Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 13th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 13, 2023
Yesterday was such a lovely day and the weather was so kind to us as we drove down to my mother’s. I’m amazed how engineers and roadbuilders are able to keep the A465 open and traffic flowing while the dual carriageway is being built from the Dowlais Top to Hirwaun, the last section to be constructed. My mother was on good form and had prepared the most wonderful meals for both of us, although it’s noticeable how frail she is becoming. She is such a perfectionist that I wonder how on earth we are going to find suitable help so that she can remain at home as we look ahead. In the afternoon, after a welcome siesta, Toby and I enjoyed a couple of hours on the beach. We only met three other dogs and their owners and two quite spectacular kiteboarders. As a result of our late arrival back at Belmont, today’s message will be very short.
July 13th marks the feast of St Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, (6th May 973 to 13th July 1024), patron of Benedictine Oblates. I won’t attempt a summary of his rather complicated life, or was it the times that were complicated and the circumstances of his life? In spite of it all, he lived a holy and devout life, dedicated much time to prayer and the care of the poor and founded and endowed monasteries. Though married, he remained celibate and took monastic vows in the Abbey of Verdun, but the Abbot wisely ordered him under obedience to continue to serve as Emperor. It was he who convinced Pope Benedict VIII to include the word ’Filioque’ in the Nicene Creed, which to some extent led sadly to the Great Schism in 1054. We pray today for all our Benedictine oblates throughout the world.
I won’t comment on today’s Gospel, but here it is:
“Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’”
Mt 10: 7-15
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