Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 8th June
Abbot Paul • June 7, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 8th June 2022
Lockdown taught us to take things slowly and open our eyes to see what we had failed to see before as we rushed quickly by from one thing to another. My favourite walk, and Toby’s too, remains our early morning discovery trail, Toby sniffing out the previous night’s activity, while I listen in wonderment to our feathered friends and observe with amazement the flowers that have come into full bloom from one day to the next, some with the most delicate and refreshing perfume. I just wish this heavenly walk could last an hour more, but I have to get back indoors for Morning Office and Toby to delight in his first siesta of the day. I know it’s only 6.15am, but that’s a dog’s life!
Another Feria, thank God, today and we continue with our reading of Matthew, (Mt 5: 17-19). We’re still in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus is speaking with his disciples, sharing with them his insights into the Law of Moses.
“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.”
It's a short passage, but an important one. Jesus makes it abundantly clear that he has not come to abolish the Law or the teaching of the Prophets, but to complete and fulfil what was taught in what we call the Old Testament. Its purpose must be achieved, but this is where he will differ from the scribes and the Pharisees. Their interpretation is not inspired by the mind or will of God, but rather by their thirst for power and desire to dominate and control others less learned than themselves. Jesus calls on his disciples not only to keep the Law themselves, but to teach others to do the same, by example as well as by teaching. The Sermon on the Mount is, in fact, Jesus’ reinterpretation of the Law and the Prophets according to the mind of God and his plan of salvation for all those who listen to the words of Jesus and act accordingly. We will discover that Jesus goes to the very heart of God’s intentions. What did God mean, what was he proposing with each aspect of the Law? Day by day now we will find out.
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