Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Peter

Such a simple message

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When Jesus and His disciples got to Capernaum, they entered into (some scholars say) the house of Peter and Andrew. Jesus asks them what they were disputing about as they approached the house and waits for them to ‘fess up.  No luck! They are like children who don’t want to tell their parents what they’ve been arguing about. The disciples had started out disputing over the meaning of Jesus’ prediction of his death and resurrection and ended up arguing over who would be the greatest when Jesus was no longer in their number. They were certain it would be one of them, not someone outside their circle.  They got caught up in the idea of being a follower without having a sense of what it takes to be a true disciple.  But Jesus knew these fellows had the capacity to refocus their energy on what was really important instead of promoting themselves as the “greatest” above everyone.  They (and we) might do well to heed the advice of Joe Kennedy to his son Ted: “Don’t look for credit.  If you succeed, there’ll be plenty of credit.  If you fail, you won’t want the credit”.

The greatness Jesus is talking about lies in welcoming one who is viewed as powerless.  This requires sensitive awareness to those around us.  Who is being left out of the conversation, who enters a room and seems unsure where she might be welcome to sit?  Who is listening to a conversation about a plan to go off-campus hoping to be invited?  Are we alert to welcome the visitor into the chapel, to lift a bundle for a struggling elder, to smile at a child in the shopping cart?   We can list hundreds of moments of random acts of kindness similar to those that Jesus is talking about.

Could it be that Jesus can so easily welcome children because he has personal memories of his own childhood experiences? Children in our 21st century America are in precarious, fragile, and dangerous places.  More than ever, children are abused, snatched, neglected or the opposite: over-protected by ‘helicopter’ parents.  There are latchkey kids; underfed, lonely, ignored children and many are victims of inadequate health care.  Now, more than ever, children need to be embraced by the church.  If the church leaves out children, it is leaving out God. If policy makers leave out children, they are leaving out God and they are placing the future of our world in jeopardy, forgetting who it is that is going to be caring for them (or not) in their sunset years.

Notice that Jesus did not say “receive this child.”  Rather he said, “Receive one such as this child.”  With a child in his arms, Jesus says that to welcome persons such as this little one is to welcome Him.    Our accomplishments and accolades, the certificates, the awards, as impressive as they might be, do not exemplify discipleship.  It’s our ability to be of service to others, to attend to the most vulnerable in our society, that makes us good disciples.  It is such a simple message that it is at the same time so difficult to put into practice!

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

This weekend we welcome our Oblates! Thirteen Oblates will join at the monastery for their quarterly meeting and for Mass and noon meal.  Wondering what’s an Oblate?  Contact S. Mary David at 352-588-7176 or mary.david.hydro@saintleo.edu.

 

 

First Reading:   Wisdom 2:12, 17-20         Second Reading:  James 3:16-4:3
Gospel:   Mark 9:30-37
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Who Do You Say I Am?

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This is an interesting reading, and even a bit odd, giving us another insight into Jesus’ teaching methods.  First with those who are closest to him – who have been traipsing around the country for almost three years.  This is the group who believe in him so he is quick to correct their human thinking that gets in the way of their perception of just who he is.

I can see him (can you?) walking casually along with the twelve … the mix of who is nearest him changing every few minutes – as the group shifts, they compare notes about what he said to their group with what the others heard.   He stops and turns to the group and queries: Who do people say that I am?  Was He really in the dark?  Was he simply opening an opportunity for the disciples to express their loyalty to him?

At first, the disciples do not offer their personal feelings.  They repeat what they’ve been hearing: some say John, the Baptist; others say Elijah, or one of the prophets.   When Jesus continues: “But, you, who do you say that I am?”   A pregnant pause follows.  They’re waiting for a brave one to speak up.  Heads turn to Peter who seems to be never afraid to offer an opinion.    He doesn’t fail them.  “You are the Christ, son of the living God.”

Jesus seems quick to caution the disciples: “Don’t tell anyone.”  (Doesn’t he know by now that this is a sure-fire way to get the rumors flying?)   Does Jesus want us to hold miracles we experience or witness close to our hearts?  To be like Mary after the shepherds’ visit – pondering all these happenings in her heart?”  Or are we to be like the disciples?  Responsive, but as Jesus said, “Don’t tell until after the Son of Man has risen?

