Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

parable

“What do we want to be caught dead doing?”

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This Gospel parable is a classic case of “too little, too late.”  In the end, driven to desperation, the rich man, suffering the consequences of his insensitivity to everyone but himself, makes a grand gesture.  When it dawns on him that he cannot save himself, his early training takes over.  He calls on Abraham to have pity on his siblings.  He begs Abraham to at least give them a “heads up” about the dire cost of the repeated selfish pattern of their lives.  He acknowledges it is too late to save himself.  He has strayed too far from the kindness his mother had instilled in him in early childhood.

You may ask whether this is an historical account or is it a parable.  Or, is there any difference?  Is it the true story of two men who lived and died during the time of Christ’s earthly ministry?  Or is it a story made up by Jesus to drive home a point?

You see, by definition, a parable is a true-to-life story used to illuminate a truth. This is true of the parable in the Gospel even if all of the details never occurred exactly as presented in the story. Parables are special stories that may, or may not, reflect historical events. Nevertheless, they must be true-to-life – they must be based on a real-life situation which is familiar to the  hearer. In other words, the story itself must be based on events that could have happened, whether or not they ever actually did,  Otherwise it would only serve to confuse people rather than provide them with spiritual light.

We can relate to the main character’s growing insensitivity.  How easily we, too, can become desensitized!  In some ways it’s good.  We can train ourselves by cultivating the habit of “selective sensitivity”.  When it comes to sight and sound, we’ve each done it to some degree.  We push little annoyances into the background, so it takes a concerted effort to notice them.  Think of the crunch of fresh potatoes chips, the click of heels on the hallway floor surface, the fan motor on the AC, even the persistent piercing sound of the monitoring alarm or wake-up melodies on a clock-radio or daytime tinnitus.

As a nation, as individuals we can be bombarded by many sources of media, featuring stories of horrible torture and inhumane treatment.  Sustained hunger or the effects of natural disasters can overwhelm our sensitivities so deeply that emotionally we shut down.  We suffer brain over-load.  We hear but we don’t listen.  We direct our attention to the next graphic depiction of raging violence, or the devastation wrought by climate change on the New Jersey shoreline.  The images flash and the newspapers stories and pictures slip through our minds like the story in a novel or frames in a comic book.  After a while we fail to separate between fact and fiction; between everyday happenings and once-a-week invented TV dramas.  We pray for an end to gun violence but we invite the sounds of gun fire and fisticuffs into our living rooms, dens and bedrooms via TV and computer apps because they’re “just pretend” stories.

How does this happen?  How can we continue to stay in touch with our gentler nature, our God-eyes and ears – the compassion of Christ that we promise to extend “to all those in our realm of influence”?

It takes daily prayer and practice.  Our degree of dedication to be true to our corporate commitment is living proof that we are learning the lessons we hear proclaimed in the daily Scripture readings. We share in the ministry of the compassion of Jesus when we provide hope and comfort to God’s people.  The essence of the message contained in the exchange in today’s Gospel is captured in Joan Chittister’s prompting: “What do we want to be caught dead doing?”  (American Magazine and NCR)

 

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 Have a pleasant week.  Pray that the hurricane stays out over open waters… but if God directs it over land, please preserve people from harm.

 

First Reading  Amos 6: 1a-7     
Second Reading  1 Timothy 6: 11-16
Gospel Reading  Luke 16: 19-31
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Rich Fool Parable

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Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was

This Gospel sets us pondering what is important in our lives.  The man in the incident Luke describes holds a world view that is fairly exclusive, doesn’t he?  It’s just him and HIS things.  Now he’s shocked to learn that he is about to lose his life.  What good are his possessions going to be to him now?  Jesus makes his opinion quite plain.  “You fool!  This very night your life will be taken away.  To whom will everything belong then?!”

As the story goes, the man is disgruntled over a long-standing disagreement with his brother.  And it sounds like he thinks he is justified in his complaint.  So, he figures he will follow the customary practice of taking his dispute to the rabbi.  (Expecting the rabbi, of course, take his part and set his brother right.)  He further thinks maybe this new rabbi, the one he’s heard everyone talking about, won’t know about his reputation for pettiness.  Surely he will get a favorable settlement for the row against his brother.  But, surprise!  Jesus refuses to take the case.  Instead, Jesus gives the squabbling brothers a parable to “mull over”.

