Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Mary

Contemplating the Assumption of Mary

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Contemplating the Assumption of Mary

From Fr. Ed Lamp – August 15, 2021

Original Author Andy Alexander, S.J. – January 1, 2000

Mary looked over at John writing at his table and smiled.  He had always looked so young and the years had not aged him very much.  She could understand why Jesus had such a special place in his heart for John, with his gentle ways and his easy love for people.

She gathered her cloak around her against the cold and closed her eyes as she thought about the many years of her life.  So much of it was beyond understanding and yet she believed it and accepted it.  She had been given a courage, faith and humility that could only be a gift from God.  How else could she have overcome her fears and said “Yes” when Gabriel asked her to be the mother of the Savior?  Her son, Jesus, had been a wonder in her life.  She had not always understood all of what he did but she knew he had a special role on earth.  Their hearts had been bound together in faith and an unbreakable love.  She had watched him leave home, teach, heal and challenge the authorities.  Her heart had been pierced with such sorrow when he was arrested and tortured and finally put to death.  Her faith in the Father had carried her through those days, and the incredible joy-filled days that came after.

“Imma?” John, said using the most intimate Hebrew form of “mother.”  He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.  “You are so quiet these days.”  She smiled at him with affection.  “Dearest John, my life has been long and I have so much to be grateful for.  These years together have been so full.”

It was true.  In the weeks after he had risen, Jesus had spoken to them of a new order, a new way of life.  She had resisted the urge to cling to him and not let him go again.  She had to trust.  “I will be with you always,” he had said.  In her heart, she knew it was true and once again opened her life fully to God’s will.  She had watched with joy as Jesus was taken up into the clouds.  In the years that had followed, his message and life had given hope and meaning to a growing number of followers.  She had spoken to so many of the disciples and followers in those times.

Jesus was in her life, too, in a vivid and very real way.  She felt his presence with her as she grew tired.  She spoke to him from her heart constantly, just as she did when he was on earth.  She felt a strong connection that was as unexplainable as it was real.  She closed her eyes again in thought.

“Imma,” came the familiar loving voice.  “Blessed are you among women.”   She knew it was different.  She was not in John’s house but with Jesus, standing in a place that filled her with a different kind of joy.  “My son,” she said softly as they embraced.  She felt his cheek firmly against hers.

She did not know how or why.  There were no questions and no answers for this.  He had promised her she would be with him and the Father.  She touched her body in wonder and knew she had been drawn to a different place by power not her own.  It was her same body and yet different, more vibrant.

“You said ‘Yes’ to the Father’s request, Imma,” Jesus said to her.  “Your life was prepared in a special way and you followed it with such faith.  You made my work possible.”

Mary knew that somehow she was experiencing the resurrection in a way others would have to wait for.  As she had so many times before, she paused and opened her heart in prayer.  “The Almighty has done great things for me.  Holy is his Name.”

 

In your prayers please remember the people of Haiti.  Early reports say that the earthquake there (7.2 magnitude) caused catastrophic damage with many people still trapped in the rubble.  We pray for the health and safety of everyone impacted and for the emergency responders and medical teams as they work during this devastating time to help people in the aftermath.

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“Do Whatever He Tells You”

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Did you hear that?  Jesus said: “Ask for whatever you want and it will be given you.”  I wonder how many times he may have said that to his parents?  Isn’t that the same directive Mary gave the wine servers at the wedding feast at Cana?  This is May and May is traditionally the month of Mary.”  As one author notes: “Many Christians (particularly Catholics) consecrate themselves to the virgin Mary … to become ‘another Mary for Jesus, a faithful, loving, and trusting companion of the Savior.”  We see that trustful relationship between mother and Son at that wedding feast.  It seems to me that’s a good message to ponder in the time and space we find ourselves in this week.  “Do whatever He tells you.” [you may recall some of what comes next …]

