Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 14th March
Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 14th March 2022
Everyone has run out of words to describe the horror of what is happening in Ukraine and our feeling of inadequacy and shame at the reaction of governments who together could put an immediate end to this bloodshed and destruction albeit at danger to themselves. I fear that sanctions, even the most drastic ones, are no answer to the likes of Mr Putin and serve only to show our weakness. Although Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, what better way would there now be to show that love but to put an immediate end to this war by even military force. Before my Ukrainian friends I feel acute embarrassment and anger at the West’s lack of resolve to step in and terminate this war once and for all. Do the Scriptures not call on us to flight for justice? And can there be peace without justice? Lord, give us courage to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Surely enough is enough.
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Yesterday afternoon, although it was very wet and miserable, we went out into the countryside for a ride and a walk with Toby. We visited St Peter’s church at Rowlestone and St Mary’s at Waltertone. I’ve always loved the Romanesque church at Rowlestone with its almost intact tympanum and beautiful interior carvings, well worth a visit. There’s also the ice cream parlour next door: spectacular ice creams and sorbets made before your eyes from farm milk and local fruits, a must for any visitor. St Mary’s, three miles away, is a much humbler building, severely rebuilt by the Victorians, but in an attractive position and next door to the local pub, which serves excellent food. When feeling low, there’s nothing better than a gourmet church crawl, but that’s only a suggestion!
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Our short Gospel passage today comes from Luke, (Lk 6: 36-38), where Jesus tells his disciples exactly what he expects of them and how they are to reflect the generosity and compassion of God in their lives, just as he does. He says to them: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.” When we read these words of Jesus, we know immediately that this is how we want to behave. However, we are also aware that we often fall short and let ourselves down. It’s not always easy to be compassionate, let alone non-judgemental. We are sometimes less than generous, at least with our time and genuine desire to help those who might need us. But Jesus is not asking us the impossible, for nothing is impossible to God. He is here to help us, indeed, to carry us and make what seems impossible possible. Let us rely on his compassion, mercy and generosity and allow him to work his miracle of faith hope and charity in each one of us.