And, what’s the point of Jesus’ story?  It’s not even remotely related to the problem that the two brothers are having.  It features a wealthy landowner that doesn’t describe either of the siblings.  Then Jesus lumps the boys in the same pot as the landowner.  He calls them all “fools”.

Better take fair warning, Boys.  And all you other listeners, too.  There is danger in thinking this parable applies only to “those rich people.”  To put the matter more pointedly, thinking of those rich fools enables me NOT to think of myself as a “rich fool.”

This a lesson about covetousness and jealousy.  Envy is related but perhaps less “green.”  You’ve heard the expression “green with envy.”  Envy, like jealousy, is a desire to have what the other has but it’s maybe a little less “green”.  It’s a desire to ALSO have what the other has.  But not like jealousy wanting to have it INSTEAD of the other.  Envy says: “I wish I could go too.”  “I wish I could be as gentle and kind as she is.”  Envy does begrudge the gifts of the other.  It’s a prompt to imitate the others’ Christian example.

In this little parable Jesus probes our hearts.  “Where is your treasure?” he asks.  Don’t make the mistake that this farmer made.  Examine my story.   Just what is the farmer’s error.  He wasn’t wicked.  He didn’t gain his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others.  He’s not particularly greedy.  So, what’s wrong with building larger barns, renting a storage unit, getting a POD in the back yard to store away some of today’s bounty for a leaner tomorrow?  This kind of thinking can lead us to ask: Is there anything wrong with hanging on to clothing we’ve outgrown but might wear again someday?  Or stockpiling furniture that serves only as a “catch all” because it’s just too nice to give away.  What about requesting more allowance than we actually need?  But, never finding a charity other than ourselves.  Or accepting, or worse asking for money gifts or gift cards from lay people giving them the impression that our community does not take care of our needs.  We might answer that none of this sounds so terribly wrong compared to the horrors of violence … except for two things.

Notice what the farmer’s consistent focus is.  “What should I do?  I have no place to store my crops?”  “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.”  It’s his relentless use of “I” and “my” that betray a preoccupation with self.  He’s fallen prey to worshiping the most popular of gods: the Unholy Trinity of “me, myself, and I.”  He gives no thought to using the abundance to help others.  This most likely is what leads to a second mistake: foolishness in thinking that making provision for the future; will secure one’s future.

Jesus used the opportunity as a “teachable moment.”  Life, he impresses upon us, does not consist in things; not even in having MANY things.  The farmer in the parable is a rich man, who fears that is not rich enough.  Jesus didn’t judge him; He did teach.  He was teaching all of us how to live.  To paraphrase President Joe Biden’s words in his speech at the Democratic convention, when he referred to his wife who was a teacher: “Teaching is not what Jesus did; it’s who he was.”

~by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading  Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23        Second Reading Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Gospel Reading  Luke 12:13-21

 

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Growing Within US

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Mark’s Gospel is full of stories, parables about the Kingdom of God.  The fourth chapter alone has three stories and all three are about seeds.  In one story Jesus tells of a farmer who planted seed in both good and not so good soil.  That’s the story Jesus elaborates on making it easy to understand. But the second, (which was the first parable that was just read) is a little more mysterious.  It describes how the seed grows without the farmer knowing how.  The third marvels at how large beautiful plants can grow from such tiny seeds.

Literally, the word parable means “a riddle.”  Jesus told more than 40 riddles or parables during his ministry.  Usually when a person tells you a riddle, they eventually tell you the answer.  But Jesus only explained one parable to the crowds – the parable of the Sower and the Seed.  Mark lets us know that Jesus did explain everything to his disciples in private.  Then, Jesus ascended into heaven and took the answers with him!  So that leaves us, with a lot of figuring out to do.

