Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 31st
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 31st July 2021
As you know, one of the main tasks of a monastic community is to pray for others, for those in any need and, above all, for those who have asked for our prayers, Some of those we pray for we know very well, for they might be relatives, friends, oblates, parishioners or former pupils of the school, but we also pray for many whom we don’t know and are just names to us, usually names without a surname. The important thing is that God knows them and is already aware of their needs. There have been many times in my life when I have really appreciated the prayers of others, often of complete strangers. Prayer is a real power for good and no prayer ever goes unheard by our loving God. He might not always answer our prayers in the way we want, but he surely knows what is best for each one of us. I thank you for your prayers. I know that were it not for your prayers, life would be so much more difficult, if not impossible at times. In the Communion of Saints, we rely on one another’s prayers.
Today, 31st July, we remember St Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. May he intercede for the Church today, that we might become a truly missionary Church, bringing the Good News of Jesus wherever it needs to be heard.
Our Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 14: 1-12), tells the sad story of the beheading of St John the Baptist, his martyrdom. “Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’
Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.” It’s a sad tale about a weak man, the contemporary of both Jesus and John, who ruled only a quarter of his father Herod the Great’s kingdom. He was obviously fond of John, but was forced to have him beheaded because of a foolish promise made to a dancing girl. Matthew tells us that Herod thought Jesus to be John risen from the dead, but Jesus is wary of Herod and stays out of his way. He is obviously someone not to be trusted.
Lord Jesus, help us to be prudent in what we do and say today. Help us to see things from your perspective and to appreciate the prayers of others in our need. Bestow on us your loving kindness and treat us with mercy and love. Amen.
