Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 21st September 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.