I’m told that one of the most amazing seeds in the world is Chinese bamboo.  It lies buried in the soil for five years before above-ground sprouts begin to appear leading one to believe it has died, is dormant, or stunted or defective seed.  During those long five-years it is important to cultivate, water and fertilize it regularly.  When the seedlings finally emerge from the ground, you can almost watch them grow before your very eyes  – growing at an astonishing rate, ninety feet into the air in just six weeks.  That’s fifteen feet a week, more than two feet a day, two inches every hour.  Why does it take so long to emerge, and then grow so fast once it does?  Plant experts say that during its first five years, the seed is busy building it’s elaborate root system underground that enables it to grow ninety feet in six weeks.

We can be tempted to want parables to unfold in neat little, decodable life-lessons.  But that’s not Jesus way.  He simply floats the parable out there, to rise or fall on ears of those who hear more than is said.  Those who have learned to really listen and read between the lines.

I am reminded of a short film that was popular in the 1970s – produced by a Canadian film maker: “The Parable.”  It was described by critics as “a very subtle Christian worldview.”  It raised eyebrows and questions about the prophetic role of the artist.  There were teachers’ guides galore explaining the symbolism in the story.  However, the film maker said he did not see Christ in the story.  It was not his intention to do anything other than tell a good short story and maybe win an award.

Parables are like dreams.  I can learn about universal symbolism but only the dreamer herself can discern the deep and hidden meaning of her dream.  We may both have dreams about rocks falling on us but each of us must interpret what the rocks represent.  You cannot explain for me what my dream about floating like a manatee down the Peace River means for me.  You may guess what it might mean for you if you had a similar dream.  If I am deathly afraid of water it may terrorize me while it may mean calm and serenity for you.

Remember the Chinese bamboo: God’s Kingdom grows within us in a similar way.  It takes a long time to emerge.  Sometimes it takes so long we wonder, “Did the seed of God’s kingdom planted in me at Baptism ever take root?  Maybe it fell on a rock in my heart and died.  Maybe it got choked by the thorns of my sins.”  More often than not, the seed of God’s Kingdom is building an elaborate root system inside.  Its growth may not be visible for a long time, but eventually something wonderful and beautiful will emerge.

This means that we need to trust God who in the first place planted the seed of the Kingdom in us.  He understands what’s happening inside us because he sees into the heart, even though we don’t.  We also need to be patient with ourselves and with each other.  Even though the Kingdom may not seem to have taken root in you, and you don’t seem to be getting any holier, there’s no need to be discouraged.  Keep on cultivating the seed with private and communal prayer, Eucharist and Lectio.  And, trust that others are making similar efforts to cultivate the seeds in their lives.  Hold in your mind the image of that bamboo … so much happening beneath the surface that the God of surprises patiently cultivates to bring to blossom in our lives!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

In your prayers, kindly remember S. Elizabeth and her family …  Sister’s nephew Janosh and his 3-year-old son, Daniel drowned over the week-end in a rip tide tragedy at Apollo Beach, FL. 

May they rest in peace!  And may the family be sustained in faith and the comfort of friends who mourn with them.  Sister is with the family in Riverview …  some information can be found on BayNews 9 and Facebook.

Elizabeth Mathai (srelizabeth@ymail.com)

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Because you were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.

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Have you noticed that, as you seek to probe a parable it can be as exciting and intriguing as the challenge of a Father Brown, James Patterson or Jessica Fletcher fictionalized mystery story.  Ah, there’s one big difference – a mystery may seem pretty far-fetched while Jesus’ parables deal with real-life issues.  They are alike in this: both are filled with clues – though some may be quite subtle.  Lectio helps us probe Jesus’ parables – like in a game of Clue – bit by bit gaining us information that will enrich our lives.

These past few weeks, we move ever closer to the end of the church year, the liturgy has been offering us clues about the meaning of the “last days.”  In this parable, Jesus uses the “root of all evil” metaphor.  It’s about more than our monthly pocket money.  This is about life and our allotment of gifts, talents, and responsibilities.  We can’t be reminded too often that our gifts, our talents, our donors’ contributions are given to us primarily for service to others.  And, there is a promise coming:  If we make the intended use of these gifts, we will be rewarded and entrusted with even more responsibilities.  Sadly, some people deliberately fail at a job or chore they don’t like so they won’t get asked to do it again.  What about us and our talents?  Do we let dislike of a job, or a personality conflict with a co-worker or the threat of failure, or someone else’s critical eye hold us back from using a God-given talent?  Or how about a more mundane question: We get an allowance each month – do we bury it, hoard it, save it for vacation or a rainy day?  On the other hand, do we tithe a portion for the good of others so it keeps moving forward, good upon good?

