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Holy Name Monastery
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Lord

There He Goes, Follow Him

January 18, 2021 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

For a moment, imagine, if you will, that you are an aspiring athlete, artist, musician, writer, chef or whatever…    By a stroke of good fortune, you manage to secure as your mentor the person you consider to be tops in the field.  At once you begin to study under that person and hone your skills, soaking up everything you can learn from your champion.

One day after your lesson your mentor introduces you to a person she considers THE expert in the field.  In fact, she suggests that if you really want to perfect your skills this is the person under whom you should study; leave your classes with her and follow that other person’s lead.

In a sense, this is what is happening here in this Gospel text.  John the Baptist is a great prophet.  Jesus himself once called him the greatest prophet who ever lived.  Naturally, John has picked up a few disciples, people who are devoted to him as their spiritual leader.  But now John has recognized that somebody else has come along who is far greater than he will ever be.  In fact, when Jesus shows up, John realizes that he is now in the presence of One whose sandals he is not even worthy to untie.  He may be a prophet, but this man is the Lamb of God, the Son of the Most High, the very Savior of the world.

This is astonishing, really, for what preacher would point his disciple to another preacher’s ministry?  Here we see that John recognizes his calling and that he is fully in agreement with his purpose, which is not self-promotion. Instead, as John explains in the early part of his gospel: “He must increase, I must decrease. His following must grow; my purpose is to point you to His way.  He is the chosen one of GOD, I am not worthy to even unloosen his shoes.”

If you’ve ever thought about it, (or think about it now) you may realize that one of life’s more challenging roles is to take the second place when once you’ve held first place.  School principals who step back into the classroom; heads of departments who now work the floor; a committee or commission chair who now is worker-bee; parents who cut the apron strings so their child can soar or, in a case close to home, a superior who rotates out of leadership.  Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie writes about this dynamic in her article on “Servant Leadership” in the Fall Issue of BENEDICTINES.  (And it fits right in this week with the reading from the Rule, chapter 2, on the Qualities of the Prioress.)  Sister Lynn reminds the reader that “one does not begin monastic life as a prioress but begins as a member of the community, and one usually does not end monastic life as a prioress but as a member of the community.

When in community we prepare for election of prioress, we often speak of the “grace of office”.  A smooth transition into, out of various roles is reliant on the grace John the Baptist showed in commending his disciples to focus on Jesus and His way.  He prepared his friends, his disciples to move on from his teaching and instead to devote themselves to Jesus.  This is so typical of John.  It was the whole purpose of his life.  Even before he was born, God had determined that John’s life would be spent pointing people towards Jesus.  An angel told his dad before he was born: “This child will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.  He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.  And he will go before the Lord, in spirit and power to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

So look at John!  In your mind’s eye, follow his finger to whom he is pointing!  Hear what he’s saying!  In the story he’s standing with two of his friends when Jesus walks by.  He seizes the opportune moment.  He says to his friends, “Look, there goes the Lamb of God.  Here’s your chance.  What are you waiting for?  Go! Follow him!  He’s the one you’ve really been looking for.”

All they know is what John has told them about Jesus – they don’t really yet know Jesus.  They don’t know where he is going or if he wants them to follow.  But follow they do – at a distance.  That’s what’s so noteworthy about what happens that day.  As these two men follow him at a distance, Jesus turns around.  He initiates the exchange.  He confronts them.  “What are you looking for?  What are you after?  I see you following me, what are you hoping to find?  What do you think I can do for you?”

So what if, right now, Jesus stopped in his tracks, faced you, and asked point blank, “What are you looking for?  I see you’ve been following me.  I know you’ve been checking me out.  Well, what do you want?  What do you think I can do for you?  What do you want me to give you?  Where do you think I am leading you?  Do you think I have all the answers?  Can I fix your life?  Or are you just curious?

Will your answer be the same as John’s followers: “Teacher, where are you staying?”  You know what Jesus answers, “Come and see.”  This is so typical Jesus – always an invitation is extended, a gracious and wide open invitation.  And, what’s more, the invitation always comes with a promise.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Ask and you will receive.  Come to me if you are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.  You who are thirsty come to me and drink.  Come to the feast for I have prepared a place for you at the table.  Always Jesus invites us: come and see!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

We remember Martin Luther King, Jr. today

and his bravery in helping

people around the world overcome.

