Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 12th November

Milan Cathedral

Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 12th November 2021

           We are coming quickly to the end of the Liturgical Year. This coming Sunday will be the First Sunday in Advent in Milan and that area of northern Italy that uses the ancient Ambrosian Rite, which I find fascinating and love studying. At one time, the Roman Rite also had six Sundays in Advent, until it was reduced to four in 11th century, I’m not sure why. However, the tell-tale signs are that for the last two weeks before Advent, we read those apocalyptic parts of the Gospel, all about the Second Coming and Last Judgement. If you read today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 17: 26-37), we are already beginning. Let’s take a look.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples. “’As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all. It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed. When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe. I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left; two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’ The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.’”

           I apologise if, at the moment, the larger part of my daily message is the text of the day’s gospel. Osteoarthritis in both hands makes typing on my computer rather painful and I am forever hitting the wrong keys or several at a time. It’s a nuisance, but that’s life and yet another gift of God. Jesus is answering a question that was on everyone’s mind then, at his time, and what with climate change and COP26, should be on everyone’s mind today, for unless we act swiftly, our world, our common home, will come to an end. But more precisely, our question is, what will happen when we die? Sometimes the words of Jesus appear to be harsh, but he never threatens, only warns and enlightens, “Be ready, be prepared, unless the Second Coming passes you by, unless you are left behind.” Jesus invites us not to put off the opportunity of repentance and conversion, of following the light that leads to life through the grace of the Holy Spirit. May we heed his words.