Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 23rd November

Clehonger Church, Hereford

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 23rd November 2021

           It was a great joy for me to visit our new vicar yesterday and to spend a couple of hours with her talking about rural ministry in Herefordshire. Cate is, in fact, pastor of five rural parishes, Kingstone, Thruxton, Allensmore, Clehonger and Eaton Bishop, all within walking distance from Belmont. It was amusing, as we walked through Kingstone, to be mistaken for her father, a retired Anglican bishop. I find it really helpful to discuss with our Anglican brethren the Church’s outreach, particularly to the many people moving into the county and the many new private housing estates on the outskirts of our ancient villages. I enjoy meeting with all our local clergy and working and praying with them. I have always felt that what we can do together, we should not do separately.

           Today, we continue our reading of Luke’s Gospel, (Lk 21: 5-11), with Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. What he has to say holds as good today as it did in his day, when he walked on earth. The first part of the discussion is about the Temple itself, which as we know was totally destroyed by the Romans in the year 70AD.

“When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’”

This prediction of Jesus happened, as Luke’s readers would have known and possibly seen for themselves, but what significance would that destruction have? Would it be a sign of the end of the world, the second coming of Jesus and final judgement?

Jesus goes on to say:  “‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’”

Here Jesus is not alarmist in any way and is much more reserved than in other versions of the same event in other Gospels. Here he tells us not to heed those false prophets who predict the end of the world. Yes, there will be wars and revolutions, “but the end is not so soon.” There will be all sorts of catastrophes and natural disasters, but “do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen, but the end is not so soon.” Whatever is due to happen, will happen, but there will be no signs the end is nigh! Only God knows when the end will come as come it will, but we need not fear, for God is with us.