I was only half listening to the radio when I heard the announcement “Christmas Stocking”. Then I realized shockingly that it was play, book or movement called “Christmas Stopping” The idea of a psychologist is to stop Christmas as a holiday and thus end the holiday depression of those who yearly have unmet expectations re: gifts, family obligations, etc. After I finally tuned in to the commercial, I noted there was no mention of the real reason for Christmas, nor of the good times the holiday prompts of gathering together, celebrating and giving the gift of love and friendship.
What we may all well need isn’t the stopping of Christmas, but the deepened realization of the fact that Jesus is the reason for the season. God cared enough to send the very best–Jesus. Like him we each need to reach out, join in, celebrate faith, family, friendship, and to delight in where we are–simple as our setting may be. (Jesus came in a stable to poor shepherds.)
Christmas isn’t about shopping. Love and presence are the best gifts of all. Focus more on Jesus and others and less on yourself. That is the formula for JOY: Think first of Jesus, others and then yourself. Do this and you may discover that every day can be like Christmas–a celebration of God’s love!
Hearing that radio spot and reflecting on it made me remember St. Benedict’s “Seek God and prefer nothing to Christ” That surely is the opposite of the theme of stopping Christmas.
If you’d like to hear more of Benedict’s wisdom contact us about ways to be part of the “School of the Lord’s Service”
Benedictine Sisters
Holy Name Monastery
Box 2450
St. Leo, FL 33574
Phone: 352 588-8320
Website: http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
Prayerful best wishes to all for a JOY-filled Christmas & Blessings for a healthy, happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
“Ordinary People + Extra-ordinary Love” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
“Have you ever thought of being a Sister?” I asked. She was 30 something, single; she cared about peace/justice issues, and was active in her parish’s Food Pantry–in fact she told me, her parish ministries were more important to her than her career. She sat quietly for a moment. “I’m not good enough,” she responded hesitantly.” If you were perfect,” I teased, “you wouldn’t fit in a religious community! We Benedictine Sisters are just ordinary people, doing ordinary things, but with extra-ordinary love. Listen with your heart to how God may be calling you. Come and see.” “Thanks,” she said sincerely. “I’ll think about it, and I’ll pray,” she added.
That conversation happened years ago but I am more convinced than ever that our life style as Benedictines has values that our world so needs today.
What are these values alive in us –our charism–that we share with others? I’ll highlight three:
Community: We live a common life together–striving to see Christ in the other, to be Christ, calling forth the best in the other.
Prayer: Eucharist is central to our life together. We pray Liturgy of the Hours together at least 3 times a day. Our private prayer is scriptural. We read and meditate on Scripture daily; this “lectio divina” guides and strengthens our hearts.
Work: Our life is a balance of prayer and work. Our prayer overflows in works of service. We minister to each other and to God’s people. Our Mission and Corporate Commitment Statements say it well:
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, have as our purpose to seek God in community
through the monastic way of life and to enable all people in our realm of influence to develop their fullest human and spiritual potential.
We accomplish our mission by sharing our human and material resources and our monastic values of community and liturgical worship through works of mercy, education, hospitality and stewardship. Mission Statement
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, commit ourselves and our resources, to respond with the compassion of Christ to the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social hungers of the people of God. Corporate Commitment Statement
Our Community life and prayer are central to the Benedictine life; from them flow our ministries. We are ordinary people doing what we do with extra-ordinary love. What ever we do– spiritual director, social worker, hospitality minister, community prioress or treasurer...we do with Christ’s love and for Christ’s sake as a response to God’s loving call to us. Living together and praying together strengthens our commitment to our call from God.
Have you ever thought about being a Sister? Listen with your heart to how God may be calling you. Come and see. Think about it, and pray.
Check our webpage: http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
That conversation happened years ago but I am more convinced than ever that our life style as Benedictines has values that our world so needs today.
What are these values alive in us –our charism–that we share with others? I’ll highlight three:
Community: We live a common life together–striving to see Christ in the other, to be Christ, calling forth the best in the other.
