Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 21st June 2023

Yesterday was a day of meetings, and today won’t be any different. There are times you can have so many meetings, that there is no time to put into effect what has been decided. To begin with, Fr Augustine and I went over to Weobley for a meeting of deanery priests, which was fraternal, interesting and enjoyable, and followed by a good lunch at Almeley. In the evening we attended a Parish Advisory Council meeting at Belmont, again fascinating and informative, encouraging and productive. Today it will be a zoom meeting of all the superiors, men and women, of the monasteries belonging to the English Benedictine Congregation.

 

​Today’s Gospel passage comes from Matthew, in which we continue our reading of the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 6: 1-6; 16-218). Here Jesus touches upon three important aspects of the Jewish tradition, that passed into Christianity: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, three faith practices that in other religions too, such as Islam, go together and are very important. Jesus sets out a basic principle, that we must always keep in mind. What we do, we should do for the glory of God, for the good of our neighbour and for the salvation of our souls. There can be no other purpose. “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.’” We should do nothing to attract the attention of others, least of all so that they think we are good, holy or religious. No, only God should know what it is we are doing. We should even try to camouflage or cover up the good we do. Hypocrisy is a grave sin and should be avoided at all costs. This section of the Sermon is always read at the beginning of Lent, but we do well to remind ourselves of the teaching of Jesus throughout the year. Let us remind ourselves today by listen to what Jesus has to tell us.

 

     “So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  “And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  “When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father, who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”