Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

Shepherd

Good Shepherd Sunday

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In the earliest Christian art, the only depictions of Jesus are of Him as a Good Shepherd. That image of Jesus persisted until about 500 AD.   By that time eighty-eight frescoes depicted the Good Shepherd on the ceilings of the Roman catacombs because artists had run out of space of the walls of the churches of Rome.  The image of the Good Shepherd speaks to us about the protection, intimacy, security, and compassionate care.  If one looks carefully in many of those first paintings the Good Shepherd is a woman.  Yes, the ladies stayed close to the home to keep an eye on the flock and stir the all-purpose kitchen pot in preparation for the for the mid-day main meal.

In some images we see Jesus holding a lamb around his neck, over his shoulders, holding the two front legs of the sheep in one hand and the two rear legs in the other. Our minds naturally begin to wander and we realize it holds personal meaning for us. We are that lamb who is being carried by Jesus. It’s reassuring for us, in the dark days of our lives, that although we may feel empty and alone, we are never abandoned.

The image of the Good Shepherd is symbolized in a beautiful way by the Pallium which the pope and archbishops wear over their shoulders while celebrating Mass. The Pallium is made from lamb’s wool from sheep raised by the Trappist monks on the outskirts of Rome.  When mature, the sheep are taken to the Pope for a blessing and then cared for by Benedictine Nuns at St. Cecelia’s (where Benedict lived while he was going to school in Rome) until they are sheared on Holy Thursday.   The lamb’s wool is meant to represent the lost, sick or weak sheep in the desert which the shepherd finds and places on his shoulders and carries to the waters of life.

At night a shepherdess can walk right through a sleeping flock without disturbing a single one of them, while a stranger cannot step foot in the fold without causing pandemonium.  And when several shepherds and their sheep are at a watering hole and it is time to leave all the shepherds have to do is call and their flock separates itself and follows their shepherd.

This is what we need to do when confronted with a cacophony chorus of conflicting opinions … but we can only do this if, as Pope Francis frequently reminded us, “it is essential in order to cope with complexity and change, that we have developed the ability to withdraw for quiet reflection.  Only then will we truly know the voice of our shepherd, heed His voice and follow wherever God calls.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

 

First Reading:   Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52         Second Reading:  Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel:   John 10:27-30
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Epiphany Sunday 2024

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In the stories of Jesus’ birth, two special groups of people came to visit the new-born babe: the shepherds and the magi. The church has no special feast to commemorate the visit of the shepherds although the Christmas liturgy at dawn is sometimes referred to as the Shepherds’ Mass.    The shepherds learned of the birth of Jesus through a direct, supernatural revelation from angels. The magi, on the other hand, learned of the birth of Jesus by observing the stars. The stars did not speak in the same way the angel had so the wandering Magi had to interpret this natural sign. It is a unique story that represents all peoples of all nations and opens our eyes to the fact that God is not limited to any one religious tradition.

This solemnity has so long been associated with the image of “Three Kings” that it’s easy to forget that Matthew, who is the only evangelist who relates this particular story, nowhere mentions either the number of visitors or their kingly rank.  He does, however, call the visitors “magi,” which, in those days, could have meant anything from “wise man” or “sorcerer”; from “astrologer” and “astronomer” – all learned men respected for their wisdom.

With the Greek community, Tarpon Springs is so close to us that we are well aware of the tradition of young men diving into the bayou (no matter how cold the waters) in hopes of being the one to retrieve the cross believed to bring them a year of special blessings.

In Spanish-speaking countries, the tradition had long been to observe Christmas Day as a solemn religious occasion, reserving Three Kings Day for partying and exchanging gifts.  Similar to the new world custom of leaving a cookie on Christmas eve for Santa Claus, children leave a treat of hay in hopes that the camels will bring the Kings with a gift.

In India, the Epiphany is not a moveable feast.  It is celebrated on the 12th night after Christmas, January 6th.  It marks the manifestation of Jesus in a religious celebration honoring the Baptism of Jesus by John in the River Jordan.  It is also a reminder of St. Thomas, the Apostle, who brought Christianity to India in the living waters of the Sacrament of Baptism.  The church commemoration includes the sound of a generous pouring of water that can be heard by the congregation and live-screen audience.

The custom in Germany is that of a children’s festival. After a church service the children, dressed as kings, go from house to house to gather offerings for the poor.  At each house, they paint “20+C+M+B+the numeral for the year” (this year 24) which is Latin for Christ bless this house). Coincidentally the letters are the first letters of the names of the wise men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

In England, the traditional Yule log is kept burning until Twelfth Night (Epiphany) in order to bring blessings and good fortune throughout the upcoming year.  Several countries – most notably Italy and Russia – share the long-held tradition of a kindly old witch who makes her annual visit on the night of January 5, climbing down the chimney to bring presents to children.

The Irish people, (Google told me) know how to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany with deference to women.  On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas.  The men folk stay at home and handle the kids and the many chores their wives do daily.

