Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Matthew

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Are you a person of integrity? Can people take you at your word? If you can answer, I am, then folks know that your ‘Yes’ means ‘Yes,’ and our ‘No,’ means ‘No.’

Jesus makes it clear that our yes is enough to satisfy a binding requirement. It’s the same with a vow – a vow doesn’t need an oath. If we do not mean it, if we hold on to “except when” or “unless” or “until it’s not working or it doesn’t fulfill me – then I’m out of here’ – that’s perjury, a false oath.  We vow with “no strings attached.”

As vowed Benedictines what do we do to insure we are truly life-long learners – committed to a perpetual pursuit of growth in the monastic way of life?  What do we do to increase our familiarity with the Rule of Benedict?  How deeply do we delve into Scripture to realize new, fuller meaning of God’s Word?  What do I hear today that somehow I never heard before?

Do we strive to enlarge the understanding of our vows?  If instance, the application of our vow of obedience?  Has our observance of obedience matured beyond a childish fear of a parent finding out we took an extra cookie? Or a beginner’s strict adherence to every regulation to please the novice director?  Do I worry that the whole community is watching me that day and night?  What does obedience mean to us?  What is legitimate authority?  In a spirit of mutual obedience do we conscientiously seek input from each other?  Do I give a request serious consideration or was my “Yes, Sister” simply pro forma?  Do I give a half-hearted acquiescence to a request as merely a suggestion?  Or was that a call of the Spirit in my life to follow or not as I choose? How distressing it can be to have someone say “yes” –  pretend she’s going to obey – but then never perform the deed or show by her every comment to others and her body language that she detests the suggestion or group decision?

What if the group makes a decision I don’t like – do I have any obligation to follow it if I voted against it?    Here’s the authentic test question: how closely does our behavior mirror Benedict’s “deference to one another?”  To keep our “yes” a “yes” takes much prayer, honest introspection, willingness to open our hearts to new meanings and a spirit of grounded integrity.  Otherwise, our vows, a couple’s marriage bonds, are not worth the piece of paper they are written on.

This is where our vow of stability comes into play.  With our vow we are publicly professing responsibility to work on fidelity to our covenant with God and our commitment to one another.  That takes an awareness of what is going on inside of ourselves, and a responsibility for how we might be contributing to the building up or destruction of a bond into which we’ve entered.  Remember: if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

In this Gospel reading Jesus is talking about a lifetime pursuit of a way of living, in which our integrity isn’t just a matter of external conformity, but an internal way of life.  There’s that sticky vow of conversion of life.  This calls for strength and integrity, an inner discipline, an awareness of and acknowledgement of what makes us tick.  Our words should simply be our bond, and mean what we say.

When we say yes, you should speak it with enough conviction that there’s no doubt. When you say no, mean it.  If you sometimes say yes with your lips when your heart is thinking NO WAY!  People will pick up on that.  When in my heart I say NO, but my lips say yes…that’s deceit, it’s a lie.   My tongue speaks what my heart isn’t feeling. I’m lying to myself and to another person.  If I solemnly say “I promise I’m telling you the truth,” does that mean that sometimes I’m not telling the truth?

One of the angels in the Book of Revelation tells us: I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  But because you are neither, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! “

Ultimately our relationships with other people are inseparable from our relationship to God; and it is the love of God that binds all in all.  It is God’s love that teaches us about relatedness, about truth, about personal integrity.  Heed Jesus’ words: Let your YES be YES and your NO be NO!

 

From the archives of S Roberta Bailey, O.S.B.

Ideas gleaned from a variety of sources

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Sirach 15:15-20         Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Gospel:   Matthew 5:17-37
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A Reflection on the Beatitudes

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THE BEATITUDES: Looking Back Through a Long Lens – I Was There that Day

Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints and today, the Commemoration of All Souls. It feels to me like a two-day celebration of all God’s people: those above the “grass” and those behind a very thin dividing wall but dancing to the same tune: “Great things happen when God mixes with us!”

