Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 29th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 28, 2023
I had a most enjoyable speed awareness course yesterday at Coleford. It was fun for a change to be surrounded by Gloucester accents. The scenery there and back was stunning. All in all, a perfect day, and I learnt a lot of information that was new to me.
Today we continue our reading of Luke (Lk 21: 12-19) with a grim warning from Jesus as to what his disciples are to expect if they remain faithful to him. In fact, by the time the Gospel came to be written, Christians had already been experiencing persecution for more than 30 years. “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.” However, Jesus sees this as an opportunity to bear witness to him and to the truth of the Gospel. Not only that, but he will be with them and will inspire as well as give them fortitude and perseverance. “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.”
Jesus reiterates his warning, speaking of betrayal and death. He doesn’t beat around the bush, but tells them straight. “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.” This was to be the lot of the martyrs, beginning with John the Baptist and with Jesus himself, and there have been Christians martyrs in every generation and in every country ever since. But that’s not where to story ends. They are not to fear for God will be with them and they will win the crown of eternal life. “Not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.” We live in the knowledge that we too could become martyrs for the faith, but we also know that it is not only in death that we bear witness to Christ but in life and by the way we live our lives. We must become transparent, so that others can see Christ in us. If all the Bibles in the world were to be destroyed, would others see Christ in you and in me? Could the Gospel be rewritten based on the testimony of our lives? That’s a question worth thinking about.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
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.