"I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God." - 2 Timothy 1:6
I felt like my stars were aligned when I received my assigned date for a January reflection. This day, January 26th, is my name day (feast day) as a Benedictine Sister. My patron, St. Robert of Citeaux, would probably try to hide in the shadow of the "big" saints the church celebrates today: Ss. Timothy and Titus. Timothy and Titus were faithful and trusted friends of St. Paul, the Apostle. St. Robert was the Founder of the "White Benedictines" – so called because of the color of their habits and better known as Trappists or Cistercians. But, Robert died a "Black Benedictine." He founded the Abbey of Citeaux, but not the Order.
Like all true followers of Christ these saints were zealous in their desire to ignite "into flame the gift of God°the power and love and self-control and to bear their share of hardship for the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:6-8).
Today also marks the 25th anniversary of Bishop Robert Lynch's installation as the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg! The Benedictine Sisters count Bishop Lynch as a friend, who in 2014, drove directly from the airport to be present for the dedication of our new monastery.
In today's Gospel we hear Jesus say that a household divided according to loyalties cannot survive. We trust that God will be with us in all life's circumstances. We will be strengthened in unity so we are not divided in our loyalties. Divided we will not survive. We must subdue the self-dissension or we will not endure.
Use the words in today's Responsorial Psalm as a mantra throughout the day: "Announce His salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations, among all peoples his wondrous deeds."
I desire, O God, to ignite into flame the gifts You have given me.
Reflection by:
Sr. Roberta Bailey, OSB
Did You Know...
Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, is currently the prioress (president) of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo. Sister serves on the diocesan Commission for Religious. She is the former principal of St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, Florida, and Saint John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, Florida. Sister Roberta is celebrating her 61st year in religious life
