Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

John

Unity Week

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The three readings we have this weekend are, I believe, they present 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 the Letter to the Corinthians, into the Gospel of John, laced with verses from the Responsorial Psalm 40.

From Isaiah we hear: “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.”  Then Paul tells us who the “you” is: “You who are called to be holy with all who call upon the name of Jesus.”  Now slip in a line from Psalm 40: “Sacrifice or offerings you wish not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.”  This leads us right into the Gospel and a declaration of obedience to listening.  Here John the Baptist speak: “I did not know him (that is, when Jesus came to the River Jordan for baptism) “I saw the Spirit and the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one…”  Then slide back to Psalm 40 “To do your will, O my God, (to be obedient) is my delight.”  Obedience is the psalmist’s delight – John’s, Jesus’ and ours.

This week Wednesday, we will begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with the 2023 theme: “Do Good; Seek Justice” (Isaiah 1:17)   The theme is captured in the Gospel reading the presence by the two groups who were present at Jesus’ baptism at the River Jordan: the followers of John and of Jesus in combination with the presence of our Triune God (the voice of the Father, Jesus in the Jordan, and the hovering Spirit in the form of a dove).  The week of prayer for Christian Unity has a 100-year history in which Christians around the world pray for the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper “that they all may be one .”

A question: How did John (the evangelist) come to know so many intimate details about John the Baptist’s encounter with Jesus at the Jordan?  It is generally assumed that the disciple James and his younger brother John were among the followers of the Baptist.   It is likely this is how they, along with Peter and Andrew, first met Jesus.  John was the only one of Christ’s original disciples who lived into old age and the only one who was not martyred for his faith.  He can tell the story of Jesus from an old man’s perspective, wisdom and vision that is a gift of the elderly…. pondering the essentials, sifting out the riff raff of gossip, suppositions and guess work [or, spicing up the stories with borrowed memories and supposed tidbits.]

As we in community know so well, stories are a gift given by older members to newer members.  The elders are the torch bearers, the younger folk the keepers of the torch.  It is they who are responsible to coax the sparks to keep the flame burning.  Our future will be enriched by those who keenly listen and preserve the traditional word-of-mouth stories.  This is what enriches our present by helping us better understand the past and the people who gave shape to our present.  Stories of the “good old 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, violence and indifference. How can we show “unusual 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 49:3, 5-6         Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Gospel:   John 1:29-34
 
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Second Sunday of Advent

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Over the next few days in our Advent journey the church invites us to consider John the Baptist’s relationship to Jesus.  John appears in the tradition of the great prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform.  In fact, the description of John found in this reading is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah.  John words are not directed only to the Pharisees and Sadducees.  John’s message is a pointed call to repentance aimed in our direction: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

John makes very clear that his relationship to the Messiah is one of service and subservience: “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I.  I am not worthy to carry his sandals.”  The highlight of John’s ministry was the fantastic success he enjoyed way out in the wilderness.  This man does not care what people think.  And his style worked!  He certainly was no fashion plate, with his camel hair clothing, leather sandals and the cincture around his waist.  His diet was simple: locusts and wild honey.  This note must have been important to the evangelists, or it wouldn’t be included in their Gospels.  It is symbolic.  You can’t wear anything more simple in the way of clothing, or eat a more basic diet.  John’s ministry, and our inheritance, is one of very simple beginnings.

But what does it say to us?  What is God, the Divine architect, designing and constructing in our lives?  When our life’s valley is filled in and the road made smooth, the crooked straight, will we be ready to “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud?”  As we approach the off-ramp of life, will we be attuned to the divine whisper that is familiar from our daily Lectio?  Will we hear clearly the voice of the One crying out to us?  Will we stand erect and call to others: “Look! The salvation of our God is at hand?”

What will it take to raise our weariness to consciousness, and conscientious attention to those with whom we live?  What will it take to crack the ridged set in our ways?  How many hosing-downs does it take to quiet a hot temper or a sharp tongue?  How can we remove our spiritual cataracts so we can see the bigger picture?  What kind of corrective lens do we need to protect our eyes from worldliness?  What strength of binoculars will it take to zero in on the faulty behavior we what to eradicate?  What kind of safe-guards will we need to keep us on the straight and narrow?  Is our prayer life regular enough, strong enough, secure enough to protect us from inevitable temptation?

No matter how we might like to think that we’ve got it all together, sooner or later we all need to have a maintenance check-up and a little divine repair job.  When a hurtful word slips through our lips or cares and daily concerns erode our promised Lectio time; when we are battered by life’s challenges, God promises to strengthen the areas of weakness that plague us.  Our God promises to fix what’s broken in our lives.