Like the Master in this Gospel, St. Benedict teaches us “journey lessons.”  He speaks most directly to and about those who are sent on the journey… He doesn’t say that the Prioress, upon her return, will ask for an accounting – She knows “when the Prioress is away, the mice will play.”  And in all likelihood she will not (like the Master in this parable) distribute money to the members who well-tended the vineyard in her absence.  [But Benedict’s instruction does not preclude the Prioress from bringing home trinkets / mementos for everyone.]

We can sense the journey motif from the opening words of Benedict’s Rule when he bids us: “Listen!  The labor of obedience will bring you back (“coming back” requires a journey, doesn’t it?).  “Let us get up then, at long last,” for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: “It is high time for us to arise from sleep…” (come from the land of your dreams) “while you have the light… go out to seek workers in the multitude of the people ….”  Listen to Benedict: “Moving on in your journey of faith,” (and life in the monastery) “you will say, Here I am Lord.”  And, then he tells us how to prepare for our journey: “Clothed with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide….  Be just in all your dealings, speak the truth from the heart and do not practice deceit or listen to slander.”

By the time Benedict wrote chapter 67 one can tell he’s had some experience with monks who journeyed afar from the home monastery.  We know that Benedict, in his youth, had escaped “big city life.”  So he wanted to protect his monks from the evils and temptations of the prevailing society.  Those at home are to remember the absent ones in prayer … which means the gathered community may have “counted” noses,” not for the sake of taking roll call, but to pray for their confreres safety and protection from temptation.

I have to smile when I read what Benedict cautions next.  He certainly knew human nature: “no one should presume to relate what was seen or heard outside the monastery.”  Sounds to me like he’s familiar with the saying from Ecclesiastes: “Everything is wearisome beyond description.”  In plain English this can be interpreted: “No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied.  No matter how much we hear, we are not content.”  We need to be on guard to not be hungry/eager for a morsel of gossip to savor.  Benedict didn’t want stories of the world to creep in and cause dissension or dissatisfaction to rankle or upset his community.  Times haven’t changed much over the passing years – we still need to be on guard that we balance chartable interest in each other versus the drive to know every intimate detail about what was seen or heard by the other.

In line with his admonition to pray always, Benedict reminds his monks that on a journey to keep an eye on the sun … listen for the bells from neighboring abbeys announcing prayer times.  … so, (Benedict reminds them) though at a distance too far to join the community, they should “observe the prescribed hours” as best they can.  Thus, probably began the custom of the Angelus … the dialogue between Angel Gabriel and Mother Mary, a modified version of Sext (or Noon Prayer) that could be memorized so as not to neglect their “measure of service.”

The Rule closes with this journey-question: “Are you hastening toward your heavenly home?  Then keep this little rule … as you set out for loftier summits of the teaching and virtues we’ve mentioned.”  Benedict, in his own unique way, shares Paul’s message to the Philippians that we heard in Wednesday’s evening reading: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Benedict adds this promise: “under God’s protection” (together) “we will reach our heavenly home.”  That’s the same promise Jesus makes to his trustworthy followers: Because “You were faithful in small matters … come, share your Master’s joy.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

This Year’s Thanksgiving Outreach

This year, obviously, we will not be hosting our traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  We plan to collaborate with Pastor Cheryl Duke and the people at Dade City Presbyterian Church to provide food baskets for the needy.  We will be contributing any monetary donations, along with supermarket gift cards, to extend our mission to “feed the hungers of the people of God.”  The Knights from nearby St. Mark’s Parish have donated $1520 in gifts cards and $1305 was contributed by the Benedictine Sisters’ from their monthly personal allowances. 

