Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th July

Yesterday it was back to work with a vengeance. We worked solidly from nine till five with just a break for Mass and lunch and two short coffee and tea breaks at eleven and four and no air conditioning. Still, my room is cool and, unlike at Belmont, here I sleep like a log! Today, as promised, I’ll be accompanying my brief message with photographs of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Torbryan, a must if you’re in Devon. But first, today’s Gospel, which comes from Matthew, (Mt 12: 46-50).

Jesus is speaking with the crowds, when his mother arrives to see him with other family members, whom Matthew calls his brothers. They are standing outside the house where Jesus is. A man goes to inform Jesus, but Jesus replies, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then, stretching his hand towards his disciples, he says, “Here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus might seem somewhat offhanded with his mother and family, but he uses their visit as an opportunity to teach the crowds this new relationship that he is building up among his followers and the meaning of what his Church is going to be, a fellowship, a brotherhood, a community, God’s family. There is no indication here of rejection on the part of Jesus or that he did not go ahead and meet with them. We also know that Mary was the first to hear the word of the Father and do God’s will. The question for us is whether we are prepared to do God’s will or not.