Paul reminds us in the Second Reading: “Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by encouragement you may think in harmony with one another … that with one accord in one voice you may glorify God.”  John’s message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century.  We are called to be prophets in today’s world.  Each of us has a mission to communicate Christ’s message of hope, freedom, and peace; to help people fill in their valleys and make their rough paths more smooth.  “Prepare the  way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all shall see the salvation of our God!”

 

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

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

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This week we begin the Third Week of Easter and the third MONTH of the war in Ukraine.  Thursday past was an International Day of Prayer for peace – very much needed in these times.  And, generally since 1955, when May 1  does not fall on a Sunday, we celebrate St. Joseph, the Worker.

Liturgically, each day since Easter we’ve heard post-Resurrection stories of personal encounters.  The Resurrected Christ has appeared to Mary and called her by name, visited the disciples and his mother Mary in the Upper Room to breathe peace upon them.

We’ve heard the story of how Jesus slipped in and out of the company of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  In John’s narrative Peter’s head was whirling at all that was going on.  It appears his message to the others was: “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 appeared to these disciples who’d 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.  And, lo and behold, the nets encircle 153 large fish!  No one dared ask him: “Who are you?”  To their astonishment, Jesus invites: “Come, have breakfast.”

By Saturday (a week ago) we step back to the day following the resurrection.  We meet up with Mary, faithful witness to the end and first to meet the Resurrected Christ.  She is on her unsuccessful mission to tell the companions of Jesus: “He is alive!”

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, 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 can keep Jesus away from those who have been his companions for 3 years.  Jesus has become comfortable enough with them to expose his vulnerability: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by.  Nevertheless, let it be as You, not I, would have it…. I thirst.  When tiredness overtakes him he sleeps in the boat until cries for help rouse him to alertness.

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.”

Monday, this past week found us with the eleven off on our life’s mission having witnessed Jesus being taken up to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God.  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 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 evening grows long, the disciples went down to the sea.  It grew dark as they rested and rowed and drifted in the boat.  When, they were 3-4 miles from shore, one after the other perked up and pointed to a silhouette of a man who appeared to be walking on the water toward them a calming voice was heard: “It is I.  Do not be afraid.”  Those who are familiar with the voice of God will immediately recognize when Jesus speaks.

For today we hear a curious detail.  John relates that before Peter jumped from the boat into the sea, he grabbed his clothing “for he was lightly clad.”  He put on more clothes to jump into the water?  Isn’t that typical of what we tend to do?  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

 

We’ve learned from the family of Shawnn Leach (our cook) who died at home on Thursday, April 21, that as an organ donor Shawnn’s “gift of life” benefited 25 individuals.   God bless them and God reward Shawnn with eternal rest and happiness!

 

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32; 40-41             Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel: John 21:1-19
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Miracles Happen Everyday

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I feel fairly certain that I am not the only among us who has awakened one day with an urgent feeling to call a particular person for a reason you can’t figure out.  Or have you found yourself driving a route that was not exactly the one you usually follow only to learn later on why your guardian angel planted that idea?  Do you think it possible the day Jesus asked three of his disciples to go with him up the mountain to pray was one of those days?  He just knew in his bones he HAD to go to that place and felt a need to invite Peter, James and John to accompany him.  It was only after they got to that level spot that He realized his Father’s intention.  It’s not quite clear to me if Jesus wanted company while he prayed or was hoping they’d join him in prayer.  In either case they were gifted with a glimpse of His glory.

But, first they had to agree to hike up that mountain with him.  Jesus calls each one of us to examine what mountain we must climb to see God’s glory.  You can call the mountains whatever you will – it’s your personalized mount to climb: hurdles, challenges, enticing temptations, near occasions of sin, quirks of personality, broken resolutions, pet peeves… Some days they are like a little pebble on our path that we casually kick aside.  And some days they’re tiny grains of sand inside our shoe.  They’re no bother when you are sitting still but the instant you start to move it quickly makes itself felt.  Other days, they are like boulders we can’t move with a backhoe.  Everyone’s mountain is different; but, to witness God’s glory, we must climb the mountain with our name on it.

And, when we reach the mountaintop, we must stay alert, have the insight to know that we are at the top.  The disciples could have missed Jesus’ transfiguration if they:

  • had not awakened at the right moment
  • had been too busy taking in the view
  • were wondering how they going to be up on this mountain anyway
  • and, who’s going to catch the fish for tonight’s supper.

