Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Luke

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

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“Remember you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.  … By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  In another translation we read: “This will be your chance to tell the Good News. Do not worry about what to say in court. For I will give you wise words. None of your enemies will be able to prove that you are wrong. They will not be able to say that your words are false.”

Much is written in support of the practice of imagining or role-playing various scenarios before actually confronting someone or being caught in a confrontational situation.  I don’t mean to belittle the value that might have to ease the knots in your stomach but these words of Jesus quoted by Luke remind us, when we actually get in a situation we can depend on God for Jesus says: “I myself will give you a wisdom, wise words, in speaking.”

A few months back my sign (Scorpio) read: “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.”  Sometimes that “rocking chair” could work ruts in the carpet…

One group of researchers have evidence to proof that we worry about – (commentary is mine.)

40% of our worries are things that will never happen [Whew, that’s a huge chunk we can let go of]

30% are about the past – which can’t be changed anyway – so dump the gunny sack and look to today

12 % are about criticism by others, mostly untrue – and many imaginary – why do we so often assume that other people are going to spend time their precious time thinking about “me”?

10% are about health, which only gets worse with stress – better to relax, loosen up and let our bodies work their own magic on the knots (I hear you: “that’s easier said than done.”)

8% are about real problems that can be solved – so here is where we need to spend our energy and focus our prayer.  Remember Jesus’ promise (and He is a person of his word): “By your perseverance you will secure your lives!”  So, “hands off” and “zip the lip” offering God the right solution because our limited eyesight most likely will see only a rather self-serving solution …  “God-sight” knows the key to the best fix for all concerned.

 Worry and fretting allows what we see as problems to come between us and God.   It is the view that God has somehow lost control of the situation and we’ve lost trust in God’s omnipotent care for us.  A legitimate concern should draw us closer to God and cause us to rely on His providential love for us.

By our Corporate Commitment we profess to respond to the needs of the people of God with the “compassion of Christ.”  But how can we do that if we have not learned to depend on the compassion of Christ?   Saying the words is one thing; living with a firm conviction that compassion begets compassion is all together another matter.   Let us seek ways to be compassionate. Not wishy, washy – for COM-passion means “with passion” – with fervor, excitement, enthusiasm, even obsession.  Compassion is a component of the good zeal our Holy Rule commends.

Mother Evangelista Kremiter – founding superior of the Atchison Benedictines and certainly was a mover and shaker in founding our federation – is quoted as saying: “Our lives, not words, make us credible.  Words move but example motivates.”  May our lives, individually and collectively, be an example that motives all who meet us to be people of compassion.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving ….   Consider what you are doing for someone(s) less fortunate that you and your family ..  donate money or canned goods to a food bank or place a surprise in their mailbox or on the doorstep, work a church event ….. or invite a live-alone person for a meal and conversation ….  or  how long has it been since  you’ve worn some things hanging in the closet for eons ….

  “Bend a knee”  a whisper THANK YOU!

 

 

First Reading:   Malachi 8:19-20a         Second Reading:  2 Thess 3:7-12
Gospel:   Luke 21:5-19
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Mercy Over Merit

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It is important to note at the outset of this particular reading just who it is that Jesus is speaking to.  Luke says: “Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt.”

But, then there’s this.  Elsewhere in Scripture, Proverbs tells us: “To do righteousness is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” and “Blessings are on the head of the righteous.”  Turning to Isaiah we read: “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

So, why does Jesus seem to be criticizing the righteous one?  One little word makes the difference.  Jesus is talking to the self-righteous; those who trusted in themselves. They’re a little too sure they are right and anyone who thinks differently must be wrong.  They (or is it we?) are so full of self that there’s little room for God’s grace to filter in.

It’s interesting when you think about it that everything the Pharisee says is true. He has set himself apart from others by his faithful adherence to the law. He is, by the standards of his day, a righteous man.   It isn’t that the Pharisee is speaking falsely, but rather that the Pharisee misses the true nature of his blessing. As Luke says he has trust in himself. His prayer of gratitude may be addressed to God, but it is really about himself. He credits his righteousness entirely in his own actions.

The tax collector, on the other hand, does not even raise his eyes to heaven.  He knows that he possesses no means by which to claim righteousness. He declares he has done nothing of merit. So, he stands back, hardly daring to approach the Temple, and throws himself on the mercy of the Lord.  He seems not so much humble as desperate.  He stakes his hope entirely on the mercy of God.