 

 “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,

what are you doing for others?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

First Reading  1 Samuel 3:3b–10,19           Second Reading  1 Corinthians 6:13c–15a,17–20
Gospel   John 1:35–42
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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: Benedictines, Follow Him, God, Jesus, John the Baptist, Lord, Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, There He Goes

Prayer for 2021

January 14, 2021 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: All things are possible, God, listen, Lord, Lord hear our prayer, prayer for 2021

A Prayer to Ponder

January 7, 2021 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

A Prayer to Ponder

 

Peace and Blessings as we move toward in a new year!  

Prayerfully,

Sister Mary David, OSB

 

Lord,

For You I long

You are my song

Come walk with me

Come talk with me

Help me to see

What can and should be

Help me abide

Ever at Your side

I will not hide

When You call.

 

With Your aid

I will not hesitate or stall

My love, not fade

For You I yearn

Help me learn

And discern

Your Way

Today. 

Amen.

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: came talk, come walk, Lord, prayer to ponder, spend time with me

Solemnity of Christ the King

November 23, 2020 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever had the good fortune to be in Rome.  And found yourself In St Peter’s square, you surely have seen the great obelisk that stands in the middle of the square.  [Whether you’ve been to Rome, or not, – it is really there.]  It about four and half thousand years old and originally stood in the temple of the sun in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis.  But it was bought to Rome by the dreadful Emperor Caligula and it was set right in the middle of a Roman racetrack known as the Circus of Nero.  It was in that Circus that St. Peter was martyred, and the obelisk may well have been the last thing on this Earth that Peter saw.  On top of the obelisk there now stands a cross representing the cross of Jesus’ crucifixion. But in ancient times there was a gold ball representing the sun.  On the pedestal of the obelisk there are two inscriptions.  The first of them in Latin, “Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat”, freely translated in the words of a hymn “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King:” Christ Jesus Victor! Christ Jesus Ruler!  Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!  The other inscription, “The Lion of Judah has conquered.”  In the two we have the language of victory.  Christianity has triumphed by the power of the cross and triumphed over even the greatest power that the ancient world had known, the Roman Empire.  Here in the middle of St. Peter’s square stands the obelisk bearing those triumphant inscriptions.

In 1925, Pope Pius XI universally instituted the Feast of Christ the King to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October.  However, since the reform in the liturgical calendar in 1969, the feast falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent.

At the time of the institution of the feast, secularism and dictatorships in Europe were on the rise.  Respect for Christ and the Church was waning.  Today, we witness the same sense of distrust of authority – accelerated by political situations and the rise of individualism.  Some reject the titles of “lord” and “king” for Christ believing that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government.  History proves that some kings have been oppressive.  Others have been converted to a more Christian style of ruling … often by the influence of a woman.

In 2015, during the Jubilee year of Mercy, Pope Francis added another part to the title: “…the living face of the Father’s mercy.”  The combined readings this year for the solemnity give us a glimpse of how Christ is at the same time both king and the face of the Father’s mercy.  In contrast to the oppression so prevalent in Jesus’ day, he connected his role as king to humble service, and taught his followers to be servants as well.  “You are my disciples if you do what I command you: love one another as I have loved you.”

As we observe the feast of Christ, the King, we are celebrating a ruler who was willing to die for us, for all humanity, to give us true freedom.  Jesus radically redefined the concept of kingship.  His example of love and kindness is lived out by us, his followers, in our reaching out to those in need – beginning with those we live with.

At the opening of every Eucharistic gathering, the celebrant greets us with the words: “The Lord be with you.”  In tomorrow’s opening hymn we will sing: “Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven.”  And in the responsorial psalm we’ll proclaim: “The Lord is my shepherd.”  We profess in the Creed: “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ.”  We often raise a hand in benediction as we sing: “May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.”  Deep down do we believe JESUS IS LORD or is it just from force of habit that we say or sing those titles for Jesus?  If we believe it’s true Jesus is Lord, why do we sometimes scramble to find a substitute to replace the word “Lord?”

It strikes me that while we may struggle with the concept of Jesus as king … somehow, especially like on today’s feast (the Presentation of Mary) most of us have no problem calling Mary queen: queen of the universe, queen of heaven, Regina Caeli.

Our prayer intention this week is for the gift of a grateful heart.  Look at the person on either side of you – and across the aisle – with eyes filled with the compassion of Christ.  Let us pray that we can portray to the world the beneficence of a humble king, truly putting flesh on our Corporate Commitment “to respond with compassion to the hungers of the people of God.”

~Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17             Second Reading1 Cor 15:20-26, 28
Gospel Matthew 25:31-46

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: Christ, Eucharistic, King, Lord, Mary, Pope, Prayer, Rome, solemnity of Christ the King, St. Peter's Square

The Book of Nature

October 9, 2020 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

A poem by S. Mary David Hydro

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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: Book of Nature, God, Lord, Nature, Oak tree, poem, S. Mary David Hydro

Even When You Say You Did Not Believe

September 28, 2020 by Holy Name Monastery Leave a Comment

I’ll repeat the last line of that Gospel reading: “Yet even when you saw, you did not later change your mind and believe.”

Speaking in St. Petersburg (FL) on Friday (September 25) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all restrictions statewide that were imposed to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.  In his words: “Every business has the right to operate.”  The executive order will stop cities and counties from fining people for not wearing mandated face coverings.  The governor says there are no signs of a possible “second wave of infections.”  I am a bit skeptical of what signs of the times this man and many others are reading?  And, who or what advice are they listening to?

In our country – in the U.S. – there have been more than 7 million confirmed COVID cases – and God only knows how many more unreported.  There have been more than 200,000 deaths.  In Florida there have close to 700,000 reported, confirmed cases (not counting those that go unreported) and 14,000 COVID-reported deaths.  That is approximately 4500 more than the combined populations of (nearby) St. Leo, San Antonio and Dade City.

The daily reading from the Holy Rule, this Gospel, and other words we’ve prayed this past week, warn us about paying mere lip service to directives and about the danger of letting our diligence slip.

We heard Jeremiah say: The Lord searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward each one according to what their deeds deserve.”  And the psalmist who reminded us: “God searches the hearts and minds … The Holy One knows our thoughts.”  In the words of Benedict: “The disciple’s obedience must be given gladly, for ‘God loves a cheerful giver.’”  If the disciple obeys grudgingly and grumbles, not only aloud but also in her heart, then, even though the order is carried out, their actions will not be accepted with favor by God, who sees that she is grumbling in her heart.  She will have no reward for service of this kind.”

The evidence is all around us – the virus is still present in our world.  We can’t dispute the fact that there is confusion, fear and challenges that cause us to reflect on how we interact with each other and the greater community.  There is much soul-searching and a heightened awareness of the “hungers of the people of God.” (BSoFL Corporate Commitment) We need look no further than across the highway to witness the challenges of having university students on campus.

Yet, we still hear comments like: “it’s all a hoax – it’s only another form of the flu – I’m strong, I can fight it – She is my friend, they wouldn’t be here if she thought she was sick – the virus can’t be passed if we’re outdoors – it’s not in our part of the county – I’ll take an ibuprofen tonight, just in case – I don’t follow rules I don’t agree with or don’t like.”  What is not said is: “I’m scared – I can’t think about it – I have too many other health issues – there is so much confusion, I gave up – it’s like climate change; the scientists will figure it out – I followed the CDC and our house restrictions for a while, but not anymore; if it comes, it comes – if God wants to take me, that’s OK – if I get sick it’ll be someone else’s problem – they’ll take care of me.”

That’s the sticking point.  In truth, in time of illness, death or distress, we do care for each other.  The question before each of us each day is: am I taking care of, not just myself, but am I taking the most solicitous care I can of the 14 others I live with?  Do I keep in mind Jesus’ admonition: “Don’t do to others, what you would not want done to you.  Love others as you love yourself.”

These are times when the yoke of obedience and submission can really pinch – more for some personalities than others.  Listening to the “abbot” is one thing – listening to an external source, quite another: the bishops, local governments, the CDC, health departments, medical professionals …  where do they rank in our promise of obedience???  Our “conversion of life”?

Hospitality to each other is another whole package.  But, we know we are (like it or lump it) in these times -TOGETHER – either we will survive it without scarring OR the enemy: lack of diligence, carelessness, or disregard for others (the REAL fatal virus), will break through cracks in our walls.   Even hands held tightly can weaken – so hold tight…. Try not to be the one who loses grip.   Let us hold each other tightly in prayer and patience in the trials of “Safe at Home.”  We’ve a “mile to go before we can sleep” – i.e. let up on our vigilance.  Know and believe that God has a plan.  Be patient with the divine timing in day-by-day revealing that plan.  Remind yourself “the best IS yet to come.” Our ancestors in community got through the 1918 pandemic – so will we!

Peace – and good health and many blessings.
We’ll be praying in particular all this week for all health care workers and on Monday joining in spirit the Bishops for International Day of Prayer for Migrants, Refugees, Immigrants and Sojourners.
God bless you each!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28       Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Homily Tagged With: Benedict, Covid, Covid-19, DeSantis, God, Gospel, governor, Holy Rule, Lord

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