Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Being a Good Samaritan Today

The gospel reading for Sunday, July15th was the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the parable we know that the Levite and the priest passed by the injured man; the Samaritan didn’t.  In a sermon given by Martin Luther King Jr. he comments “The first question that the priest asked, the first question that the Levite asked was, ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? [Would what happened to this stranger on this dangerous road also happen to me?] “The Good Samaritan came by and turned the question around “If I do NOT stop to help this man, what will happen to HIM?” Will the injured man be left here to die? And, at another level, a personal one I ask myself “what becomes of me, what becomes of my soul if I don’t help my unfortunate neighbor?” Several recent events at our southern border have an ongoing disquieting effect on me. I can’t get them out or my mind nor ought I.

A woman who had spent several weeks at the border told me the story of an encounter she had with a young mother from Honduras seeking asylum. The mother related that her twelve-year-old son is the age that gangs “recruit” boys. She knows of devastating consequences including death that occur to these young “recruits.” Out of fear and love for her son and his life, they made the arduous trip to the US border to find safety, something any mother would do.  As the woman continued telling me the story she wept. She told of horrific atrocities that the mother shared that continue to occur in Honduras. I am choosing not to write about them in this blog And I wonder what becomes of me, my soul if I don’t do something? And I wonder what becomes of our nation if we don’t recognize the Christ in the suffering humanity at our borders?
Photo from
 https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/childrens-concentration-camp/

NPR reported Sofi, a three–year-old Honduran suffering from a major heart ailment. This toddler was asked to choose which parent did she want to stay with her in the US as only one parent was allowed to stay. The rest of the family forced to go back to the Mexican border. Asking a three year to make this kind of choice? What? Then there are the children taken and separated from parents living in squalid conditions. Don’t we all realize the devastating consequences that occur to children who are taken from their parents? And what about the men of all ages, crammed and locked in cages, sleeping on concrete floor with primitive sanitary conditions. They have the look and the feel of concentration camps. I can’t get them out or my mind nor ought I.

At a recent immigration rally a young dreamer, a college grad gave witness to her story. She lives in fear that her parents and loved ones who have lived here for many years are now threatened with deportation because as a country we still have not addressed our immigration problems.
The words of Jesus “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matt: 25.35-36 stay with me, haunt me because of what is occurring at our borders.  I think of Benedict’s words on the reception of guests: “Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect.” RB 53.15

         Will we as a nation listen to the suffering of our sisters and brothers and find ways to live the Gospel mandate – “love your neighbor as yourself”?  What becomes of me, my soul if I don’t do something? What becomes of our nation if we don’t recognize the Christ in the suffering humanity at our borders?

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Giants of Stability/Pillars of Strength


Though we knew it was necessary, the mighty oak trees had to go! As the sound of a saw cutting into our faithful sentinels pierced the quiet of our monastic setting, a sadness permeated our conversation. The eight of them shaded the walkway of our front entrance like the gothic arches of the cathedral, welcoming visitors and worshippers, entering beneath the beautiful stained-glass window leading to our chapel. One by one, they crashed to the ground, the pieces cut up and carried away to become logs for someone’s fireplace. Suddenly, new sunlight was streaming into the building, but nearly blinding me later in the day as I returned from school. It was all so barren!
These trees had been here all my life, as well as for the other members of my community. I was reminded of the Sisters’ tombstones, Sisters whom I considered among the strongest leaders I had known, and who have passed on to their eternal reward:
·         Sr Vincentia, first director/principal of our academy, much beloved by all her students. She greeted me so warmly when I first visited here as an eighth grader; she was already elderly then and I could tell by the reverence in the voice of the Sister who introduced me, that she was highly respected. In awe, I visited her on her deathbed when I was a very young Sister and treasure those moments. Later I heard the legend of her demand to the Ku Klux Klan to leave our property as she brandished her brother’s pistol, protecting her girls in the school.
·         There was Sr. Hilda, member of the first graduating class of our academy who, as prioress, took out a million- dollar mortgage to add a new building to it. During her term the year of our centennial celebration occurred: 266 members were listed in the Challenge, a commemorative publication of 1959!
·          I remember Srs Miriam and Aileen, holding the longest tenure in leadership at the academy.  Girls of my generation always think of them together, one was principal, the other was directress of the boarding school. Like the one oak tree that split into two trunks about half way up, we always named them together.
·         There was Sr. Benedict who led us through the changes following Vatican II and had the foresight to build a senior citizen complex with nursing home at the east end of our property.
·         Sr.  Aurelia was my principal when we opened the new St.  Pius X school on Dudley Road, now one of the largest schools in our diocese;
·         Sr. Elizabeth was a marvelous math teacher, who could fix just about anything that needed repair in those days, even the elevator!
·         Sr. Callista was a hardy nurse who traveled the Ky. Mountain area ministering to the sick along the way.
·         And there are others, but that gives me eight to remember with gratitude.  They left much behind as a legacy for us.
Like their tombstones, we had eight large stumps in our front yard, more than a yard in diameter.  The roots may still exist, hidden beneath the smooth surface, waiting for new plantings.  But we have to go on without those pillars of strength.

