Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th February 2023

I usually mention Toby’s first morning walk, but he has about six walks a day, some lasting only a few minutes, others half an hour or more, but they all fit into the monastic timetable. One of his favourites is the late afternoon walk, probably because his supper follows straight afterwards. This walk usually ends up in the cemetery, where he leaves his football with me and does some serious investigative sniffing. There’s always the scent left behind by other dogs, or by nocturnal deer, badgers and other night visitors, scents that linger and become more intriguing. I’ll attach a photograph I took yesterday afternoon. It will give you an idea of how magical it is and why we both enjoy walking there so much. Toby loves cemeteries in general and there’s hardly been a Herefordshire cemetery we haven’t visited together.

 

​Today the Church celebrates the Martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan, St Paul Miki and his Companions, 26 of the many Japanese Catholics martyred for their faith from the end of the16th century onwards. I believe that about 400 have been beatified and 42 canonised. What an example of faith and fortitude these martyrs are. May they pray for Christians throughout the world today.

 

​Our Gospel passage comes from Mark, (Mk 6: 53-56), and describes briefly how the crowds followed Jesus and his disciples around Galilee and how they were patiently and lovingly healed by Jesus as a sign of God’s love and forgiveness. “Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.” Following the example of the crowds may we seek Jesus and ask him for healing and forgiveness today and every day. Amen.