Jubilee Reflection 2008
July 13, 2008
Anne Shepard, OSB

In her book about the gospel of Matthew, Dr. Megan McKenna uses a Chinese parable to illustrate “the telling of parables and making them come true in obedience to Jesus’ words. “ It is called “Untying the bell on a tiger’s neck.”

Once upon a time a group of Buddhist monks gathered to answer one of their master’s questions: Who can untie a bell hanging from a tiger’s neck? Each had meditated at length on the issue and had come up with some conclusions and suggestions. One monk said: “Wait until the tiger is exhausted and asleep, then silently, slowly and carefully untie it.” Another said:”Feed the tiger until he is stuffed and content and then it wouldn’t think about eating you. But practice beforehand to curb your fear as you approach.” An old monk laughed at them and said, “You are playing with danger. None of your methods are really safe. A tiger is a tiger- always unpredictable around humans and always wild. The tiger must be bound with strong cords before the bell can be untied from around its neck.” Another monk piped up and asked the older monk: “Who would tie the tiger up before trying to untie the bell?” The older monk hadn’t considered that small detail, and they were all stumped.

Finally, they went back to Tai Qin, their master who had posed their question, to share their solutions with them. With each answer he laughed louder, which disconcerted them. Then he looked at them hard and said: “Who bound the tiger and tied the bell around its neck in the first place? Obviously that is the person who knows how to untie the bell hanging from the tiger’s neck.”

As I read that story I pondered, What if we asked our jubilarians: “Who can untie a bell hanging from a tiger’s neck?” The responses may be:

“What? What did you ask? I don’t think the answer is in the Oxford dictionary or Google, but I will see if I can research the answer.” OR

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’ll take this to prayer and then get back to you. Is tomorrow okay?” OR

“That is a really good question. Many poets have written about tigers. Let me read to you a few of my poems.” OR

“This is a question serious enough for me to take to the monastic council.” OR

“I have no idea. Call me when the tiger dies and I’ll take care of it.”

British New Testament scholar, C. H. Dodd, defined a parable as: “A metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt of its precise application to tease it into active thought.” If we tease out the gospel parable today, we ask if the passage is more about the sower or the seed. The sower has choices as to where to plant her seed. If seeds fall on the sidewalk, birds will feast on them and the seeds will not grow. If thrown on rocks, seeds risk being scorched and soon wither. If among thorns, they would choke. If on rich soil, then they will be productive. We know there are multiple soils in this parable, but are there four or five sowers or just one?

On this jubilee day, we gather in thanksgiving for five Benedictine women who have been well rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Rule of Benedict, Church teachings, first family and then community living, personal and communal prayer, all rich soils, all of which has led them to be poured out in meaningful and unselfish ministries. Three of them have tried to retire more than once, but we and they keep finding new ways for them to serve their sisters and the people of God. One looks forward to retiring in a few years and the fifth one does not even get to think about it for at least twenty five more years!

Jubilarians, today is a feast wherein all gathered are touched by your fidelity and generosity, your hope and your steadfastness. You are not shallow in your commitment. You have not let your seeds fall on sidewalks where the birds or other sisters or friends or whoever had the chance to take away your faith. You have not sown seeds on rocks, rather you are rocks- solid, dependable, sometimes hard headed, all different and unique. You have not sown among thorns, you have been mentors and healers for many who suffer from many and various thorny, painful or unhappy situations in their lives. You are present to many within and outside of our community, eager to help, ready to assist however asked and often before you are asked. Yes, you have heard the word that has gone forth from the mouth of God from Isaiah that “shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Moreover, you have sown good seed and been sown into all kinds of soil. You have years of experience of weathering drought, flooding, rain and sunshine in your life and in the lives of those you love. You have not just grown; you have flourished.

Dr. McKenna reminds us that parables unsettle us. She says: “there is no limit to the interpretations...only the one placed on the parable by the hearers who stop changing and stop understanding and refuse to listen. The parable shuts us out until we return with openness, and with a need to hear.” Thank you, Sisters Deborah, Barbara Ann, Micaela, Jo Ann and Chris for your monastic commitment. May you always be open to change and new understandings. May you listen attentively for these next twenty five or fifty or more years of your community living.

Oh yes, and may you figure out how to untie the bell on the tiger’s neck!
Happy feast!