering under bridges or cardboard huts.

On the one hand, one can clearly see the power of a giving, and forgiving, heart, influencing our world.  But, are you, are we, simply admiring the kindness of folks OUT THERE who are part of a “pay it forward” movement? Are we the recipients only of others’ kindness and generosity?  Keep in mind “if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.”  What will be our legacy?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 11:1-10         Second Reading:  Romans 15:4-9
Gospel:   Matthew 3:1-12
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Believing Can Bring Sight

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Each day since Easter we’ve heard post-Resurrection stories of personal encounters. The resurrected Christ has visited the disciples and his mother Mary in the Upper Room to breathe peace upon them.  We’ve heard the story of how Jesus slips in and out of the company of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.   In John’s narrative Peter’s head is whirling at all that was going on.  It appears his message to the others is: “This is too much for me; I’m going to clear my head. I’ll be back later. I’m going fishing!” A few of the others jumped aboard.  At daybreak a very human Jesus appears to these disciples who’ve spent a night of non-productive fishing.  We know that Jesus must have known this but still he calls to them: “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”  Then he suggests to them that they toss the nets on the other side of the boat.  Lo and behold, the nets encircle 153 large fish!”  No one dares ask him: “Who are you?”  To their astonishment, Jesus invites: “Come, have breakfast.”

Last Sunday the church made sure that we heard the message that Jesus came a second time to the group in the Upper Room.  Again, He came right through “locked doors.” He greeted the fearful group: “Peace!”  And He turned to address Thomas to quiet his fear that the one the disciples claimed they had seen a week ago might be an imposter.   Nothing could keep Jesus away from those who had been his companions for three years.

At that 2nd visit in the Upper Room Jesus praises those who do not seek proof.  On the other hand, neither does He condemn those who seek a sign.  He meets us where we are on our faith journey. He does not condemn Thomas for wanting to see proof in the nail marks.  Instead, he offers living proof to help his unbelief.  “See my hands; put your finger here.”  And then He nurtures maturity in faith when he says: “Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”

In Monday’s gospel there is an exchange with Nicodemus about the wind. From whence does it come, and where does it go?  Jesus gently tries to explain, “If I tell you of earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”  If only if we understood that seeing may not be believing but believing can bring sight.

 The lessons remembered by John continue.  “God does not ration the gifts of the Spirit; the Father gives everything to the Son.”  As the evening grows long, the disciples go down to the sea.  It grows dark as they rest and row and drift in the boat.  When they are several miles from shore, one by one the Apostles perk up and point to a silhouette of a man who appears to be walking on the water toward them A calming voice is heard: “It is I.  Do not be afraid.”  Those who are familiar with the voice of God will immediately recognize when Jesus speaks.

Today we hear a curious detail. John relates that before Peter jumps from the boat into the sea, he grabs his clothing “for he was lightly clad.”  He puts on more clothes to jump into the water?  Is that typical of what we tend to do?  If you think about it, it probably is.   We don’t want to leave anything behind even when it only adds weight to our journey.  What does Jesus tell us to do?  Not, grab all your belongings, we’re going on a journey of a lifetime.  Rather he says: Feed my sheep; feed my lambs.   Follow me!

What is your excess baggage?  What needs to be left behind?  We have to clear out old expectations if we are to have room to welcome new experiences.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Acts 5:27-32; 40-41         Second Reading:  Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel:   John 21:1-19
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2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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The readings for this weekend, combined with the civic occasions we observe, present a challenge.  What to emphasize?  Today (Saturday) opened the annual Week of Prayer for Church Unity.  It has a history of over 100 years of prayer for the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper “that all may be one.”   We will continue our practice, when on Wednesday we welcome the Mayor of the Town of Saint Leo, Assistant Pastor of the Rock Church of Brooksville (and his congregation) HO will join us for a Unity prayer service based on this year’s theme “Do You Believe?”

Today and tomorrow the world is watching, with multitudes sending up a stream of prayers for the successful implementation of the Peace Pact for Israel and Gaza: the release of prisoners and relief convoys allowed into war-torn areas.  And, for the peaceful transfer of power in our country.

We pray:  Prince of peace, we cry out for Your divine intervention in Israel and the surrounding regions.  We earnestly petition You to bestow tranquility upon our land. May prosperity flourish, (but not at the cost of the poor and vulnerable).  May Your unwavering peace reign over the hearts of all people.

Now, switch your focus.   On Monday the workday-week begins with the rare coinciding of a Presidential Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day national holiday.  The two events aren’t expected to coincide again until January 2053.

Now, if that does offer us enough to pray about, let’s turn to the three readings in our liturgy.  They are, I believe, an example of a woven piece of God’s mysterious message-giving.  It creates a colorful piece with threads that weave the way from Isaiah, through Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, into the Gospel of John, laced with verses from the Responsorial Psalm 96.

