Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 10th May

Abbot Paul • May 9, 2022

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 10th May 2022

Yesterday was a really warm and pleasant day in Burgos and, for me, quite restful. Even the nuns’ Mass with its expected homily and rules different to those in England I took in my stride. Then a free morning followed by Office, lunch and confessions, and a visit to parts of the ancient monastery I hadn’t seen before, were followed by None, a meeting with the Abbess President’s Council and a meeting in Chapter with the entire community, all ending with Vespers over which I presided and half an hour’s mental prayer together in choir. Supper brought this marathon to an end and a free evening, during which I am writing this message. Today I travel back to Belmont. I pray it all goes well. I have thoroughly enjoyed this visit and have managed to fit in some valuable relaxation and rest. I wish I could have had an extra day to visit the city of Burgos.

Today’s Gospel passage comes from John, (Jn 10: 22-30), and includes the Gospel reading we heard last Sunday. Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the Dedication, it’s Winter and he’s walking in the Temple. He’s questioned by the Jewish leaders, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” By that they probably mean, not in parables. He replies, “I have told you, but you do not believe.” Jesus has made it abundantly clear that he is the Messiah, the Christ, but the real problem is their lack of belief. They have seen the works he has done in his Father’s name, but they remain unmoved and refuse to believe, and that is because they are not his sheep, so do not hear or understand his voice. Jesus says, “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost.” In all humility, Jesus states that the sheep really belong to the Father, who will never lose them. They have been put into the safeguarding of Jesus, for “The Father and I are one.” Therein lies the truth about the Holy Trinity, the three persons are but one God. As Jesus states elsewhere, “To have seen me is to have seen the Father. To know me is to know the Father.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to see and know you in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. May our love for you grow ever greater and, like the disciples, may we bring others to know and love you. Amen.

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