Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 7th May
Abbot Paul • May 6, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 7th May 2022
I’m glad to hear you were able to receive my message yesterday. At the moment, I’m not quite sure how things are going to work out today. At Heathrow, I was shocked, though I shouldn’t have been, having seen it in pre-Covid days, to see holidaymakers in large numbers cheek by jowl drinking pints and chasers well before 6am. In Madrid it was rather different with compulsory masks everywhere and a Covid passport obligatory for entry. It was my first trip abroad since Brexit and so my first experience of non-EU passport control. I thought I’d never get through, until a kind guard took pity on a distressed, aged foreigner and whisked me near the front of a queue of what looked like thousands. The crush reminded me of what the Last Day might look like! I was amazed to have my passport stamped as though l came from Nicaragua or Benin. The bus ride to Burgos, masks compulsory although there we less than a dozen passengers, was delightful with splendid views over the Spanish altiplano. I was surprised to see snow still on the mountains north of Madrid. Two nuns were at the bus station to meet me. It was good to see them. Astonishingly, the Spanish government now insists on a full security check for people visiting Las Huelgas, such is the historic and artistic importance and national patrimony of this Cistercian monastery.
As I intimated yesterday, in today’s Gospel from John, (Jn 6: 60-69), we hear the reaction of his followers and disciples to the discourse on the Bread of Life. Many say, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it.” It was certainly unexpected and unusual language for sure. Jesus says that his words are spirit and life, even so there are those who cannot accept them. As a result of this discourse, John tells us that, “many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.” Jesus then turns to the Twelve. “ What about you, do you want to leave me too?” It’s Simon Peter who replies in the name of the Twelve. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” In other words, who else Is there on this earth that we can go to? “You alone have the message of eternal life, and we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” How often have I repeated these words of Peter, especially at those times in my life when I’ve been tempted to walk away. Lord, who else is there but you? Lord, to whom shall we go? They’ve always brought me through, thank God.
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