Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 24th October 2023

A number of readers expressed surprise that we should have grapes at Belmont. There was a time when we had a lot more. Abbot Jerome cared for a vine and a fig tree. I attach a photograph of Br Gildas with a little of the harvest. Our retreat began with the most sublime meditation on the Sequence for Pentecost, Veni Sancte Spiritus. You might like to find it in your Missal and join with us in Spirit.

 

In today’s short Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 12: 35-38), Jesus asks his disciples be ready for whenever he should return and, although he is Lord and Master, nevertheless he will come to serve and take care of them, whether it is at the end of time, the Last Day and Last Judgement, or simply when the time comes for each one of them to die and return to their heavenly Father. Let us hear what Jesus says, “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.”

 

There are several images in these few words of Jesus. We are to be like soldiers, dressed for action, like the five virgins with their lamps lit and like servants waiting for their master’s return. We are to be ready for when he knocks, so that we can open the door immediately and let him in. If we are awake, prepared and ready, then our roles will be reversed and Jesus, the Lord of glory, will don an apron and set about serving us. Well, that’s one way of describing heaven, or at least giving us an impression of what it will be like. As he could come at any time, if he finds us ready and prepared, then he will look kindly on us and reward us. I look forward to his coming, but will I be ready, or late as usual?