Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Kingdom of God

Receive the kingdom of God like a little child

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Isn’t it a shame that pastors have the option of omitting the last portion of this Gospel  – the part about the children.  I hope they don’t exercise that option especially after Pope Francis’ many displays of affection and regard for children.

In this Gospel the people were bringing their children to Jesus, much like they do today to Pope Francis.  It is the children (urged on by their parents) who can manage to break through security the lines, past the preoccupied patrols and approach Pope Francis.  But the disciples just don’t get it.  Jesus has summed up the lesson pointing out the value and importance of these “little ones” in the Kingdom of God. Jesus offers the children as an example of the kind of complete trust and dependence upon God that ought to be the attitude of all believers.

There is a subtle pressure in church and society to remain a dependent child.   Who is it (in life) that truly challenges you to liberate yourselves from immature dependencies to acceptance of the burdens of a responsible adults?

How can we heed Jesus’ injunction to accept the kingdom of God like a child?  Or risk never entering it?  What does it mean to be childlike, and not childish?  What qualities is Jesus asking us to hang on to in order to enter the kingdom not only beyond the “pearly gates” but right here on earth, in our community, where God’s kingdom exists?

A few qualities I think he might encourage would be:

  • Live Spontaneously – taking in every moment and the opportunities in unplanned instants.
  • How about never letting a lack of qualifications deter you –If you’ve never done something before, be fearless like a child who pulls out a kitchen drawer to scramble up to the cabinet to get the peanut butter.  Isn’t this how Olympic gymnasts start?
  • Kids Know Exercise Can Be Fun –It’s just a matter of finding an active, healthy activity we actually enjoy doing.
  • Keep an Open Mind –  Keep a childlike wide open mind and you’ll learn something new every day – maybe more than one thing.  Don’t let force of habit slow you down.   Ask questions: you’ll never get an answer if you never ask.  So, she might say NO – but did you give her a chance to say YES?
  • Express your feelings – nurture and value relationships – Open, honest, direct face-to-face expression of feelings makes communication easier, maintains sincerity and integrity in your life.  Children like nothing better than to “hang out” with their friends.  Do you look forward to unstructured time with community members – your “sisters?”
  • Use Your Imagination –  Robert Kennedy got credit, but Walt Disney said it first::  If you can dream it, you can do it!  If you have a creative idea, share it.  If it’s faster, smarter or better and see what happens.  You’ll never know unless you try.
  • Learn by Imitation – have you ever seen a little boy walking behind this father, trying determinately to imitate his father’ stride?  Or the little girl “clack-clacking” in her Mom’s high heel shoes.  St. Benedict was a firm believer in the axiom: “fake it til you make it.”  Live monastic traits until they become part of you.
  • Play  – Sometimes it’s healthy to fool around and engage in recreation for the sole purpose of having fun.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: When I was a child I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became an adult, I put away with childish things.  Jesus will applaud you saying: Yes, put away child-ish ways but hang on to the delightful child-like traits that are the keys to the kingdom.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Genesis 2:18-24         Second Reading:  Hebrews 2:9-11
Gospel:   Mark 10:2-16
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The Kingdom of God is Open to Everyone

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Have you ever watched a make-over program on TV?  I’ve watched a few on house make-overs.  But recently when I was channel surfing, I was attracted by a young lady’s plea to get her boyfriend to dress appropriately for a wedding. This was one of those make-over shows where a person gets their entire wardrobe revamped.  As these shows go, they took him – he seemed to go without protest – to an up-scale clothing store for a new wardrobe that would make him acceptable at the wedding – at least in the eyes of his girlfriend.  He watched helplessly as his favorite clothes were thrown in a heap and replaced with more “fashionable items.”

The party in today’s Gospel would have been a highlight in many people’s lives. free food, hobnobbing with people whose names they’d only heard in passing.  Why would they not jump at the chance to be a guest at such a fantastic occasion?  But you just throw a party yourself and you will quickly figure out that some who say “yes” won’t show up and a goodly number will figure you knew they’d come so they did not really need to RSVP.

The people to whom Jesus was telling this parable understood the absurdity of the situation. They knew that Jesus was not simply telling them a strange story but that he was telling them something about their own lives.  He was in essence telling them that they were the invited guests and that they had refused the invitation. They understood that Jesus was telling them that the kingdom of God is open to everyone: to the outcasts and the sinners and to them.

But Jesus doesn’t stop his parable with that. He goes on to say that once the street-people had been invited into the banquet, the king spotted someone who wasn’t properly dressed.  When asked why, the man was speechless. The king demanded that he be handcuffed and thrown into the outer darkness. How are we to understand this part of the parable?  Why was lack of a certain type of garment such a big deal?

