Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 5th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 5, 2023
Yesterday, I had the great joy of meeting up with an old friend I hadn’t seen for 34 years. He lives in Lima, so was able to come down to Lurin. We spent the morning walking round the farm, reminiscing on the past and commenting on the present social and political chaos in Peru. After lunch, which we took together in one of the parlours, as guests don’t eat with the monks and don’t enter the monastic enclosure, Br Wilmer kindly took us to Pachacamac to visit our old monastery. It’s a bumpy ride and I was surprised to see so many new houses and other buildings nearby. I was amazed at the transformation of our farmland with a good production of organic fruit and vegetables. Here at Lurin, too, all our farm produce is organic. Last week, for example, the brethren harvested 3,000 kilos of muscatel grapes, that they will transform into altar wine. The buildings at Pachacamac are being used for retreats, while the farm produces food for consumption of monks and guests, as well as for sale. The monks also support a number of local charities, such as old people’s homes and an orphanage. I really admire the intelligent use of resources by the monastic community here despite the chronic state of the Peruvian economy.
Our Gospel reading on this Second Sunday in Lent is Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration, (Mt 17: 1-9). When Matthew tells us that, “Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone,” in fact, he is taking us with them to share in their experience. It is there, in our presence too, that he is transfigured. What do we see? “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.” Then Moses and Elijah appear, and they are talking with Jesus, who is the heir and fulfilment of both the Law and the Prophets, for all Scripture points to him. We might want to join Peter in proposing that three tents be erected, should it be the will of Jesus. “It is wonderful for us to be here,” we say with him, yet words cannot express how we feel. Even while we’re speaking, a cloud covers us in its shadow and we hear a voice proclaim. “This is my Son, the Beloved, who enjoys my favour. Listen to him.” It is the Father’s voice. We fall to our faces with fear, but Jesus comes up and touches us. “Do not be afraid,” he says, and when we look up, we see no one but only Jesus. That’s how it will always be from now on. We will see no one, but only Jesus in all those whom we meet and see. As we come down from the mountain, prepared for anything as long as Jesus is with us, he warns us, “Say nothing about this until I rise from the dead.” It’s a day and an experience we shall never forget.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
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28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
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.
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Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.