Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 13th December

Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 13th December 2021

           What a delightful day it was yesterday. I found the three readings at Mass particularly uplifting and encouraging. We all need encouragement in living our Christian faith and, in the present situation of the re-emergence of Covid among us, something that will really lift us out of this feeling of helplessness that many are dealing with at the moment. The Advent message is one of hope and rejoicing, as we look forward to the Saviour’s return at the end of time and, more immediately, the feast of his Nativity, his coming among us as a babe in arms to be the Redeemer, who reconciles us with God the Father and with each other.

           Today we keep the feast of St Lucy, who was martyred for her faith in 304 at the age of just 21. Her name comes from the Latin word for light, lux, and she truly reflects the light of Christ in the depths of Winter darkness. In Scandinavian countries there are many wonderful customs associated with her feast and in many parts of northern Italy, it’s the day when children receive their presents. Do investigate and read about her and the traditions that are celebrated in her honour.

           Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew, (Mt 21: 23-27), and is that part of the discussion that followed the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem which concerns John the Baptist. “Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’” The chief priests and elders object to Jesus teaching in the Temple, as they alone have legal authority to do that. Who does he think he is? So, they question him, but rather than answer them, he poses them a question, one concerning John and his custom of baptising repentant sinners. This puts them in a quandary that forces them in their cowardice to reply, “We don’t know.” Jesus retorts, “If you won’t reply to my question, why should I reply to yours?” If only they had listened to Jesus instead of getting angry at his teaching in the Temple, they would have heard a word of hope and salvation. Today people criticise the Church, and especially the Catholic Church, often in ignorance. The Church is what it is, a community of sinners striving to be more like Jesus, their Lord. Why not listen to his word? That is where hope, wisdom and salvation are to be found.