The miracle at Cana has never ceased happening.  Every moment of every day Christ pours himself into the empty jars of our lives.  He is the GOOD WINE – extravagant, abundant, endless.  We can’t understand how it happens.  We don’t know how it happens.  We only know that it does happen.  We’ve experienced it and witnessed moments when death is turned into life, sorrow into joy, and despair into hope.  We’ve been surprised when fear was transformed into courage and we’ve seen people do things they never thought possible.  We’ve done what we thought was impossible!  We’ve known moments when empty lives have been filled back up. So …

When the wine runs out and you are confused –  but others are looking for answers – (recall what Mary told the wine servers) – DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and troubles swirl about you so your head is a muddle … When COVID is raging and safety guidelines are restrictive, turn to our Savior who was constrained on a Cross …  and, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and you know aridity and still you struggle to be upbeat … When the wine runs out, when a loved one dies or a friendship withers, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When good intentions don’t fill the void but only seem to pave the road to you-know-where – DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When your illusion of self-sufficiency is shattered and your spirit is empty, and you shake your water jar and hear the sound of hollowness, don’t despair – just … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the day is a disaster, an embarrassment, a failure, grab your empty jar, fill it with what water of your tears and then DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When your wine is running low, and no one else seems to notice, listen to your mother; remember what she told you: DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life lacks vibrancy and the future is colorless, fill your jar with the water of common life, not bottled water, not Dasani or Zephyrhills water … the water of your everyday life, and DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When hope wears thin and faith is shaky; when you’re filled with guilt for deeds left undone and offenses given, bend your knee and bow your head and, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life is full of changes that threaten, lean into the One who is changeless.  When you have more questions than answers, there’s an answer for any query … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When your best efforts fall short and your life-glass looks more than half-empty, breathe deeply and, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

“They have no wine,” Mary said.  But they will.  The miracle always begins when the wine gives out.  Regardless of how it feels or what we think about it, the day the wine runs out is the beginning of a miracle.  Christ does not simply refill our glasses.  He transforms our lives, turning water into wine.  That which was colorless becomes vibrant.  That which had no taste now tingles the tongue.  That which had no fragrance now has a full bouquet.

Simply remember this – plant it in your heart: when the wine runs out,

DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

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“Walk While You Have the Light”

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Let’s step back a moment to recall the setting for this Gospel; maybe settle yourself into it.  It is six days before Passover.  We’re in Bethany, at the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  The three siblings are sharing hospitality with Jesus, his disciples and some other guests.  We are reclining at the dinner table with them.  Martha is busy in the kitchen with the many hostess’ pre-dinner tasks.  Lazarus is keeping the conversation flowing among the guests hoping to keep they unaware of how late it is getting.  Mary hesitantly approaches Jesus to sit at his feet.  This is the occasion when Mary poured aromatic oil on the feet of Jesus and dried them with her long-flowing hair.  (I wonder how long that sweet smell will linger in her hair.)  Judas, the one who would later betray Jesus, muttered a snide remark (probably under his breath) about the wastefulness of such extravagance.  (Remember, he was the one who had charge of the groups’ money bag.)  Jesus was exasperated, he had had it with Judas.  “Leave her alone.  The poor you have always with you.  Tonight you have me.  Let her do this in anticipation of my burial.”

In his narrative, John moves to his abbreviated account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem riding a colt – the Palm Sunday narrative – that we will celebrate next weekend. 

So, back to our dinner.  The evening grows long, the dessert’s been served and the after dinner libation; chatter’s winding down.  We become aware that a crowd is gathering out in the yard.  Folks have heard Jesus is inside.  They’re hoping, too, to see Lazarus.  Word had spread that Jesus had recently raised him from the dead.  Some guests approach Philip.  (And, my goodness, talk about an unspoken chain of command!)  The Greeks spoke to Philip: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”  Phillip spoke to Andrew, then Andrew with Phillip in tow, went and told Jesus.  Jesus’ reaction did not disappoint.  He must have raised their hopes.  Sounds like he could have said: “Your timing is good.”  Yes.  “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

The guests may have experienced a bit of puzzlement or some trepidation, when Jesus continued speaking: “Amen, I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.”  But, hope must have risen up in them as Jesus continued: “But, if it dies, it produces much fruit.”  Then hope bounces around on the seesaw of mystery as Jesus continues: “Whoever loves his life loses it; whoever hates life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.”

