Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Miracle

You Fill-in the Blanks

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The story (I believe) calls each one of us to examine what mountain we must climb to see God’s glory.  I trust you have been using our assigned Lenten Lectio book.  So you are hearing daily about protection with a blue ribbon as you climb your Lenten mountain.  You can call the mountains whatever you will – it’s your personalize mount to climb: hurdles, challenges, enticing temptations, near occasions of sin, quirks of personality, Lenten resolutions, pet peeves….  Some days they are like just a little pebble on our path that we kick aside.  Other days, they can be like a grain of sand inside your shoe – no bother when you are sitting still but the instant you start to move it quickly makes itself felt.  Other days, they are like boulders we can’t move with a backhoe.  Everyone’s mountain is different; but, to witness God’s glory, we must climb our “mountains.”

When we reach the mountaintop, we must stay alert, have the insight to know that we are at the top.  The disciples could have missed Jesus’ transfiguration if they:

  • had been too busy taking in the view
  • gloating over their status or talking about those left behind
  • wondering about what was on the agenda for tomorrow
  • how long were they going to be up on this mountain anyway
  • would there be time to finish what they had started when Jesus summoned them
  • bickering over who was going to get to use the walking stick going down the mountain
  • and, who’s going to provide the fish for tonight’s supper?

You fill in the blanks…you know what it is that keeps you from seeing God’s glory.  What causes you to miss the “small miracles,” the “everyday transfigurations” in yourself, in each other, in nature.  We need to thank God when we get to the top of the mountain; but we can hardly stay there.  There are more mountains to climb.  While you are at the top, if only for an instant, don’t miss the transfiguration.

Jesus did not become “more God” that day on the mountain.  I don’t think the change was so much in Jesus, as it was in the disciples.  They were ready.  They had climbed the mountain.  And their eyes were open to witness the miracle of the moment.  Transfigurations we sometimes call “miracles” are all around us IF we but have the eyes to see.

  • Miracle of God’s graciousness when a person holds a door open for another
  • Miracle of God’s loving-care when a chair is vacated to give another a seat
  • Miracle of God’s inclusion when we make space at table
  • Miracle of God’s mercy when a mistake is not challenged in public
  • Miracle of God’s hospitality when an open invitation is extended
  • Miracle of God’s steadfastness when day after day we gather for communal exercises
  • Miracle of God’s perseverance when we come through tough times – individually and as a community
  • Miracle of God’s humility when reconciliation occurs
  • Miracle of God’s generosity when we give from our need
  • Miracle of God’s compassion when an offer is extended before the other has to ask
  • Miracle of God’s humor when it rains on our picnics
  • Miracle of God’s artistry in the beauty of nature that surrounds us
  • And always, God, thank you for the miracle of tomorrow: the gift of a new sunrise, a new slate, a new beginning.

Make your own litany of miracles.  God is already there, is here.  Jesus invites us up the mountain and leads the way.  We just need to open our eyes to witness the transfiguration.

Reflection By Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
Mark 9: 2-10   [Vigil of the Second Sunday in Lent  3.16.19]

 

 

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A Miracle – A Mantra

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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.

(There is a repeating refrain here- a mantra – please, join in if you like …)

When the wine runs out and you are confused – but others are looking for answers – DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and troubles swirl about you so your head is a muddle … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and your “umph” does, too DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine runs out, and you know aridity and still you struggle to be upbeat … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

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 prayers seem to be unheard, listen closely and 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 DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When the wine is running low, and no one else seems to notice, tell Him, and, then DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When self-doubt abounds and life seems meaningless, He is there: DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life lacks vibrancy and the future is colorless, fill the 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 DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

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 you have more questions than answers, here’s an answer for any query … DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

When life is full of changes that threaten, lean into the One who is changeless, DO WHAT EVER HE TELL 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.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
January 20, 2019  (Wedding at Cana)
First Reading Isaiah 62:1-5            Second Reading 1 Corinthians12:4-11
Gospel John 21:11
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What bread will you and I eat today?

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We live: hungry people in a hungry world.  Everyone is looking for something that will sustain and nourish their life, something that will feed and energize them, something that will fill and satisfy.  Everyone is looking for bread.  The problem is not that we are hungry, but the kinds of bread we eat.

Think about the variety of bread we eat at our own table: wheat, multi-grain, plain white; pita pockets, hoagie rolls, English muffins, French bread and Jewish bagels and Challah bread; And, oh my goodness, the homemade varieties we get: biscuits and scones, crescent rolls, pull bread, sliced bread …. Toasted, warmed, plain, garlic sprinkled, seeded or stuffed bread… Banana bread, raisin bread, cheese bread and don’t overlook all the gluten-free breads available in the markets.  The list goes on and on.  This is a short-list representative of the varieties of bread being eaten in our lives and in the world today.

