”What Is Your Hunger?" by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB

We recently had a cherished Sister die. Sr. Germaine had battled cancer for 9 months. She had formerly been our prioress. A memory that came to me was something that happened over 10 years ago. I was meeting with the prioress, Sr. Germaine, she asked me, “What is your hunger?” The question took me aback. (I learned later that she asked everyone who came into her office the question. More than once I was asked.)

We had just accepted a Corporate Commitment:

"We the Benedictine Sisters of Florida commitment ourselves and our resources to respond with the compassion of Christ to the physical, spiritual, emotional and social hungers of the people of God”.

Sr. Germaine knew somehow that knowing one’s own hunger was important. Trying to meet that hunger would in turn help feed the hungers of others. For example when I hungered for community and took quality time to relate to my Sisters I was feeding their hunger for community, too. Seeking to meet my hunger for prayer, silence, and solitude, gave space and encouragement to others to do the same.

“What do you hunger for?” I had to admit it was a good question with no pat answer. I asked and answered the question over and over through the years.

Our stomachs may be full, but we can starve ourselves spiritually by not feeding ourselves what is necessary for a healthy relationship to God, who is our Ultimate hunger.

What do You hunger for–Prayer? Community? Truth? Justice? Peace?

Maybe you need to meet the Benedictine Sisters at Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, FL– we have these same hungers and they have led us to ministries of direct assistance to the poor, spiritual direction, retreat/hospitality, education, and peace/justice.

We’ve been in Florida since 1889. We help our oblates, volunteers and women interested in vowed membership to answer the question, “What is Your hunger?” May we help you?

Visit our webpage http://www.floridabenedictines.com/ or  Call: 352 588-8320

“Be Good News” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB

There isn’t a lot of good news around these days. There are many opportunities to be good news, but few take advantage of or choose them.

Jesus told a similar story (Lk. 14:15ff) Those invited were too busy with possessions, jobs, or setting themselves before God, to respond.

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida try to be good news. We believe a life of prayer and service can make the world a better place and build the Kin.dom of God. We pray together 3-4 times a day, and we share our gifts and serve in varied ways: musician, receptionist, principal, school counselor, spiritual director, hospitality and retreat director, paralegal, driver, liturgist, archivist, and director of Daystar, the local food bank and thrift store...

We choose to Seek God and respond to God’s invitation to bring good news, to Be Good News to others.

Will you be good news? Will you set God first in your life? before anyone or anything? before awards, achievements, possessions?

Can we help you RSVP?

Contact us about a way to share in the Benedictine legacy of Seeking God and Being Good News as Volunteer, Oblate or vowed member.

Check our webpage http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
or Call: 352 588-8320

“Giving Up or Giving?” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB

It was a weekend for teens at the Monastery–to let them “Share Life” with the Sisters and get an inside-the-convent experience. At the last wrap-up session, there was a comment I’ve not forgotten even though it was 20 years ago. Ellen, a student at a parish where we served said, “I always thought the life of a Sister was about giving up, but that is not true!” I waited wondering what would follow. She said, “A Sister’s life ’s not about giving up, it’s about giving!” I was pleased with her insight.

The society tells us life is more about what we have, or do, or who we know, than who we Are. We think happiness is a Buy-product. We make grumbling a hobby as we look at what others have or do... The fact is our Christian faith life is not a spectator sport. Faith is to be Practiced.

To follow Christ has a cost–we’re to give up everything, let Christ and his will be #1 in our lives ie. Give up our self-will and anything that hinders us from full discipleship. Those things are not always “things” Sometimes they are positions, attitudes, relations, prejudices, additions...

Ellen was right; religious life is more about giving than giving up. The Rule of St. Benedict says “prefer nothing to the love of Christ”and again “prefer nothing to the Work of God” Christ must be #1 in our lives; He is the Intimate Friend, the Faithful Companion. Jesus is the Reason! Not just for a season but for the whole of life. When there is a chance to pray, to do good–feed, shelter, educate, heal, comfort, build community, bring peace, share the Good News of the Gospel, we are impelled to give ourselves to it.

Paradoxically, like the Gospel that brings forth Light out of darkness and Life from death, all we give up for Christ’s sake we will get back 100 fold: families, friends, meaningful work for the Kin.dom, joy and peace, all we really need, contentment, wholeness, holiness and a growing awareness of, and trust in, God’s loving Presence.

Practicing our faith we grow stronger and better at it. We follow Christ with “hearts expanding with love; to follow/give become less a struggle and more a natural response of one who loves/is loved.

And You? Do you follow Christ? Most of the time? Sometimes? When it is convenient?

When do you let go self will? Most of the time? Sometimes? When it is convenient?

How will you practice your faith this week?

Consider how you might Share Life with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida as a Volunteer, Oblate, or Sister. Check our webpage http://www.floridabenedictines.com/ Ask about a chance for an inside-the-convent experience. Contact: Sr. Mary David, OSB Call: (352) 588-8320