Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Peter

Who Do You Say That I Am?

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This is the same Gospel story we will hear again in two weeks: today it’s Mark’s version; later this month we will hear the evangelist Luke’s memory of this same event.

We read:  Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”  He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.  (But, what follows He agreed I could share with you.  It’s part fact; a good bit fantasy – or is you might say, prayer.)

The early morning sky held promise of a beautiful sunrise.  I was sitting by the lake when Jesus quietly joined me.  I sensed He was inviting me into an in-depth conversation.  Let’s walk a bit for our heart-to-heart exchange.  Notice all the lovely things God places in our path: the trees and plants, the squirrel scurrying along clutching an acorn so big the weight is making balance a challenge.  Do you hear the gleeful voices from nearby – the happy sounds of children at recess?  Listen closely to the clear shrill song from above of birds welcoming the new day.

(I suggest to Jesus) “This looks like a good spot, let’s sit a spell.”  Jesus is in a pensive mood.  He sits quietly, pondering, staring at the water.  Turning to me (and to you) with a quizzical look on His face, He asks: “What are people saying about me?  Who do people say that I am?”  Quiet surrounds us as I ponder my tumbling thoughts.  I’m always curious to know what others say about Jesus.  But, this time His question invites a personal response.  At first I echo what Peter said: “You are the Messiah of God.”  Probing deeper, I realize that for me, Jesus is everything.  He knows me intimately.  But with this question he’s asking how well I know Him.  The thoughts of my heart tumble around.  I turn to Him and take a hesitant chance: “Let me ask you this: Who do YOU say that I am?  Why do you love me so much?”  Without a second’s hesitation, Jesus smiles, shakes his head and touches my heart with his response.  I needed that warm fuzzy.  His message is what I will carry, treasure, nurture in all the days that follow.

May I suggest to you: Today be brave; in your private time with Jesus turn his question back to Him: “You, who do you say that I am?  Why do you love me so much?”  Sing your own tune for the words of our Responsorial Psalm: “I love the Lord because He heard me; because He inclined His ear to me the day I called … and freed my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling.  Alleluia!”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

Have a pleasant, stress-free week

Stay safe – be healthy – know peace!

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 50:5-9         Second Reading:  James 2:14-18
Gospel:   Mark 8:27-35
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History Tells the Rest of the Story: WE’RE STILL HERE.

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This incident found in John’s Gospel reminds us that not everyone took to Jesus positively, even those who seemed to be quite close to him.  Some of the people, not unlike today, were murmurers and grumblers – folks not too keen on what they were hearing.  Following Jesus was going to be no picnic (despite the way he’d fed the five thousand people).  The idea of total commitment was a disturbing concept.

We hear it in that sad and haunting verse: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”  Obviously hurt by this defection, Jesus turns to Peter and the others who are closest to him and asks them if they’ll be taking off too – “Will you too go away?”  Peter, as was his style so often, seems to speak on behalf of all Jesus’ loyal followers – “Master, to whom would we go?  You alone have the words of eternal life.”  For Peter, at this time, it’s unquestionable – “If Jesus said it, it must be true.”  If you’ve looked ahead to the First Reading, you’re aware the Church reminds us that Jesus’ experience of rejection was not unique.  1500 years earlier, Joshua, disciple of Moses, gives voice to a similar tribulation.  He addresses all the people – “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve.”  The people answer in the same vein as Peter – “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord.”

One of my brother, Bill’s favorite books was This Tremendous Lover by the Irish Trappist monk-priest Eugene Boylan and first published in 1946.  In 2002, I sent him a replacement copy for the one he’d given away.  On his death four years later, it was returned to me.  I had inscribed on the fly page – “Bill, I hope this is as inspirational as you remember.  The bookstore that special ordered for me said it was the last one in the United States.  Imagine that!”  Boylan writes in his book: “Our Lord was not looking for an enthusiastic public reception… his miracles were not a ploy to grasp temporal power.  The wonder of his public life is not the marvelous works He actually did, but the many and more wonderful works which He could have done and did not.  All He did and said and allowed to happen to him was part of the plan.”