At the end of the day, the Pharisee will leave the Temple and return to his home the same virtuous, honorable man he was when he came to the temple.  That hasn’t changed.  The Pharisee’s mistake, as Scott Peck says, is that he thinks that whenever he wants, he can pull “God out of his hip pocket.”   On the other hand, the tax collector will go back to his home exalted in God’s eyes because he humbled himself.

If you’re spiritually alive, and give credit where credit is due, you’re going to love this take on the parable.  If you’re spiritually dead, you won’t even want to hear it.  If you’re spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of his hometown newspaper and complained that it made no sense to him at all to go to church every Sunday.  He wrote: “I’ve gone for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them.  So, it’s been a waste of my time and on the part of homilists a waste of their time by giving sermons at all”.

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column.  Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote a real clincher:  “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.  But I do know this: they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.   If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be physically dead today.”

We might say: I’ve been in community x number of years.  In that time, I’ve been nourished and supported by my Sisters thousands of times in hundreds of different ways. But sadly, I can only recall a few, if any, instances in full detail. This much I DO know, without their support my spirit would have withered long ago.  Likewise, if I had not gone to Mass and been faithful to my time of private and communal prayer, I would be spiritually dead today!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Sending from home of OSB sisters in Pittsburgh PA where I am on vacation for a month – sunny 43 degree, some Fall colors.

Unsure if for next few weekends will be sending reflections …  Know that I will remembering you and your intentions in prayer.

 

 

 

First Reading:   Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18         Second Reading:  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel:   Luke 18:9-14
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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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It is important to note at the outset of this particular reading just who it is that Jesus is speaking to. Luke says: “Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt.”

But, then there’s this. Elsewhere in Scripture, Proverbs tells us: “To do righteousness is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” and “Blessings are on the head of the righteous.” Turning to Isaiah we read: “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

So, why does Jesus seem to be criticizing the righteous one? One little word makes the difference. Jesus is talking to the self-righteous; those who trusted in themselves. They’re a little too sure they are right and anyone who thinks differently must be wrong. They (or is it we?) are so full of self that there’s little room for God’s grace to filter in.

It’s interesting when you think about it that everything the Pharisee says is true. He has set himself apart from others by his faithful adherence to the law. He is, by the standards of his day, a righteous man. It isn’t that the Pharisee is speaking falsely, but rather that the Pharisee misses the true nature of his blessing. As Luke says, he has trust in himself. His prayer of gratitude may be addressed to God, but it is really about himself. He credits his righteousness entirely to his own actions.

The tax collector, on the other hand, does not even raise his eyes to heaven. He knows that he possesses no means by which to claim righteousness. He declares he has done nothing of merit. So, he stands back, hardly daring to approach the Temple, and throws himself on the mercy of the Lord. He seems not so much humble as desperate. He stakes his hope entirely on the mercy of God.

At the end of the day, the Pharisee will leave the Temple and return to his home the same virtuous, honorable man he was when he came to the temple. That hasn’t changed. The Pharisee’s mistake, as Scott Peck says, is that he thinks that whenever he wants, he can pull “God out of his hip pocket.” On the other hand, the tax collector will go back to his home exalted in God’s eyes because he humbled himself.

If you’re spiritually alive, and give credit where credit is due, you’re going to love this take on the parable. If you’re spiritually dead, you won’t even want to hear it. If you’re spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of his hometown newspaper and complained that it made no sense to him at all to go to church every Sunday. He wrote: “I’ve gone for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, it’s been a waste of my time and on the part of homilists a waste of their time by giving sermons at all”.

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column. Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote a real clincher: “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be physically dead today.”

We might say: I’ve been in community x number of years. In that time, I’ve been nourished and supported by my Sisters thousands of times in hundreds of different ways. But sadly, I can only recall a few, if any, instances in full detail. This much I DO know: without their support my spirit would have withered long ago. Likewise, if I had not gone to Mass and been faithful to my time of private and communal prayer, I would be spiritually dead today!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Yesterday was Oblate Sunday at the Monastery. We welcomed 15 Oblates for Mass, Dinner and an instructive gathering for an exchange of ideas based on assigned “Homework.”

