Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 17th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 16, 2023
I must confess that I spent the whole of yesterday afternoon, apart from Vespers and a short walk with Toby, watching Wimbledon. I found the match to be totally exciting and exhilarating. When I discussed it with my mother, we found that we shared the same reaction to the match and were both energised by what we saw. It was also good for me to have an afternoon off, although the match was hardly relaxing! News from around the world is worrying and heart-breaking: heatwaves in Southern Europe and the United States, floods in Korea and forest fires in the Canaries and elsewhere. Let us keep those affected by natural disasters in our prayers, as well as those working to alleviate suffering.
In today’s Gospel, (Mt 10: 34- 11:1), we come to the end of Jesus’ instructions to his disciples, as he sends them out for the first time on the mission for which he has called them. It seems we have been reading these instructions for days. It might well be that they were compiled by Matthew from instructions that Jesus gave on a number of occasions. Some are more relevant to the mission than others, but all are relevant to our lives as Christians, being faithful disciples of Jesus. He warns them of the divisions that faith can cause in a family, for some believe but others not. He asks them to prefer nothing whatever to him, for in putting him first we will love others better, loving them as he loves them. They are to remember that they do not go out representing themselves, but God. He says, “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.” As St Paul will say, “What we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and we are your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4: 5) It’s important that we do not stand in the way of Christ and his message of salvation. We have to be transparent, as it were, so that others can see Christ in us and Christ can speak through us.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.