What Jesus has to say is so important that he does not consider changing his message to please the people.  In fact, we can accurately say that a “Jesus” who doesn’t offend isn’t the real Jesus.

Our hearts go out to Jesus, and those who stuck with him.  If you have ever had anyone walk out on you, you can empathize with Jesus.  I recall the mixed feelings I had when in the late 60s and early 70s, we had five deaths in one year.  It was not customary for those of us who were away for studies to come home for funerals, so there was a void for farewell until we got to visit the cemetery.  Then what some writers refer as the “Exodus” began to happen when several of our peers felt the calling to leave community.  Some gave us a chance to say good-bye; others quite literally disappeared in the night.  These were good people – some were rising leaders in community.  What did they know that I did not?  My feelings were not of betrayal like Jesus suffered – but confusion and loneliness, yes.  Were the shrinking numbers the handwriting on the wall and I was too blind to read it?  History tells the rest of the story: WE’RE STILL HERE.

What does Jesus do when his ranks shrink?  Does he cajole the people, “Oh, I’m sorry that what I said was so hard to take.  Maybe we can compromise.”  Not at all!  Jesus does not let human opinion sway his proclamation of divine truth.  “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

When God asked Aaron why he built the golden calf, his only defense was, “The people made me do it.”  What was Peter’s knee-jerk response a couple years later.  Remember when Jesus was on trial?  The inquisitive young girl asked him if he was one of Jesus’ followers?  Peter’s leadership in the upper room was easy, he was with friends.  But outside the rank and file of unfamiliar faces he fell apart.  Which life-style will you lead – people’s opinion driven, or God-focused?

If our ears are open to the voice of the Spirit, we hear daily Jesus’ quizzing us, “Who do people say I am?”  He asks us, like he does all his friends about our personal conviction – “Who do you say I am?”  The question also comes to us as a community.  Are we swayed by “public conviction” forming the community we think the public wants us to be?  Or are we formed by “personal and communally discerned convictions” – helping to lead the world where it needs to go?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading:   Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b          Second Reading:   Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel:   John 6:60-69
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Baptism of Jesus

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Baptism of Jesus

Maybe you’ve heard the story about the poor wandering soul, lost in thought, who stumbled upon a baptismal service one Sunday afternoon.  This was one of those “down by the river” sort of baptisms in the warm waters of the South.  Curious about what was going on, this fellow walked right down into the water and stood next to the Preacher.  When the minister finally noticed him, he asked the young man, “Are you ready to find Jesus?”  With a quizzical look and some hesitancy in his voice, he answered: “Yes, Preacher, I think I am.”  The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up.

“Did you find Jesus?”  “No… should I have?”  The preacher then dunked him under for a bit longer, brought him up and said, “Now, brother, have you found Jesus?”  “No … I haven’t, Preacher.”  The preacher in disgust held the man under for at least 30 seconds this time; brought him to the surface of the water and repeated the question, “Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?”  The confused fellow wiped his eyes and gasping for breath said,.. “Naw, Sir, are you sure this is where he fell in?”

That’s sometimes us, with our heads under the waters that wash over us …  cares, distractions, prayer for others’ intentions, confused by the circumstances of our lives …  looking for Jesus in muddy waters of our own making.

In the Summa Theologiae, (12th century theological summary), St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that “Jesus did not become God’s son at his Baptism; he is the Son of God from all eternity.  Nor did He become the Messiah at this point; he was the Messiah from the moment he became man.  Baptism is the public manifestation of Jesus as Son of God and as Messiah, ratified by the presence of the Blessed Trinity.  The Holy Spirit descended visibly in bodily form upon Christ …  so that we may believe him to descend invisibly upon all those who are baptized.”

We know the facts, right – but how slow we can be to absorb the meaning.  We are witness to Peter’s awakening in the Second Reading from Acts.  And what a day of enlightenment it must have been for him.  He was deep in Lectio …  the Scriptural account says: “He fell in to a trance and saw a vision in which a sheet came down from heaven full of all kinds of animals.  God told him to get up, kill, and eat whatever he wanted.