You fill in the blanks…you know what it is that keeps you from seeing God’s glory.  What causes you to miss the “small miracles” of “everyday transfigurations” in yourself, in each other, in nature.  We need to thank God when we get to the top of the mountain; but we can hardly stay there.  There are more mountains to climb.  While you are at the top, if only for an instant, don’t miss the transfiguration.

Jesus did not become “more God” that day on the mountain.  I don’t think the change was so much in Jesus, as it was in the disciples.  They were ready.  They had climbed the mountain and now their eyes were opened to witness the miracle of the moment.  Transfigurations or “miracles” are all around us IF we but have the eyes to see.

  • Miracle of God’s graciousness when a person holds a door open for another
  • Miracle of God’s mercy when a mistake is not challenged in public
  • Miracle of God’s steadfastness when day after day others gather with me for communal exercises
  • Miracle of God’s perseverance when we come through tough times – individually and as a community
  • Miracle of God’s humility when reconciliation occurs
  • Miracle of God’s generosity when an offer is extended before the favor is voiced
  • Miracle of God’s humor when it rains on our picnics
  • Miracle of God’s artistry in the beauty of nature that surrounds us
  • And always, thank you, God, for the miracle of tomorrow: the gift of a new sunrise, a new slate, a new beginning.

Make your own litany of miracles.  God is already there.  Jesus invites us to follow His lead going up the mountain where we just need to open our eyes to witness the transfiguration.

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

Have a pleasant week.  Celebrate “wearin’ of the green” with the Irish on Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day and the Italians on Saturday, St. Joseph Day – St. Joseph bread for the poor.  May God bless all peoples with cause to celebrate Divine Goodness.

 

First Reading:  Deuteronomy 26:4-10     Second Reading:  Romans 10:8-13
Gospel:  Luke 9:28b-36
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“Men Take Charge; Women Take Care”

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There is an old saying – well, not as old as Jesus’ time on earth, but an adage that might be a good title for a talk on the Wedding at Cana: “Women take care; men take charge.”  Mary took care of the problem of the young couple whose wedding planner miscalculated the amount of wine needed for the after-party.  Mary took care and put Jesus in charge.  The significance of her directive to the wine servers resounds down through the years – “Do whatever He tells you!”  The challenge to us is to hear what He says; what He tells us individually and as a community.

You may notice that, (like some other places in Scripture) in this particular story, Mary is not mentioned by name; the writer simply says, “The mother of Jesus was there.”  There is a current ZOOM webinar entitled: “Women Erased.”  The series offers online presentations that uncover the many ways women’s leadership, witness, and ministries have been erased from Scriptures and our Lectionary [https://www.futurechurch.org/women-erased-series]  These are women who are referred to, but never afforded the dignity of being named – “The wife of; the mother of “ … etc.

There is no parallel report of this miracle at Cana in the other three Gospels.  It seems significant that John included the story – about Jesus and his disciples at a wedding – at a PARTY!  The occasion of the very first miracle Jesus performs?  Of all that Jesus said and did in his three years of ministry, this is the first – Jesus at a party, turning water into wine (and not communion-size wine but party-size wine!)

John must have kept his eye on Mary whenever he was in her company.  Even after Jesus’ death, at Jesus’ behest he took Mary into his home and heart until her own death.  Though in relating this story he does not call her by name, he must have been deeply touched by her keen observation.  She discretely and gently offered a tip, a hint to Jesus so as not to embarrass her hosts or the wedding planner.  And, she was comfortable staying in the background.

She steps aside once she points out to Jesus the awkward situation that the absence of wine could create.  Her exemplary discretion and timing pay huge dividends.  Jesus responds by getting involved in a BIG WAY – those six jugs of wine could fill close to 900 table bottles.  That’s a lot of wine, even for a wedding party that could have lasted a week.  And, was it the guests’ imagination – isn’t this wine better than the wine served earlier?!  After the Last Supper, did folks recall this miracle when Jesus said, “Take and eat, this is my body.  Take and drink, this is by blood.”  Does the story help us accept the magnitude of the miracle of the loaves and fish, the gift of the Eucharist?

Jesus’ lavish response to a simple human need is a vision for us of the abundance of God’s kingdom.  It challenges us to respond generously when confronted with everyday human need.  We respond as best we can.  Sometimes, often, it is directly.  But at other times we know who to contact or a referral we can make and let those who are more skilled or have access to a wider array of services to respond to the expressed need.  We step back, fully confident that in such cases I am an instrument in God’s hands, I am not God.  Others can better transform my efforts in bringing the Kingdom of God to fulfillment among us.