A Benedictine oblate is a lay Christian who has made a spiritual commitment to live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict and be affiliated with a Benedictine monastery, though they do not take religious vows or live in the monastery. Oblates integrate Benedictine values of prayer, work, hospitality, and community into their daily lives in the world, forming an “extended family” to the monastery. For more information contact S. Mary David at mary.david.hydro@saintleo.edu or call 352-588-7176.

 

First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
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Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was.

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This Gospel sets us pondering about what is important in our lives.  The man in the incident Luke describes holds a world view that is fairly exclusive, doesn’t he?  It’s just him and HIS things. Now he’s shocked to learn that he is about to lose his life. What good are his possessions going to be to him now?   Jesus makes his opinion quite plain.  “You fool! This very night your life will be taken away.  To whom will everything belong then?!”

Surprise! Jesus refuses to take the case.  Instead, Jesus gives the squabbling brothers a parable to “mull over”.   And, what’s the point of Jesus’ story?  It’s not even remotely related to the problem that the two brothers are having.  It features a wealthy landowner that doesn’t describe either of the siblings.  Then Jesus lumps the boys in the same pot as the landowner.  He calls than all “fools”.

Better take fair warning! There is danger in thinking this parable applies only to “those rich people.” To put the matter more pointedly, thinking of those rich fools enables me NOT to think of myself as a “rich fool.”

In this little parable Jesus probes our hearts.  “Where is your treasure?” he asks.   Don’t make the mistake that this farmer made.  Examine my story. The farmer wasn’t wicked.  He didn’t gain his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others. He’s not particularly greedy. So, what’s wrong with building larger barns, renting a storage unit to store away some of today’s bounty for a leaner tomorrow?  This kind of thinking can lead us to ask: Is there anything wrong with hanging on to clothing we’ve outgrown but might wear again someday? Or stockpiling furniture that serves only as a “catch all” because it’s just too nice to give away?  What’s wrong with requesting more allowance than we actually need saying it’s so we can do charity?  But somehow, we never find a charity other than our own pockets.  What’s the matter with setting up a little enterprise to supplement our allowance?  Why can’t we accept or ask for money gifts or gift cards from personal friends giving them the impression that our community does not take care of our needs?

Notice what the farmer’s consistent focus is.   “What should I do? I have no place to store my crops.” “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.”   It’s his relentless use of “I” and “my” that betray a preoccupation with self. He’s fallen prey to worshiping the most popular of gods: the Unholy Trinity of “me, myself, and I.”   He gives no thought to using the abundance to help others.  This most likely is what leads to a second mistake: foolishness in thinking that making provision for the future; will secure one’s future.

Jesus used the opportunity as a “teachable moment.”  Life, he impresses upon us, does not consist in things; not even in having MANY things.  The farmer in the parable is a rich man, who fears he is not rich enough.  Jesus didn’t judge him; He did teach. He was teaching all of us how to live.  After all: “Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23         Second Reading:  Colossians 3:1-5,9-11Gospel:   Luke12:13-21

 

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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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The dialogue in this Gospel starts with a question: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It seems like a reasonable question, something you would ask a visiting rabbi.  But what was behind the question? On the one hand it may have been idle curiosity.   Or perhaps the person wanted to trick Jesus by poking fun at Him in front of the crowd.  Maybe, just maybe, the questioner thought that God might let anyone and everyone, including the riffraff, into heaven.  Was the raised voice from the crowd an enemy of Jesus, who was just out to get him?  Or might it have been pride? In his heart he may have been feeling: “Hey, look at me! I’ll be one of the few saved! These poor souls surrounding me – I hope they realize how pleased God is with me.”

It seems possible, too, that the question was neither purely academic nor a trick to entrap Jesus. It could have been a sincere question on a very personal level. Maybe the fellow was worried sick about himself, that he wouldn’t make it. Despair could have driven his question.  He was looking for the slightest sliver of hope.

In any case, we’re not told the outspoken one’s motivation. What we do know is how Jesus answered (or didn’t answer).  Instead of a direct answer, Jesus gives us another story, a very human story, a story that changed the world.

Often near the end of the TV evening news we hear news castors make reference to “Good Samaritan” stories.  For instance, a traffic accident witness stepped forward to offer assistance.

Here in our diocese, we know the Good Samaritan Society, perhaps best, through summer volunteerism.  The Good Samaritan Project (GSP), is a week-long service retreat led by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.   Middle and high school teens gather from across our Diocese to serve, pray, and have fun together for the betterment of the community and the Glory of God.  Our monastic community has been the beneficiary of services of youth and young adult groups from Las Vegas, California.  They have come from Catholic high schools and parish faith formation programs as well as our nearby university.  Local food banks and the Daystar Hope Center in Dade City have also benefited from initiatives such as  “Food for the World” Saturday and “Pack a Bag”.