Our scene in today’s reading, turns from Jesus’ conversation with the disciples and his followers to what is to come.   Peter quakes in his boots conjuring up what Jesus is describing.  This is his friend!  So, he takes Jesus aside and in shock rebukes him, criticizes the one he has just acknowledged is the Son of God.  “You’ve got it all wrong!  What you say cannot happen to you.”

Have you ever done that?  Told Jesus he’s got it all wrong? Jesus cautions Peter, and us: “Wait a minute.  You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.”  With that, Jesus summons the crowd.  Did you ever notice the settings that Scripture describes when Jesus speaks to the crowds on a hillside or from a boat?  Scripture usually says there were thousands of them!   No mic, no PA system, no big screen TV.   How did he do it?  I wonder, did the people really hear his voice or did they hear him in their hearts?  Or was it like the game of Gossip and his words spread rapidly from person to person???

Now Jesus next lets us know what it will take to continue to be a disciple of His.  Three qualities: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.   Easy as one, two three?  Not quite!

First: deny your worldly ways, drop your egotistical thinking and self-seeking and cease the ifs, ands and buts that are on the tip of your tongue in opposition to Jesus’ message.

Second: take up your cross.  It was personalized for just for you.  No two crosses are exactly the same.  You know the story of the person who rejected her God-given cross.  She asks God to exchange it for another.  So, God showed her his treasury of crosses.   You know which one she chose.  She spotted it immediately, the very one God knew all along would best fit her shoulders.

Third: (This is the good part.)  Follow Jesus.  You don’t have to invent the way.   Jesus has already cut the path for you.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Seek and you will find.  Listen and you will hear.

So, when at Mass, just after the homily, be ready to answer God in the words of the Creed: Who do YOU say that I am?  Ponder the titles of Jesus that have been your favorites through the years.  Who is Jesus for you at this stage in your life: Baby Jesus, Friend, Brother, Savior, Rock, Shepherd or on some days a shoulder to cry on, a friend to give you solace, or a pal to offer a gentle prod to do better, take the risk that looms before you.  Jesus asks each of us: “Who do YOU say that I am?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 50:5-9a         Second Reading:  James 2:14-18
Gospel:   Mark 8:27-35

 

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Will You Come and Follow Me if I but Call Your Name?

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This Gospel reading from Mark is only a glimpse into a single day that the church wisely spreads over a few weeks of readings. It gives us the opportunity to study each event of the day more closely.  We get the impression that it would have been a challenge for the people following Jesus to keep up with Him.   You may have noticed one of Mark’s favorite words is “immediately.” He uses it twelve times in the first chapter alone.  So far in the story, Jesus has called four fishermen to leave their nets and their boats and follow him, which they did “immediately.  In last week’s portion from Mark, a demon-possessed man challenged Jesus who promptly told the unclean spirit to be silent and come out.  The demon obeyed “immediately”.

The next part of the story happens over the next few hours of the same day. The band of men went to Simon’s house, maybe because it was closest to the synagogue. Or maybe it was because Simon’s mother-in-law had the reputation for quickly putting a nice spread on the table.   But today she is down with a fever.  Simon doesn’t miss a beat.  He tells Jesus this “immediately”.   Perhaps he does this to apologize for the woman not greeting them at the door.

Jesus doesn’t say a word. He simply takes the woman by the hand and brings her to her feet. The fever is gone “immediately”. As Jesus brings her to her feet, the verb Mark uses is identical to the one he uses later in the Gospel to describe Jesus’ resurrection from the dead: He lifts her up.  The mother-in-law “immediately” responds by getting busy on dinner preparations.

