Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 5th June
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 5th June 2021
Today we keep the feast of St Boniface, Apostle to the Germans. He was born in Devon in 675 and died a martyr, as Archbishop of Mainz, with 52 companions on this day in 754. He was an Anglo-Saxon Benedictine monk of great learning and holiness, who spearheaded the Christian mission to evangelise the Frisians and Germans. He was buried at the abbey at Fulda. What amazes historians most is the speed and depth to which Benedictine life spread in England after the coming of St Augustine of Canterbury and how soon the mission to Europe from Anglo-Saxon England took place and with such success. Let us pray for the re-evangelization of Europe today and especially for England. St Boniface, pray for us.
In our Gospel passage we continue our reading of Mark, (Mk12: 38-43), and find Jesus still in the Temple in Jerusalem teaching the crowds. He criticises the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and exaggerated demeanour, meant to attract the attention of others, especially those over whom they have authority and power. “In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’” The behaviour of Jesus and his disciples is the exact opposite and it is his example that we should emulate and follow. The way of Jesus is that of the cross, self-sacrifice, service and humility.
Then one of the most moving episodes in the Gospels takes place. “He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’” The story of the widow’s mite is a living parable and gives Jesus the opportunity to compare the behaviour not only of the rich with the poor, but, above, of those who have little faith and, therefore, no need of God with those for whom God is their only treasure and love, all they possess. The widow gives little, but everything, while the rich give much, but for them it’s an insignificant amount and they will never miss what they have given.
Let us pray that our generosity may be unostentatious, like that of the widow, and that our behaviour might reflect that of the Lord Jesus. May the Lord have mercy on our shortcomings and gracious in his generosity towards us.