What IS this man talking about???  He closes the gap when He tells them: “Whoever serves me must follow me.”  Now, that made sense.  Of course, if you want to serve, you’ll be a follower.  You’ll listen to every podcast, follow every eblast and purchase all their books.  It only makes good sense if you want to absorb the flavor of your hero’s life.

John, the beloved disciple, changes gears at this point in his Gospel.  In the retelling of his memories, John, in his tenderness for his intimate friend –  recalls Jesus saying: “I am troubled now.”  I wonder did Jesus pause at this point in time to ponder the source of his uneasiness?  “I am troubled now.”  He questions, “Yet what should I say?  Father, save me from this hour?”  Then, it is like he straightens himself up, thinking aloud: “Why should I ask the Father to save me from this?  It was for this very purpose that I came to this hour.”

You could hear a pin drop.  Is that thunder we hear in the distance; now it’s closer.  Some say it’s the voice of an angel.  Jesus speaks: “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. … When I am lifted up, I will draw everyone to myself.”  Over 2000 years later, from our side of the story, we know Jesus was indicating the kind of death he would die; and his resurrection.  Our Easter!  Our understanding of Jesus’ remark, and the events commemorated during Holy Week, will always be colored with an assurance of a good ending, of Easter and resurrection.

A few lines later in his Gospel John will remind us of Jesus’ promise, (similar of the words he had said to Judas).  “The light will be among you only a little while.  Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you.  Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.”

At this point in my preparation, I took a break and turned to my Lenten booklet.  This was the lesson God had planted there:  A young girl was watching her father, a pastor, preparing his Sunday sermon.  She knew she should keep quiet but curiosity won out.  She asked: “Daddy, how do you know what to say?”  “Why, God tells me,” her father replied.  “Ohhhh, then why do you keep crossing things out??”  Now, I love the techie computer function of “block, copy, cut, paste or save.”  But it was time to stop trying to refine what I had on paper.  So I looked to the Responsorial Psalm for a closing line: “Give me back the joy of your salvation, a willing spirit sustain in me.”  The church says:  AMEN.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

Today I wish  you a happy Saint Benedict’s day.  Benedict is the patron of a peaceful death – let us remember in particular all those who have died, or will die, during this time of pandemic.  May they, and all the departed, rest in peace.

Prayer to St. Benedict:  O, holy father Benedict, blessed by God both in grace and in name.  Who, while standing in prayer, with your hands raised to heaven, most happily yielded your angelic spirit  into the hands of your Creator, and promised zealously to defend against all the snares of the enemy, in the last struggle of death those who shall daily remind you of your glorious Father, this day and every day by your blessing that we may never be separated from our blessed Lord, from the society of yourself and all the blessed.  Amen. 

For information on the life of St. Benedict you may wish to refer to the Dialogues of St. Gregory, volume 2  https://www.osb.org/gen/greg/  For details about the circumstances that surrounded his death, refer especially to the final chapter on the aforementioned website. 

Have a good week and we prepare to slide into Holy Week next Sunday. 

 

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Solemnity of Christ the King

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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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I don’t have to do it all…

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In the Gospel we hear: “as Jesus entered a certain village a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home…. Mary sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.”  In tomorrow’s first reading from Genesis we have the story of Sarah slaving in the kitchen and Abraham entertaining their three guests: bowing in greeting, sending them to wash up while he scurries about getting a choice steer and giving Sarah orders on what and how to prepare the meal which he alone hosts for his new buddies.

Both Scripture readings (it seems to me) concern more than the contrast between the activists – Martha behind the scene and Abraham busy arranging the details – and the more reticent ladies, Mary and Sarah.  The incidents illustrate more than hostesses each doing what they do best to make an evening delightful.  There is a bit of all these characters in each of us – one or the other prevails from day to day, and situation to situation.