Then, in the early hours before sunrise while it was still dark as night, it sounds like Jesus tiptoed out of the house.  Scripture tells us He went to a deserted place to pray (not a desert – there was not desert nearby).   This was the only place on this night, with many others to follow, where he could talk one-on-one with his Father, without interruption. But it didn’t last long.  Our English translation says Peter and the others PURSUED him.  Think of a mother having escaped to the bathroom for a few minutes of aloneness.  “Mom are you in there?”  Or a prioress who leaves her office for a few minutes. “You’re never in the office!”  Peter tells Jesus “EVERYONE is looking for you.”  Jesus’ response probably was not what they were expecting to hear.   “Let’s go to the neighboring towns so I can preach there, too. That’s my job.”  The disciples were at a crossroads, at one of those “bend in the road” moments.  Do we stick with this fellow who can never say NO to any request? Do we keep following?

That’s a choice we must make many times over in our lives.  It begins each and every day with “Shall I hit the snooze button and roll over, or turn off the alarm and get to chapel to join in communal prayer?”  It’s a choice we make in multiple ways, probably more times than we realize, throughout each day and into the evening.  What word of kindness can I share? Can I tear myself from what I’m doing to get to chapel with some breathing space before prayer begins?  At night, will I force myself to stay awake to finish this chapter or TV program, or do I go to bed so I’ll be rested for the morrow with all its new challenges and choices?

The people of Capernaum missed the point. They showed up for the miracles, but they failed to hear and absorb Jesus’ message.  It’s the same news Jesus wants to share with you, with us.  Repent, turn away from your old ways, and believe the Good News that God is with you in the NOW   Are you willing to be changed?  Will you be transformed? Will you keep following? Will you get up, as Simon’s mother-in-law did, and join the laborers to feed God’s people and further the Kingdom?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

The Sisters remembered your intentions in our prayers on Sunday when we had our monthly Recollection Day … a quiet day of prayer, Holy Hour and Evening Prayer.  God bless you each and all with good health, much happiness and abundant peace!

 

First Reading:   Job 7:1-4, 6-7         Second Reading:  Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel:   Mark 1:29-39
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Come and You Will See

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This weekend we have two familiar stories in our Scripture selections: the dream-like vision of Samuel and the calling of Andrew and his brother Peter.  One of the risks we have with familiar stories is that we can be overconfident that we recall all the details.  But were all the details that surround the story included in the version we learned?   For instance, consider the line in Scripture that immediately precedes the opening of the story of Samuel: “When the boy Samuel was serving the Lord under the direction of Eli, there were few messages from the Lord, and visions were quite rare.”  This phrase “visions were rare” (some translations say “precious”) does not appear anywhere else in the entire Old Testament.  It’s no wonder it did not dawn on Samuel his summons might be from God.

The story tells us that Samuel is confused, not just your average sleepy-head befuddled, but really confounded.  Three times, Samuel responds to a calling – or is it really four times?  Three times he responds to what he thinks is Eli calling him: “Here I am.”  It’s not until Eli becomes more fully awake and realizes what is going on.  Then, he instructs the boy if he hears the voice again to respond: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  Although Samuel’s obedience and quickness of response are to be admired, he mistakes the aging, ailing Eli for God’s actual voice.  Remember, that although Samuel had been anointed, Scripture says he was still very young in faith.

So were Peter and Andrew in the Gospel.  They were disciples of John the Baptist whom Jesus once called the greatest prophet who ever lived.   John had a few disciples, people who were devoted to him as their spiritual leader.  This day Jesus shows up. John realizes that he is now in the presence of One whose sandals he is not even worthy to untie.  John may be a prophet, but this man is the Lamb of God, the Son of the Most High, the very Savior of the world.

But, how’d we get here from Eli and Samuel, to John, Jesus, Peter and Andrew?  One of life’s challenges is recognizing and accepting your role at each stage of life.  You may have heard the term: “the grace of office”.  A smooth transition into or out of various roles in life is reliant on the kind of grace that Eli and John the Baptist showed in directing their disciples to turn their focus to Someone else, Someone greater. Eli and John were forerunners who knew, and fully accepted, that very role.

In her presentation on “Servant Leadership” S. Lynn McKenzie writes of this dynamic.  We know (She says) “One does not begin monastic life as a prioress but begins as a member of the community.  And one usually does not end monastic life as a prioress but as a member of that same community.”

