Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 21st August
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 21st August 2021
Yesterday we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the founding of our monastery in Peru, the day on which Abbot Jerome, Fr Luke, Fr David and I arrived in Tambogrande. Here we were here, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Piura, Mgr. Fernando Vargas, a Jesuit, to inaugurate the Benedictine life. There is so much to thank the Lord for, especially the grace of perseverance. Those early years would have been impossible without the help of the Sisters of Notre Dame and of St Joseph of the Apparition, as well as an army of volunteers from our parish there, and many friends throughout Peru and Latin America. I would also like to thank our parishioners, benefactors and friends in the U.K. for their prayers and material support over this long period. This is as much your achievement as ours. We pray that the monastery, now at Lurin, near the Pacific Ocean just south of Lima, will go from strength to strength and flourish for the good of the brethren and all those whom they serve.
In today’s Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 23: 1-12), Jesus really lets rip at the scribes and Pharisees, who at this stage of his ministry are persecuting him and doing all in their power to get him arrested and put to death. Matthew writes:
“Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’”
Jesus’ main criticism is that of hypocrisy, of not practising what they preach and of laying heavy burdens, unnecessary burdens, on the shoulders of those who are forced to hear them and obey their teaching. All they care for is their position in society and being regarded as important and worthy of honour. This sort of behaviour is abhorrent to Jesus, who wants none of it among his followers. They are to be equals, brothers and sisters in the Lord. As such, they are not to use titles that would appear to give them power or authority over others. I have always found it acutely embarrassing being called father or abbot, but have always worn these titles lightly. I know that they denote a position of service and duty and refer to the Lord I follow, Christ, who is within me through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Like all monks and priests, I have been blessed and ordained to serve others, just as the Pope, who has that title first used by Pope St Gregory the Great, “servant of the servants of God.” As Jesus says, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” May we all live as Jesus taught, both by word and example. Amen.
