Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 28th September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 28, 2022
ust a brief greeting today as yesterday was the longest and most tiring day of the Visitation so far. I’m deeply indebted to Abbot Benito Rodriguez of Las Condes Abbey, Santiago, Chile, for accompanying me at this important moment in the life of our Peruvian foundation. Today this message will come with a photograph taken just before Compline of the recently restored late 16th century statue of St Benedict in our church. Tomorrow I’ll post some photos of the community.
Today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 9: 57-62), is all about making excuses when Jesus invites us to follow him, or, worse still, after we’ve voluntarily asked Jesus if we can follow him. There are three examples of such behaviour. This is the third. “‘l will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” With Jesus, it’s all or nothing, no divided hearts. Where do I stand?
It was wonderful to see so many people at the annual torchlight procession in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We also enjoyed an evening of wonderful magic and music with Fr Dominic and friends... all in a good cause.
At a solemn Mass, the feast of St Basil and St Gregory, Br Alban makes his promises as a claustral oblate.
