Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

listen

Everything is Ready, Come to the Feast!

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The posters have gone up.  The invitations were mailed; the Facebook word spread, it’s all over social media, the parish bulletin insert was published and the homemade summons posted on the town bulletin board.  The word has spread, maybe further and wider than you really wanted.  The “www” prefix in our website address was true to its meaning: “world wide web.”  Almost literally EVERYBODY has heard about it.  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!”  What feast?  Well, in the Gospel story it’s a wedding feast.

A word of caution!  Don’t be too quick to conclude that the only kind of “feast” this parable is referring to is the Eucharistic banquet.  In our everyday lives, it may well be a Eucharistic celebration.  Or it could be the daily Divine Office or a Communal Prayer service or maybe a Community party or meal or – please NO, a meeting!  Or perhaps, (for many of us) it’s a T4 (DVDs) viewing and discussion.  Or maybe a ZOOM invitation to a spiritual topic conversation, or an invitation to engage in an enrichment or professional development topic dialogue.  Could also be a call for help with a volunteer project, a driver needed, help in the kitchen or garden, or someone to do laundry or clean a bathroom.  Perhaps a listening ear, or little tech assistance, or a walking companion.

Paul in his letter to the Hebrews presents the word of God as a “consuming fire.”  (Hebrews 12:29).  We’ve all witnessed – at least on TV – the all-consuming nature of fire.  It ravages and devours everything in its path including animal and human life who cannot outrun its unpredictable path.  The wind shifts and one house is saved while a nearby structure goes up in flames.

But you’ve also heard of “controlled burns” – fires that are deliberately lit, protected and coaxed along – for a number of reasons.  By ridding forest areas of dead leaves, tree limbs, and other debris, a prescribed burn can help prevent destructive wildfires, reduce insect populations, destroy invasive plants and rejuvenate the forest floor or a huge farm field.

When to extinguish?  When to coax the flame?  Does it have to remain static?  Listen intently!  Because in the case of God’s word, YOU – can’t –  control – it!  The “burn” is in God’s control.  And, it’s “burning” to be heard.

Listen intently – with the ear of your heart.  God’s word; your special word, probably won’t be broadcast with stereo amps or scrolled along the bottom of the TV screen.  Most likely it’s being whispered in your dreams, as you waken, and everywhere you turn.  Hear it?  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!” 

As today’s parable ends, we are reminded we’d best do our homework – come prepared.  Jesus says, “Remember to bring your party garment.”  So, you better check out the party theme: is it a costume event or a black tie affair or a “come as you are” gathering?  And, I dare say, in the case of this party – God’s party – you better come on time.  When the door is closed, it will be locked from the inside – you can’t use your key or whisper a password.  There is no back door to seek in.  You can’t ride on the Blessed Mother’s cape tails.  When the door closes, “outside there will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

All the while, be comforted, and assured, by the words of Paul in the Second Reading: “My God will fully supply whatever I need, in accord with God’s glorious riches.”  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!” 

~Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., Prioress

 

Maternity of Mary Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10     Second: Philippians 4:13-20       Gospel Matthew 22:1-14

 

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To Listen is to Understand

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I offer you two brief stories.  The first – a familiar story (one of many versions that can be found on the Internet) –

There once was a man that prayed, “God, speak to me.”  And a meadowlark sang.  But the man did not hear.

So the man spoke aloud: “God, speak to me!”  And thunder rolled across the sky.  But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, “God, let me see you.”  And a star shone brightly.  But he noticed it not.

The man then shouted, “God, show me a miracle.”  And a babe was born.  But the man was unaware.

So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me, God, and let me know that you are here!”  Whereupon God reached down and touched the man.  But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked away.

The situation in the second story may also have a familiar ring –

A woman was having difficulty communicating with her husband … (or I could say two Benedictines Sisters were having difficulty with that same problem).  Each had concluded that the other must be hard of hearing.  So, (in the original scenario) the wife decided to conduct a test without her husband knowing about it.

One evening she sat in a chair on the far side of the room.  Her husband’s back was turned to her so he could not see her.  The room was very quiet; no TV was playing.  She whispered, “Can you hear me?”  There was no response.

Scooting a little closer, she asked again, “Can you hear me now?”  Still no reply.  Quietly she edged closer and whispered the same words, but still no answer.

Finally, she moved right in behind his chair and said, “Can you hear me now?”  To her surprise and chagrin, he responded with irritation in his voice, “For the fourth time, yes!”

And Jesus said: Whoever has ears ought to hear.

So, pondering both of these stories, we might ask:

  1. When God speaks, do we make sure we don’t miss some part of the message because the blessing is not packaged the way we expected?
  2. Is the problem that God is not speaking? Or, that we are not listening?
  3. Or, is the third step where we fail – Are we listening and hearing but, then, failing to act on what we hear?

