Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 14th December
Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 14th December 2021
Today we keep the feast of St John of the Cross, the great Carmelite mystic and poet, friend and advisor to St Teresa of Avila. I have always felt a great affinity to his spiritual teaching and seen him as a saint whose example I should follow, especially in my prayer life. Today is also the 21st anniversary of my abbatial election, a fateful day. How time has flown! Please spare a little prayer for me today.
Our Gospel reading for the day comes from Matthew and follows on from yesterday’s reading, (Mt 21: 28-32). Jesus continues debating with the chief priests and elders of the people with a well-known parable, that of the two sons, in his discussion about dealing with tax collectors and prostitutes and doing the will of God. Here is the parable and their initial reaction. “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said.” Such a short parable, yet such a deep message. One brother pledges obedience, yet disobeys, the other refuses initially, thinks twice about it and then obeys. Whereas the chief priests and elders are able to interpret the parable, they do not apply it to their own lives and ministries, but Jesus does and for this they criticise him.
However, the discussion is not about Jesus at this stage, but about John the Baptist. Jesus replies, “I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.” Sinners came to John, as they come to Jesus, to seek confirmation of God’s forgiveness and the grace of lasting repentance and conversion. The chief priests and elders refused to accept the validity of John’s ministry and now they are refusing to accept that of Jesus. The question for us is, do we accept the saving work of Jesus? Will we allow him to forgive us our sins? Do we even accept that we are sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness? Are we truly willing to accept Jesus as our loving Saviour and Lord, as the Messiah, the Christ, and Son of God incarnate? These are questions we need to ask ourselves and answer every day.