Prayer: Eucharist is central to our life together. We pray Liturgy of the Hours together at least 3 times a day. Our private prayer is scriptural. We read and meditate on Scripture daily; this “lectio divina” guides and strengthens our hearts.
Work: Our life is a balance of prayer and work. Our prayer overflows in works of service. We minister to each other and to God’s people. Our Mission and Corporate Commitment Statements say it well:
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, have as our purpose to seek God in community
through the monastic way of life and to enable all people in our realm of influence to develop their fullest human and spiritual potential.
We accomplish our mission by sharing our human and material resources and our monastic values of community and liturgical worship through works of mercy, education, hospitality and stewardship. Mission Statement
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, commit ourselves and our resources, to respond with the compassion of Christ to the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social hungers of the people of God. Corporate Commitment Statement
Our Community life and prayer are central to the Benedictine life; from them flow our ministries. We are ordinary people doing what we do with extra-ordinary love. What ever we do– spiritual director, social worker, hospitality minister, community prioress or treasurer...we do with Christ’s love and for Christ’s sake as a response to God’s loving call to us. Living together and praying together strengthens our commitment to our call from God.
Have you ever thought about being a Sister? Listen with your heart to how God may be calling you. Come and see. Think about it, and pray.
Check our webpage: http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
Monday, September 6, 2010
“Don’t Miss A Real Life” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
A College 101 class was getting a tour of our Monastery; a guy asked, "Don't you miss a Real life, Sister?" Other students laughed but maybe they had the same question.
I guess there are those who think the life of a Sister is quiet, lonely, boring. They don't know us or that the Monastic Community is a place of much activity. Despite what students may think; I don't just sit and wait for them to call, email or text me.
Sisters at our Monastery in St. Leo, FL work at the University, and the local food bank/thrift shop. They work in education and hospitality; one is even a para legal. You'll find Sisters working in the kitchen and garden, quilting, composting... All working/contributing. All take turns serving table/washing dishes; no matter their status all work together, from the prioress to the postulant. All work is considered sacred, and every person important.
I told that college student I thought my life is the Real life. It is a regular life of prayer and work (note: prayer comes first) This life is based on love/belief, on God. This life is rich in relations and care, free to respond to what is important in life: God, nurturing faith, being a living witness to the possibility and desirability of Community and Peace. Sharing, caring, serving, celebrating...(did I mention the good food and fun?)
Want a taste of the Real life? Visit the Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery visit for a day or stay a life time. It is a very Real life!
As the prophet Micah says: "This is what God asks doing justice, loving tenderly, walking humbly with our God" All that makes for a Real life.
For further information: Benedictine Sisters of Florida
Holy Name Monastery
Box 2450
St. Leo, FL 33574
Phone: 352 588-8320
Website: http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
I guess there are those who think the life of a Sister is quiet, lonely, boring. They don't know us or that the Monastic Community is a place of much activity. Despite what students may think; I don't just sit and wait for them to call, email or text me.
Sisters at our Monastery in St. Leo, FL work at the University, and the local food bank/thrift shop. They work in education and hospitality; one is even a para legal. You'll find Sisters working in the kitchen and garden, quilting, composting... All working/contributing. All take turns serving table/washing dishes; no matter their status all work together, from the prioress to the postulant. All work is considered sacred, and every person important.
I told that college student I thought my life is the Real life. It is a regular life of prayer and work (note: prayer comes first) This life is based on love/belief, on God. This life is rich in relations and care, free to respond to what is important in life: God, nurturing faith, being a living witness to the possibility and desirability of Community and Peace. Sharing, caring, serving, celebrating...(did I mention the good food and fun?)
Want a taste of the Real life? Visit the Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery visit for a day or stay a life time. It is a very Real life!
As the prophet Micah says: "This is what God asks doing justice, loving tenderly, walking humbly with our God" All that makes for a Real life.
For further information: Benedictine Sisters of Florida
Holy Name Monastery
Box 2450
St. Leo, FL 33574
Phone: 352 588-8320
Website: http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
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