Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 18th March

Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 18th March 2022

 Wedged between the Feast of St Patrick and the Solemnity of St Joseph comes 18th March, on which we could celebrate the Optional Memoria of St Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, a great pastor who gave the most wonderful catechetical instruction to the faithful of the Holy City in the second half of the fourth century. I can’t remember exactly when it was, but I suspect we’re coming up to the second anniversary of my writing these short daily messages. I’ve kept them all, although I never reread them. I began as England went into lockdown and I was self-isolating, having returned from Rome on 13th March. It’s not easy picking up the pieces or the thread now. There is definitely a new normal, but I’m having difficulty trying to work out what it is. How about you? The situation isn’t helped by the war in Ukraine, pointless, inhuman and destructive, and so near home. The world will never be the same again. Nevertheless, we continue to pray and work for peace and understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations.

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 Our Gospel reading today comes from Matthew, (Mt 21: 33-43; 45-46), one of several parables about a vineyard, this one directed against the chief priests and elders of the people. Jesus recounts the history of Israel through a story about a landowner and his vineyard. His hearers would understand exactly what he was saying, as in the Old Testament, Israel was often referred to as a vineyard, God’s vineyard, in fact. Just as the leaders of Israel treated the prophets of old, so now his hearers are treating him, the Son of God, rejecting him and planning his death. Jesus warns them that God is with him and that they will have to answer for his death. Not only that, he will give the vineyard to others. The new Israel of God, God’s vineyard, will be the Church of Christ, the mystical body of Christ and they, the chief priests and scribes and Pharisees and leaders will have no part in it, for they have rejected the Son of God. Jesus quotes a verse from Psalm 117 (118)

“It was the stone rejected by the builders

that became the keystone.

This was the Lord’s doing

and it is wonderful to see?”

And he reiterates, “I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” His words beggar the question: am I producing the fruit that God wants to see in my life, and, if not, what am I going to do about it? Jesus always makes us think twice and think deeply. His words have a profound effect on our lives, if we allow them to.