What a surprise that must have been – now he could taste foods he’d been forbidden under Jewish law.  Of course, God wasn’t really concerned that Peter could enjoy his first ham sandwich.  God was teaching Peter, and us, that there is no distinction between “clean” and “unclean” neither in animals nor in people.  The almighty’s plan of salvation wasn’t just for the Jewish people; it was for the Gentiles – for everyone – everyone is included in God’s far-sighted providence.

You’ll remember the story as it continues in Acts.  The very next day Peter “got ready and went” to the home of Cornelius and “some of the believers from Joppa went with him…. Cornelius met him, fell at his feet and bowed down before him.  But Peter made him rise: Stand up, I myself am only a man.”  Cornelius related what led to his requesting Peter’s visit, ending his story with these words: “Now we are all here in the presence of God, waiting to hear anything that the Lord has instructed you to say.”  Sounds like the sentiment of an opening to any Lectio time: “I am here, Lord, in Your presence, waiting to hear anything You are ready to say to me.”

The Cornelius story is the lead-in to Sunday’s Second Reading when Peter shares his awakening, “I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis…. (he continued) You know the message that God sent to the people …  You know the great event that took place throughout the land.  You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power.  We are witnesses of everything that he did.”

If you continue reading in Acts, beyond tomorrow’s selection, you’ll see – as Paul Harvey used to end his TV evening news – you’ll “know the rest of the story.”  While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening.”

We hear the same message from St. Paul in his Letters to the Ephesians, Galatians and the Romans when he writes: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.”  And isn’t this same message in the Holy Rule?  It’s true that in Chapter 2, Benedict is directly addressing the Prioress but it’s a top-down principle and, with the rotation of roles in monastic life, is intended for all.  “We are all cautioned “… to avoid all favoritism in the monastery … “not to love one more than another.”  Benedict echoes Paul when he writes: “One born free is not to be given higher rank than one of lowly birth … for God shows no partiality among persons.”  Step by step, Benedict leads his followers from non-partiality in Chapter 2 to the ideal of mutual obedience and good zeal (in the closing chapters of the Rule): Deference, Respect and the pursuit of “nothing whatever to the Love of Christ.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

On Monday we begin what the Church refers to as “Ordinary Time” – Oh, if only!  But the COVID and unrest in our country still rages … What’s the psalmist say “like a roaring lion.”

Praise God with us – we are grateful – that at Holy Name Monastery, we have received our first dose of the COVID Vaccine – knowing full well we still need to practice universal precautions with lots of extra hand-washing and marked social distancing. 

We look forward the time when we can open our doors and welcome guests.   

Thank you each for your loyal friendship, support and prayers.

Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading   Isaiah 47:1-4, 6-7           Second Reading  Acts 10:34-38
Gospel  Mark 1:7-11

 

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Jesus Beckons Us All

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It is the 4th hour of the night …  maybe around 4:30 or 5 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 his favorite places for solitude with his Father … up into the hillside, the mountain – 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.  Waves came crashing upon them.  Gasping for air they shouted to each other: “Where’s Jesus?”  Almost before they could finish the question, they saw him, coming toward them – not swimming – walking on the sea.  Was that really what they were seeing?  Was it a ghost?  Jesus spoke to quiet their beating hearts: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”

Impulsive Peter, spoke up: “If that is really you, Lord, command me to come to you on the water.”

You know what Jesus said, maybe gesturing with his hand: “Come.”

Why did Jesus not go to Peter; why did he beckon Peter to “Come over the water?”

There’s a lesson here 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,” He says, “Come apart and rest in Me.  I am always within reach.  Grab that raft or inner tube and get those arms and legs moving – ROW …  pray, yes, but don’t forget to row.  Take your time if you need to … take a few breaths .. 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 you: “COME!”

~ Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

First Reading:  1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13                      Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5
Gospel:  Matthew 14:22-33
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Lord, where are you going?