The history of the King Cake has its roots in pre-Christian religions of Western Europe. During pagan harvest celebrations it was customary to choose a man to be the “sacred king” of the tribe for a year. That man would be treated like a king for the year. Then he would be sacrificed, and his blood returned to the soil to ensure that the harvest would be successful. The method of choosing who would have the honor of being the sacred king was the purpose of the “King’s Cake” in which a coin had been baked. Whoever got the slice that had the coin was the chosen “king for a year.”

The custom evolved and migrated from France to Louisiana. The ceramic baby hidden in the oval-shaped cake speaks to the fact that the three Kings had a difficult time finding the Christ Child. Whoever finds the ceramic baby hosts “King Cake parties” each day from Epiphany until Mardi Gras.

So, why would we be of interest to any of us?  It matters because we are a nation, and a community, from a variety of backgrounds.  Jesus’ arms were widespread on the cross to embrace all cultures, all peoples through all times.  As we enter a new year, our prayer is that it will be the dawning of a new day that will bring the gifts of a warm welcome, peace, financial security, equitable access to health care services and food; worthy companionship for migrants, immigrants, displaced placed person and all for whom we have promised to pray.  In fact let us pray for these things for the entire world – and let’s not overlook each other… As Tiny Tim says in Dickens’ A CHIRSTMAS CAROL: “God bless us everyone!”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6              Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

 

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“Who Am I to Judge”

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“Who Am I to Judge”

Last week’s Gospel and this Sunday’s are a contrast to the image of Jesus the Gentle Shepherd.  It’s a “sit up and take notice” alert.  It seems Jesus is saying: look I’ve coddled you – cured you’re sick, healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons.  But, there is another side to the story.  Yes, God is the Good Shepherd putting the strayed lamb over His shoulder.  (I don’t mean any irreverence when I say this) Now, before I put you down, I am giving you a “slap on the rump.”  Now, I am giving you a “slap on the bottom.”  You are accountable for your own actions!

(Paraphrased by SRB) I trust you have learned the lessons of “Giving Second Chances.”  Now, let me remind you of our personal responsibility to use your free will to exert the presence of GOODNESS and FORGIVENESS in our world.  The kind of seeds that put down roots of PEACE and CONCORD between peoples and nations …  starting in your own community.

Jesus’ parables have been presenting mounting evidence of the strength of the bonds – positive and negative – that we hold over each other.  Follow the strands through Matthew’s Gospels over the past few Sundays.  “Forgive and it will be forgiven you.  Whatever you bind – or whoever you bind – shall be bound in heaven.  I had pity on you – should you not have pity on your brother, your sister, your spouse, your children, your comrades?  Whoever you loose, shall be loosed in heaven.  Whoever shall lose her life, her reputation for my sake will be saved.  Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.  Stop thinking as human beings do; think as God does.”  Recall the line (last week) from Ezekiel: “If you not speak out against evil, I will hold you responsible.”  Jesus means real evil here – not nit-picking.  Not making people accountable for the preferences I hold dear.  Not asking curiosity questions that imply guilt or cause another to question “What’d I do wrong?”  Making poor choices is different from doing wrong.  A poor choice may cause you personal trouble, extra steps or time.  But it can be a lesson learned.  WRONG is a violation of God’s law, not one I wrote.

Asking “what critters or plants did you see on your walk today?” sits much more gently than “So, did you get any exercise today?”  “I like that shirt” may satisfy your curiosity about: “Did you take a shower when you came home today?”  The former conveys a compliment; the latter is an invasion of privacy and out of place.

What does Jesus say?  And, we heard it in Benedict’s Rule last evening …  “Beware the plank in your own eye.”  Resolve to make TRUST your byword, your covenantal promise to each other.  Promise yourself – and promise each other – that you will not be the one who initiates a cycle of rumors, gossip or suspicion; cattiness, negativity or any flavor of mistrust.

In the words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Galatians (part of which was read at today’s Noon Prayer): The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. …  Let us never be boastful or challenging or jealous toward one another.  Help carry one another’s burdens; in that way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:25-26)

In the words of Pope Francis: “God is in every person’s life.  Even if the life of a person has been a disaster – God is in this person’s life.  You can, you must try to seek God in every human life.  Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow.  You have to trust God.”  (World Youth Day 2014)  Remember Pope Francis’ often quoted words to reporters who were with him on a return flight to Rome from South America.  He had was being asked his opinion about clergy sex scandals.  He said simply: “Who am I to judge.”

Have a pleasant week …  prayerfully remember those who are suffering on the West U.S. coast from the fires and poor air quality; places getting an over-abundance of rain causing flooding, recovering from tropical winds and stormy conditions …  and so many other hardships …   When all else fails, prayer fervently!  

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

First Reading Sirach 27:30-28:7              Second Reading Romans 14:7-9
Gospel Matthew 18:21-35
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