Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 30th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 30, 2023
This weekend I’m relaxing at my cousin’s in Italy, so today I’ll just walk up the road to the parish church of St Antony the Abbot and join the congregation at the 10 o’clock Mass. it’s what I like most, simply going to Mass as I did as a boy and young man, having no other responsibility than to pray quietly and listen attentively to the word of God in preparation for the Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion.
Yesterday was a real day of rest. Friday night I was extremely tired after the journey out and slept for over eight hours, when normally at Belmont I manage four or five at the most. I spent the morning chatting with my cousin, reminiscing over the lives of our loved ones and comparing notes on how Covid affected our lives and how many friends we lost, especially in northern Italy. We then went out for lunch with an old friend to a restaurant we’ve been visiting for over fifty years with spectacular views over the lake. The food is simply out of this world, the wine list a Bible of over 250 pages, the owners and waiters affectionate and welcoming, grandchildren of the original owners and chefs. There was a fascinating discussion on how menus and tastes have changed over the years and we were able to sample what was in offer today. I believe it was the heavenly banquet envisaged by the the prophet Isaiah. I would happily spend eternity in that restaurant.
Today’s Gospel presents us with yet more parables of the kingdom, (Mt 13: 44-52), the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the pearl of great value and the parable of the dragnet. The first two emphasise the idea that the kingdom is of such value and importance that everything else should be sacrificed in order to secure a place in the kingdom. The parable of the dragnet reminds us of that of the wheat and the darnel and could be easily confused with it, if not that here it is the good fish that are kept and those that are no good thrown away. Interestingly, on this occasion the disciples assure Jesus that they have understood his teaching. Jesus replies, “Every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storeroom things both old and new.” Is he inviting his disciples to teach by using parables? Can you think of an aspect of your daily life which you could use as a parable to teach or explain an important aspect of our faith to others? Why not give it a try?
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Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.