Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Luke

Rich Fool Parable

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Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was

This Gospel sets us pondering 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?!”

As the story goes, the man is disgruntled over a long-standing disagreement with his brother.  And it sounds like he thinks he is justified in his complaint.  So, he figures he will follow the customary practice of taking his dispute to the rabbi.  (Expecting the rabbi, of course, take his part and set his brother right.)  He further thinks maybe this new rabbi, the one he’s heard everyone talking about, won’t know about his reputation for pettiness.  Surely he will get a favorable settlement for the row against his brother.  But, 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 them all “fools”.

Better take fair warning, Boys.  And all you other listeners, too.  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.”

This a lesson about covetousness and jealousy.  Envy is related but perhaps less “green.”  You’ve heard the expression “green with envy.”  Envy, like jealousy, is a desire to have what the other has but it’s maybe a little less “green”.  It’s a desire to ALSO have what the other has.  But not like jealousy wanting to have it INSTEAD of the other.  Envy says: “I wish I could go too.”  “I wish I could be as gentle and kind as she is.”  Envy does begrudge the gifts of the other.  It’s a prompt to imitate the others’ Christian example.

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.   Just what is the farmer’s error.  He 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, getting a POD in the back yard 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 about requesting more allowance than we actually need?  But, never finding a charity other than ourselves.  Or accepting, or worse asking for money gifts or gift cards from lay people giving them the impression that our community does not take care of our needs.  We might answer that none of this sounds so terribly wrong compared to the horrors of violence … except for two things.

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 that is not rich enough.  Jesus didn’t judge him; He did teach.  He was teaching all of us how to live.  To paraphrase President Joe Biden’s words in his speech at the Democratic convention, when he referred to his wife who was a teacher: “Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was.”

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading  Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23        Second Reading Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Gospel Reading  Luke 12:13-21

 

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The Master

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Rejoice!

One day, when the man of God, Benedict, was doing Lectio and pondering how to incorporate his set of values into his manuscript directed to his followers, St. Luke entered his reverie.  What an inspiration!  Luke and Benedict chatted with each other for a spell.  Look Ben, (said Luke) you’ve consulted the writings of the one you call the Master.  May I suggest you look at my record of the sayings of THE Master.  Check out the 10th chapter of my Gospel.  I think you’ll find a very fine touch stone.

Sure enough!  Very many of our special Benedictine values are put forth by THE Master Jesus.  Look at verses 1-20 as a “for instance”.

+ A SPIRIT of POVERTY: take nothing with you (is how Jesus puts it): no money bags, no suitcase, no canvas bag or pretty tote and no sandals.  Or as you say it in your Rule: “No one may presume to give, receive or retain anything as her own, nothing at all, in short not a single item … no one shall presume ownership of anything. “

+ A SENSE of STABILITY: Jesus advises his followers: into whatever house you enter, stay in the same house; don’t be moving from one house to another.   Benedict, you describe the first kind of monastics called cenobites.  From what you say, I sense this may be your preferred type of members.  “those who belong to a particular monastery, where they serve under the rule of a superior.”

+ Further, Benedict, you expect these cenobites to follow Jesus’ way of life, personally and communally, practicing a SPIRIT of SIMPLICITY and ACCEPTANCE of WHATEVER IS AVAILABLE:  in your words:  eating and drinking whatever is offered to you; whatever is set before you.

You have an obvious understanding of human nature, Benedict. Could we attribute it to your twin sister’s influence?  She took her turn as cook for her group of women whom she loved as ardently as you looked after the rough and tough gang of men that lived with you. It’s evident in your words: taking turns serving one another, using an unvoiced system of gestures when anything is required.  And (yes, PLEASE God) it will save you a heap of trouble if you designate a weekly reader to proclaim the Holy Word throughout the meal.

In studying your Rule, Benedict, it seems to go without saying that there will likely be no harmony in the group unless each and every member strive to AVOID EVIL and CLING to PEACE.   I (that is Luke) remind my readers: Remember what Jesus said (It’s right there in verse 9). “If peace is not present in the house where you find yourself, go out into the streets and shake the dust from your feet and leave that town.”  When you feel evil arising in you, get in touch with the cause – shame the devil – leave the occasion of sin.

In this weekend’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we bear in us the marks of Jesus in our body.  Jesus conquered evil so that we, too, might be part of the new creation.  We rejoice with the disciples, reveling as they did in first fervor.  We rejoice because our names are written in heaven.  Sing with Isaiah in the First Reading: we rely on the gentle care God has for us: we shall be carried in God’s arms, comforted as a mother comforts her child and fondles the child in her lap and delights in nursing the babe.  That’s the joy that can erupt in the words of tomorrow’s responsorial psalm: LET ALL THE EARTH CRY OUT TO GOD WITH JOY.

~Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

First Reading:  Isaiah 66:10-4          Second Reading:  Galatians 6:14-18
Gospel:  Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
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Your Reward Will Be Great In Heaven

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Trust me: your reward will be great in Heaven

 

For me this story in Luke is one of the most touching in recorded Scriptural history.  A poignant portrait of a very human Jesus.  The opening lines for me convey a wealth of meaning hard to capture in words.  “Jesus came down and stood on level ground.”  Humility personified!

And the next line speaks volumes, too.  Jesus’ eyes roved over the crowd.  Who is He looking for?  Watch him.  Like a loving parent, a faithful friend, he spies his disciples.  And, begins to remind them: “Blessed are you!”  He reminds me of an elder, saying to a grown child or a grandchild, “It’s going to be OK.  Someday your luck will change.  That boy will wake up and realize what a catch he’s let go.  You’ll realize how lucky you are.  You may hungry for a special relationship today.  I can promise you, you will be satisfied.”  The words of Psalm 30 console us: “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

Then, lest we become complacent, Jesus reminds us that this world is passing with all that is in it.  You who are filled today, you who have a sufficiency today, will be hungry tomorrow.  Those who pat you on the back today, may speak behind your back and denounce you tomorrow.  They who laugh today will be among those who weep tomorrow.

Luke shares the lessons he’s learned from those who personally spent time in Jesus’ company.  They’d learned from him the know-how of turning negativity to learning opportunities.  Sounds like Jesus was a “when life gives you lemons make lemonade” kind of person.  His close friends had witnessed Jesus special regard for people who suffer and feel out of the loop of belonging.

As Jesus spoke to the crowd that day each must have wondered: Is he talking about me?  To me?  Am I too settled in my comfortable niche?  Why do I feel like squirming at this words?  How differently He expresses His Father’s love for all people.  Wealth isn’t really an overflowing abundance of money and things!  Real wealth is believing that your reward will be found in delayed satisfaction.  Today, Jesus says, Rejoice and leap for joy; your ancestors went through the same trials you experience.  Different characters; same stories.  Trust me: your reward will be great in Heaven.

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  Jeremiah 17:5-8     Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Gospel:  Luke 17:20-26
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How Can We Catch People

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What Luke shares with us in this Gospel is a good example of how Jesus models the saying: actions speak louder than words.

So if you will, picture this with me, if you will – put yourself in the scene.

It’s midmorning.  Jesus is meditatively strolling at the water’s edge.  I suspect He may have been virtually unaware that people were beginning to trail him.  The crowd is swelling.  This causes Jesus to edge closer to the advancing waves of the changing tide.  The eagerness of the crowd is palpable in the air – just to hear a word from Jesus.  He turns to face the crowd, putting his back to the water.  The scene causes him to draw a breath and take a step backward.  Now the waters are lapping above his ankles.  He spies a couple fishing boats; one belonging to his friend Simon.  He presumes permission to step in.  And what does He do?  Remember last week’s lesson?  HE SITS TO TEACH.  As the crowd is settling down, He looks around at the empty boats and thinks “What a pity!  The fish are right there.  But they didn’t take a nibble.  Let’s fix that.”

Now, these boatmen have spent all night fishing without success.  They are tired, discouraged, disheartened.  And so far their morning has been spent prudently cleaning their nets lest the debris they did manage to trawl would not rot and get too smelly to attract any fish tomorrow.

We don’t know what Jesus taught from the boat that morning; Luke did not have any first-hand experience to share.  What we do know is what Luke heard from those who were there.  He tells us that Jesus surprised Simon and his buddies telling them to “put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Can’t you just hear Simon draw a vexed breath?  He’s professional fisherman; learned the trade from his father and grandfather.  “Come on, Jesus.  We’ve worked all night but have caught nothing.”  You know the feeling.  How often have you said (or at least thought) we’ve tried that before?  But Peter pauses.  Maybe makes eye contact with Jesus.  Mmmm.  “Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”

That’s the operative sentiment.  “If you say so, I will let down the nets.”  The boats were suddenly miraculously full of fish so that they began to sink.  And this after a long night of frustration – not a single fish to show for their efforts.  Amazement struck them.  Peter, (and maybe the others, we don’t know) fell to his knees and begged Jesus, “Get away from me – I am a sinful man!”

Ah, sweet Jesus!  We know what Jesus said.  He’s said it to us more than once.  “Do not be afraid.”  As he counsels Peter, He uses a word that in Greek means, “to catch alive.”  He’s caught Peter alive with yearning.  Ripe for his new vocation, a new mission that He’s about to offer.  “From now on you will be catching people.”  We turn now to the words from Isaiah in the First Reading: “God touched my mouth (in Peter’s case in today’s Gospel – “touched your nets, your labor”).  God, the Lord, continues, “See, now that this has touched you, your wickedness is removed.”  Then God asks – invites, challenges – “Whom shall I send?  Who will go?”

