Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 8th July

Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 8th July 2022

 It was a very busy day again yesterday. I didn’t feel at all well after a hospital appointment and the afternoon heat just knocked me out. Fortunately, I recovered somewhat for an evening meeting to look back at the Summer Fete, an enormous success, which was followed soon afterwards by a wedding practice. Herefordshire can be quite oppressive in the heat and Toby does his best to avoid it. Tomorrow, I hope to visit my mother. It seems such a long time since I saw her, other than on a screen, and I feel really bad about not doing enough to help her, especially since she underwent surgery. Next week and the week after it will be impossible because of General Chapter at Buckfast Abbey, when the monasteries belonging to the English Congregation meet for eleven days, far too long if you ask me! Nor will I be able to accompany her to hospital for her check-up and meeting with the consultant. I feel really bad about that. I often ponder now on the fact that there is a commandment to honour your father and mother, but no commandment to accept some of the restrictions imposed by the monastic life.

 Our Gospel passage today is the continuation of Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve Apostles as they set out on their mission, sent by Jesus, (Mt 10: 16-23). He warns them, “Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves. Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans.” Whatever they have to face in their ministry, they are to remain honest and faithful, truthful and loving, as lambs among wolves, as Jesus himself, the Lamb of God. They are not to worry about how to defend themselves, but rather rely on the Holy Spirit who will teach them what to say and how to say it. “You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.” The situation Jesus describes is not simply a warning or a prophecy, but a description of what was already happening at the time the Gospel was being written. It was what Matthew’s hearers were already suffering. They would listen to the words of the Gospel and say, “That’s my life, those are my sufferings.” Yet, Jesus assures them that he will return very soon. We might will be waiting still, but we know that he will come, of that we can be sure.