SKBlog

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME January 16, 2022 The gospel of the wedding feast at Cana has always intrigued me. John called the miracle a “sign”, Jesus’ first sign…but I wonder what Mary thought…Mary, the attentive sensitive one…Mary, who went in haste to visit Elizabeth after the Annunciation…Mary, the guest at the wedding, who noticed the wine running short. Were the women talking when, perhaps they wanted their goblets filled and the embarrassed waiter told them there was none left? The men at the wedding reception may have been enjoying their “cups running over,” too busy with their important conversations to even notice, or even care that the wine was running out. But Mary knew…and she knew the newlyweds and their parents…and she knew her son…she knew as she and Joseph raised him, that he was bright, he was sensitive, he was obedient, even though at one point he was missing for three days and forgot to tell his parents that he would be staying in Jerusalem for a few extra days. But know him she did, and she went to him. Just a few words, “They have no wine.” Imagine the glimpses between them. “How is this my concern? It’s not my time yet…and Mary knew…and simply said to the wait staff…”Do whatever he tells you.” What if Mary hadn’t noticed? What if she hadn’t gone over to where the guys were gathering? What if she hadn’t said “they have no wine.” She was gentle…and firm…she was compassionate and forceful. She simply saw what had to be done and did it. Just like she did when she visited Elizabeth…just like she did when she and others stood concerned outside the place where Jesus was preaching and so busy that he and his followers had no time to eat…just like she did at the foot of the cross and was given to John (and all of us) as a mother. So, although Jesus did indeed perform “the first of his signs” at the wedding at Cana, I think we can rightfully muse that if it hadn’t been for Mary’s thoughtfulness, the reception could have been a disaster. And what about us? Where do we dare to quietly enter into a difficult or uneasy situation…not necessarily with a solution but with kindness and compassion. Paul talks about the gifts given for the greater good. Are we willing to both give the gifts that are ours as well as receive the gifts that others have to offer. This mutuality is a very important part of being fully human. Let’s celebrate with the newlyweds, with Mary and Jesus and all the guests. Let us celebrate the gifts we have and the gifts that others have to offer. We each have our own wine to offer as well as the wine that others offer to us. Enjoy the exchange! Sister Karen R. Brink, OSB

Sr. Karen's reflection of the 60th Jubilee of Srs. Nancy Booth and Georgine Schweers

Reflecting on the Trinity and our time with the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

“Listen, carefully, my daughters and sons, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice…” These words which open the “little rule” of St. Benedict, have been heard and read by women and men, called to seek God in their lives for over 1500 years. As I picked up the Rule for some guidance for this reflection on the feast of our Holy Father St. Benedict, I noticed, perhaps for the first time that the Rule is written in the present tense, for all of us today, as though Benedict was in our midst, sharing with us in the here and now, much like the Scriptures which are truly God’s Word to us TODAY. As we also heard from Proverbs, “receive my words.” Benedict’s influence is truly profound. Those of us who are professed Benedictines know much of the Rule by heart and can proclaim a phrase or a sentence here and there when appropriate. After reading some of Benedictine scholar Sister Aquinata Bockman’s commentary on the Rule, and particularly the prologue, I began to try to get into the mind of St. Benedict to discern what is the mind of Benedict and what does he say to us today through the first phrase of the Rule. “Listen, carefully…” Perhaps he knew that true listening is an art, and so added the word “carefully.” The gospel that we heard for the second Sunday of Lent is another reminder of the call to listen. St. Benedict probably heard, read, and pondered that gospel more than once. The apostles who were with Jesus at the Transfiguration heard in a cloudy atmosphere, the voice of divinity, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.” Benedict listened and followed the call to listen deeply, to go away, to invite followers, and then to direct them simply to “listen.” We his followers, must also risk the act of listening. The Rule of Benedict provides many examples and invitations to listen: the abbot (prioress) listening to the community, listening as disciples , listening to the divine voice, listening to the master, listening to holy reading, listening to the Rule, and while not stated directly, listening to one another. That, to me is a grand amount of listening. I remember in the 60’s and 70’s, during the time of renewal and all of the meetings, the committees, the discussions, and the image I had then, simply, was one very large ear…to absorb and take in all the words, both written and spoken. We did do more than our share of using our ears. I’m sure this is also true of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as well as the ordained clergy. Sister Aquinata goes on to expand the concept of listening as she understands it and as she reads it back into the Rule and into the mind of Benedict. An appropriate response to careful listening is a person listening with undivided attention. Listening goes deeper and is more demanding. It presupposes that I am not filled to the brim with my own needs and desires and activities but rather have some empty space in me allowing myself to be surprised and startled. And I ask myself…and each of you…when was the last time we were surprised and startled by a word…or words…by the spoken words of another…by the words of Scripture…by the written word. Or is my own word the only one to which I truly listen. Obviously each of our own words carries weight…sometimes heavier weight than at other times…however, our own word is not what Benedict invites us to when he opens the “little rule for beginners” with “Listen carefully, my child, son, daughter, to the precepts of your master or your parent. Certainly an active listening is what is called for by Benedict. The opening verse of the Rule asks us to turn our hearts entirely toward God and all human beings…the presence of God and full presence of each human being we encounter. The Ephesians are reminded to take the word of God and at every opportunity pray in the spirit. Listening to God’s word and listening to one another constantly and attentively. A tremendous challenge and perhaps that’s why Benedict chose the word Listen as the very first word of our rule. Called by the gospel of Matthew to follow Christ, who gives us a “solemn” word, we are promised the inheritance of eternal life…and as Benedict notes at the end of his Rule, may he bring us all together to everlasting life. Let us continue to walk together, listening attentively with the ear of our hearts to our God…and to one another. A blessed and happy feast to all!