“You Do It”: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
Prayer is our lifeline to God. Often we pray for others: for those we love and those we know and those we do not know. When the love of Christ fills us we want the best for everyone, and especially we want no one to be without and need basics like food and shelter and, yes, love and caring. We pray in the spirit of the prayer that Jesus taught us: for the kingdom (kin-dom) of God to come on earth so ALL will have daily bread and the experience of being forgiven (Matthew 6:9-13). Indeed, Jesus taught us how to pray and he often went aside to pray: to talk with his Father. We can pray the formal prayer Jesus taught us and we can just talk with him as we do with friends and share with him and his Father about what is in our hearts and what we need, and the needs of those around us and the needs of the whole world. Prayer is powerful and it is important for us to pray as much as we can: Paul suggested that we “pray continually”- I Thessalonians 5:17). And yet, Jesus suggests action as much as prayer.
In all four Gospels there is an account of Jesus feeding large numbers of people. He is completely attuned to the human needs for food and physical well being. In John’s Gospel (John 6: 1-13) he involves the disciples in his concern to feed the huge group. In Matthew(14:13-21), Mark 6:35-39) and Luke(9:13), the disciples bring him their concern about the hungry crowd and he responds- asking them ” YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT”. They are at a loss as to how do this until Jesus takes what little is available, a few loaves and fishes, and multiplies it, instructing the disciples how to pass the food out to feed the whole crowd with plenty left over.
So when the disciples brought Jesus their concerns for the basic needs of others, Jesus tells them to meet these needs-“YOU give them something to eat! And when they were overwhelmed and did not know how to do this, he provided what was needed. Jesus is saying to us: yes, pray for the needs of others, but try to meet these needs yourself! Don’t leave it at a prayer.
Many years ago-in 2007 and 8, Judy Beaumont and I began a program of reaching out to homeless and hungry people in Lion’s Park in Fort Myers. The only way we could do this was to mobilize two different church groups to volunteer to cook for the crowd on Fridays. We were so blessed this took off with much enthusiasm. In fact one group began its own ministry in another park on Monday nights as well. That group led by Pastor Joe Irvin and his wife Cece Simon continues to do this to date! We also began a feeding program in an indoor facility bought for that purpose. When Pastor Judy B and I could no longer do Friday nights in the park faithful volunteers, a woman and her husband continued-Chris Miller and Rick Judy. Even when Rick went home to God a few years later Chris and her team of volunteers continued this loving work. Friday night feeding in Lion’s park continues with people who want to serve and help gathering at 4:15 to participate. How amazing is this-seventeen years after the feeding began! May God continue to bless Chris Miller and her friends!
The other day someone with serious breathing problems asked me to pray that the broken air conditioner and porous wall in her apartment be fixed. Instead I added my voice to hers by calling the landlord and stressing that these needed to be fixed immediately. Within two days they were fixed. She thanked me for my prayers-which indeed were prayers of doing something not asking God to fix it. Now, I in no way had the skills to do this, but I did have the skill to call and get it done. So when you are asked for prayers, indeed you can pray but also ask yourself and perhaps the person asking “Is there some way I can help?” Yes, there are things way beyond our abilities or even purview that may be needed when prayer is asked and prayer is always a wonderful gift to give. But just sometimes, maybe WE are the answer to prayer. Let’s look for those times when we can be at least part of the answer to another’s prayers. Then, as Jesus said, God’s kingdom-kin-dom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
With Love and blessings,
Pastor Judy Lee,
Good Shepherd Ministries of Southwest Florida
Some of the participants who began with us in Church In the Park
Poems From the Heart
IF
If
I
can
still
write
I
am.
Writing and sharing poetry is one of the great joys of my life, although I have not been writing much lately. These days there is much more to do to keep things going and the time to write is elusive. In 2007 I published a book of poetry and IF was among them. The Flamekeeper And Other Poems is now out of print so from time to time I will publish some of the poems here.
Here is the leading poem-for Markie.
The Flame Keeper
It burns brightly,
the pilot light
in each of us,
and brighter still
the sparks ignited
between us
when sweet love,
family and friendship
are present,
another pilot
to guide us safely
home,
a north star
to accompany us
on the journey
so its never
completely dark.
And yet, there are
so many ways
the light grows dim
and fades away,
or is snuffed out
in an instant.
Life and spirit
precious
and sweet
yet so fragile-
a candle
in the night, burning lower,
and lower,
once oh so bright
it flickers, making
long shadows
on the wall.
There are those
who tend the flame,
who shield it with
their hands
cupped round,
or block the wind
with their own
bodies and souls,
who lovingly and carefully
keep the flames alive.
They whisper words of hope
and tell it like it is—
they dare the unthinkable,
they call,they write
they hold on so
the flame keeps burning,
no matter what.
They catch the
essence ebbing
and breath life back
into it again.
They keep the
family together
and the dear friends
from getting lost.
They may waver,
but touching heart
and soul together
they hold your hand
and walk you home.
They are the
flame keepers,
and they
are blessed.
