Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 12th July 2023

It was good to celebrate the feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe, yesterday, especially considering the precarious state of peace and unity in Europe as the war carries on relentlessly in Ukraine and threatens to spill over into other countries. Today I hope to be visiting my mother, together with Toby my faithful companion, so when you read these words, I might well be walking on the beach with Toby, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and searching on the dunes for wimberries, one of the many wild fruits of my youth.

 

​Our Gospel today comes from Matthew, (Mt 10: 1-7), in which Jesus gives his disciples authority over unclean spirits and we are told the names of the Twelve, that inner group whom he names apostles. “Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.” The Twelve are chosen and summoned, given power and authority to cast out unclean spirits and so the ability to heal and cure from all kinds of sickness and disease. In other words, Jesus gives them a portion of his own spirit, authority and power. You could almost say that this is an ordination or consecration, enabling them to share in Christ’s ministry.

 

​Next we are given the names of these Twelve Apostles designated by Jesus. “These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him.” Of the Twelve, some we know well and meet frequently, others less so or not at all. Some were related, others not; some are mentioned more than by name, and one of the twelve turned out to be a traitor. Jesus knew, and it had to be.

 

​We are then told, briefly, the instructions that Jesus gave these appointed ones. “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’” To begin with, we discover the meaning of the word Apostle: someone who is sent out, in their case, sent out by Jesus to do his work of healing and making whole, forgiving sin and reconciling people with God. For the time being, they must only visit the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Later they will turn to the pagans and Samaritans, as Jesus would himself.

 

​When we read the Gospel, can we see Jesus speaking with us and inviting each one of us to do his work and join in his mission to bring salvation to those around us? Jesus still calls today. Are we able to hear his voice?