Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 5th July

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 5th July 2022

 Although the days are gradually getting shorter, it’s beginning to feel more like Summer as they also get warmer. It’s certainly very hot when the sun comes out and we get a cloudless hour or two. Toby doesn’t like the sun or the heat that goes with it. He has a really thick, luxurious coat, so prefers cool weather and doesn’t much care even if it’s raining heavily. He loves the beach, as you know, but not if it’s sunny. I hope that soon I can take him down to my mother’s again, so that we can take a walk on the beach. She is really looking forward to seeing him again, as soon as she’s back to normal after surgery. She continues to make excellent progress. We are both deeply grateful for your prayers.

 Our Gospel passage today comes from Matthew, (Mt 9: 32-37), which interestingly concludes with the words we heard Jesus say in Luke on Sunday to the seventy-two disciples he sent out ahead of him, a somewhat different context, you will agree. ”The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” However, the passage begins with a miracle, the healing of a dumb man, also known as a demoniac, as it was thought that his dumbness was caused by the presence of an evil spirit or devil. Whereas the people reacted in amazement, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel,” the Pharisees reacted by saying, “It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.” On this occasion, Jesus does not reply or contradict them, he simply continues on his mission. Matthew writes, “Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.” This is how Jesus conducted his mission and the Church has continued the work of Jesus ever since he handed it on to his disciples, giving them the gift of the Spirit.

 Matthew comments that Jesus had compassion on the crowds he met with wherever he went. “They were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’” Jesus knew that he had come to be the Shepherd of Israel and of all those who, like the lost sheep of the parable, would allow themselves to be found by him. I know, we all know that the harvest is rich but the labourers are few, nevertheless there are times when I wonder if the shepherds care enough for the sheep they should be looking after. I am also convinced that you don’t have to be an ordained minister, whether bishop, priest or deacon, to be a true shepherd of the sheep. Let us think seriously on the words of Jesus and ask him what he would like us to do about it.