We are all well aware of Benedict’s opening word to us in his Rule – it’s the same that Jesus speaks in this Gospel: Listen.  According to a footnote in my Bible, the phrase “Let they who have ears, let them hear” (or a similar expression) appears approximately 14 times in Scripture.  I find this interesting because the number 14 is considered to be a symbol of salvation and deliverance.  The 14th day of the first Hebrew month is Passover – the celebration of the deliverance from death of the firstborn of the Children of Israel.  The angel passed by all the homes where the doorposts had been painted with blood.  The word “Hear” (h e a r) in Greek means to understand, to perceive the sense of what is.

Benedict’s first word (in the Rule) – LISTEN is the key to what he says in the last two chapters of the Rule.  If only that one instruction were heeded, what an impact it could make on our own happiness and it would foster concord between peoples.  Isn’t attentive listening the master key that opens our hearts for good zeal?  Deep, sensitive listening is the undergirding to mutual obedience, anticipating one another’s needs, picking up on feelings, being aware when we’ve pushed another’s “buttons” and recognizing we need to change the course of this interaction.  To truly listen requires an attentive spirit.  Recall some of the points in Celeste Headlee’s TED talk that we viewed the other evening  [Celeste Headlee  10 ways to have a better conversation] Simple things but ones that take attention and self-discipline to put into practice.  Celeste reminded us: if your mouth is open, you’re not listening; if you want to pontificate, write a blog; listen to people and be prepared to be amazed; everyone is an expert at something!”

Jesus and Benedict each offer us a challenging but attainable ideal.  When the monastic breaches the ideal, we are expected to humbly ask forgiveness both from God and from our Sisters-in-Christ to whom we freely pledge to “form bonds of mutual love and respect and to call forth the best in one another.” (community Philosophy statement 2018)

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading Isaiah 55: 10-11       Second Reading Romans 8:18-23
Gospel Matthew 13: 1-9

 

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Celebrating the Gift of Friendship

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The two sections in this gospel – the prayer of Jesus and the reminder that when we seek we shall find, and that our knock and will open the door –   each is a comforting promise of God’s personal gift of friendship.  So I’d like to share with you a story of friendship – imaginary but nonetheless one that I trust will touch your heart.

 

TALE of TWO HORSES

[Author unknown – adapted]

If you listen for my bell, I promise I will listen for yours

 

Just down the road from our monastery is a field with two horses in it.  From a distance, each looks like any other horse.  But, if you stop your car, or are working or walking nearby, you will notice something quite amazing.  Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.  His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.  This alone is amazing.

When you are nearby, and you are really listening, you will hear the sound of a bell.  Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.  Attached to her halter is a small bell.  It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk toward where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.  When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.  God watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.  Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.  Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this …  You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.

If you listen for my bell, I promise I will listen for yours.

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
July 28 – Celebrating the Gift of Friendship

 

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Who do you say that I am?

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This is an interesting reading, and even a bit odd, giving us another insight into Jesus’ teaching methods.  First with those who are closest to him – who have been traipsing around the country for almost three years.  This is the group who believe in him so he is quick to correct their human thinking that gets in the way of their perception of just who he is.

I can see him (can you?) walking casually along with the twelve … the mix of who is nearest him changing every few minutes – as the group shifts, they compare notes about what he said to their group with what the others heard.  He stops and turns to the group and queries: Who do people say that I am?  Was He really in the dark?  After all he is God, doesn’t he know everything?  Was he simply opening an opportunity for the disciples to express their loyalty to him? 

At first, the disciples do not offer their personal feeling.  They repeat what they’ve been hearing: some say John, the Baptist (why they’d mix up the cousins, I don’t know), others say Elijah, or one of the prophets.  When Jesus continues: “But, you, who do you say that I am?”  A pregnant pause …  waiting for a brave one to speak up.  Heads turn to Peter who seems to be never afraid to offer an opinion.  He doesn’t fail them: “You are the Christ, son of the living God.”

Jesus seems quick to caution the disciples: “Don’t tell anyone.” (Doesn’t he know by now that this is a sure-fire way to get the rumors flying?)  Does Jesus want us to hold miracles we experience or witness close to our hearts?  To be like Mary after the shepherds’ visit – pondering all these happenings in her heart?”  Or are we to be like the disciples, quick as Jesus said, don’t tell until after the Son of Man has risen, shouted their Alleluias and spread the Good News?

Our scene in today’s reading, turns from Jesus conversation with the disciples and his followers to what is to come.  Peter quakes in his boots conjuring up what Jesus is describing.  This is his friend!  So, he takes Jesus aside and in shock rebukes him, criticizes the one he has just acknowledged is the Son of God.  “No! No you’ve got it wrong …. That can’t happen to you.”   

Have you ever done that …  told Jesus he’s got it wrong?  The hurricane can’t hit here.  My friend, my parent, my child can’t die now.  Please tell me that (whatever it is) didn’t happen.

Jesus cautions Peter, and us: “Wait a minute.  You are not thinking like God… you’re thinking like a human being.”   

With that, Jesus summons the crowd.  Did you ever notice the settings that Scripture describes when Jesus speaks to the crowds on the plain, on a hillside or from a boat … and there were thousands of them?  No mic, no PA system, no big screen TV …  How did he do it?  I wonder, did the people really hear his voice or did they hear him in their heart …  or was it like the game of Gossip …  his words spread rapidly from person to person???  (Just an aside.)

