Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Mother Teresa

“When we become aware of our humility, we’ve lost it.”

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Here we have two brothers, who belong to the innermost circle of Jesus’ disciples, trying to insure they get special privilege in the kingdom to come.  But listen to Jesus: “The last be shall first and the first shall be last.”  Greatness, He says, consists not in what we have, or what we can get from others but in what we can give of ourselves to others.  Jesus asks us: Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?  These two brothers, in their eager ignorance, answer without hesitation: “No problem!”

For us as Benedictines – in Benedict’s view, we are all called to cultivate a humble awareness of our place in creation.  Being humble requires an unassuming trust in God’s providence.  For St. Benedict, everything a monastic does must be credited for the glory of God.  That’s why we were created.  Remember your Baltimore catechism?  We were made to know, love and serve God.  A fifth century monk says it well: A proud monk needs no demon. He has turned into one, an enemy to himself.

In our own lifetime, Mother Teresa gives us a few ways to practice humility that sound much like Benedict’s steps of humility.

 

To speak as little as possible of one’s self.

To mind one’s own business.

Not to want to manage other people’s affairs.

To avoid curiosity.

To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.

To pass over the mistakes of others.

To accept insults and injuries.

To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.

To be kind and gentle even under provocation.

Never to stand on one’s dignity.

To choose always the hardest.

 

Words from Prayer for Humility by an Anonymous Abbess is worth pondering line by line.

Lord, you know better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples’ affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But You know, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask you for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn’t agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil’s masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

AMEN

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

Thank God for blessings received; pray for those who were no so fortunate.

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 53:10-11         Second Reading:  Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel:   Mark 10:35-45
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Are You Angry Because I Am Generous?

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Growing up I recall my mother speaking from fond memory of her love for all her Benedictine Sister-teachers she knew from Ridgely, MD.  She had been double-promoted from seventh grade into high school.  But, there was no Catholic high school and she didn’t particularly like the public school setting.  At fourteen (14) she did what a lot of young people did.  She dropped out, got a work permit and joined her sister in Atlantic Beach to wait tables.  Later she became a nanny and housekeeper for a family that were loyal to her long after she married at age 33.  At some point I asked her why she hadn’t become a Sister since she obviously loved them – she could name them all from Sister Philomena in first grade to Sister Florentine (for whom she took her Confirmation name) in her last grade at St. Elizabeth’s.  Her answer to my query echoes that of the 5 o’clock men in this Gospel parable: “No one asked me.”  Adding – “I figured I wasn’t good enough.”  (“But, then, I wouldn’t have had you.”)

It strikes me that this Gospel must be a source of reassurance to those that some may describe as “late or delayed vocations.”  When the 5 o’clock whistle blew the men in the parable figured they’d been overlooked again.  “Don’t I look strong enough?  What will I say to my wife and children?”  The parable described these hopefuls as “standing around” but if you have seen day laborers gathered, hopefully waiting for a grove owner’s bus, you’ve seen some of them – already weary before the day has begun – sitting on a bench or crouched on their haunches.  Their experience warning them once again there’d be no room for them on the bus.

So, they’re there – well, into the day – 5 o’clock the parable says – discouraged – AGAIN – picturing their children with hunger in their eyes.  But, (wait) maybe (just maybe) they could pick up a few hours work but dark.  Either way, their ears pricked up when they heard the voice of the landowner, the Master: “Why are you still here?  You, too, go into my vineyard.”

What a surprise a short while later, when they looked into their pay envelopes to discover a full day’s wages!  (Now, unlike the parable of the 10 lepers made clean, Matthew does not tell us how many said “thank you.”)

Is it possible, they discretely peeked in their envelopes, thinking, “He’s usually generous – wonder how much I got – will it put supper on the table?  Mmmm, I better not act too surprised or delighted lest the early birds notice what’s occurred.   I would venture a guess that these “Johnny come lately” guys might decide they better not push their luck tomorrow …  lolly-gag or deliberately arrive late to join the guys on the bench.

(Enough of my imagining.)  The whole Gospel story harkens back to a line from the First Reading from Isaiah: (God speaks) –  “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” … (God, the Lord or to use the term in the Gospel – the Master, continues emphasizing how far apart God’s thoughts are from ours).  “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.”  With that consideration in mind, (that God’s thoughts are a far cry from our earth-bound thoughts) jump to the last line in the Gospel parable: … “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own riches?  Are you envious because I am generous?”  [Has God ever had to ask that question of you?]

Isn’t this exactly Benedict’s point when he reminds his followers (well, he directs much to the abbot or prioress … but even the “grace of office” can’t work a transformation if the one elected isn’t already steeped in these traits.)  As one of the speakers said in Thursday’s evening’s ZOOM presentation on Racism: “A change in attitude doesn’t guarantee in a change in behavior.”

