Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 10th September

Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 10th September 2022

 An official Condolence Book has now been placed in the Abbey Church. You will find it at the Memorial Altar, where you can sign it and leave a message. As you know, the Abbey is open each day from 6am to 9.30pm, so you are welcome at any time. We continue to pray for Her Majesty, that she may rest in God’s peace together with Prince Philip, and for King Charles and Queen Camilla and all the Royal Family. As many have mentioned in their tributes, we think of Queen Elizabeth with deep affection for all that she did for this country, the Commonwealth and the world. Today I have received condolences from friends and from monks and nuns in many countries, so great is the affection and respect in which she is held by countless millions throughout the world.

 Looking at today’s Gospel from Luke (Lk 6: 43-49), Jesus gives us two images that speak eloquently of Queen Elizabeth. “A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart, for a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.”

Whenever Her Majesty spoke to us, in whatever circumstance, you knew that you could rely on her words and take them to heart, for they came from the store of goodness that filled her heart. Jesus also said, speaking with his disciples, “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them, is like the man who, when he built his house, laid the foundations on rock.” It was clear to us all that here was a woman of faith, who listened to the teaching of Jesus, acted accordingly and became the rock on which each one of her subjects could build their lives. She showed us quietly but surely what it means to be a Christian with a living faith and trust in God. May she rest in peace and may our hearts overflow with gratitude for all she did throughout her life for each one of us.