Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 20th March
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 20th March 2022
It’s indeed tragic to note here that the brutal war against the Ukrainian people continues unabated. As further horrors unfold each day before our eyes, I keep asking myself is there no other nation or group of nations brave enough to step in and give the heroic Ukrainians a helping hand to win this war once and for all. It has no legitimacy whatsoever. It’s a barbarous act of blind hatred and lunacy that puts the whole world in jeopardy and causes a wonderful, hard-working nation to suffer immeasurable loss of life and infrastructure. I receive regular updates from my friends in Ukraine that are heart-breaking. No one wants the war to move into other countries, whether neighbouring or not, but this war cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely. It should never have been allowed to begin in the first place. May the Lord have mercy on us all and reward to generosity of all those contributing towards humanitarian aid in all its forms. At Belmont, there will be another Prayer Vigil, based on the Rosary, this coming Friday, 25th March, from 9am to 9pm, Solemnity of the Annunciation. All are welcome. Prayer is more powerful than arms; love more powerful than hate.
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Our Gospel reading this Sunday comes from Luke, (Lk 13: 1-9), not a particularly easy passage to read. Recent tragic events are discussed with Jesus coming to the conclusion that they call us to repentance, for such situations could affect us all, whether it’s climate change or some form of persecution on account of
colour, race or creed. Something could happen to us at any time, hence the need for repentance and being prepared. ”Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Jesus then makes use of a parable, that of a fig tree in a vineyard, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, ‘Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied ‘leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’” A short parable, but rich in meaning. The owner of the vineyard is impatient. The fig tree has produced no fruit in three years, so it must be cut down. The caretaker pleads for the fig tree. “Give it another chance,“ he says, “let me give it some special care and let’s see what happens.” Jesus is like that caretaker. He pleads for us at the Father’s right hand and he offers his life for us, that we might be reconciled with God and live. Jesus invites his disciples to be patient and caring as he is himself. Rather than judge people negatively, let’s give them another chance. Lord, may we be compassionate as you are compassionate. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
