Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 11th December 2023

I found yesterday quite tiring, what with celebrating the Conventual Mass at 11am and meeting with Br Mario and his Oblates at 10am. Then, in the afternoon, an old friend came to see me. However, I’ve not got over the Flu or cold I had at Belmont, and I feel knocked out much of the time. The five hour time difference doesn’t help, especially in the evening. The climate is a pleasant 23C and a warm, gentle breeze comes off the ocean: we’re just a quarter of a mile away. Being in the monastery grounds is rather like being in an earthly paradise, what with the amazing collection of birds and flowers. Yesterday was Br Mateo’s turn to cook: all the monks are excellent chefs. They could take part in Masterchef and win!

Our Gospel passage today comes from Like, (Lk 5: 27-26), the healing of the paralytic let down through the roof by his friends. People from all over had come to see and hear Jesus, and they included Pharisees and doctors of the Law. We are told the the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Suddenly, a group of men appear carrying on his bed a paralysed man, who they try to bring in and lay before Jesus. Seeing that there is no access, they opt to carry him up onto the roof, where they can make a hole and let him down before Jesus. “Seeing their faith, he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’” The scribes and Pharisees are convinced that he has spoken blasphemy, as God alone can forgive sin. Jesus hears this and asks which is it easier to say, your sins are forgiven you or take up your bed and walk? To prove that he can forgive sin, he says to the man, “Take up your bed and go home.” The man obeys the order given by Jesus and goes home praising God. All who saw what happened, were astounded and filled with awe and praised God, saying, “We have seen amazing things today.” The scribes and Pharisees have been silenced for the moment.