Jubilee 2017
-
July 1, 2017Once in a while it happens that two Jubilarians celebrating in the same year have an obvious spiritual gift in common---and certainly that is the case this year with our Diamond, Sr. Rita and our Golden, Sr. Robert. Both of them bear the middle name of GENEROSITY in golden letters. This generosity has taken a particular shape in their lives, the same shape that it took in Jesus’ life: servanthood. He who emptied himself taking the form of a servant and who calls us all to be servants of one another has really had his way in our two Jubilarians over a long period of time, for their spontaneous and loving service is a daily blessing for us all.
Chapter 31 of the Rule of St. Benedict is a most beautiful as well as practical development of servanthood in the monastic context. Some particularly relevant principles in that chapter are:
*Show concern for everyone and every need
*Show it with prudence informed by kindness
*Carry it out in a non-authoritarian way, that is with the humility and obedience that recognizes ones limitations
A perfect realization of these principles in our early tradition is the monastic life of Gerard, the brother of Bernard, who was described by Bernard as follows: “Who ever went away from him empty-handed? The rich found enlightenment, the poor were given alms…Nor did he seek his own advantage…Nobody worked so hard as he, and nobody received less in return…A tireless hand, a candid eye, a wise heart, a judicious tongue…He was the one who watched over all with solicitude” (Ser. 26 on the Song). In another sermon Bernard describes the generous monk this way: “Who, in your opinion, is the good man who takes pity and lends, who is disposed to compassionate, quick to render assistance, who believes that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving, who easily forgives but is not easily angered, who will never seek to be avenged, and will in all things take thought for his neighbor’s needs as if they were his own? Whoever you may be, if your soul is thus disposed, if you are saturated with the dew of mercy, overflowing with affectionate kindness, making yourself all thing to all men yet pricing your deeds like something discarded in order to be ever and everywhere ready to supply to others what they need, in a word, so dead to yourself that you live only for others---if this be you, then you obviously and happily possess the third and best of all ointments” (Sermon 12 on the Song).
Sr. Rita lived by these principles not only in spirit but by actual appointment for decades, and so in a very particular way they are exemplified in her. And the spirit of these principles which are meant to be caught and internalized by all of us to some degree, shines in a marked degree as well in Sr. Robbie. The signs that reveal this in them are that easy availability when approached for help both in big and little things, noticing what needs to be done and doing it, a spirit of faith that sees service in the context of obedience, both clarity and kindness with ones peers and helpers, and, most of all, the ability to embrace the daily crosses of life in union with Christ with faith, hope, love and joy. It is no coincidence that the Entrance Song Sr.Robbie chose for the Jubilee is “We Should Glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” for there one finds the secret and the source of all generosity and of all servanthood. When she entered over fifty years ago on the Feast of the Holy Cross she found special inspiration in these words from St. Benedict’s Prologue, “We share now by patience in the passion of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.”
A most blessed Jubilee year to you, Sr. Rita, and to you, Sr. Robbie, with deep gratitude for your patience and perseverance in this beautiful life and for generously serving our community throughout these many years!
Sr. Rita Rodrigue---Diamond Jubilee
Sr. Robert Blough—Golden Jubilee
July 1, 2017