This applies across the board despite what the person identified in the Rule of Benedict’s Chapter headings might lead one to believe.  The directives are addressed to the “rank and file.”  It’s not just the cellarer (buyer) who needs to give a gentle response even when the answer is NO.   Nor is it just the deans (assistants/councilors) who are reminded to keep confidential information sacred.  It’s not only the members sent on a short journey who should not broadcast every sight they’ve seen.  Nor are hospitality ministers the only ones who should be prompt to answer the door or phone.  Benedict is writing for all members when he cautions artisans not to be become “puffed up by their skillfulness”.  It’s not just the sub-prioress who should carry out her assignments with respect.  Kitchen servers aren’t the only ones that should be gracious in accepting help so they can serve without distress.  And it’s not only the sick who should not make excessive demands.  Nor is the prioress the only one who should practice what she preaches and keep in mind to Whom she will give an account.

Remember what Jesus asked the disciples who were trailing him: “What are you looking for?” His response was the same answer we’ve heard: “Come and you will see!”   Who has helped you along the way?  Who today gives you a hand to grasp, a “pointing finger” to follow, a prayerful nudge when life throws you a curve ball?  Who is there to keep track when Jesus seems to disappear just around the bend in the road ahead? Who reminds you, “Come and you will see?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19         Second Reading:  Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Gospel:   John 1:35-42
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Forgiveness is always a choice

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In this Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, the disciple Peter comes to Jesus asking a question that’s troubling him. “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?”  Part of the Rabbinical teaching was that people should forgive those who offended them three times.  So, Peter, was trying to be more generous than the Rabbis.  Maybe trying to impress Jesus by suggesting seven times which was considered a perfect number.

Jesus’ response (seventy times seven) surprises Peter.   Seventy times seven!  Seventy times the perfect number is an endless number of times.  We should forgive with sincerity, no matter how many times someone asks.  True forgiveness doesn’t keep records.  True forgiveness does not say: “Sure, I’ll forgive you, but I’ll never forget this!”  Or, “Yes, I can forgive you this time but this is the last time.”

The servant in Jesus’ story seemed so sincere when he begged for mercy, a little time to repay his loan, that the king gave him more than he requested.  He erased the man’s whole debt. And what did the servant do?  He went out, found one of his co-workers who owed him money, laid into him and began to choke him.  When his co-worker begged for leniency, a little time for repayment, the unforgiving servant refused the gift he had just be granted.

When the king heard this, you can imagine his reaction.  He became furious, called the unforgiving servant in, and turned him over to the jailers to be tortured until he paid back all he owed.  One wonders how being thrown into prison enables one to pay back a debt.  It’s next to impossible unless the person sells off everything they own, or if their relatives and friends set up a “Go Fund” on Facebook.   Jesus’ point is that forgiveness is not about quantity.  The lesson is clear.  If we hoard God’s mercy for ourselves while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God’s mercy in our own lives.

Forgiveness is always a choice.   When we realize how much God has forgiven us, over and over without keeping a record, shouldn’t that realization alone produce in us a generous spirit of empathy and compassion toward others?   Twenty-four hours a day, day in and day out, we hear and see evidence of acts of domestic and national terrorism and violence as well as devastation wrought by natural disasters.  We see how violence begets violence, and hate begets hate.  This practice of an “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” only results in everyone ending up blind and toothless.

We can each begin where we are, in our little world, our family, our community, our friends.  We can make a start with the first step Jesus gave us. GO!  Don’t wait for the other to make an approach.  Jesus assures us if we follow this first directive Jesus gave us, we’ll come to be like the child who was saying her bedtime prayers. As she went down the list of family members, asking God to bless them one-by-one, she omitted her sister’s name. Her mother injected:  “Why didn’t you pray for Susie?” She looked up but paused.  What didn’t her mother understand?  “I’m not going to ask God to bless Susie because she broke my doll’s arm.”  “But,” her mother said, “Don’t you remember Jesus said to forgive your enemies?” “That’s the trouble,” the child said with a sob.   “Susie isn’t my enemy.  She’s my sister.”

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

Readings:  Sirach 27:30-28:9       Romans 14:7-9
Gospel:   Matthew 18:21-35
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Come!

