Dear brethren, sisters and friends
It is that time of year again when I like to send you a few words of encouragement for Christmas and New Year. What a year it has been!
We have seen several wars and terrorist atrocities, the decimation of our fellow Christians in the Middle East and parts of Africa, as well as a great political shift, with more to follow next year no doubt, but in the church thankfully things remain much the same. As the Carthusians say, “Stat Crux, Dum Volvitur Orbis”, the Cross stands still whilst the world revolves. Thank the Lord for that still space at the centre of our lives where we daily meet the crucified and risen Lord in the Sacrament of His Love.
It is that time of year again when I like to send you a few words of encouragement for Christmas and New Year. What a year it has been!
We have seen several wars and terrorist atrocities, the decimation of our fellow Christians in the Middle East and parts of Africa, as well as a great political shift, with more to follow next year no doubt, but in the church thankfully things remain much the same. As the Carthusians say, “Stat Crux, Dum Volvitur Orbis”, the Cross stands still whilst the world revolves. Thank the Lord for that still space at the centre of our lives where we daily meet the crucified and risen Lord in the Sacrament of His Love.
As we are in Advent, and as I write this, naturally our heads are full of the Advent theme of "Emmanuel", “God-with-us”, which set me to thinking about the various ways in which God is with us.
First of all, He with us in the poor and marginalised of the world. As a Benedictine hermit in rural Switzerland I do not have much occasion to serve the poor directly, but I am full of admiration for our brothers and sisters who do serve the poor and marginalised. Particularly I am thankful for our Hermits of St Francis and St Clare (csr), an order founded in our church just last Spring, members of which are engaged in service to the most needy, particularly in Brazil and in the Phillippines. We are so proud of you!
Secondly, Emmanuel is with us in our relationships, in the sacramental bond between partners and spouses and in our life together as a community and as a church.
Thirdly, Emmanuel is with us in and through His Creation. He is Lord of the Elements and his presence infuses the whole universe for those who have eyes to see. This is the macrocosmic dimension of God’s presence and for us, as for the Celtic saints of old, God’s presence in creation is a constant source of wonder and praise.
First of all, He with us in the poor and marginalised of the world. As a Benedictine hermit in rural Switzerland I do not have much occasion to serve the poor directly, but I am full of admiration for our brothers and sisters who do serve the poor and marginalised. Particularly I am thankful for our Hermits of St Francis and St Clare (csr), an order founded in our church just last Spring, members of which are engaged in service to the most needy, particularly in Brazil and in the Phillippines. We are so proud of you!
Secondly, Emmanuel is with us in our relationships, in the sacramental bond between partners and spouses and in our life together as a community and as a church.
Thirdly, Emmanuel is with us in and through His Creation. He is Lord of the Elements and his presence infuses the whole universe for those who have eyes to see. This is the macrocosmic dimension of God’s presence and for us, as for the Celtic saints of old, God’s presence in creation is a constant source of wonder and praise.
And finally, God is with us, most fully and miraculously in the Holy Eucharist. In this Sacrament, both His Divinity and His Humanity may be hidden yet pure Love may still be discerned in every consecrated Host. As dear St Alphonsus reminds us, “What heavy expense, what dangerous hazards some people willingly face to travel to the Holy Land! They want to visit the places where Christ was born, where he suffered, where he died. We need not travel so far nor face such hazards to be near him. The same Saviour lives in the tabernacle of our nearby church. These pilgrims consider it a great privilege to carry away a little dust from the cave where he was born or from the tomb where he was buried. But think of our privilege: not just a remembrance of his life but the reality of his presence!”
In the Holy Celtic Church, as we generally worship in our cells and oratories rather than church buildings we have an even greater privilege in being able to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in our homes. Jesus is our familiar friend, ever at hand to comfort, strengthen and inspire us. May we never take this extraordinary miracle and privilege for granted, but rather take every opportunity to become true Apostles of the Eucharist either as contemplatives who hold the needs of the church and world in our hearts or as active workers who serve with our hands, or perhaps a bit of both, as I am sure that there is a little bit of both Martha and Mary in all of us.
Whatever our calling, the grace to fulfil it is there for the asking, but let us be mindful that just as the supreme grace of the Incarnation came through the Mother of God, so all graces pass through Mary’s hands. She is the Mother of Divine Grace and no grace that is timely and for our good will ever be withheld.
In the Holy Celtic Church, as we generally worship in our cells and oratories rather than church buildings we have an even greater privilege in being able to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in our homes. Jesus is our familiar friend, ever at hand to comfort, strengthen and inspire us. May we never take this extraordinary miracle and privilege for granted, but rather take every opportunity to become true Apostles of the Eucharist either as contemplatives who hold the needs of the church and world in our hearts or as active workers who serve with our hands, or perhaps a bit of both, as I am sure that there is a little bit of both Martha and Mary in all of us.
Whatever our calling, the grace to fulfil it is there for the asking, but let us be mindful that just as the supreme grace of the Incarnation came through the Mother of God, so all graces pass through Mary’s hands. She is the Mother of Divine Grace and no grace that is timely and for our good will ever be withheld.
As we approach 2017, I pray for two graces in particular for our church. Firstly, I pray for the grace of stability. Thankfully the church and various orders are growing, but sadly many people pass through our doors and fail to settle. So may we all, and most especially those of us who have made a vow of Stability, pray for the grace of perseverence when the going gets tough. Secondly, I pray for zealous devotion - in particular, I pray that as a church we may be conspicuous for our devotion to Our Lady and the Blessed Sacrament for these are the marks of true Catholicism and the divinely ordained means by which Our Lord intends to save the world.
Wishing you all a blessed Advent, a very Merry Christmas and a bright and joyful New Year.
Ad Jesu per Mariam,
+Alistair OSBA (csr)
Abbot & Primus
Wishing you all a blessed Advent, a very Merry Christmas and a bright and joyful New Year.
Ad Jesu per Mariam,
+Alistair OSBA (csr)
Abbot & Primus
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