Sr. Mary Carol Hellmann, OSB

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Curls and God

Born with naturally curly red hair I’ve had a mixed relationship with my locks over the years. As I’ve been attempting to manage my curls in our hot and humid Kentucky weather I’ve seen many similarities to my journey with God.  The tools needed vary by the day, it might be a comb or just hands to scrunch. In my prayer tools include a bible, spiritual book, movement or a journal. Mousse, gel or leave-in conditioner set the foundation for frizz free curls (most of the time) while our chapel, nature or my room provide a setting for me to listen and be with God. 
There is an element of searching whether it be to recognize God’s all-pervading presence or finding that “perfect” styling product  Struggles and unexpected developments occur whether it be sitting in silence with seemingly no response, a moment of grace, or a controlled style which suddenly becomes frizz the moment I walk outside.   Relationships are invaluable in managing the changing dynamics. My Benedictine community, family, friends and mentors (and sometimes even strangers) are invaluable in deepening my relationship with God.  I have a long-term relationship with a hairdresser who keeps my curls in shape like no one I’ve met before, she’s worth the extra drive for the care she provides.  
             So whether the days bring praising, cursing or something in between I am grateful for the journey which deepens my relationship with God.  I’ve also grown in appreciation for the character and unpredictableness of my curls over the years.  What a gift life is in all its twisting, turning and unfolding!  

                              Sr. Kimberly Porter, OSB            

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Normal Doubt/Steadfast Faith


DOUBT.  synonyms: question, distrust, unbelief, uncertainty
                antonyms:  trust, believe, certainty, confidence.

Feast of St. Thomas: Born in Galilee, Israel.
Martyred on St. Thomas mount in Ramapuran, India.
 Burial site: Santhome Cathedral; Chennai, India.
  Saint Thomas, Disciple: Universally known as ‘Doubting Thomas.

       Oh, you had not heard this? Well, Thomas was one the Jesus chosen twelve Disciples in the Holy Bible. He loved and believed in this Master and Teacher dearly. This same disciple watched from a distance [fearful for his own life] as spikes were driven into his beloved Master’s hands and feet then later a spear pierced the beloved’s left side.
       With his Master’s death, Thomas’s hope and purpose in life ceased to exist. Thomas became so depressed and unable to be consoled so that he could not even gather with the other disciples when they came together to mourn and to question what had happened to Jesus. Well! supposedly Jesus did appear to Thomas’s peers who then rushed to Thomas to tell him of this appearance.  Thomas was incredulous and told the others that they were delusional in their sorrow. Thomas himself needed proof of this happening; he wanted to touch and feel these wounds in Jesus hands and side.
       Thomas did relent and agreed to attend the next gathering of the disciples.  When Jesus did appear through the closed doors, Thomas was dumbfounded when Jesus invited Thomas to place his fingers into the wounds in His hands and his hand into His side. Thomas’s heart expanded and his unbelief became certainty full of faith and trust unbounded. Thomas now uttered “My Lord and My God.”
      Thomas became the first to put into words in the Holy Bible the truth that Jesus is both Lord and God, welding together the human and divine natures fully. Thomas then became a ‘great evangelizer’ traveling great distances converting multitudes in India where a strong faith persists especially in southern India. Thomas died a martyr’s death in India. I personally want to thank Thomas for being a ‘normal doubter’.
       Gregory the Great stated that this disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than that of many others. As he [Thomas] touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. Thomas became a genuine witness to the resurrection of Jesus and so must we.
       Pope Francis in speaking of Thomas recently stated “We find Jesus words in carrying out works of mercy…Let us ask of St. Thomas the grace to grant us the courage to enter into the wounds of Jesus with tenderness and thereby we will certainly have the grace to worship the Living God today.”

 Liturgy Hymn By All the Saints still Striving
All praise, O Lord, for Thomas,
Whose short-lived doubtings prove
Your perfect two-fold nature,
To all who live with questions
A steadfast faith afford;
And grant us grace to know You
Made flesh, yet God and Lord.

       Sr. Joan Gripshover, OSB