In war-torn countries both sides are eating the bread of violence and war.  In our country in the political world Republicans and Democrats, share the bread of negativity, hostility, and name-calling.  In the social-corporate world both sides are eating the bread that objectifies and depersonalizes another human being.  Many eat the bread of having to be right and get our own way.  We eat the bread of hurt feelings and resentment.  Sometimes we eat the bread of loneliness, fear, and isolation.  There are times we eat the bread of sorrow or guilt.  Other times we eat the bread of power and control; or the bread of revenge or one-up-manship.  We eat all kinds of bread.  The bread we eat reveals something about the nature of our appetites.

The world is full of bread and yet far too many live hungry, empty; searching what will fill their bellies and sustain them; waking day after day disappointed, asking God for a miracle.  It’s a sure sign that the bread we have eaten cannot give real life.  It is perishable bread that nourishes only a perishable appetite so it leaves us wanting more, more, more.

The bread we eat may fill our belly, may even bloat us but it’ not of lasting value – it passes through our bodily system.  Not all bread is nutritious.  If you want to know the nutritional value of bread, you have to look beyond the bread.  Where did it come from?  What are its ingredients?

That’s what Jesus is teaching in this gospel.  The people have shown up hungry.  But, just yesterday Jesus fed 5000 of them with five loaves and two fish.  Today they show up and their first question is, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

They do not marvel at yesterday’s miracle and give thanks for Jesus’ generosity, or even wonder who this rabbi is.  They’re just worried they might have missed the next meal, that Jesus started without them and they are too late.  They did not perceive the meaning of the sign, the miracle, in first feeding.  They saw just fish and bread.  They either refused or were unable to see beyond the fish and bread.  They are interested only in their own appetites and Jesus knows it.

“Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill.”  They are concerned for their bellies.  Jesus is concerned for their lives.  The people want to feed themselves with bread.  Jesus wants to feed them with God.  “Do not work for the food that perishes,” he tells them, “but for the food that endures for eternal life.”

The food that endures is Jesus himself.  He is the bread that is broken and distributed for the life of the world.  He is the bread that is broken and yet never divided.  He is the bread that is eaten and yet the value is never exhausted.  He is the bread that consecrates those who believe in and eat him – his flesh, his blood.

When we believe in Jesus, eating, ingesting, and taking him into our lives, we live differently.  We see ourselves and one another as persons created in the image and likeness of God.  We trust the silence of our prayer life.  We choose love and forgiveness and reconciliation.  We relate with intimacy and vulnerability.  We listen with “the ear of our heart” for God’s voice.

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus tells us.  “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  Jesus is offering us himself – the imperishable bread that nourishes and sustains imperishable life.

So, what bread will we offer our guests and co-workers? What bread will you and I eat today?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading Exodus 16:2–4, 12–15                        Second Reading Ephesians 4:17, 20–24
Gospel John 6:24–35
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Are You Who You Say You Are?

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This Gospel tells us that Jesus is hampered from performing miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith.  We see a very human side of Jesus.  He seems to be taken by surprise.  His family seems to be sending the message every child dreads to hear, especially from mom or dad: “Stop embarrassing us.  Act your age.”

Can you recall a time when a parent, teacher, novice mistress or maybe a friend seemed surprised by your words or an action that showed a level of maturity beyond their expectations?  In family life, and hopefully in our community, we rightfully expect a safe place to discover who we are and who God is calling us to be.

Does a time come to mind when you were surprised by someone you thought you knew saying something really wise, insightful or maybe just plain “off the wall” but so smart?  Why were you surprised?  Or was it not surprise, but impressive and pleasant to see a different aspect of that person.  It happens in my role frequently – A Sisters’ sharing gives me a peak into her depth of lectio, her expression of a deep spirituality puts me to shame or at the very least reminds me what a treasure we have in community.

Now it is interesting to note, that where the evangelist uses the word “offense” the Greek origin is “stumbling block.”  And that it seems to me is closer to what is happening here.  Jesus’ audience were scratching their heads and tripping over themselves trying to understand how this young whippersnapper from Nazareth could be so wise.  Up to this point, like most good Jews, he had kept a low profile.  Jesus’ family and friends were scared for him.   There was an emotional stumbling block interfering with them openly being a Jesus follower.

What stumbling block sometimes prevents you from speaking up in defense of Jesus, of our faith or our Benedictine values?

I was drawn back to the first reading from Ezekiel.  I wanted to say to Jesus when he seemed stymied by the crowd’s reaction to his teaching – Remember what Ezekiel said: The spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites…  whether they resist or rebel or are obstinate of heart, it is you I am sending.  Say to them, whether you heed or resist, it is I whom God has sent – I am a prophet among you.”

The crowds used all the time-honored dismissive ways …  we know them, we have been targets – or sadly we may have employed them: belittling remarks, the covert laugh, the rolled eyes, the turning away of attention, or making light of the other’s knowledge – the attitude that says: who does she think she is?