While we are “sitting on the bench we call life” we should not be “standing around idle” waiting to be hired – there is much to be done.  The Rule offers us a good material for a personal check list:

(From RB 2) “Honor all persons.  Show no favoritism, but have respect for all.  (RB 27 and 34) Any favoritism should be shown for the weak.  (RB 2 and 27)   Accommodate a variety of lifestyles; don’t exercise any form of tyranny.  (RB 62)   Follow what you consider better for others.  No favoritism will be given due to rank or status.  (RB 3) Even the youngest should be heard with respect in community deliberations.  (RB 59) No distinction between rich and poor; respect all equally.”

In regard to respect for individual pathways to holiness, Benedict says in RB 73: there is always more you can do.  Those who can do more, should do so.  “As observant and obedient monk, we blush for shame at being so slothful, so unobservant, so negligent.  Are you hastening toward your heavenly home?  Then, with Christ’s help, keep this little rule …  After that, you can set out for the loftier summits of teaching and the virtues, and under God’s protection you will reach them.”

Can you hear the landowner asking: “Why are you standing here idle all day?  Go into my vineyard and I will give you what is just.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading Isaiah 55:6-9                 Second Reading   Philippians 1:20-24, 27a
Gospel   Matthew 20:1-16a
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Reflection from Federation of St. Scholastica

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Today’s reflection is by

Sister Glenna Smith, OSB

of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

 

If you would like to sign up to receive alerts when a new reflection from Sister Glenna Smith is posted and help spread the word of the Federation of St. Scholastica Centennial Celebration 1922-2022,

please click here: scholastica-celebration.org. 

 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19
Matthew 13:24-43 OR 13:24-30

Again, Jesus says, “Whoever has ears ought to hear.” This, once again, suggests that we need to be open and receptive to the Word. There are some ordinary, simple things outlined in today’s Gospel: the farmer is to sow good seed, the leavening power of yeast mixed with flour, the mustard seed. These metaphors may help us to begin to perceive Jesus’ meanings.

Some of Mother Teresa’s words ring in my ears and heart:

  • Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
  • Peace begins with a smile.
  • Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
  • If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
  • I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.
  • Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

I offer a sample of my own pondering that comes from the Rule of Benedict, Scripture, and others (Facebook, musicals, psychology, Star Trek, etc.):

  • Be the first to show respect…bear with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior.
  • Let there be no grumbling whatsoever.
  • See Christ in everyone (Namaste)
  • You will never look into the eyes of anyone God does not love.
  • Gossip does not bear good fruit.
  • The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.
  • To have loved another person is to have seen the face of God.
  • Maturity moves us from an external locus of control to an internal locus of control. (equivalent or parallel to conscience development?)
  • Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

Enormous sacrifices are asked of some of Jesus followers. Others of us are asked to do seemingly smaller, perhaps less noteworthy, things to build or strengthen the Body of Christ. What are you called to today?

Sister Glenna Smith entered the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in 1977 and has served her community and their ministries for 40+ years as teacher, prefect, camp director, counselor, principal and administrator, school psychologist, member of various boards, formation director, monastery coordinator, and subprioress. She was privileged to serve the Federation of Saint Scholastica as president from 2010-2014.

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Stay Awake and Be Ready

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This week in the U.S. the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) will be convening in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Let us pray for the leaders of women’s communities – and not solely for them – but for all levels of leadership in communities of women religious.  May they be women of faith, alive in hope.  They and all of us must live in hope with the assurance that however things turn out it makes sense in God’s plan.  Our daily stance must be the words of the psalmist: Stay awake and be ready.

Several years ago, Mother Teresa appeared on the Hour of Power television program.  The host, Pastor Robert Schuller, reminded her that the show was being broadcast all over America and in 22 foreign countries, including her native Yugoslavia.  He asked her if there was one message she would like to convey to all those viewers.  Her response was, “Yes, tell them to pray.  And tell them to teach their children to pray.”

Sadly, we live in a generation where there seems to be little hope in our world.  Jesus keeps reminding us to trust God.  He encourages us to let go of our resentments, our doubts and our fears.  He urges us to remember that there is never a storm so tumultuous that He cannot bring us to safety.  There is no night so dark that His light cannot penetrate it.  Nothing is going to happen to us that, with God’s grace, we can’t handle.  When hurricane winds howl, and tornado winds whip around us or flood waters are rising we have to remind ourselves that prayer is our most powerful and most reliable force.

Sometimes it may seem that no one is listening.  Do you recall how four-year-old impish Anna addressed God in Sydney Hopkins book: Mister God, This Is Anna?  She had great conversations with her Mister God.  So introduce yourself to God.  God is listening.  He will answer your prayers in His own time and in His own way.  God said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  Be on the lookout for God’s touches in your life.  One day Jesus may ask us: “Who touched me? ….  I know someone touched me, power went out of me.”  Be sure that your touches in people’s lives are God-like.  How we get along with each other says a great deal about how we love God and the kind of people we want to be.