We are grateful for all the years that Saint Anthony Women’s Club and parish staff have allowed – and assisted us – in providing a free meal to the local community on Thanksgiving Day.    

Twenty-six years ago the Sisters began small, in their monastery dining room, to provide a holiday meal for a handful of Saint Leo College International Students.  Within three years, the Sisters moved the event to Marmion Cafeteria and extended an invitation to the public to join them for dinner.  They gathered a crew of volunteers that grew over the years.  In 1998, the Sisters sold Marmion Cafeteria to Saint Leo and the Saint Anthony Women’s club jumped on the bandwagon and have continued for the intervening years to provide all the desserts for the dinner.  Saint Anthony School children got involved in making table centerpieces and place mats.  We will greatly miss the gathering this year and look forward to a future when we can once again welcome our guests to bow their heads over a holiday meal to give thanks to God for all the gifts He provides.  

 

First Reading  Selected verses Proverbs31       Second Reading  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel Reading  Matthew 25:14-30
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Everything is Ready, Come to the Feast!

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The posters have gone up.  The invitations were mailed; the Facebook word spread, it’s all over social media, the parish bulletin insert was published and the homemade summons posted on the town bulletin board.  The word has spread, maybe further and wider than you really wanted.  The “www” prefix in our website address was true to its meaning: “world wide web.”  Almost literally EVERYBODY has heard about it.  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!”  What feast?  Well, in the Gospel story it’s a wedding feast.

A word of caution!  Don’t be too quick to conclude that the only kind of “feast” this parable is referring to is the Eucharistic banquet.  In our everyday lives, it may well be a Eucharistic celebration.  Or it could be the daily Divine Office or a Communal Prayer service or maybe a Community party or meal or – please NO, a meeting!  Or perhaps, (for many of us) it’s a T4 (DVDs) viewing and discussion.  Or maybe a ZOOM invitation to a spiritual topic conversation, or an invitation to engage in an enrichment or professional development topic dialogue.  Could also be a call for help with a volunteer project, a driver needed, help in the kitchen or garden, or someone to do laundry or clean a bathroom.  Perhaps a listening ear, or little tech assistance, or a walking companion.

Paul in his letter to the Hebrews presents the word of God as a “consuming fire.”  (Hebrews 12:29).  We’ve all witnessed – at least on TV – the all-consuming nature of fire.  It ravages and devours everything in its path including animal and human life who cannot outrun its unpredictable path.  The wind shifts and one house is saved while a nearby structure goes up in flames.

But you’ve also heard of “controlled burns” – fires that are deliberately lit, protected and coaxed along – for a number of reasons.  By ridding forest areas of dead leaves, tree limbs, and other debris, a prescribed burn can help prevent destructive wildfires, reduce insect populations, destroy invasive plants and rejuvenate the forest floor or a huge farm field.

When to extinguish?  When to coax the flame?  Does it have to remain static?  Listen intently!  Because in the case of God’s word, YOU – can’t –  control – it!  The “burn” is in God’s control.  And, it’s “burning” to be heard.

Listen intently – with the ear of your heart.  God’s word; your special word, probably won’t be broadcast with stereo amps or scrolled along the bottom of the TV screen.  Most likely it’s being whispered in your dreams, as you waken, and everywhere you turn.  Hear it?  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!” 

As today’s parable ends, we are reminded we’d best do our homework – come prepared.  Jesus says, “Remember to bring your party garment.”  So, you better check out the party theme: is it a costume event or a black tie affair or a “come as you are” gathering?  And, I dare say, in the case of this party – God’s party – you better come on time.  When the door is closed, it will be locked from the inside – you can’t use your key or whisper a password.  There is no back door to seek in.  You can’t ride on the Blessed Mother’s cape tails.  When the door closes, “outside there will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

All the while, be comforted, and assured, by the words of Paul in the Second Reading: “My God will fully supply whatever I need, in accord with God’s glorious riches.”  “Everything is ready, come to the feast!” 

~Reflection by S. Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., Prioress

 

Maternity of Mary Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10     Second: Philippians 4:13-20       Gospel Matthew 22:1-14

 

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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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