As Paul reminds us in the Second Reading, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, there are different forms of service but the same Lord, different workings but the same God who produces all of them.”  A recent example of this is the gift from the Knights of Columbus who donated over $1000 in grocery gift cards.  They only passed through our hands but we did not purchase them.  We were only the distributors of the Knights’ generosity to Daystar Food Bank recipients.

Later on in John’s gospel, he will remind us that “Jesus did many other miraculous signs, which are not recorded in this book.”  What we do have in the Gospels was written that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  And, that by believing we might have life in His name.”

As we reflect on this wedding story, let us seek to heed our Mother Mary’s directive -“Do whatever he tells you.”  Hold that thought side by side with John’s exhortation “believe that you may have life in Jesus’ name.”  And give voice to the words of the Responsorial Psalm – “Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.”

~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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What Shall We Do?

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Two phrases jump out to me in this Gospel: “What should we do?  and “Exhorting them in many ways, he preached the GOOD NEWS to the people.”   Good news, Luke says???  The Scriptural reading we’ve been hearing for the past two weeks isn’t quite what I’d term “good” news.   We’ve been hearing predictions of occurrences of unimaginable proportions … taking down mountains, flattening hills, wiping out valleys, hearing voices crying in the desert, watching for signs in the sun, the moon, the stars, dismay, perplexity, roaring sounds and people dying of fright.  And this is GOOD news?  Seems a little too real with daily news alerts of COVID spinning off variants of the virus and active cases on the rise.  Snow storms are billowing across the northern states and this morning we learned of the loss of lives and devastation from tornados in Kentucky and Arkansas.  There are floods and toxic drinking water in Hawaii.  Fires are deliberately set and ravaging our forests; wildlife and residents escaping for their lives.  Threat of war, discord, political “cat fights” and gun violence is a growing reality.

And, we find ourselves striving for Benedictine peace at the half-way point in Advent 2021.  We sense it in the rose colored liturgical appointments and candles.  They all symbolize “relax” – be joyful!  In the days when it was popular to use the Introit of the Mass, we sang – “Guadete!  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!”  Storms, conflicts, disease and dissension call us to give voice to the petition in the opening prayer for tomorrow’s Mass.  We beg for a gentle rain on the earth.  “Drop down dew from above, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Savior.”

John’s message today is simple.  He doesn’t ask the tax collectors to stop collecting, nor does he encourage the soldiers to go AWOL.  He says, Share what you have, be honest, do not oppress people.  What he preaches is at the same time easy and difficult; simple and challenging. How can I bring the Divine into my daily ordinary actions to make my faith a living thing so my walk echoes my talk?

One thing is certain – John’s audience knew where they stood with him.  And, he knew clearly his place in God’s story.  “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.  I am not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals.”  Another translation says: “untie the laces of his sandals.”  Why, I wonder, did he say “loosen, untie” which would leave the wearer’s shoes flapping on his feet or sliding off his feet so he is barefoot?  Is this an allusion to the spirit of hospitality expected of all Christians?  It brings to mind Benedict’s admonition of the ages old practice of first washing the guest’s feet for which the shoes would have been untied, loosened, removed.  And look at Jesus on the cross – his bare feet exposed to the elements and on-lookers’ abuse.

And, there’s that question Luke’s text raises: “What should we do?”  John’s answer is unique in Luke’s account, he responds by offering specific actions:

If you have more than you need, whether in terms of food or clothing, you must share.

Stop stealing from your neighbors.

And stop using your power to take advantage of each other.

In other words, no more hoarding, no skimming, no extortion.

The question, then, to each of us, in flashing neon lights, is – “What should I do?  What should we do?”  How shall we respond to the Advent of our Emmanuel that our prayers, our hymns and our intercessions are talking about?  How can we meet the promise of the season with real, meaningful expectation when everywhere around us the world seems to be caught up in merrymaking, crowd gathering with death hovering “out there”?  How can we celebrate in a deserving manner the solemnity of our God come to earth?

Today, faithful John has a gift for us wrapped in rough brown burlap and the coarseness of a camel’s hair shirt.  He jolts us out of our pessimism and any moodiness or reluctance.  His exhortation shakes us awake from our sleep to an awareness of the sparkle in the eyes of a new born Babe, the giggle of a child’s Knock-Knock joke, the welcome look on an elder’s face, the grateful tears of the recipients of our good deeds.  We see evidence of a warming heart as life-giving words fall gently on world-weary ears…and, we know our answer to the question…WHAT SHALL WE DO?  

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  Zephaniah 3:14-18a     Second Reading:  Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel:  Luke 3:10-18
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