This weekend I offer you a reflection from my journal on the Gospel often used for the Solemnity of All the Saints. When you settle into a few moments of leisure, you might read Luke and Matthew’s accounts of Jesus delivering the Beatitudes.

In his Gospel the evangelist Matthew tells the story of the day Jesus offered us a bequest.  This bequest gathers many of His lessons into one gift-wrapped package we call the BEATITUDES.  The evangelist Luke, too, relates his version of that afternoon on the mountainside.  Both men may have been there but Matthew’s version contains more details.  I know that Luke gleaned an insight into Jesus’ home life from Mary, Jesus’ mother.  This particular day I know Matthew was there, hearing Jesus firsthand.  He was seated right beside me.  I can conjure up his image now.  He wasn’t very agile so he kept squirming to find a comfortable position on the grassy sloop.

LISTEN UP NOW!  Jesus is getting ready to speak.  Look around you. The Beatitudes that he’ll share are not some pie-in-the-sky sayings.  What Jesus says reflects what He has seen so often.   He gives us a gift to unwrap and remember in our everyday life.  “Blessed are they.”

He spots a rich man and his wife who live very simply.  Did you notice her peasant style dress?  She got it at the Jerusalem Good Will store.  This couple has a reputation for generosity.  Raising his hand in blessing over the crowd, Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the kingdom of God is theirs.”

See that family there?  They are mourning the death of their infant daughter.  Hear Jesus when he says: “Blessed are the sorrowing, they shall be comforted.”

Turning to make eye contact with the family whose only child is in a wheelchair and has many special needs, Jesus says: “Blessed are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.”

Seeing some of John’s disciples, Jesus senses the people’s hunger for His words.  But, the sun is high in the sky.  Some have traveled far and Jesus knows they must be weary and hungry.  But they wait with an air of expectancy to see if He will offer than a word.  Jesus does not disappoint them as he says: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness, they shall have their fill.”

Oh, look over to your right.  Do you see the older woman gently soothing a fretting infant so a young mother can rock her fretting toddler to sleep?  Hear Jesus when he says: “Blessed are they who show mercy, mercy shall be theirs.”

Why is Jesus looking over there?  He seems to be focusing on some who’ve lost interest in his sermon.  He knows that they’ve heard this before in different ways.  This time it might soak in if they’d just listen.  He knows their deep desire to be always in his presence.  He reminds them: “Blest are the singe-hearted, for they shall see God.”

Why is He smiling now?  Oh, I see.  It’s that young father rolling a yarn ball back and forth to his two young sons.  A moment ago they were squabbling over the ball. Gently flicking the ball in the direction of each boy in turn seems to a habit of his. And all the time Papa’s listening so intently to Jesus’ words.  “Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God.”

Jesus’ expression changes.  Mmmm.  He is looking at those church officials who  have dared to follow him.  They know they’re going to be the object of tomorrow’s gossip fest.  Jesus speaks directly to them.   “Blessed are those persecuted for holiness sake; the reign of God is theirs.”

Slowly scanning the entire crowd, Jesus goes on to say: “Blessed are YOU when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me.  Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven.   You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

 Again, I remind you: ”You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Recall all the folks whose paths you’ve mutually crossed… Happy memories.

 

Gospel Reading:   Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23
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“Have the People Recline”

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All four of the evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, tell the story of this day when Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Each embellishes his version with his own details and emphases. Mark and Matthew tell us Jesus commanded the people out there in the wilderness to sit down on the green grass. I‘ll not probe the question, but why, I wonder, is there this reference to the color of the grass?  John’s version of the event reminds me of words in Psalm 23: “He beckons me to lie down in green pastures.”

We can relate to the generosity of the young boy who shared his five barley loaves and two fish.  We’re not told how it happened that the boy had the fish and the loaves.  Perhaps most people at that time would not dream of going out into the wilderness without at least a little something to eat and drink.

