Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 11th December

Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 11th December 2021

           You will be pleased to hear that Toby’s visit to the vet’s yesterday evening went very well indeed. All the vets and nurses know him and make a fuss of him. He’s blessed that they are mostly ladies, for Toby is very much a ladies’ man. They were very pleased with his progress, but emphasised the importance of rest for the next 8 to 12 weeks and the need to make sure that he does not lick his wounds, particularly during the night. We thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

           Our Gospel reading today tales us to Chapter 17 of Matthew, (Mt 17: 10-13), which presents us with a conversation between Jesus and the three disciples who accompanied up the holy mountain for his Transfiguration. It continues the debate of the past few days on the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. Here is the text. “As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.” The reason for this conversation was that Elijah had appeared with Moses speaking with Jesus on the mountain top, the Law and the Prophets, of which Jesus was the fulfilment of the promises made to Israel. The disciples are intrigued, as it’s becoming obvious to them that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah. In that case, what of the teaching of the scribes that Elijah should return first to prepare for his coming. Has Elijah come or not, and if he has come, who is or was he? Jesus confirms that Elijah has come, but was not accepted, in fact, was rejected and badly treated. But he also warns them that he, too, will receive similar treatment and suffer and die at the hands of cruel men, just as John the Baptist did. So, both Elijah and the Messiah would be rejected. From now on, Jesus will warn his disciples frequently as to what will come to pass, that they be prepared to accept and understand his Passion to be part of God’s plan and necessary for the salvation of the world. They are not to be afraid, as they have seen him in the glory of the Father at his Transfiguration.

           What Jesus tells his disciples, he also says to us, that we are not to be afraid. The infant in Mary’s womb, the babe in the manger, the Christ Child whom kings, shepherds and angels worship is the Lord of life and King of kings, the Resurrection and the Life, the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, the Son of God: he is our brother and our friend. We have so much to be grateful for.