Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th November 2023

Yesterday turned out to be a very busy day and yet one that was rewarding in so many ways. The Remembrance Service for the Polish servicemen buried at Leominster Cemetery was a most moving occasion and I was surprised to see what a grand occasion it was. The entire Town Council led by the Mayor was present, together with the Rector of Leominster and his assistant, and a large number of immaculately dressed air cadets. Prayers were said in Polish and English, a minute’s silence was observed and a bugler played the Last Post, a fitting tribute. May they rest in peace. Amen.

 

Our short Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 14: 12-14), is a continuation of the conversation that went on in the house of a leading Pharisee one day when Jesus was invited there for a meal. This is what Jesus has to say to his host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.” The teaching of Jesus is always clear and in line with the Old Testament Prophets. He teaches that our motives should be pure and unprejudiced and that our preference should always be for the poor, those who cannot repay us other than by their heartfelt gratitude and prayers. Jesus always invites us to question our attitudes and behaviour towards those less well off than ourselves and all those in need. How many friends do I have outside my social class, for example, and how often have I invited a homeless person into my own home and given them hospitality? How generous am I to those in need? Do I share the best I have with them or simply give them the leftovers? How far are we and other rich nations willing to deprive ourselves, that others might have the very minimum they need just to survive? What sacrifices are we willing to make to save the planet, that our grandchildren and great grandchildren might have life in the decades and centuries to come? Our personal choices and those of our countries will decide the outcome of our planet’s destiny.