So, the story, it seems to me, (in today’s lingo) was a “pay forward” moment; you know, similar to the Dairy Queen drive-thru customer who paid the tab for the car coming up behind her. That started a chain reaction that lasted for 3 days and 200 thankful Dairy Queen customers!  The generosity of the young boy on the green grass at Jesus’ feet started a “pay-forward” reaction that enabled Jesus to feed the hungry crowd.  Some evangelists say it was 5000 people.  Others recalled “5000 not counting the women and children”.  I find it interesting that in John’s version Jesus tells the apostles to have the people recline and John says the men reclined.  What were the women doing?  I would venture a guess they were doing “women’s work” i.e. rounding up the kids, wondering if there’d be enough bread and what they were going to give the men to drink.

What trust!  What faith in Jesus the apostles showed in telling the people to relax! Be patient.  Sit down!  Surely, they could not fathom how all these people could be fed. Even when pooling all their supplies, they certainly did not have the resources to feed this crowd.  What were they to do now that they had people seated and waiting to see what would happen next?   That’s what you call FAITH! That’s obedience – trusting the wisdom of God to do the impossible!  We just need to take the first step: Listen and obey the prompting of the Spirit: “Tell the people to be seated”.

No doubt Jesus could have multiplied the available supplies if he wanted to.  But, as John asks, to what end?   The very next day the people would be hungry.  They’d likely not be clamoring “Speech! Speech! Share a good word! Let’s hear it!”  They’d be waiting for the apostles to open Jesus’ food distribution center.

On this day, out in the wilderness, John tells us that the people ate and were satisfied. Which would be more satisfying to you, a full belly for a single afternoon, or a glimpse, a vision of what life looks like when lived in the company of generous people under the reign of God?  What would our world be like if people acknowledged that they are called to be transformed?   What would happen if we were truly as open-handed with our possessions as the young boy on the hillside was with his? What would have been the status of the pandemic if everyone followed CDC advice: got vaccinated, wore a mask, washed their hands?  What would the stats be today if people continued to practice those sanitation protocols?  Hospital visits are on the rise while at the same time admissions remain relatively low.

And, what would happen if we really believed that Jesus still has the power to take the gifts we offer and to create from our generosity widespread outbreaks of sharing? As I watched the Olympics opening ceremony I was thinking “This is lovely – a testament to the ingenuity of computer whizzes!  Soon I wondered:  With the millions donated by sponsors and spent on the production to awe the crowds, much good could have been done. With the millions rolling in to support political campaigns, I daresay that the world could be transformed.  Over 3.1 million children a year (one child every 10 seconds) would not die of hunger.   Let us strive to reflect the attitude and directive of the apostles that long-ago day on that lush green hillside: “Tell the people to be seated.”

 

 ~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Let us pray together for safety and enjoyment for the crowds in France for the Olympics, and protection for thousands enduring the effects of inclement weather: Floods and too much rain, drought, low water table, loss of profitable crops, and high irrigating costs, and terror as fires approach homes, businesses and forests …  and pray for peace amid unsettling times over political issues and factions …… 

   God bless us all!

 

First Reading:   2 Kings 4:42-44         Second Reading:  Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel:   John 6:1-15

 

 

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The Gift of Wisdom

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This Gospel invites us one more time to focus on agriculture – a familiar topic here in Florida.  Surely, you’ve noticed that this is the third Sunday in a row that Jesus and Matthew have shared parables that call our attention to tilling the earth: the mustard seed, vineyards, lazy workers, late hires, wishy-washy sons, disappointed overseers and generous owners.  We are invited to consider the difference in attitude between tenants and owners; sons and indentured servants; wise waiting for growth and rash action to weed out suspected imperfection.

