The readings for this weekend, combined with the civic occasions we observe, present a challenge. What to emphasize? Today (Saturday) opened the annual Week of Prayer for Church Unity. It has a history of over 100 years of prayer for the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper “that all may be one.” We will continue our practice, when on Wednesday we welcome the Mayor of the Town of Saint Leo, Assistant Pastor of the Rock Church of Brooksville (and his congregation) HO will join us for a Unity prayer service based on this year’s theme “Do You Believe?”
Today and tomorrow the world is watching, with multitudes sending up a stream of prayers for the successful implementation of the Peace Pact for Israel and Gaza: the release of prisoners and relief convoys allowed into war-torn areas. And, for the peaceful transfer of power in our country.
We pray: Prince of peace, we cry out for Your divine intervention in Israel and the surrounding regions. We earnestly petition You to bestow tranquility upon our land. May prosperity flourish, (but not at the cost of the poor and vulnerable). May Your unwavering peace reign over the hearts of all people.
Now, switch your focus. On Monday the workday-week begins with the rare coinciding of a Presidential Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day national holiday. The two events aren’t expected to coincide again until January 2053.
Now, if that does offer us enough to pray about, let’s turn to the three readings in our liturgy. They are, I believe, an example of a woven piece of God’s mysterious message-giving. It creates a colorful piece with threads that weave the way from Isaiah, through Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, into the Gospel of John, laced with verses from the Responsorial Psalm 96.
From Isaiah (in the first reading) we hear: “I will not be silent; I will not be quiet.” (Mmm – didn’t Martin Luther King echo that same message?) Now slip in a line from the Responsorial Psalm: “Announce God’s salvation day by day.” (sentiments of Unity Week and Peace Agreement). This leads us right into a touching Gospel story of a son’s response to an implied request of His mom. Mary could not resist the impulse, the urge to encourage her Son to come to the rescue of the wedding couple’s embarrassment. She’d raised this man/child. She knew he’d take her hint. Turning toward the wine-servers, she says simply: “Do what he tells you.” And they did just that.
A question to ponder: Who could have observed that quiet exchange? Scriptural Scholars tell us it was the beloved John, the only one of Christ’s original disciples who lived into old age and was the only one not martyred for the faith. He can tell that story from an old man’s perspective laced with the wisdom and vision that is a gift of the elderly. We know so well that stories are a gift given by older members to the newer ones. The elders are the torch bears; the younger are the keepers of the torch. It is they who are responsible for coaxing the sparks to keep the embers glowing, breathing new life into our legacy. Stories of the “good ole days may get old but consider what we’d miss if John and the other evangelists had kept secret their experiences with Jesus.
In today’s world, much like the days of early Christianity, people are facing crises of migration, prejudice, hunger for food, companionship, health care services, violence and indifference. How can we show “unusual kindness” exemplified in Mary’s keen insight and Jesus’ quick response to her tip: “Do what He tells you.” As Benedict advises us: “Show reverent love. Be the first to pursue what you judge better for someone else.” You know: Pass-it-on-Kindnesses” or “Pay it Forward” favors. Kindness that is a witness to God’s loving providence for all people. When we invite people to “come and see” they are looking for more than a tour of our monastery building and a list of volunteer ministries. Our spirit of hospitality will have a ripple effect (positive or negative) that makes visible (or not) Jesus’ love in today’s world. We pray that we and all peoples of diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions, are enlightened to accept each other with open hands and hearts and that world peace will prevail in our lifetime.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
