Message of Abbot Paul - Monday - 19th February 2024

At the moment I find Sundays particularly joyful and exhilarating. To begin with my early morning walk with Toby and being serenaded by the magnificent dawn chorus. How come birds are always in tune whilst we are mostly not? Then after Morning Prayer and Chapter with the brethren and the quickest of breakfasts, and preparing Toby’s meals for the day, the drive up to Leominster and the wonderful panoramas that affords. Mass at 9am at Leominster, always a lovely occasion with such delightful parishioners, then after chatting with everyone another drive, this time to Bromyard for Mass at 11am. The road goes up and down with endless curves and new vistas over the rich countryside of northern Herefordshire: a sight for sore eyes. Mass at Bromyard is always a great joy and great fun to celebrate and so uplifting. There are times my heart soars. More than anything else I believe we should enjoy celebrating our faith and our communion with one another in God’s love. Then tea and a chat with my dearest friends, followed by another drive this time back and beyond Leominster for a delicious lunch and conversation with amazing parishioners and a snooze before driving back the short way to Leominster for evening Mass. It’s really heartening to see growing numbers at all Masses including a fair number of children. If you ask me, a fulfilling day and a happy one. It’s not until after Compline that I get to write this message.

 In today’s Gospel from Matthew, (Mt 25: 31-46), Jesus talks with his disciples about the Last Judgement. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.” So far so good, exactly what you’d expect, but then Jesus, in the most transparent of all parables, informs his disciples of how God will judge each one of us, as though he were giving them the questions of their final examination paper in advance, which he is. We’ll just look at what he says to those at his right hand, the other half being the exact opposite. “Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.’ Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?’ And the King will answer, ’I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’” Who are these who are blessed from all eternity and receive the kingdom prepared for them? They are simply those who were charitable and generous to those less fortunate than themselves and in need, for God was in them. There is no other examination and no other proof that we love God and have given our lives to him. This is much less than we were expecting, but then it is only a person with a sincere heart and pure intentions who loves his neighbour, even his enemies, with unconditional love. St John proclaims that God is love. We, too, as sons and daughters of God, must become, like him, pure love, then we shall enter the kingdom of heaven. These are the virtuous who will enter eternal life. We are encouraged to pray: Lord, purify my heart and soul, make me pure love, as you are perfect love. That is our common vocation, to become perfect love.