Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th July
Abbot Paul • July 19, 2022
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.
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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.