Judith AB Lee
Going Home
Last week l was able to visit New York (Brooklyn) and Connecticut and Maryland once again. It was a whirlwind tour but it was wonderful to touch home soil once again.
Laura now lives in Sheepshead Bay, her happiest stop in a long journey. Waterford Houses there is an Orthodox Jewish Community and she is home! Her roommate is Catholic and they are best buddies now though her visits from Danielle are her lifeline- and our visit once a year or so, of course!
Then we went to the main event in Hartford Ct to honor Judy Beaumont who had a building named after her for her accomplishments in housing for the homeless and low income in Hartford. Beaumont Lofts is at 102 Pliny Street where she was the Executive Director of My Sisters Place for many years before moving to Fort Myers and continuing her work with the homeless here with me.
Ruth Weiner was instrumental in the original MSP 2 with Judy Beaumont and in naming it after her now. Thank you Ruth!
Felice lived at 102 Pliny as a small child and she also became our loving God Child. She loved her GodMom Judy B so much and was so glad to help honor her with her son.
Christy King and Stacey Miles were two of the first women helped at My Sisters Place. Judy and l had a group called Successful Women and both were in it. Stacey came to honor Judy as well. We were so blessed!
Senator Blumenthal honored her as well and remembered her well from earlier meetings,
It was my greatest honor to assist in Judy’s Memorial. Thank you Annette Scheidecker and all who made this a beautiful Dedication of Beaumont Lofts,
Thank you all for honoring Rev. Judy Beaumont, RCWP. Judy was ordained a priest in 2012 but her whole life was one of service and love.
Special thanks to Marilyn Rondeau who made this whirlwind tour possible. I am so blessed!
Being in Maryland with my extended family makes me know deeply that l still have a home.
Thanks Be to God!
Blessings to all, Pastor Judy Lee
July 5,2024
Happy 4th of July
With all and any of its faults we are blessed to live in the USA where we are free. Free to choose inclusion and diversity and , yes , independence and interdependence! Free to be you and me. Free to love our God and our fellow human beings!
YES , Happy Independence Day!
The Eleventh Commandment: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
Is it enough to adhere to the Ten Commandments? Is that all that is required to live a life of virtue and goodness? In saying “all that is required” I am aware that that “ALL” is a lot right there. And not many people can say they do follow the letter and spirit of the Law given to Moses and to all who seek to love God, the Supreme Being and Creator of the Universe.
Today’s Gospel (Mark 10: 17-27) tells us about a person who does follow the Commandments, and who inquires of Jesus about gaining eternal life as well. What follows is an important response of Jesus as this event appears in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke). Some (most) Biblical translations call the one who inquires of Jesus a man (NAB), an important man-a rich ruler (Christian Community Bible) (Also Matthew 19:16 and Luke 18:18) or a young man (NIV; CCB). The King James Version (KJV) simply says “one” ran up to him and asked and The Inclusive Bible (TIB) version says “someone came running up ” and “a person” inquires of Jesus. Given the latter two it is possible that it was a woman who ran up to and inquired of Jesus though given the mores of the times it was probably a man. The important fact is that someone asked Jesus a very important question. A question that we ponder deep in our souls-the essence being- “Am I on the right track?” How do I please God? And how do I inherit eternal life?”
“As he was setting out on a journey, someone came running up and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?” (Mark 10;17 TIB). Jesus responded by citing several of the ten commandments. The person assured Jesus that he(or she) kept the commandments.
Then a wonderful thing happens “Then Jesus looks on the person with love and said “There is one more thing that you must do. Go and sell what you have and give it to those in need”; (to the poor in most other versions) “you will then have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me”.
I want to emphasize that Jesus’ response was to love this earnest seeker who tried hard to keep the Commandments. I hope the inquirer felt that great love as Jesus looked at and spoke to him or her. What a gift to be looked upon with love by Jesus for our fumbling inquiries-for our seeking. Clearly Jesus welcomed this good person’s seeking however off the mark it may have been. Jesus looked on the person with love. And he instructed the person how to love others to usher in God’s kingdom-kin-dom on earth and forever. Share your “wealth” with the poor. Yet, we often rush to the next sentence: ” At these words the inquirer who owned much property, became crestfallen and went away sadly.”
SO, wait, don’t go away! Indeed it is difficult for us to share and give away our “riches” to those in need, to the poor. Instead many of our ideologies blame the poor and focus on giving the very least possible to meet religious expectations of “charity”. Yet, charity is CARITAS, which is love. And Jesus said give it all away- not give the least you can, or of your surplus. Jesus clearly challenges us to do something about the poverty that is all around us- and to me that is the ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT! . Do not make it metaphorical, help people who are struggling with material and other poverty directly and fully. There are many ways to do this through bonafide charities if one is not in actual community with the poor-but only doing it in the spirit of love meets what Jesus is asking us to do. Give yourself away…and give the poor amongst us more than enough to live on and flourish on-so they are poor no more. Indeed make community with people who do not have enough to live on, or who have just enough to get by. Let us find ways to make community with the poor. Then we are rich indeed.