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It is the 4th hour of the night; sometime between 3 and 6 a.m.  The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon.  Earlier, Jesus had shepherded his disciples into a boat and pushed them off deeper into the lake.  Jesus himself headed toward one of his favorite places for solitude, up the hillside by himself.  Out on the lake, until a few minutes ago, everyone in the boat was asleep or in that twilight state between sleep and alertness; that brief moment when you’re not quite sure if you’re awake or still dreaming.  Suddenly, the rocking of the boat shook them all awake.  Gasping for air they shouted to each other: “Where’s Jesus?”

Then Peter spied Jesus in the mist and heard “Come!”  At Jesus’ beckoning, Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, his feet found steady grounding even in the liquid churning sea.  It’s difficult, isn’t it, to keep your eyes on the goal when there is a whirlwind surrounding you?  But, remember, as long as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, on our overall goal, and on each other, we’ll stay afloat with a tangible sense of peace.  Don’t disregard that fact that it was at dawn when Jesus came toward his disciples walking on the water.  You may have to squint until your eyes adjust to the darkness to make out clearly your surroundings.  But listen!  It’s not a ghost.  There is a whisper that, strange as it seems, is booming over the sound of the threatening waves of the storms in life: “Do not be afraid.  It is I.”

Jesus is reaching out a hand toward us, but it will fall empty to his side if we do not reach out in return.  Jesus, in the person of our donors, reaches out with eager hands to help us; sometimes in ways we may not be sure we really need.  For the gift to be received we figuratively grasp their hands in acceptance of their generosity.  We strive to respond without fear when we see them walking on the water toward us with their gift of self.  Like impulsive Peter, we speak up: “If that is really you, Lord, command me to come to you on the water.”

There is a story about Mark Twain on one of his visits to the Holy Land.  He and his wife were in Capernaum.  One moonlit night they were walking along the Sea of Galilee and decided to take a romantic boat ride.  Twain asked how much the charge would be.  Assuming the couple to be wealthy Americans the owner of the boat told them an outrageous fee.  Mark Twain thanked him and walked away.  After a few steps he turned to his wife, “Now I know why Jesus walked!”

At some point in our lives, we just have to leave behind the safety and security of our boats.  We have to step into the realm of the unknown.  We must be willing to trust our life to our God’s care.  It’s difficult to leave our safety nets.  We work hard to insulate ourselves from the danger of failure.  The threat of the unknown can be paralyzing.  It’s pretty comfortable in the boat we’ve constructed.  It’s not fancy but we have everything we need.  Then God invites us to step out of our boat and venture into an unknown future.

Gesturing with his hand, Jesus repeats, “Come.”  Why did Jesus not go to Peter; why did he beckon him to “come”?  That’s the lesson for us.  We can’t sit, as they say, on our laurels, in our boat and do nothing.  When the storms of life are blowing all around us, Jesus says: COME.  Like a parent coaxing an infant to take a first step.  “You”, Jesus says: COME; Come apart and rest in Me.  I am always within reach.  Grab that life jacket or that raft or an inner tube and get those arms and legs moving.  SWIM!  Pray, yes, but don’t forget to paddle, swim or row.  Take your time if you need to; catch your breath.  And don’t worry about calming the storm; I’ll take care of that.  You just calm yourself.  Look around.  You will spot me in the mist, beckoning to you: COME!

 

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Please join us this week as we pray that all people will realize the profound impact of gun violence. Help us to be peaceful and diplomatic in times of trouble. Guide us, we pray towards peace, and away from all forms of disrespect and violence.

   We also call to mind this week the peoples of India who, on August 15th will be celebrating the 77th Independence Day, marking 76 years of freedom from British rule. In India, the people are suffering the effects of the Monsoon season: heavy rains and flooding; loss of crops in infestation of creatures seeking higher ground. 

In your prayers bet God’s mercy and kindness for the peoples who are suffering the devastation of fires, flooding and extremes of heat.

 

First Reading:   1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a         Second Reading:  Romans 9:1-5
Gospel:   Matthew 14:22-33
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