Here in Pasco County many fret when we experience a long dry period.  Our soil longs for rain and we can empathize with the farmers and ranchers in the fire-ravaged areas in California and the far west.  We sense the feelings of desolation and devastation of farmers in the mid-West as they stand overwhelmed (once again) and survey their flooded acres and acres of lost crops.  How do the people of India – second largest producer of wheat and rice, the world’s major food staples, recover when their prospect of annual income is washed away by the monsoons and the gushing waters from the dams that were opened upstream, miles away?  And what are the ripple effects in our country and throughout the world?

How is it, in the richest country in the world, we see food sacristy and insecurity?  Before the pandemic, in the U.S. more than 35 million people, including 10 million children, suffered from food insecurity, meaning they have uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life.  During and following the pandemic more than 54 million people, including 18 million children, continue experiencing food insecurity.  Insufficient income, due to loss of employment and low wages, is a major cause of food insecurity.  “Food deserts” are also a problem …  lack of nearby food markets – and lack of transportation to food stores – especially for persons who are home bound or are not on public bus routes.  Couple that with holiday periods when schools that ordinarily serve meals are closed.

Let’s look at our “back yard” here in Pasco County.  Last year 54% (or 42,000) children in Pasco County were eligible to receive free or reduced meals at school.  Agencies and churches strive to staunch the tide of hunger and “fill tummies”:  Daystar, Meals on Wheels, Pasco Feed, Suncoast, Homeless Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay, and others.   There must be times when these volunteers feel like they are putting a finger in the dike only to watch another crack appear.  Fear and anxiety weigh heavy on many: will congress get their act together for the people or will there be government shutdown, will their food stamps be cut off, will they lose rent subsidies.   “My children – what will they eat tomorrow.”

The problem is HUGE.  What can we do?  More specifically, what can I do?  Some simple things – (maybe they even sound simplistic) –

+ Be grateful for what we have; make do with what is available.

+ Be conservative in purchasing; be patient when supplies run out; be prudent in meal-planning so you have few unplanned left-overs

+ And, yes, pray!  There is a saying, “When all else fails, pray.”  But let’s don’t wait for “all else to fail” – pray frequently for wisdom and discernment; examine how election candidates stand on issues – not just what they are saying, but what is their record, what are their actions telling you?  Don’t be complacent or fail to exercise your right to vote.  Be wise voters.

In Proverbs (4:6-7) we read: “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”  We just celebrated our Guardian angels (October 2) – call on yours for the gift of wisdom.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 5:1-2         Second Reading:  Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel:   Matthew 21:33-43
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Different Strokes for Different Folks

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This Gospel could be titled: DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.  Let’s begin by recognizing we have different patterns for dealing with conflict; patterns that we have developed over a lifetime.  (And, for some of us that’s a right long time.)  Without a doubt, we bring these patterns with us into community living.  Thankfully we live in a community whose individual members pay high respect to their vow of conversatio (conversion of life).    Each and every day dawns with an opportunity for growth and maturity.

What are the patterns of dealing with conflict?  It’s good to know your own style as well as that of the person with whom you may be in conflict.  Are you, or the other person a turtle? Turtles hide from conflict by withdrawing into their shells and you can’t get them out until the conflict is over.

Some people are sharks. Sharks look for conflict. They seem to argue for the sake of a good argument.  Sharks try to overpower their opponents in order to win in the midst of conflict.   They play “one-upmanship.”

The opposite of sharks are Teddy Bears. Teddy Bears want to hug and say, “Why can’t we all just get along?  Say a prayer and go to bed; all will be forgotten in the morning.”

Some people are foxes. Foxes are sly. They try to outsmart a situation in order to get the best possible solution for themselves.

Finally, some people are owls. Owls are wise. They do not try to overpower the other, nor do they try to avoid conflict. Rather, owls want to work through conflict to achieve a win-win resolution.

Turtles, sharks, teddy bears, foxes, and owls (oh my!) are animals that are in your families, in your workplace, and I suspect right right here in our community.

