Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 23rd November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 22, 2023
I must say that since I returned from the Benedictine superiors’ meeting at Ampleforth, I’ve scarcely had time to breathe: it’s been one thing after the other, with a fair amount of driving involved as well, mostly pastoral work, Masses and meetings. Today I will be meeting up with two retired abbots, good friends, for lunch and a heart to heart not far from Oxford. I hope the weather is good. I am looking forward to retiring myself at the end of April and just becoming a simple parish priest. Today we keep the feast of St Columban, the great Irish monk and missionary. May he pray for us all.
Today’s short Gospel reading from Luke (Lk 19: 41-44) takes us a stage further in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem after he leaves Jericho. It’s the moving account of Jesus weeping over the Holy City. “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city, he shed tears over it.” Although Jesus is often moved to compassion at the sight of human suffering and pain, only rarely does he cry in sorrow or anguish. He says, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus is aware that he is coming to Jerusalem for the last time. Here he will find total rejection by both Jewish and Roman authorities. He will be arrested, tried, condemned and put to death. He who is the Truth, our Life and our Peace, will be rejected. He is also aware of the destruction to come, for he continues, “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!” We know that the Roman army invaded and destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70AD, almost 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The opportunity that God is offering Jerusalem is the presence of Jesus himself, who comes to reconcile all people with God, thus establishing the peace of God’s kingdom. If only Jesus could bring about reconciliation between Israel and Palestine today. If only he were given a chance.
This passage prompts us to ask ourselves a number of important questions. Do we weep over the state of the world today? I’m thinking only of vital questions on climate change, the environment and ecology, and those of human rights and racism. I think of the many places ravaged by terrorism and war, hatred and the desire for revenge. I also think of the spiritual state of the world and of our nation, where people ignore or reject God or reduce him to a seasonal commodity. In Jesus, God is visiting his people: in what way does he visit me? Am I willing to receive him?
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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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