Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 10th July 2023

Yesterday I wrote in the parish newsletter that I would serve as parish priest until 31st August and that Fr Augustine would take over as parish priest on 1st September. It was on August 23rd 2018 that Fr Nicholas was appointed Prior Administrator of Downside Abbey and I took over as “caretaker parish priest”, to quote Fr Nicholas. My intention was to appoint a parish priest as soon as possible. Sadly, that was not possible, especially with the sudden death of Fr Alistair. Then came Covid and lockdown. I should point out that I will not be moving away from Belmont, as I am still abbot and will probably remain so until I retire on 1st May next year. By then I will have been abbot 24 years, and that strikes me as more than long enough, added to which I will no longer be fit for service. When that time comes, I will move away, though not far I should imagine, so as to allow the new abbot to get on with the job without having me under his feet all the time. I hope this clarifies things, although Abbot Jerome always used to say that the only thing we can clarify is butter! I loved his sense of humour and admired his knowledge of English.

 

​Today’s Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 9: 18-26), presents us with two miracles, one within the other. “While Jesus was speaking, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him.” We are not told what class of official this is, a government official or a synagogue official. Mark and Luke’s versions of these miracles are more explicit. Matthew is unusually succinct. This official respects Jesus and treats him with reverence. His daughter is dead, but by laying hands on her, he believes that Jesus can restore her life. It’s at this point that a sick woman appears. “Then from behind him came a woman, who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again.’ Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health.’ And from that moment the woman was well again.” These two miracles show the deep faith of those who come to Jesus. We are told the woman’s thoughts. “If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again.” Jesus is aware that she is touching him and says, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health” And with his words, she is healed and the loving kindness of God is revealed in Jesus. Her life is restored to her in all its fulness.

 

​Our attention is turned again to the official, for we have now reached his house, where the commotion caused by the death of a child is in full swing. “When Jesus reached the official’s house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion he said, ‘Get out of here; the little girl is not dead, she is asleep.’ And they laughed at him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took the little girl by the hand; and she stood up. And the news spread all round the countryside.” When Jesus says the child is asleep, not dead, they laugh at him and mock, after all he is interfering in the business and money-making surrounding death. He turns out the crowd and goes to the girl himself. Without a word, the silence of Jesus is a marked contrast to the wailing of the crowds. He takes the girl by the hand, she stands and she, too, is restored to life. Now everyone is talking about Jesus. The question for us today is: how deep is our faith?