Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 20th July

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 20th July 2021

           Although not all of us were made for hot weather, and dogs find it particularly uncomfortable, the great plus each morning at the moment is to see the hive of activity among insects, bees, butterflies and birds in those areas of the field that have been allow to go wild. I don’t think I’ve seen so much activity in all my life, and the display and variety of wild flowers this year has been utterly spectacular. The same goes for that part of the old cemetery that we have left until Autumn so that ground nesting birds and myriads of butterflies and insects, as well as our beloved slow worms and hedgehogs, can breed and feed in seclusion, protected by the knowledge that they are all part of God’s Little Acre.

           Today’s short Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 12: 46-50), recounts a visit from Jesus’ family members. “Jesus was speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared; they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’” Jesus appears to be speaking with the crowds in the house or perhaps it was the courtyard. He is inside, whereas his mother and brothers remain outside. Although they are anxious to see him, he asks the man at the door, who comes in to tell him of their arrival, two rhetorical questions and then gives him the answer. Admittedly, it’s an important lesson he teaches us, but at what a cost. I can just imagine my mother’s reaction if I treated her like that. Did he then come out to see his mother and brothers, probably close relatives, or were they invited in and offered a glass of water? We’ll never know, but we have been left with the words of Jesus that, for Christians, our real family is the family of the faith, not an easy lesson to learn. When I, as a monk, speak of home, I mean Belmont. That was always difficult for my parents to accept, but that’s what being a monk means. What does being a Christian mean? That’s a question we all need to answer.