Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 7th November 2023

Yesterday I had the joy of visiting my mother and, as often happens, the weather was good: it was dry and sunny. After a magnificent lunch and a short siesta, Toby and I went down to the beach, which was spectacular. We had one of our best walks ever and both of us seemed rejuvenated by the experience. It felt like a vision of Paradise. It was hard to believe that we’re already in the middle of November. I’ll share a few photographs with you.

 

Our Gospel passage from Luke (Lk 14: 15-24) consists of a parable told by Jesus in response to a comment by one of those at table with him, “Blessed is the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!” This is how the parable begins: “There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come along: everything is ready now.’” Yet again the kingdom of heaven is seen as a feast to which many are invited. This is how heaven is pictured in the Prophet Isaiah and other Old Testament texts. So far, so good, but then trouble begins. “But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.’ Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.’ Yet another said, ‘I have just got married and so am unable to come.’” Excuses, excuses! Do we make excuses at God’s invitation to a life of faith and to the promise of heaven? We know that many of those who heard Jesus rejected him and we are aware of that in the world today.

 

​“Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’” If those who were invited can’t be bothered to turn up, then others will take their place. Jesus’ preference, like that of many of the saints, is for “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” This is the origin of the Church’s preferential option for the poor, those who recognise their need for God. But even with the needy now at table, there’s room left for more – remember the words of Jesus, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” So the master says to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.” Again, we are reminded of what Jesus said of his mission, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus came to save sinners, to reconcile us with the Father and to give his life in sacrifice not for those who consider themselves to be just and perfect, but for the poor who recognise their need for God’s forgiveness and mercy.