Some may say the king invited everyone so people should come just as they happen to be when they decided to join the banquet.  Others argue it means we should be given a special robe at the door of the church to wear during the service.  Of course, these answers miss the point. This is a story that has a deeper meaning. Yes, it is a story, but remember parables are earthly stories with heavenly ­meanings.

I find it intriguing that while the last group brought into the wedding came from the hedgerows and by-ways, the main character was still expected to be wearing a wedding garment.  This lets us know, doesn’t it, that we better be ready at all times to come to the wedding.  The point, of course, is not what type of clothing covers our nakedness. At some stage in life we’ve all learned that although not the most important thing in life, fashion is not something to be totally ignored either.   Just ask anyone who is getting married, or celebrating a jubilee or going to a funeral, if what people wear isn’t of some significance.  At one end of the spectrum, there are folks who believe brand name labels are the key to admittance into their coveted social circle. But for others, fashion is just not a big deal at all.  They may not even own a full-length mirror.

The wedding garment Jesus was talking about was like a choir cloak that was provided at the door.  To the listeners, this guest was one who snubbed social rules, the significance of the occasion and the prestige of being included on the guest list.

Even though everyone is invited into the banquet of the kingdom of heaven, there will be some who simply don’t send back their RSVP card. There will be those who show up but do so without the proper spiritual clothing and are sent away. The reading leaves us with that same probing question we first heard in our mother’s voice: “You’re wearing that?!”  We quickly recognized it was not really a question but an order.

Maybe a good place to start re-doing our spiritual wardrobes would be to heed St. Paul’s admonition to the Colossians (3:13):  “As God’s chosen people …  clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Just be sure you’re wearing the proper attire when Jesus says: “Come in, Friend, I’ve saved a seat with your name on it.“

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Pray for peace in the world and people’s safety; for justice and access to health services; and protection from all forms of violence. 

 

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a     Second Reading:  Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel:   Matthew 22:1-14
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Growing Within US

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Mark’s Gospel is full of stories, parables about the Kingdom of God.  The fourth chapter alone has three stories and all three are about seeds.  In one story Jesus tells of a farmer who planted seed in both good and not so good soil.  That’s the story Jesus elaborates on making it easy to understand. But the second, (which was the first parable that was just read) is a little more mysterious.  It describes how the seed grows without the farmer knowing how.  The third marvels at how large beautiful plants can grow from such tiny seeds.

Literally, the word parable means “a riddle.”  Jesus told more than 40 riddles or parables during his ministry.  Usually when a person tells you a riddle, they eventually tell you the answer.  But Jesus only explained one parable to the crowds – the parable of the Sower and the Seed.  Mark lets us know that Jesus did explain everything to his disciples in private.  Then, Jesus ascended into heaven and took the answers with him!  So that leaves us, with a lot of figuring out to do.

I’m told that one of the most amazing seeds in the world is Chinese bamboo.  It lies buried in the soil for five years before above-ground sprouts begin to appear leading one to believe it has died, is dormant, or stunted or defective seed.  During those long five-years it is important to cultivate, water and fertilize it regularly.  When the seedlings finally emerge from the ground, you can almost watch them grow before your very eyes  – growing at an astonishing rate, ninety feet into the air in just six weeks.  That’s fifteen feet a week, more than two feet a day, two inches every hour.  Why does it take so long to emerge, and then grow so fast once it does?  Plant experts say that during its first five years, the seed is busy building it’s elaborate root system underground that enables it to grow ninety feet in six weeks.

We can be tempted to want parables to unfold in neat little, decodable life-lessons.  But that’s not Jesus way.  He simply floats the parable out there, to rise or fall on ears of those who hear more than is said.  Those who have learned to really listen and read between the lines.

I am reminded of a short film that was popular in the 1970s – produced by a Canadian film maker: “The Parable.”  It was described by critics as “a very subtle Christian worldview.”  It raised eyebrows and questions about the prophetic role of the artist.  There were teachers’ guides galore explaining the symbolism in the story.  However, the film maker said he did not see Christ in the story.  It was not his intention to do anything other than tell a good short story and maybe win an award.

Parables are like dreams.  I can learn about universal symbolism but only the dreamer herself can discern the deep and hidden meaning of her dream.  We may both have dreams about rocks falling on us but each of us must interpret what the rocks represent.  You cannot explain for me what my dream about floating like a manatee down the Peace River means for me.  You may guess what it might mean for you if you had a similar dream.  If I am deathly afraid of water it may terrorize me while it may mean calm and serenity for you.

