Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 9th May

Abbot Paul • May 8, 2022

Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 9th May 2022

Yesterday really was a wonderful day in many ways. The Conventual Mass was at 10 and attended by a good congregation. As it was Sunday, I had to wear a mask throughout, as did the congregation. I was assisted by the chaplain, a delightful Spanish Carmelite, and two charming seminarians, one Panamanian, the other Venezuelan, both studying for the Archdiocese of Burgos. After None, I spent an hour with the nuns at recreation: they are such a lovely community. Then at 5.30, there was a celebration of the Via Lucis, a meditation on the Resurrection, led by the parish priest, who is also the Vicar General, and about sixty of his parishioners, young and old. This took place in the oldest of the cloisters, twelfth century, and was followed by delicious refreshments for all. They then joined us for Vespers at which I presided. It was such a joyful and uplifting day: I feel thoroughly refreshed.

Yesterday we read the conclusion to the Good Shepherd discourse, but today we read the beginning, (Jn 10: 1-10). Jesus compares those who enter through the gate of the sheepfold and those who do not, those who are shepherds and those who are thieves and brigands. He who is truly the shepherd of the flock is admitted to the sheepfold by the gatekeeper. The shepherd is the one who goes ahead of the sheep to lead them safely, and they recognise him and listen to his voice. He then goes on to say, “I am the gate of the sheepfold. Anyone who enters by me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” The first image we have is of Christ being the gate through whom we must pass in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. He is also the gate through which, in the sacraments of Christian initiation, we enter to form part of his mystical Body, the Church, which is made up of living stones. He assures us of our safety, that he will take care of us. More than that, he gives us the ultimate promise that he has come to give us the fullness of life, the gift of eternal life. How can we not give thanks to God in Jesus and through the Spirit for giving us life in all its fullness, eternal life, God’s own life?

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