Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 24th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 23, 2023
Today the Church remembers the Vietnamese Martyrs, who were martyred for the Catholic faith between 1745 and 1862. Christians were martyred in horrific ways in Vietnam, their bodies were mutilated and some were tortured with the use of psychoactive drugs. Many were branded on the face, and whole towns known to hold Christians were wiped out. An 1862 treaty with the French granted religious freedom to Catholics, but did not stop all persecutions throughout the country. More recently, in the last century, the Communist government tried to purge the nation of religion, and more than 600,000 Christians fled, leaving everything behind. Do you remember the Vietnamese boat people? We ask the intercession of the Martyrs and pray for the Church in Vietnam and for Vietnamese Christians throughout the world, especially in Britain.
Yesterday we read how Jesus shed tears over the city of Jerusalem. Like all pilgrims to the Holy City, he would have been reciting the Song of Ascents or Gradual Psalms, such as Psalm 121 (122) “I rejoiced when I heard them say, let us go to God’s house; and now are feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” Instead of rejoicing, Jesus wept when saw the city that was about to reject him, the Anointed of the Lord, the Word made flesh. It’s a tragic scene. Today we read of Jesus’ first action in Jerusalem, his visit to the Temple, the centre of worship for devout Jews, but things don’t go to plan. His weeping for the city now becomes an act of pastoral defiance.
Luke’s account of the Cleansing of the Temple (Lk 19: 45-48) is short and succinct: “Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’” Here there are none of the details we find in the other Gospels. However, what is essential, what has to be said, is said. Jesus points to scripture, God’s word, as his authority for what he does. Obviously, all places of worship need money for their upkeep and all congregations contribute to the charitable works of their community, but what is going on at the Temple in Jerusalem is something else. Then again, in all places of pilgrimage, work and a livelihood are guaranteed for many people, but what Jesus sees and objects to obviously goes beyond what is acceptable both in the eyes of God and of his sons and daughters.
Both in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote, Luke gives us the occasional summary of the situation at hand. He does so now: “He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.” If you look closely, you will see that it’s a brilliant, minimalist resume of what happened that first week or so after Jesus arrived at Jerusalem. The big question for each one of us is: do I hang on his words?
As we come towards the end of the Liturgical Year, this coming Sunday being the Solemnity of Christ the King, on weekdays we draw our reading of Luke’s Gospel to a close. Could I remind those living nearby that this Sunday there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Abbey all afternoon from 1.00pm until the end of Vespers and Benediction about 6.45pm. You are welcome to drop in at any time and stay for as long as you can.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.