Ultimately, what didn’t happen in Nazareth: no healings, no mighty deeds, is not much of a surprise.  After all a miracle is not just an event but it is an interpreted event.  If Jesus is not reputed to be capable of healing, any healing that does take place won’t be attributed to him.  So the crowd’s attitude is “there’s nothing here to see.  Let’s just move along, move along… and find some other excitement.”

Such is true with us, with our community.  Our guests don’t experience peace and harmony, generosity of spirit and light-heartedness, beauty in nature and liturgy if they don’t find it in each of us.  They come expecting a miracle – the miracle happens in our interactions – first with each other, then between us and our guests.

Remember Jesus question to this disciples: Who do people say I am?  And, you: who do you say I am?”  Who do you say these Benedictine Sisters of Florida are?

If I remembered well the music, I’d sing to you the tune from the rock opera popular in the 1970’s –

“Jesus Christ, Superstar – Do you think you’re what they say you are?”

Benedictine Sisters of Florida, do you think you’re what they say you are?

Are you really who you say you are?

Are you really who they say you are?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading  Ezekiel 2:2-5                Second Reading  2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Gospel Mark 6:1-6
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The First Miracle

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water to wine(John tells us that Jesus and his disciples were invited to this wedding at Cana, as was Jesus’ mother, Mary.) There is no parallel report of this miracle at Cana in the other three Gospels. Don’t you think it is significant that John included the story – about Jesus and his disciples at a wedding – at a PARTY – as the very first miracle Jesus performs? Of all that Jesus said and did in his three years of ministry, this is first – Jesus at a party, turning water into wine. (and not communion size wine but party size wine)

John must have kept his eye on Mary whenever he was in her company.  Even after Jesus’ death, at Jesus, behest he took Mary into his home and heart until her own death.  Though in relating this story he does not call her by name, he must have been deeply touched by her gentleness and gutsiness; keen intuition and comfortableness in staying in the background.  Only Mary, Jesus and the wine steward (and, of course, our writer John) apparently noticed the exchange between Jesus and his mother – and the miraculous result.  There is no mention about whether the other wedding guests are aware of what happened.  This lavish response to a simple human need is a vision for us of the abundance of God’s workings in our lives. Jesus got involved in a BIG WAY – those six jars of wine would fill 6 to 9 HUNDRED bottles.  That’s a lot of wine, even for a wedding party that would, in Jesus’ time, last a week.

Jesus quiet generosity challenges us to respond generously when confronted with human need today – simply, quietly without looking for credit or announcing the “miracle.”   We respond as best we can, fully confident that God can transform our “water of humility into wine of unselfish generosity” bringing the Kingdom of God to fulfillment among us.

Do you know people who ‘feel bad about feeling good’?   (Or are you one of them?)  Do you feel that Jesus should have just attended the wedding ceremony (the ‘religious part’) and kept away from the festivities?  Do you have a problem with Mary enjoying a glass of wine or two?  There are some people, maybe more than we know, who seem to feel that, in order to be a ‘good’ person they always have to be denying themselves, always ‘making sacrifices’ or putting themselves down and minimizing their God-given talents.  If they think they are really enjoying life, there must be something wrong. They are in a constant state of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

To echo Pope Francis’ thinking: “Our religion is a religion of joy.”  But people miss his point when they spend their time living Lent but without Easter.  Pope Francis says in his introduction to THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL,” Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures!”   He continues: “I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress.”

And, we really do have much to celebrate, to be joyful and be thankful for in so far as so many people have used their gifts to promote our well-being and support  our community.

I quote here Max Lucado from When God Whispers Your Name:”

Why would Jesus, on his first journey, take his followers to a party? Didn’t they have work to do? Didn’t he have principles to teach? Wasn’t his time limited? How could a wedding fit with his purpose on earth? Why did Jesus go to the wedding?

The answer? It’s found in the second verse of John 2. “Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding.”

Why did they invite him? I suppose they liked him.  Big deal? I think so. I think it’s significant that common folk in a little town enjoyed being with Jesus. I think it’s noteworthy that the Almighty didn’t act high and mighty. The Holy One wasn’t holier-than-thou. You just don’t get the impression that his neighbors grew sick of his haughtiness and asked, “Well, who do you think made you God?” His faith made him likable, not detestable. Would that ours would do the same!

Lucado asks:  May I state an opinion that may raise an eyebrow? May I tell you why I think Jesus went to the wedding? I think he went to the wedding to-now hold on, hear me out, let me say it before you heat the tar and pluck the feathers-I think Jesus went to the wedding to have fun.”

So here’s a question for us:  Jesus took time for a party.  So, shouldn’t we?

How are you going to party?  And who is God using – like Mary speaking to Jesus – to give us a nudge in the right direction?  If you don’t know – as Benedict says:  listen more carefully.  And, if you do know – take the hint!

                                                                                                        Reflection by Sister Robert Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

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