Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 11th October 2023

This afternoon and evening I will be travelling back to Belmont from Thessaloniki, where I have been staying with old university friends. It’s been good to rest and take things easy for nine days, although one friend has rather advanced Alzheimer’s, so it’s not always been easy. Together we have been following on television the tragic events taking place in Israel and Palestine and praying for peace and the safety of innocent people. Words fail before such horrific situations.

Today the Church keeps the feast of a much-loved Pope, St John XXIII. We ask his intercession for peace in our world and for the unity of the Church, especially for the working the Synod.

Our Gospel passage comes from Luke, (Lk 11: 1-4), in which Jesus teaches his disciples to pray at their request. “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples, said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” The disciples want to be like Jesus, their Lord, in every way, including his prayer life. It’s interesting to note that John the Baptist also taught his disciples to pray. The version of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke is shorter than in Matthew.

“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.” Had you thought of using this version from time to time? The essentials are there, especially the emphasis on forgiveness.