You know of many instances when Jesus healed with a touch.  And how often do you say, or hear people say, “That really touched my heart.”  Our words do touch people – our compliments and affirmations but also the barbs, rudeness or hurtful teasing.  Our words leave their mark – will they be angry red scar marks or soft reminders of happy times?  Remember the little girl who was saying her nightly prayers.  (She said,) “Dear God, if you’re there and you hear my prayer, could you please just touch me?”  Just then she felt a touch and got so excited!  She said, “Thank you, God, for touching me.”  Then she looked up, saw her older sister and got a little suspicious.  “Did you just touch me?”  The sister answered, “Yes, I did.”  “What did you do that for?” she asked.  “God told me to” was the reply.

Our big question is: Do we know how to pray as we ought?  Do we merely ask for things, or do we dare ask to be transformed?  When we do so, do we promise to follow the promptings of the Spirit?  We can’t ask God to guide our footsteps if we are not willing to move our feet.

I will close with a portion of Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural Speech:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, successful, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.  There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us, it’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

 

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Foregiveness

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PRAYER: “I know that God won’t give me anything I can’t handle.  I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”  (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

 

This past Thursday our nation celebrated the National Day of Prayer.  The Bill for the observance was initiated by Conrad Hilton, (founder of Hilton hotels) and was signed into law in April 1952 by President Truman.  Here’s an interest note: the president of the U.S. is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on the first Thursday in May.

Thinking about “prayer” – (but not directly connecting it to the Gospel just read) I find it curious that the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray “just as John taught his disciples.”  They wanted the words, didn’t they, for certainly Jesus had given them an example of prayer.  He had modeled time alone, told them to “go to your room and pray,” raised his eyes, hands and voice in intercessory prayer before miraculous healings.  But they, like we, wanted “the words to say.”  We forget sometimes that when we descend into our hearts in silent waiting that it is there we meet the Spirit who is already praying within us.

We look for “words,” don’t we … in a prayer book, on a holy card, in the life of a saint ….  We look for a guide, a director, a mentor.  I don’t mean to belittle the worthwhile role these companions play in our lives which is often critical to our spiritual growth and our salvation.  We just need to keep in mind, and really believe, the tremendous role that Scripture plays in our lives.  Jesus promised: “The Spirit of Truth will show you all things.”  St. Paul reminds us: “If you do these things you can be saved: be joyful at all times, pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things.”

Let’s look for a few minutes at the shortened version of what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.”  In it we pray “give us each day” EACH DAY – not a train load of blessings to last us all year – just today’s help, Lord, that’s all I am asking … not even tomorrow’s help … just get me through today – I trust you will be there tomorrow – even when I feel like Mother Teresa once prayed: “I KNOW GOD WON’T GIVE ME ANYTHING I CAN’T HANDLE …  I JUST WISH HE DIDN’T TRUST ME SO MUCH.”

In Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, have you noticed the difference in the phrase regarding forgiveness?  We pray, “forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.”  A strong, firm statement of my willingness to forgive everyone.  In the traditional version we pray: forgive us our debts, or trespasses, as we forgive our debtors…”  It sounds as if God’s forgiveness to me is measured by my willingness to forgive others.

I like Luke’s version even while I feel it is a greater challenge.  I commit, I promise: I will forgive EVERYONE who is in debt to me.  No willy-nilly “this one I forgive but not that one, at least not today.”  When we pray Luke’s words we vow “I forgive EVERYONE.”  Think of that the next time you pray the Our Father … at Mass or in private prayer, you are agreeing to forgive EVERYONE.  What a huge and freeing commitment.

And we promise to do it day after day after day.  Repetitious practice isn’t just what we may have told our mothers seemed “stupid” and useless. Things like making the bed that we are only going to rumple up in a few hours or doing the dishes after every meal instead of collecting them until the cupboard is bare or cleaning the toilet that someone is going to mess up the minute I leave the bathroom.  Repetition perfects, and makes permanent skill in music, in handwriting, in the acquisition of good, or bad habits.  And, in the repetition of daily chores (even the tasks only God sees) there is a meaningful expression of hospitality to myself and my companions.  In the repetition of the Psalms, of favorite prayers, and liturgical actions there is a meaningful acknowledgment of our creaturely participation in God’s creative act, day after day, after day.

So, we pray day after day for vocations, for peace, for relief from suffering and war and for a forgiving heart.  Through our community and personal prayer we feed not only our own spirits, but we are, so to speak, attached by a spiritual cord to everyone we have ever come into contact with. We feed ourselves spiritually, and we also nourish all those contacts through our prayers.  Our prayer is universal.  We forgive everyone who is in debt to us.   Note, in Luke’s memory Jesus did not say “everyone to whom we owe a debt” … rather those who are in debt to us.  Who would that be?  And, why would someone be in debt to me?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First reading Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Second Reading Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel John 21:1-14
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