Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday - 17th February 2024
Abbot Paul • February 16, 2024
​I mentioned yesterday how the Lent Gospel readings in the Lectionary are arranged. Today we find ourselves with Luke, (Lk 5: 27-32), the calling of Levi, whom we also know as Matthew. These are wonderful passages or pericopes, without the shadow of a doubt, but the choice is thematic rather than chronological, so somewhat disjointed, meaning that each day we have to adjust to a different context. My own preference is to read books from beginning to end. That way, they make much more sense.
​Luke’s version of the call of Levi is shorter than that found in Mark and Matthew. It seems devoid of those details that give colour to a story. He begins, “Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.” Nothing is missing, yet there is no detail. It’s all rather matter of fact, which is unusual for Luke, an eloquent writer. The fact that Jesus noticed this tax collector, named Levi, suggests it’s a chance meeting. Not only that, but Levi was sitting at his work table, presumably doing his job. Hence the ‘Follow me’ of Jesus seems even more audacious. What if Levi said no? There are important lessons for us here: perhaps we plan too much and don’t leave enough room for God’s grace and inspiration to get a look in. Levi was at his job when Jesus called: he wasn’t at prayer, he wasn’t at a meeting, he was simply doing what he did every day. Jesus met him where he was, in the workplace, not in the synagogue or in the temple. Like the fishermen of Galilee, Levi simply dropped tools, left everything and followed Jesus. That is how radical the Gospel is. That is how radical being a Christian should be.
​Levi, like the fishermen, was not a poor man. He had a lot to lose by following Jesus. Luke continues, “In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others.” A banquet follows in honour of Jesus and his disciples. Lots of people are there, including tax collectors and others. These ‘others’ were sinners. But they’re not the only ones present. The scribes and Pharisees are also there and they are critical of what they see. You might ask why they’re there, if the gathering is so repulsive to them. “The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’” Although they complain to his disciples, it is Jesus who answers their question. And what an answer it is; it has become proverbial. It’s worth repeating and speaks for itself. “It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus is the divine Physician, who comes to heal the sick. He is also the Son of a merciful God, who comes to call sinners to repentance and new life as friends and disciples. The question for us is on whose side do we stand? On that of the scribes and Pharisees, or are we on the side of Jesus? How merciful are we to others and to ourselves? Do we allow Jesus to approach us and do we heed his call to healing, forgiveness and salvation? Today’s Gospel story must surely give us great hope and consolation.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