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Here (in this Gospel) we see Jesus troubled with the knowledge of who is about to betray him.  It is more troubling when you realize that Jesus truly did know who would betray him.  We may say: “I know what she’s thinking; I know why she did that.”  But, we don’t really – we’re second-guessing or assigning a motive based on our own behavior.”  Yet still knowing full well Judas’ heart and what would happen when they stepped into the garden after supper – watch what Jesus does.  He announces the imminent betrayal, and then proceeds to feed the betrayer:  “When he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.”  With the flavor of the morsel still in his mouth, Judas leaves to do his dirty work.  The narrator adds, “… and it was night” – the deed is done under the cover of darkness.  In this dark moment Jesus says: “Now is the Son of Man glorified.”  He speaks of being glorified and focuses on preparing his disciples for what is to come.

Not included in the text for tomorrow, but in John’s Gospel, the conversation continues, with Peter asking, “Lord, where are you going?”  Jesus responds, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward”.  Peter argues, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you.”  But Jesus knows before the sun comes up, that Peter – one of his closest companions – will deny him three times.  Yet his parting words to his disciples focus not on blame for their failures.  He assures them that although he will no longer be physically present with them, they will not be alone.  He reminds them of their need for community.  “Love one another,” He counsels, “as I have loved you.”

Seems to me this is what Benedict means in RB 72 …  “Show pure love to each other…. don’t pursue self-interests… rather seek to anticipate what is better for someone else …. supporting each other with the greatest patience.”

Jesus demonstrates the kind of love he preaches.  He shows no partiality.  He does the same for the one who laid his head on Jesus breast as he does for the disciples who will fail him miserably.  Jesus washes and feeds Judas who will betray him, Peter who will deny him, and all the rest who will fail to stand by him in his hour of greatest need.  The love that Jesus demonstrates is not based on any earned merit or reciprocity.  He asks only that we freely love others in the same way He loves us.

It could not be any clearer!  Jesus to telling us it’s not by our knowledge of the church law, liturgical rites, the catechism, or even by our sense of morality, our ministerial service, attendance at funerals or obeying driver safety rules; not by my formation experience, nor by how I was brought up; it doesn’t depend on how neat or clean we keep our personal spaces, our table manners,  or whether we practice an exercise routine.  Simply put: (as the hymn says) “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  We won’t be tested, evaluated or judge by any measure other than this: Have our actions and interactions been loving – has our manner of living exuded love… at all times: not just when there are guests, or we are sporting a Benedictine Sisters logo shirt, or we think others are watching or that we may be overheard.

It comes down to a choice.  Like Judas, we’ve seen the evidence – we’ve witnessed Jesus’ miracles in the Scriptures and in our own life-time.  Along with other Christ-followers we’ve read and pondered and puzzled over Jesus radical teachings.  We’ve been there in spirit with the Marys who sat at the feet of Jesus absorbing his words.  We’ve stumbled and been raised up by the same Lord whose teaching we chose to ignore, disregard or just never delved into to.  We’ve followed others’ lead when we knew full well the ugliness of gossip, tittle-tattle and unacceptable language or jokes.  We forgot Jesus and our guardian angels were in the same room with us … and heard and saw it all.  We may have snubbed the prompting of the Spirit.  But, that still small voice will keep pestering us until we pay heed.  [Persistence must be one of the Spirit’s major virtues…]

As Benedict says in the Prologue, “The labor of obedience will bring you back to God from whom you have drifted.”  Ever noticed how a stick thrown into a body of water seems to flounder until it is grabbed by the drift forcing it in a particular direction.  It just can’t continue for very long going in circles or struggling against the current.  That’s you and me …  searching for a direction …  striving to give up self-will …  awed by all we’ve witnessed of God’s goodness.  Now, roused from sleep and equipped with good zeal and a determination to prefer nothing whatever to Christ, we are ready – we’re perked up and prepared to heed Benedict’s first word:  LISTEN!