From Isaiah (in the first reading) we hear: “I will not be silent; I will not be quiet.” (Mmm – didn’t Martin Luther King echo that same message?)  Now slip in a line from the Responsorial Psalm: “Announce God’s salvation day by day.” (sentiments of Unity Week and Peace Agreement). This leads us right into a touching Gospel story of a son’s response to an implied request of His mom.  Mary could not resist the impulse, the urge to encourage her Son to come to the rescue of the wedding couple’s embarrassment.  She’d raised this man/child.  She knew he’d take her hint.  Turning toward the wine-servers, she says simply: “Do what he tells you.”  And they did just that.

A question to ponder: Who could have observed that quiet exchange?  Scriptural Scholars tell us it was the beloved John, the only one of Christ’s original disciples who lived into old age and was the only one not martyred for the faith.  He can tell that story from an old man’s perspective laced with the wisdom and vision that is a gift of the elderly.  We know so well that stories are a gift given by older members to the newer ones.  The elders are the torch bears; the younger are the keepers of the torch.  It is they who are responsible for coaxing the sparks to keep the embers glowing, breathing new life into our legacy.  Stories of the “good ole days may get old but consider what we’d miss if John and the other evangelists had kept secret their experiences with Jesus.

In today’s world, much like the days of early Christianity, people are facing crises of migration, prejudice, hunger for food, companionship, health care services, violence and indifference. How can we show “unusual kindness” exemplified in Mary’s keen insight and Jesus’ quick response to her tip: “Do what He tells you.”   As Benedict advises us: “Show reverent love.  Be the first to pursue what you judge better for someone else.”  You know: Pass-it-on-Kindnesses” or “Pay it Forward” favors.  Kindness that is a witness to God’s loving providence for all people. When we invite people to “come and see” they are looking for more than a tour of our monastery building and a list of volunteer ministries. Our spirit of hospitality will have a ripple effect (positive or negative) that makes visible (or not) Jesus’ love in today’s world. We pray that we and all peoples of diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions, are enlightened to accept each other with open hands and hearts and that world peace will prevail in our lifetime.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 62:1-5         Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel:   John 2:1-11
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Wait and Watch!

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You’ve probably guessed it: You’re going to hear that theme again.  It’s all about waiting!  But first: welcome to Year C, the year of Luke.   We’ve been waiting for so long (actually for most of our lives) that the darkness may feel like home.  Maybe we’ve become comfortable in our incompleteness.  Now to leave home is downright scary! Change my ways of interacting with God and God’s people?  Whew!  Allow my rough edges to be smoothed – mmmm, sounds irritating.  We are gifted with this Advent-time to do personal “Isaiah work” of filling in every valley; leveling every mountain so the hills will become a plain, and the rough ways made smooth.  As the familiar banner asks:  If not now, when?

And if there is an answer, are we really waiting?  No!  You see, Advent is not a sit-on-your-hands-to-see-what-will-happen kind of waiting.  Nor is it waiting for someone else who is talking to God to hang up.  Saying that brings to my mind a memory of a home visit of my 3-year-old niece who was patiently waiting through what her mom had told her was my private time with God.  She had lasted through her first lectio experience with her books for 40 minutes.  She moved from the mat on her bedroom floor to sit just outside my doorway.  Laurie heaved a heavy sigh and said: “OK, what do I do now God; she’s still talking to You!”

The wonderful part of waiting and talking with God is that it’s more like a glorious party line.  You can pick up (or click ON the chat box) at any time, whenever you’re ready. It is wonderful!  We do not have to take turns – we don’t have to wait to be in touch!  At the heart of Advent is ACTIVE waiting.  Even when we don’t know that we are waiting, or what we are waiting for, we’re waiting. Even when we can’t find words for what we are waiting for, we’re waiting.

If the liturgical readings these last couple of weeks did not shake you up enough, the Advent gospels will make you perk up your ears and pay attention: “It is high time for us to arise from sleep.”  Take heed! Be on guard! Watch! Be alert, stay awake, and don’t grow careless.  Don’t give up!  And St. Benedict admonishes us: “Never swerve from God’s instruction but faithfully observe God’s teaching in the monastery until death.”

Advent offers us a new opportunity to awaken to the signs of the times.   In the words of John the Baptist, we hear the voice of Isaiah warning us to be alert for “the voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord.”  The last Gospel we heard as the liturgical year ended (this morning) and the first Gospel for the new liturgical year impress upon us the same warning: Be vigilant! Pray always! Beware that your heart does not become drowsy!

Remember Jesus berated the crowd for knowing how to interpret the signs in nature, but not the present time, the already.  This is where we too may fall short.  This kind of waiting requires a common-sense alertness to natural signs.  But the kind of waiting Jesus is talking about requires a deeper discernment and alertness to the signs of His appearance – the signs of the times, our times.  It’s that kind of waiting that Paul is talking about in the second reading: May the Lord make you increase and abound in  love for one another … to strengthen your heart.  I earnestly exhort you in the Name of Jesus to conduct yourselves to please God and be blameless in holiness before our God.  Amen!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Happy St. Nicholas Day on December 6th.

 

First Reading:   Jeremiah 33:14-16         Second Reading:  1 Thesssalonians 3:12-4:2
Gospel:   Luke 21:2528,34-36
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