Remember the Chinese bamboo: God’s Kingdom grows within us in a similar way.  It takes a long time to emerge.  Sometimes it takes so long we wonder, “Did the seed of God’s kingdom planted in me at Baptism ever take root?  Maybe it fell on a rock in my heart and died.  Maybe it got choked by the thorns of my sins.”  More often than not, the seed of God’s Kingdom is building an elaborate root system inside.  Its growth may not be visible for a long time, but eventually something wonderful and beautiful will emerge.

This means that we need to trust God who in the first place planted the seed of the Kingdom in us.  He understands what’s happening inside us because he sees into the heart, even though we don’t.  We also need to be patient with ourselves and with each other.  Even though the Kingdom may not seem to have taken root in you, and you don’t seem to be getting any holier, there’s no need to be discouraged.  Keep on cultivating the seed with private and communal prayer, Eucharist and Lectio.  And, trust that others are making similar efforts to cultivate the seeds in their lives.  Hold in your mind the image of that bamboo … so much happening beneath the surface that the God of surprises patiently cultivates to bring to blossom in our lives!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

In your prayers, kindly remember S. Elizabeth and her family …  Sister’s nephew Janosh and his 3-year-old son, Daniel drowned over the week-end in a rip tide tragedy at Apollo Beach, FL. 

May they rest in peace!  And may the family be sustained in faith and the comfort of friends who mourn with them.  Sister is with the family in Riverview …  some information can be found on BayNews 9 and Facebook.

Elizabeth Mathai (srelizabeth@ymail.com)

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When We Enter a House, Our Message Will Simply Be “Peace.”

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peace-to-this-householdJesus is warning us it is going to be difficult – that he is sending us out like lambs among wolves. Yet we are to bring nothing with us, not even a wallet or flip flops. We are to make no side trips along the way or greet bystanders on the way so as not to be distracted from our mission. When we enter a house, our message will be simply “peace.” The response we receive may be positive or negative. Either way, we are to know that the Kingdom of God is at hand. We are not to demand special treatment but eat and drink whatever is given to us. We are to stay in one house and are not look around for someone who can provide better accommodations. We are to ask a blessing for the sick as a sign that the Kingdom of God is at hand for them. If the locale will not receive us, we are to shake the dust from our feet and move on. Even in the case of such rejection we will know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

In 2015, the world’s population was 7.2 billion.  Of that number there were reportedly 1.2 billion Catholics in the world with over 40% of those in Latin America and the fastest conversion rate in Africa.  Sounds like those early disciples clearly did not work in vain. Their “mustard seeds” grew from 12 into large branches, sprawling trees providing shelter for hundreds, thousands, millions, billions of souls living today – not counting all those who have gone before us.   That invisible yeast worked its influence dramatically on the seemingly inert dough.

Among those who call themselves Christians, how many could be deemed active labors in God’s vineyard?  The harvest is still great.  There is still a large population which profess to be agnostic or atheist – who have not met or who deny the existence of God.

But a common perception of “laborers” is priests, or religious brothers and sisters, those who have a “vocation”. One hears people expressing regret that today there are so few “vocations”. What will the Church do?    However, it is doubtful that Jesus was thinking of priests and religious when he spoke those words. In fact, in the world of the New Testament there were no priests or religious as we understand those terms today. In the mind of Jesus – and in the mind of the early evangelists – everyone who was known as a follower of Christ was expected to be a laborer in the harvest field.

How can one be a laborer?  Jesus told us our task is to be bringers of peace.  “Say first: Peace to this household.”  In early June of this year, Pope Francis, in his introduction to priests’ on a 2-day retreat, spoke about the first steps in understanding and practicing mercy.  He said: “If we start by feeling compassion for the poor and the outcast, surely we will come to realize that we ourselves stand in need of mercy.”  I would suggest that the same principle applies to peace-making.  If we start by providing a peaceful environment for our visitors and guests, surely they (and we) will come to realize how peace feels, how much we need it and how quickly it can spread among us.  And, what better way spread peace than by modeling peaceful living by our demeanor and interactions with others – a quiet, contemplative atmosphere in the hallways, conscientiously using an agreeable, non-threatening tone of voice, and performing simple random acts of kindness for each other.

What Jesus recommends is not to weigh ourselves down with all kinds of baggage. Our security is not to be in material possessions, in what we have. It is not in our status and standing in the eyes of others. It is not in the power and influence that we can wield. Our security comes from deep within, a peaceful security that no one or no circumstance can take away from us.