At Noon Prayer earlier this week God spoke to us from long before Jesus walked this earth – long before he endured disappointment and betrayal and death.  To this day God promises:  “I will never take back my love; my faithfulness will not fail.  I will never break my covenant or go back on my promise.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress

 

5th Sunday of Easter (May 19, 2019)
First Reading Acts 14: 21-27 Second Reading   Revelation 21:1-5a
Gospel John 13: 31-33a, 34-15
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Don’t Just Do Something…

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Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ Transfiguration reminds me of the story of a young seminarian on summer duty in a parish who walked into the sanctuary of the church and saw Jesus Himself praying at the altar. He alerts the pastor, who alerts the bishop. The bishop tells the pastor that he will have to report this to Pope Francis at the Vatican, and he will call him right back. The phone rings shortly afterward, and the pastor asks what the Pope advised. The bishop replies, “The Pope said — look busy!”

That seems to be Peter’s first impulse at the Transfiguration.  The vision is so awesome and powerful an experience that Peter wants to do anything rather than deal with it. He can hardly believe that right here all in one place at the same time he has Jesus, Moses, and Elijah conversing!   Rather than embrace the moment and bow low in homage he volunteers to go back down to find materials for tents and to haul them back up to the top of the mountain.

We do this sometimes, don’t we?  Our life in the monastery has many blessings, but a distraction-free environment is not one of them. With the intention to spend time in Lectio, we find ourselves being distracted by the impulse to do something useful, anything when we feel the Spirit invading our hearts. Anything from reading more litanies to performing a favor for someone else or cleaning my room.  Anything rather than just be and experience that special closeness with God. It’s a weird kind of defense mechanism; we look for ways to avoid that total intimacy with God, even when we think and say that we desire nothing more.  From previous experiences we’ve learned that, as CS Lewis writes: “There’s such a thing as getting more than we bargained for!” and that scares us. As Father David put it recently, we need to just Waste time with God.

Peter’s impulse to look for something to do isn’t to say that all work is bad. We are called to do our fair share to support our community and to put our God-given gifts to use.  But, at times we substitute busy-ness in our lives to avoid prayer – all the while knowing full well that only through prayer can we be formed in communion with God.  We must conquer the temptation to flee in fright when God finds us.  There is an old saying that applies here: when the Lord speaks to you, don’t just do something … stand there, or sit there, and follow Benedict’s opening word to his followers:  listen.

However we might interpret the impulsiveness of Peter, it is notable that in Matthew’s version of the story (remember he wasn’t there) the voice from heaven actually interrupts Peter, cutting him off in order to pronounce Jesus blessed and then to command the attention of the disciples. Whatever Peter — or we — may have been thinking there is only one thing necessary: to listen to Jesus, the Father’s beloved One.

We can all identify with the apostles because in our mountain-top experiences of joy and consolation we also want to stay. We want them to go on forever. And then in the moments of trial, like the apostles at Jesus’ trial, we want to flee. We tend to forget that our Lord did not promise us a rose garden, but a garden of olives and a crown of thorns. “If anyone will come after me let them pick up their cross daily and follow me.”  Having been to the top of the mountain we know that “nothing can separate us from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus.”

This evening the closing rite will include Carol’s commitment as a resident volunteer.  All of us have had mountain top experiences and can testify to their importance in our lives.  For Carol, I suspect this may be a mountain-top moment.  There is something awe-inspiring about mountains: clean and crisp air and a panoramic view that raises our minds and hearts to God.   But all of us know that we have to go back down the mountain, to the valley of our everyday lives.  At both places, at the mountain top or in the valley and all those places and times in between, Jesus is there, reaching out to raise us up be our best selves.

At her blessing Carol will be given a copy of our MISSION, VISION, CORPORATE COMMITMENT and CORE VALUES STATEMENT.  It seems like a good time to remind ourselves of what we’ve said in these statements, so a copy is here available for you if you’d like one.

When Jesus and the disciples were walking back down the mountain, Jesus charged them not to tell the vision to anyone until he had been raised from the dead.  Well, Carol, Jesus has been raised from the dead and ascended to his Father, so you are welcome – and we’d even encourage – to tell the vision to anyone that seems like a suitable candidate to be a volunteer or affiliate with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
First Reading:  Daniel 7:9–10,13–14      Second Reading:  2 Peter 1:16–19
Gospel: Matthew 17:1–9
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