With Peter – and so many, many others who’ve followed through the years, we answer, “Here I am, send me!”  We add the words of Psalm 138, “When I called, you answered.  You built up strength with in me.  Your right hand saved me.  You will complete what You have done for me.  Your kindness endures forever.”

“When the fisherman brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.”  Your life, the life of each of us, tells the rest of the story.  But it leaves us with a question.  “How can we catch people?  What waters do we have to wade out into?  What are the nets we can lower?”  One thing we know for certain.  We know we want to keep Jesus on our side of the boat.  Seems to me this is pretty much the question Pope Francis and our Bishop Parkes is dangling as a challenge to us.  What bait will we put on the hook?  Or what kind of net will we lower?  How will we live out our Benedictine charism of prayer, hospitality and stability in community?

An answer lies in today’s Gospel: live it – be it – do it … that’s the bait.  Now, invite others to “lower their nets” and let’s break bread together.”

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  Isaiah 6:1-2:3-8     Second Reading:  1Cor 15:3-8, 11
Gospel:  Luke 5:1-11

 

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“I’ll Be Back – I Can Thrive Here”

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Look what happens here in Luke’s retelling of one of Jesus’ visits to the synoguge….in verse 21 the writer (Luke) tells us: “All spoke highly of Jesus and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.”  Then someone spoke up, “But, isn’t he the son of Joseph?”  Seven verses later, listen to what is happening: “They drove him out of town, to the brow of the hill to hurl him down headlong.”  Those seven verses only took two minutes to read?  In real life how quickly did it happen that the people went from awe at Jesus’ words to the point that those same people were ready to toss him off a cliff?

Come to think of it, we’ve seen the same thing happen in our midst – certainly in society.  A person is put on a pedestal – – – a single detractor mutters a criticism, a neighbor hears it and shares it at the dinner table or with co-workers.  In the time it takes to go from one TV commercial to the next, the person goes from being a hero to the devil-incarnate.

It can happen on a smaller scale, but it’s just as devastating.  Someone offers a complimentary remark and a so-called friend mutters, “Huh, if you only knew what I know.”  And in a flash a reputation crumbles!  Or, perhaps worse yet, nothing is said.  The compliment falls in a vacuum of dead air.  Why are we so afraid to lift one another up, to second a compliment, or expand on the worthiness of the person???

The word “bystander” isn’t a nasty word and  shouldn’t be a term connected solely with bullying.  It’s an active word; it means more than being a zoned-out spectator.  Speaking up, standing up for someone being criticized, picked on, condemned for the same faults the speaker may have – yes, it takes daring…  a special grace of courage.  A by-stander worth her salt can repeat and expand on complimentary remarks to make a person’s day.

Think about this: What did Jesus do when the crowd turned on him?  Luke says, “He passed through the midst of them and went away.”  What happens when guests or prospective vocations encounter a judgmental flavor in the air versus when they experience an atmosphere where love is obvious and personal reputations upheld.  Compliments and positive strokes far out-weigh any negativity?  In the one guest’s experience they do what Jesus did – they pass through our midst and disappear.  In the other, they say, “I like this place and these people – the Spirit is in this place.  I can thrive here.  I’ll be back and I’ll tell others what I found here to bolster my spirit.  Give me some flyers, I want to share the peace I’ve found here.”

It takes but one stone thrown into the pool of family/community life to start a negative rumor (“Isn’t he the son of Joseph?”). Or a stone tossed lightly over the water may cause the opposite.  It can cause ripples that form a pleasant, positive touchy-feely circle of belonging.  Bystanders have a choice: pick up their negative stone and toss it into the mix.  Remember what your parents, your first teachers taught you: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”  Recall the Sufi teaching “Before you speak, ask yourself: ‘Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

It’s not necessarily true that practice makes perfect.  What is true is that practice makes permanent.  Studies show that persons with dementia can readily recall Christmas carols, nursery rhymes and dance steps learned early in life.  But what happened yesterday?  Did I eat lunch?  I was married?  May be fuzzy or completely lost.  We need practice making positive contributions to conversation.  And it does take practice; lots of practice – like 6-8 weeks of daily practice.

This week we will celebrate the memorial of St. Blasé when we traditionally receive the blessing of throats.  We pray for deliverance from all ailments of the throat.  It seems to me this would include control of the tongue – fitting right in with the message of the Gospel for this Fourth Sunday.

Degrading, critical remarks can’t live side by side with the sentiments we’ll pray in tomorrow’s psalm: “O God, you have taught me from my youth and till the present, I proclaim your wondrous deeds.”  Acknowledging and complimenting the “wondrous deeds” in the life of another is one way of proclaiming God’s work.  We pray with the psalmist: “You are my hope, O Lord; my trust; on you I depend.  My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation; I will proclaim your wondrous deeds.”

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  Jeremiah 1:4-5;17-19     Second Reading:  Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Gospel:  Luke 4:21-30
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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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