Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 9th March 2023

Yesterday was my second day for interviewing the brethren and asking for their insights on the monastic life here at Lurin, their thoughts on the present and their hopes for the future. It’s been a very interesting and valuable exercise. Our postulant, who will be clothed in the habit and enter the noviciate on Sunday, is now on retreat and today those in solemn vows will have an outing to the famous beaches and historic ruins of Paracas. I’ve heard about the area many times, but as I’ve never been a tourist in Peru, this will be my first visit. We’re not planning on swimming, but I gather we’ll have a spectacular lunch of seafood. Peru is one of the gastronomic destinations of the world, so I live in hope. It is Lent, of course, so it will have to be a restrained and austere affair. It’s about three and a half hours’ away going south.

Today’s Gospel is a warning against the good life, especially gluttony, as it’s the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man from Luke, (Lk 16: 19-31), a useful parable on which to meditate during Lent. Jesus addresses the parable to the Pharisees, who made their living from religion and enjoyed a high standard of living. There’s a brief comparison of the living conditions of Lazarus and his rich neighbour, who did nothing to help him. Lazarus dies and goes to heaven, to Abraham’s bosom. Soon afterwards, the rich man dies and goes to Hades or hell. From there he can see Lazarus, so begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water in order to relieve the rich man’s suffering, but Abraham reminds him of his behaviour when he lived on earth. The rich man begs Abraham to warn his brothers, all five of them, to change their way of life, but Abraham tells there would be no point, they would not change. In fact, even if someone were to rise from the dead, they still would not change. It’s a grim situation and a grim parable. Sadly, I can think of many who would behave like the rich man’s brothers, but the question is really about you and me, would we change? Has Jesus managed to change us or does he still have a battle on his hands?