Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 24th November

Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 24th November 2021

           Central to our Christian faith is the Resurrection of Jesus. St Paul tells us that, “Had Christ not risen from the dead, then our faith would be in vain.” (1 Cor 15:14). Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus spoke to his disciples and others of eternal life and the resurrection from the dead. This is what he’s referring to when, in today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 21: 12-19), he tells them, “Your endurance will win you your lives.” Let’s see what he says to them and to us today. “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’”

           Everything that he writes about, Luke had experienced for himself, as he was Paul’s travelling companion throughout much of his missionary activity, so when he reports Jesus’ words to his disciples, he could say, “I’ve seen this with my own eyes and experienced it in my own flesh.” Jesus describes the many ways in which his disciples are going to suffer persecution for their faith and their faithful preaching of the Good News. They will bear witness to the Gospel and to the truth even with their own lives, but they are to remain calm and not even prepare their defence. Jesus himself with give them wisdom and eloquence, that of the Holy Spirit. Even their own families will turn against them and hand them over to the state and religious authorities for punishment and death, yet in all this, God will be with them and they who persevere will gain eternal life. The important thing for us today is to consider seriously what these words mean for us. Do we cave in and give up the moment anyone criticises us for our faith? Do we stand up for our faith? Are we proud to be Christian and to live according to the teaching and example of Jesus? Do I believe in the Resurrection and in eternal life? Finally, how do I share my faith with others? Have I helped anyone to come to know and love Jesus, my Saviour? Am I the disciple he has called me to be? Lord, open my eyes to see the truth about myself and grant me the humility to come back to you with an open heart and mind. Amen.