Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 30th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 29, 2023
The past few days have been difficult in more ways than one. The hay fever, that first raised its ugly and painful head in February with the advent of catkins, has flared up for some unknown reason, waking me at 2 or 3 o’clock with sneezing fits, struggling for breath and, worse still, streaming eyes and veritable buckets full of mucus: where on earth does it come from? I’m not allowed to take antihistamines because of the abundant medication I take for blood pressure and diabetes. Add to that, what appears to me to be more work than ever. The result is that I feel washed out morning, noon and night. Thank God I have a sense of humour, a modicum of patience and the company of my beautiful companion Toby, who instils peace and calm into my life. Now, I’m not a complete pagan, so I realise and acknowledge that it is God our heavenly Father working through the ministrations of Toby, who, perhaps even more than I, was created in God’s image and likeness. I thought I’d better share this with you in case you see me looking glum next time you bump into me. I hope it clears before Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum.
In our Gospel reading today, we continue in John, (Jn 8: 51-59), where Jesus is discussing with the Jews, i.e. the religious authorities of his day, scribes and Pharisees, his relationship and theirs with Abraham and with God. Jesus begins by saying, “I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” This is like a red rag to a bull, for they answer. “Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?” This is their fundamental question, who is Jesus claiming to be? We might well ask, how many times does he have to repeat the answer? Admittedly, Jesus can be enigmatic in his words. He replies, “If I were to seek my own glory that would be no glory at all; my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, “He is our God” although you do not know him… But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.”
Not only does Jesus claim to know the Father, but he also knows and has seen Abraham. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.” This theme will be fully developed in the Letter to the Hebrews, where the faith of Abraham and the great men and women of the Old Testament is detailed and praised. His hearers fail to understand his words. “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!” To which Jesus replies with one of the famous I am sayings, “I tell you most solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.” This is one of my very favourites. Jesus, as Son of the Father, is from all eternity. Sadly, the reaction of his hearers is far from positive and is yet another prophecy of the Passion, which fast approaches. “At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.”
Just a thought. Our dear Fr Simon is 80 today. You might want to congratulate him and pray for him today. Ad multos annos.
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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.