Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 31st August

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 31^st August 2021

           First of all, I really must thank the kind person who sent me the link to a website that explains clearly the history and present state of bank and public holidays in the various countries that make up the British Isles, a fascinating and accurate account. I had to go out yesterday afternoon for a session of hydrotherapy at my osteopath’s: I find it does me the world of good. Toby, unlike other dogs, won’t go anywhere near water, other than to drink it, so he waits patiently until I’m finished and then we go off to find some ancient church and graveyard. So it was that we set off for Clifford, paid to cross a toll bridge, followed a signpost to St Mary’s Church and then proceeded to get lost. After going round in circles up and down the narrowest country lanes I’ve ever driven along, suddenly, out of the blue, there we were. First of all, we admired the vast woodland cemetery with its collection of monumental 18^th and 19^th century graves, then we ventured inside. Its greatest treasure is a wood carved 12^th century effigy of a priest vested for Mass. I wonder if he was one of the Cluniac monks from the nearby Priory, which provided a priest for the parish for 400 years until the dissolution of the monasteries. We both enjoyed that visit to the full.

           The Gospel passage for today continues our reading of Luke, (Lk 4: 31-37). Jesus has left Nazareth after the troubles there and returns to his centre of activity. “Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.” There appears to be no opposition in Capernaum. In fact, people there are deeply impressed with the teaching of Jesus, for he speaks with an authority their own leaders lack. But this authority goes beyond words to the actions they witness when Jesus heals a man possessed by an unclean spirit. This takes place in the synagogue. “It shouted at the top of its voice, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, ‘What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.’ And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.” We note how this spirit recognises Jesus to be the Holy One of God, and yet the people of Nazareth do not. The congregation is amazed and astonished at Jesus’ ability and authority to cast out evil spirits, but news travels fast and soon the scribes and Pharisees will be on his tail. Then, things will begin to get difficult.

           Lord, may we always call on you in our need and show our gratitude by following you faithfully all the days of our life. Amen.