In this Gospel lesson Matthew offers us Jesus’ teaching on how to deal with conflict.   He says: “If your sister offends you, go and show her her fault, just between the two of you.”  Jesus is talking about being discrete. If your Sister listens to you, you have gained a sister. Notice, Jesus addresses, not the wrong-doer but those who have been wronged.  He places the burden for reconciliation on the shoulders of the one who has been hurt, offended, or sinned against.  It’s so simple that you have to wonder why conflict is such a big part of our lives.  Jesus says: just go and talk with her. But this is so opposite to our human nature that most people will not do this. Rather, when someone does us wrong the tendency may be to get angry and pout and to avoid them.   We will talk to everyone around the situation except the person that we need to talk to in order to resolve the situation.    Jesus said, Talk to the person – don’t put up a sign, talk in generalities, or to your best friend. If the person listens, then you have gained a brother or a sister.  And, what if they don’t listen? What if they don’t want to work things out?

Then you go to step two.  Now, in our Holy Rule, Benedict provides a variation between  Step One and Two. “The prioress sends a mature and wise member, who under the cloak of secrecy, may support the wavering sister, urge her to be humble as a way of making satisfaction, and console her lest she be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”

Jesus’ Step 2 continues: “If the person who has offended you will not listen, take one or two others along as witnesses.”  Why do this? Sometimes it helps to have a person to act as an echo; to say what she’s heard without interpretation, just the words spoken.  Remember the saying: there are three sides to any situation: your side, my side and the truth!  Or as our mothers used to say: God’s side.  Jesus said: “…if the person refuses to listen, treat her as you would a tax collector” i.e. like Jesus treated Zacchaeus: “Come down from your tree and let’s go eat.”

Jesus seems to be saying, if you go through this process, if you make the approach, talk one on one, if you take it to the community, and someone still refuses to resolve the conflict, then you need to pray for them, reach out to them, and offer them peace.

Know that you can overcome your natural response to conflict whether you are a turtle, shark, teddy bear, fox, or owl.  You can train yourself, with God’s help, to act with strength, diplomacy and grace to confront directly one on one with gentleness.  There is a current TV ad that sounds Benedictine: “Make an effort to be profoundly helpful!”   Let us pray for gentleness and a spirit of helpfulness with each other, gentleness in our thoughts, in our tone of voice and in our actions.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

Pray for safety from storms – that storms stay out over open waters.

  Pray, in particular on Monday, September 11, peace among the peoples of our world.

 

 

 

 

 

Readings:  Ezekiel 33:7-9      Romans 13:8-10
Gospel:   Matthew 18:15-20
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Who Do You Say That I Am

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You!  Yes, I mean you!  Jesus is asking you: “Who do YOU say that I am?”  He’s not looking for the answer you learned at your Mama’s knee or the Catholic catechism answer.  Nor does he want what the books say or the bumper stickers, or the easily accessible Internet.

Jesus made his first question easy – who do people say that I am?  The disciples parroted back what they’d heard others say, but Jesus pushes them to move to what they are hearing within their own being: “But you, who do you say that I am?”  Like the disciples, each of us must answer the question for ourselves based on our own lived faith experience AND God’s word revealed in the privacy of our lectio-moments of intimate conversation with God.

How we answer Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” has everything to do with who WE are.  In some ways our answer says as much or more about us than who Jesus is to us.  It reveals how we live and what we stand for.  It guides our decisions, and determines the actions we take, the words we speak.  We need to constantly remind ourselves: It’s not what people look at, it’s not what we say.  It’s what people hear, how they interpret, what they remember.

In some sense there is no “once and for all time, finally and forever” answer to Jesus’ query: “Who do you say that I am?  We are constantly engaging his question and in so doing, we not only discover Jesus anew.  We discover ourselves anew.

During the coming week you are invited to look into a mirror (real or imaginary) and turn the question around.  Ask Jesus: “Who do you say that I am?  Why do you love me so much?”

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Have a good week!  Be safe from the coming storm and pray for folks who may not be so fortunate.

 

 

 

Gospel:   Matthew 16:13-20
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