I read a funny story the other day about competing. It seems there was a barber in a small town who had been the only barber in town for years. Everyone went to this barber to get their hair cut. Then, one day a big, modern name-brand hair salon came to town and opened up shop. They advertised, “All Haircuts $3.00”   The old barber just couldn’t compete. In a last ditch effort to save his business, he hired a business consultant. The consultant spent a day pouring over the barber’s books and asking many questions. At the end of the day the barber asked the consultant, “So what do you think?  Should I close up shop?” The consultant said, “Not yet. I’ll be back tomorrow.” The next day the consultant showed up with a huge banner that he hung in front of the barber shop that said, “We Fix $3.00 Haircuts!” The competition doesn’t always win, do they?  We don’t need to compete – we just need to BE – be models of peace to each other, practice wise stewardship, believe in God’s goodness and mercy – and live it!

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
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27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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I think it a shame that pastors have the option of omitting the last portion of the Gospel just proclaimed – the part about the children.  I hope they don’t exercise that option especially after Pope Francis’ display of affection and regard for children.

In this Gospel the people were bringing their children to Jesus, much like they did to Pope Francis.  It was the children (urged on by their parents) who could manage to break through security the lines and approach Pope Francis – the preoccupied attention of the disciples to get to Jesus.  Again the disciples just don’t get it.  This has been demonstrated in the readings for the last two Sundays. Jesus has summed up his lessons pointing out the value and importance of these “little ones” in the Kingdom of God.

But once again in today’s Gospel, the disciples try to prevent people from bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus reprimands them and welcomes these children.  Jesus offers the children as an example of the kind of complete trust and dependence upon God that ought to be the attitude of all believers.

The popular spiritual writer, Henri Nouwen, in his powerful meditations on Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son – says:

I saw a man in a great red cloak tenderly touching the shoulders of a disheveled boy kneeling before him.  I could not take my eyes away.  I felt drawn by the intimacy between the two figures, the warm red of the man’s cloak, the golden yellow of the boy’s tunic, and the mysterious light engulfing them both.  But, most of all, it was the hands – the old man’s hands – as they touched the boy’s shoulders, that reached me in a place where I had never been reached before.”

His attention moves to the elder brother and finally to the father’s role in the family dynamic.   Nouwen came to the realization that in life we all must mature from son (or child) to father (or parent and adult).   But, he says, there is a subtle pressure in church and society to remain a dependent child.   Who is it (in life) that truly challenges us to liberate ourselves from immature dependencies to accept the burden of responsible adults?

It would be comfortable, wouldn’t it, to remain in the warm embrace of childhood – on Jesus’ lap in the place of blessing.  But, we don’t really want to be a child all our lives using our role as child to keep us in a safe place distanced from others.  We grow in recognition that we have had blessings bestowed on us and now it is our turn to offer God’s immense love to others.

So how can we heed Jesus injunction to accept the kingdom of God like a child – or risk never entering it?  What does it mean to be childlike, and not childish?  What qualities is Jesus asking us to hang on to in order to enter the kingdom not only beyond the “pearly gates” but right here on earth, in our community, where God’s kingdom exists?

A few qualities I think he might encourage would be:

  • Live Spontaneously – taking in every moment and the opportunities in unplanned instants.
  • How about never letting a lack of qualifications deter you –If you’ve never done something before, be fearless like a child who pulls out a kitchen drawer to scramble up to the cabinet to get the peanut butter.  Isn’t this how Olympic gymnasts start?
  • Kids Know Exercise Can Be Fun –It’s just a matter of finding an active, healthy activity we actually enjoy doing.
  • Keep an Open Mind –  Keep a childlike wide open mind and you’ll learn something new every day – maybe more than one thing.  Don’t let force of habit slow you down.   Ask questions: you’ll never get an answer if you never ask.  So, she might say NO – but did you give her a chance to say YES?
  • Express your feelings – nurture and value relationships – Open, honest, direct face-to-face expression of feelings makes communication easier, maintains sincerity and integrity in your life.  Children like nothing better than to “hang out” with their friends.  Do you look forward to unstructured time with community members – your “sisters?”
  • Use Your Imagination –  Robert Kennedy get credit, but Walt Disney said it first::  If you can dream it, you can do it!  If you have a creative idea, share it.  If its aster, smarter or better and see what happens.  You’ll never know unless you try.
  • Learn by Imitation – have you ever seen a little boy walking behind this father, trying determinately to imitate his father’ stride?  Or a little girl who has practiced putting on make-up just like Mommy?  St. Benedict was a firm believer in the axiom: “fake it til you make it.”  Live monastic traits until they become part of you.
  • Play  – Sometimes it’s healthy to fool around and engage in recreation for the sole purpose of having fun.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says: When I was a child I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became an adult, I put away with childish things.  Jesus might respond: Yes, put away childish ways but hang on to the delightful child-like traits that are the keys to the kingdom.

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