Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 21st September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 21, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 21st September 2022
Today we celebrate the feast of the Apostle and Evangelist St Matthew and our Gospel reading comes from his Gospel, (Mt 9: 9-13), describing that precious moment in his life as a tax collector, when Jesus came into his life and invited him to become a disciple. Who would have guessed that Jesus would do this? Not Matthew, for sure. It happened out of the blue. “As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” The response is as radical as the call.
Later on, at dinner, a number of tax collectors and sinners are at table with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees complain to the disciples that he should allow this to happen, but Jesus replies, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.’ And indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.” Jesus comes as a physician to heal the sick and to forgive sinners. These are the most consoling and encouraging words in the Scriptures, that the Father has sent his Son into our world to forgive us our sins and reconcile us with Himself. The truth is that if Matthew can become a disciple, then so can I. Thanks be to God.
Many have asked for photographs of our monastery and community in Peru. Well, last night recreation involved shelling peas and kidney beans. All our food is fresh and much of it produced by the monks. No tins, no packets and no frozen foods! Instead, a lot of hard work and a healthy diet. Delicious.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
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Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.