Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 14th June
Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 14th June 2021
The G7 summit has come to an end, but it will be some time before we begin to see the results of their discussions and decisions, both on climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. We pray that the summit will bear fruit and bear it quickly. There really is no time to waste. It’s clear, though, that the G7 nations alone, without the support and participation of all the nations of the world, including Russia and China, cannot bring about the necessary changes needed to save our world from self-destruction. On Saturday, the G7 leaders were joined by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), during their talks on the Covid crisis and how to avoid future pandemics. Between them the G7 nations pledged 1 billion vaccine doses by next year, but Dr Tedros asked for more vaccines to be delivered and at a much faster rate. He said, “The challenge I set to G7 leaders was that, to truly end the pandemic, our goal must be to vaccinate at least 70% of the world's population by the time the G7 meets again in Germany next year. This can be done with the support of the G7 and the G20 together. To do that we need 11 billion doses. We welcome the generous announcement made by G7 nations about donations of vaccines, but we need more and we need them faster." The 1 billion doses promised by the G7 by next year are clearly 10 billion short of the vaccines needed. Obviously, we need to do more and to do it in a coordinated effort with all those countries who can and are helping. As an example of the tragedy facing our world today, South Africa has only vaccinated 1% of its population. None of our brethren in Peru have had a single jab. We really need to learn that this pandemic is global and that no one is really safe until, as Dr Tedros says, 70% of the world’s population is vaccinated. There is also the necessary ongoing investigation into the origins of this particular virus. Considering the millions who have died throughout the world and the many more whose lives have been irreparably damaged, Dr Tedros commented, “This is a great tragedy. I think the respect these people deserve is knowing what the origin of this virus is, so we can prevent it from happening again.” There is much to pray about and, if necessary, campaign about and work for, is there not? Forgive me going on at length about this issue, but I am in contact with many monastic communities throughout the world and receive first-hand accounts and information about the situation in many countries and I am deeply worried about it.
Today’s Gospel continues our reading of the Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus instructs his disciples on his vision of the Law and how we need to go to the very heart of it in order to interpret and put it into practice fully. We read, (Mt 5: 38-42), “You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.” Love is the golden rule and a fundamental aspect of that love is generosity, not simply with material things but with our very lives. We can always give more of ourselves, whether it’s time, concern, advice, learning, friendship, affection or company. There is much we can do to help others that doesn’t cost a penny. Lord, give me a generous heart and teach me to love my enemies, as you did in your Passion, as well as my family and friends. And help me always to turn the other cheek. Amen.