Yes, the point is that we must actually share our wealth of all sorts with those in need and make sure the poor are poor no more as we do our parts in relieving this poverty- both material and otherwise. The world is complex and sharing our money and material goods as individuals will not change the class and caste systems that societies are made up of. Yet, if all who seek to follow Jesus actually do this, the worlds around them would change dramatically. And someone will eat who is hungry, and be properly clothed when seeking a job, having the confidence that comes from looking okay, and someone homeless will be housed and indeed help the next one to climb out of poverty. That has been our wonderful experience with our Good Shepherd Ministries here in Fort Myers. We are given SO much more than we give and all can become givers.
We can not close our eyes and ears to world poverty and poverty in our own communities. Instead we can learn to open them to understand the lives of those who “have not” as much as those who do have material goods. Indeed we will learn how true riches comes only through sharing all that we have with others. Yes, Jesus said that “it is hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23).
Yet, when the disciples were perplexed and astonished by this Jesus assured them that “with God all things are possible”. (Mark 10:27). This is the good news not only for the richest among us who may not initially see or respond to the poverty of those who have little or nothing of this world’s goods. It is good news for all of us who may tend to put our own selfish needs before the needs of the “kingdom”-the KIN-DOM of God. In these passages Jesus is defining God’s reign , God’s kin-dom as one of equality and enough for all. Let us then do our best to make sure no one is hungry or homeless-let us make community together and that community is the essence of the kingdom-kin-dom of God here on earth and in the life to come. Indeed Jesus promises that he is sent to us because of God’s great love and “whoever believes in him shall have everlasting life!’ (John 3:16). We see here that believing means doing what Jesus shows us and asks us to do: to respond to his love by making sure everyone has enough to eat, and can live abundantly-thereby ushering in the kingdom-kin-dom of God.
Yes, indeed “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” even as WE work at making sure no one is poor and in need of food and shelter as long as we can help it.
Blessings to each and all of you as you try to follow Jesus,
Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP, Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida
May 27,2004
The Advocate: Reflections of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest
In this week’s Gospel readings Jesus physically leaves the disciples but sends the Holy Spirit to remain with them. (John 14-17 and Mark 16). He is sending the Holy Spirit- The Spirit of Truth and the Advocate to be with them always (John 14:6). The disciples are lost at his physical leaving and still have to learn what the Presence of the Holy Spirit can and does do. Through the Advocate we who follow Jesus will be able to discern what is right and just, and have the strength to do what is needed to work for justice and right. At the same time he commands the disciples, to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature”. We can do this only with the strength, inspiration, support, nudging, and guidance of the Holy Spirit within and all around us.
How blessed are we to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to do what we never could do on our own. We consider today’s world with its divisions and polarizations, its immense possibilities for both right and wrong, and its every day choices that make a difference. We must pray for the guidance and presence of God’s Holy Spirit Whose essence is Love to help us discern and do what is right and just, and ultimately loving. This ranges from every day living decisions to decisions on what is Christ-like in the wider arenas of life- including the political arena. Jesus prayed that we will be consecrated (made holy) in God’s spirit, in the spirit of Truth, and not in the spirit of this world that so often has little to do with love or truth. ( John 17:11-19). How do we bring the Spirit into every decision we must make and discern right in every choice given us. My cousin recently asked me how can Christians support a political candidate who is untruthful, almost hateful of immigrants and other groups, and clearly narcissistic ? I did not have an answer beyond their following one statement or promise to the neglect of all else that is right. Her question is a good one for all to consider.
An excellent example of a person seeking and following the leading of the Holy Spirit to develop services and housing for homeless people, both in Hartford, Connecticut and Fort Myers, Florida is the story of Rev. Judy Beaumont. Her story is in several places but most fully in “The Courage to Love and Serve: The Life Story of Rev. Judith Ann Beaumont–A Roman Catholic Woman Priest and A Saint For Our Times” by Judith A. B. Lee, 2020, Outskirts Press, Inc.
My prayer is” Our loving God, fill us with Your most Holy Spirit so not our will but yours is accomplished. Help us to discern when we are acting in the spirit of this world, in the spirit of self and power, and not in Your Love. Help us to support what is right, just and loving in every arena of life.” Amen
Blessings to All who seek to Know and Do God’s Will,
Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP
5/8/2024
For God So Loved The World
First Mary of Magdala and the women, then Simon Peter and John witnessed the empty tomb of Jesus. “ Finding the empty tomb made Jesus’ followers…confused….Only when the disciples experienced the risen Lord did the meaning of the empty tomb become clear. The stone was rolled back not so Jesus could get out, but so we could get in and be assured that his tomb of death will remain empty forever. He is risen!” From The Living Christ p. 314) Today on this beautiful Easter Sunday may you experience the risen Christ and know that He Lives! And because He lives we too shall live now and forever!
Blessings and prayers for your truly happy Easter, Pastor Judy Lee,RCWP Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida
These words of Joan Chittister remind us that while deaths are inevitable they can be “gateways to resurrection.” May we have new life this Easter!
judyablfollowingSheWhoIs 
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