Jesus’ response to Martha’s “don’t you even care that I am stuck in the kitchen?” reminds us “only one thing is necessary.”  It causes us to realize that I, as an individual, do not have to do it all.  This is evident in our practice of taking only one role in at a time in the dining room or in a single liturgy – we acknowledge (for instance) that liturgy is a communal act where all present are on the same level: differing in gifts but equal in importance.  Everything needs to get done, there are plenty of roles to share: leaders and readers, cooks and servers, singers and keyboardists, prayer leaders and bell ringers, gift bearers and petitioners, Eucharistic ministers and the celebrant.  At times our ranks may be slim, especially when members are away or illness prohibits or limits our participation, but we strive to engage everyone in the communal roles.

This is the attitude we strive to express also in the distribution of daily chores.  No single person needs to do it all – choices have to be made.  Self-importance can creep in the way if I am not careful to realize the impression I make if I try single-handedly to assume the burden of chores failing to ask for assistance.  There are times, certainly, when we have to double up on duties but we need to be conscious of enabling others to offer service and to give them the respect of recognizing their capabilities.

The Gospel also gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a gracious guest: the object of Mary’s attentions and the recipient of Martha’s service.  Jesus knew his role as servant and the one being served – the contrast between serving and resting gently and securely in the role of being a servant or a guest.

To paraphrase some thoughts from Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline:

    There is a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant (with emphasis on the word CHOOSING).  When we chose to serve, we are still in charge.  We decide whom we will serve and where we will serve and when we will serve.  And if we are in charge, we will worry a great deal about anyone stepping on us, that is taking charge over us.

     But when we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge.  There is a great freedom in this.  When we choose to be a servant, we surrender the right to decide who and where and when we will serve.  We become available and vulnerable.

We pray, then, for the grace to have a balance in our lives of being servant (a server) and of being open, receptive, gracious when others render us service – thus enabling them to achieve their God-given calling to serve.  We pray that God grant us the grace to be:

  • Humble when helpless
  • Patient when infirmed
  • Gracious when a guest
  • Comfortable when the object of service and attention, affection and praise from others
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

Genesis 18:1-10   Colossians 1:24-28   Luke 10:38-42
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Mary and Elizabeth Rejoicing

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It is appropriate in the season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation.  Mary’s faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people’s history and in her own life.  Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone.   Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church.

The story on the fourth Sunday of Advent is about two pregnant women, the first one 6 months along is already experiencing the movement of the child in her womb.  The baby leaps when her cousin calls out to her.  This is a story of utter delight of a meeting of mothers and infants.  The babies, John and Jesus – both of whom got their names directly from angels of God.  They were to be friends and fellow prophets, recognized each other when they were still in the womb.

First, we hear about Mary and her journey.  When left her Mary eagerly goes dancing over the hills (well, maybe not quite “dancing” after all the distance she traveled was close to 50 miles).  Did she tell anyone on her way about the angel, the message or why she was hastening to her cousin?  I’m guessing she might have shared her experience and her concerns with her mom, Anne.

Rushing to share her secret with her cousin, Mary found another surprise: old Elizabeth was expecting a child of her own!  God was up to something big here!  Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God’s plan for salvation.  If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke’s Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth’s greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat.  Both women recall and echo God’s history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.

To me, in this part of the Nativity story, Elizabeth is the star of the show and we do well not to overlook the significance of Elizabeth’s role in our salvation history.  She is the “amazed saint.”  She is exemplary in her response to her baby’s movement in her womb.  She is so in tune with her own body, she appreciates that something new and wonderful is going on here.  Elizabeth then broke out in joyful exclamation!  “Why am I so favored?”  Hers is humble amazement at being able to participate directly in God’s plan.  How muted Zechariah must have wished he, too, could sing with his wife over Mary’s news!  We who have a role in God’s plan should share this wonder.

Some of you may recall Fr. Simeon sharing a one-minute nugget of a Fourth Sunday of Advent homily in which you’ll find these lines:

 

Two women, cousins.

Girls giggling gladness, dancing delirious dream,

Marveling mystery, barely hearing –

 

He ended with this question: “Can God enter earth if there are no women?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading  Micah 5:1-4            Second Reading   Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel Reading  Luke 1:39-45              Intention   Christmas Novena
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