SHEEPFor the hearers of John’s Gospel the image of a shepherd will have invoked a whole world of meaning. Being in charge of a flock of animals and making sure they survived was not just a job but a way of life. The well- being of your flock and your own well-being were intimately connected. …
Monthly Archives: May 2026
Eastertide Alphabet (R)
At our Easter Vigil service at Turvey Abbey we have always used John’s account of the Resurrection. The text is sung and, as a consequence, I almost know it by heart. The music swells when Mary reaches the moment of recognition and says ‘Rabunni’. It’s as if all time stands still in that moment of …
Eastertide Alphabet (Q)
‘Let us give thanks to the Father, who has QUALIFIED us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.’ During Eastertide we are given the opportunity to explore the richness of our faith heritage. Central to the Paschal Mystery is the truth that it is through God’s initiative that we are redeemed. God …
Eastertide Alphabet (P)
John 14:27-31 ‘Peace I bequeath to you,my own peace I give you,a peace the world cannot give,this is my gift to you. ‘Oh, sister, it’s so peaceful here in the monastery.’ We hear this very often and, of course, there is a good deal of truth in this. We are a low stimulus environment, with …
Eastertide Alphabet (O)
‘OBEDIENCE to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree.’ I have lived for more than 30 years in a Benedictine monastery. It’s impossible to live in a monastery without developing a sound understanding …
Eastertide Alphabet (N)
NEW BIRTH I started writing this reflection in 2025, the day after Pope Francis’ funeral. I was struck at the time by how this short piece of scripture encapsulates the mysteries of our Faith and especially the hope of resurrection. That Pope Francis died when the whole Church was celebrating the Paschal mystery seemed very …