Deacon Tony reflects: Solemnity of St Edmund of Abingdon

[Jeremiah 1:4-9; Psalm 96; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6a; John 21:15-17]

There are times when I sit down to write my reflections when I don’t know what I am going to write and am stuck for ideas. I usually always start with a prayer which asks God to guide me in what I write. In faith, I pray that what ends up written, has been influenced by the answer to my prayers.

In the first reading today, we hear the prophet Jeremiah, plead with the Lord, that because of his youth, he doesn’t know what to say. I can’t use youth as an excuse, but my prayer asks God to tell me what to say. The LORD’s answer to Jeremiah dismisses his youthfulness and promises him that he shall be given the words to say, when they need to be spoken. This is a reminder to us of the words Jesus spoke to the disciples when He said ‘do not worry about what to say, what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes’ [Matt 10:19].

St Paul, in an extract from his 2^nd letter to the Corinthians, used today, tells us that the Holy Spirit is The Authority, and that when we share the Good News, we have the Spirit in our hearts. How wonderful is that?

The Gospel used today is one of my favourites. This is when Jesus gives St Peter the opportunity to revoke his three denials during the Christ’s Passion. By simply asking him, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter’s responses each time, give an insight into Peter’s awareness of Jesus’ Divinity, ‘Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Every day, Jesus asks us the same question – “Do you love me?” Our response is not just to be spoken; our response is to be lived out by our actions. For the times when we fail in our desire to love God, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we go and ask for absolution, we are reminded of the love Christ has for us. When we say the Act of Contrition, we express our desire to love Jesus; by changing the ways we have behaved.

Through John’s Gospel we know that Jesus forgave Peter. By Jesus’ response, we know what we need to do to show our love; we are to feed the hungry [lambs] tend those in need [sheep] and feed His flock by sharing the Good News. This isn’t just something for the ordained to do. In our Baptism we were made priest, prophet and king; we have a duty to share the Good News by what we say and what we do. The Saints who have gone before us are examples for us, of how to put our faith into action. Like St Edmund, co-patron of our Diocese, we are called to be faithful to the teachings of Holy Scriptures.

Further Reading

St Edmund Rich was born at St Edmund’s Lane, Abingdon, on 20 November, probably in the year 1175. His father was a rich merchant, hence the surname (which he never in fact used himself). Under the influence of his mother he led an ascetic life. He studied at Oxford and Paris, and became a teacher in about 1200 or a little earlier. For six years he lectured on mathematics and dialectics, apparently dividing his time between Oxford and Paris, and winning distinction for his part in introducing the study of Aristotle. He is the first known Oxford Master of Arts, and the place where he taught was eventually renamed St Edmund Hall.

Between 1205 and 1210 he changed direction, studying theology and being ordained a priest. He took a doctorate in divinity, and soon won fame as a lecturer on theology and as an extemporaneous preacher. Some time between 1219 and 1222 he was appointed vicar of the parish of Calne in Wiltshire and Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral, and finally became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1233. He was a notable and effective reforming Bishop. His love for discipline and justice aroused opposition, and he found himself ranged against Rome as champion of the national Church. Eventually, like his predecessors St Thomas Becket and Stephen Langton, he retired to Pontigny, where he is buried. He died at Soisy-Bouy on 16 November 1240.

Devotion to him was especially marked at Abingdon, and at Catesby where his sisters were both nuns. Edmund was canonised in 1246, and is the Joint-Principal Patron of the Diocese of Portsmouth.

He is venerated as a vigorous and reforming bishop and as a peacemaker, as well as being a distinguished commentator on the Scriptures and an effective spiritual writer.[1]

Please remember in your prayers

All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
All people affected by war and that international treaties for the protection of non-combatants and civilians are respected and adhered to.
All those attending the RCIA programmes
Those attending the Youth Alpha programme which is a prerequisite for the Confirmation programme in our Pastoral Area.
The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.
For the success of the Christians Against Poverty [CAP] money-coaching sessions, here at St Bede’s.
Success of the Pastoral Area Course “Mary – A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother.”
The souls in Purgatory, especially those with no one to pray for them.
Koa, Arika and Rowan who are being baptised this weekend at St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony

14^th November 2025.