 (Back on track)  Jesus next lets us know what it will take to continue to be a disciple of His.  Three qualities: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.  Easy as one, two three?  Not quite.

 First: deny your worldly ways, drop your egotistical thinking and self-seeking and cease all the ifs, ands and buts you that raise in opposition to Jesus’ message. 

 Second: take up your cross.  It is fashioned for, personalized for just for you.  No two crosses are exactly the same.  You know the story of the person who rejected her God-given cross.  She asked God to exchange it for another.  So, God showed her his treasury of crosses.  You know which one she chose …. The very one God knew all along would best fit her shoulders. 

 Third: This is the good part …  follow Jesus.  You don’t have to invent the way – Jesus has already cut the path for you.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Seek and you will find.  Listen and you will hear. 

 So, when at Mass, just after the homily, be ready to answer God in the words of the Creed: Who do YOU say that I am?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading  Isaiah 50:5-9a                Second Reading  James 2:14-18
Gospel Mark 8:27-35
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Holy Family

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This weekend the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family and, on Sunday evening, the Vigil of Feast of the Mother of God.  So, what does that mean for us as monastics?  We came from a family, we still have families and together we live in an intentional family.  Our life together as family is guided by the simple, yet profound, guidelines designed by St. Benedict.  He was a man of great wisdom, compassion and common sense.  We know that after some time of living in various settings with his original Rule, he added advice based on his observation of the interactions between those who chose monastic life.  Imagine having to warn his men not to sleep with knives, to wear clean underwear on a trip, for the learned to help those who could not read.  His prudence shines through when, in so many words, he says: this is what works for us now – if the schedule of psalmody, the horarium and other daily living details don’t fit your need, change it.

It is the spirit of the Rule that has survived because Benedict, even in his youth, had a deep understanding of human psychology.  A study of his early life lets us know he spent much time with his grandparents who lived a few miles from his home.  Walking along the ridge to their summer home he passed the huts and caves of hermits.  Before he was sent to Rome to pursue academics, he spent hours conversing with these solitary men … maybe women, too.  He absorbed the wisdom and practical advice from the older generations.  This is evident in the Rule –  he tempered discipline with compassion and he saw the spiritual quest as a joyful pursuit of God within the structures of ordinary life.  It is this joyous delight in everyday spirituality that kept his Rule for Monastics alive for over 1500 years.  His simple principles of living together under God’s love have been applied beyond monasteries to family life and especially Benedictine Oblates.

If we know only the first word of the Rule “LISTEN” what an impact it could make on our own happiness and create peace between peoples.  It’s interesting that Benedict uses the word LISTEN and not hear.  I don’t know about you, but it is only when I hear a noise in the night that I strain to listen for the next sound.  To truly listen to another requires perception, knowledge of human nature, biting the tongue before speaking and an open-hands approach in conversation.  To listen requires an attentive spirit … not a scramble to respond with advice, a witty or chiding remark or a one-upmanship story.  When we truly listen to another we can identify their feelings, let it resonant within and know that very often all the person wants is a listening heart that signals authentic caring.

Benedict’s Rule offers us a high ideal and when we breach the ideal we need to be humble enough to ask forgiveness both from God and from each other.  His down-to-earth advice survives because of its inner dynamic.  He wasn’t writing for honors students but for, as one author calls us “a motley crew”.  Benedict expected his followers to work hard, study hard and pray hard as they travel along a life-long path of falling down and getting up in a community where each member is valued and loved unconditionally.

From that first word in his Rule – “LISTEN” … to his advice to begin every good work with prayer … to keeping a lamp burning at night … to don’t loiter outside chapel if you are late … it is evident that Benedict saw God at work within the ordinary events of communal living – in the joys and sorrows of our everyday lives.

Tomorrow will be the eve of one year, and the dawning of a new one.  We recall with fond memory those who were with us last year and this year celebrated Christmas in the intimacy of heaven – we pray for those who in the coming year will, as the saying goes, enter into glory.

At the close of 2017, I invite you to take count of all the ways you have seen God’s glory –  when did THE WORD appear in your life, pierce your heart?  As the days go by, keep LISTENING to God speaking to your own heart, and to your comrades’ hungers and longings.  It may sound trite to say this, but we do have two ears and one tongue …  Maybe God intended us to listen twice as often as we use our words.  If we do this we are less likely toot our own horns or miss the other’s silent cue for a little attention.  When we cultivate silence and sincere listening we won’t step on others feelings, speak harshly or stir the pot by murmuring or spreading slander or spewing unpleasantness into the air we breathe.  Our current world is filled to overflowing with sound, with words, factual and fake. In many instances we do well to ask ourselves if a word is really called for or might silence serve the better part?    Remember the instruction you learned at your mother’s knee: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”    In the end, our discernment is “what will most likely spread peace?”

As we step out into 2018, a whole new universe of grace lies open before us.  May the gift of faith enable us to see the invisible, believe the incredible and graciously receive the impossible … for with God, all things are possible.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading  Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3       Second Reading  Colossians 3:12-21)
Gospel  Luke 2:22-40

 

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