Who knows how many trillions of dollars in charitable giving this one story from Jesus has inspired over the years? More than that, it has inspired countless small acts of human kindness that have made our world a more livable place.

Good Samaritans are people who open their schedules to accommodate another’s need.  They are persons who open their wallets or keep a fistful of fast food gift certificates to hand out the car window to the empty hands seen many mornings at the busiest of intersections.

Even people who are not God-followers or believers appreciate this ethical parable of Jesus. Re-read it.  Let it seep in.  Look at the words with fresh eyes.  Listen to the story. Read it aloud with open ears, hands and heart. (Read it now ….   ) “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus replied: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

First Reading:   Deuteronomy 30:10-14         Second Reading:  Colossians 1:15-20
Gospel:   Luke 10:25-37
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First Sunday of Lent

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We all think we understand what temptation is.  Imagine this: there’s a little boy in a grocery store who walks by an open pack of chocolate-peanut butter cookies. A clerk notices him eye the cookies.  “Son, what are you doing there?” “Nothing,” replied the boy. “It looks to me like you’re trying to steal a cookie.” “No,” said the boy, “I’m trying not to.”  That’s temptation!

We understand that temptation leads to trouble.  Such was the plight of the man that I read about in Reader’s Digest. The man told this on himself.  He was shopping with his wife in the mall when a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress walked by.  He followed her with his eyes.  Without looking up from the item she was examining his wife asked, “Was it worth the trouble you are in?”  That’s the trouble with temptation!

How many of us have shrugged and said, “The devil made me do it!” and used that as an excuse when caught doing something we weren’t supposed to?  It’s a convenient defense.  But there’s one problem: the devil can’t MAKE us do anything.  He may be clever, but he’s not all powerful.  It may feel that way, however, when we’re dangling on temptation’s hook, because the devil has a tried and true strategy for luring us into his net.  First, he lays out the bait like a skilled fisherman.  The devil has been following our clues and noting our habits and social media hangouts.  Then  a custom-made lure appears right in front of our noses.

Now comes the appeal.  We can’t be made to bite, but you know what happens when we catch a glimpse of the tantalizing bait like (maybe a snapshot promo on TV).  We’re drawn in, we linger over it. We toy with the idea and roll it over in our minds until it consumes our imagination.  We just HAVE to know what the gossip tidbit was we overheard.  Now the struggle really begins.  Our conscience jabs us in the ribs, the red flags go up, the warning sirens go off but that invitation looks so delightful.  What do we do?

Notice how Luke ends his report – the devil departed for a time. We know what happened to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The depth of Jesus’ trust in God is shown most fully when He rejects the temptation to turn away from his God-given mission.  Christ let Satan make us of all his evil conniving forces and defeated him at every angle until the devil got discouraged and left “for a time.”

Benedict knew this dynamic, didn’t he?  Remember in chapter 43 where he warns if the monastic comes late for chapel?!  Even though ashamed, she should still come inside lest she be tempted to return to bed and sleep, or worse, settle down outside and engage in idle talk, thereby giving occasion to the Evil One.  Latecomers should come inside so that they will not lose everything and may amend in the future.  Either we will resist or yield. We will swim away or swallow the temptation whole.  When you give in you know the feeling of emptiness and the pain that sticks in your throat or gut.  But, be alert when you do resist – be ready for the temptation to come from a different direction.  However, when you do resist you will know a feeling of blessed freedom.

You may have learned this little ditty of a prayer as a child.  It’s still a good one for nightly protection. I liken it to a child’s compline (evening prayer).

“Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Bless this bed that I lie on.
Before I close my eyes in sleep,
I give my soul to Christ to keep.

Four corners to my bed,
Four angels ’round my head,
One to watch, one to pray,
And two to bear my soul away.

I go by sea, I go by land,
The Lord made me with his right hand,
If any danger come to me,
Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me.

You are the branch, I am the flower,
I pray God send me a happy hour,

And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

May you each have a spirituality enriching LENT 2025 experience! 

 

 

First Reading:   Deuteronomy 26:4-10         Second Reading:  Romans 10:8-13
Gospel:   Luke 4:1-13

 

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