Message of Abbot Paul - Friday - 17th May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 16, 2024
​Today our Gospel passage from John, (Jn 21: 15-19), takes us on from the Last Supper to one of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. It takes place on the shore of Lake Galilee, where Jesus has encouraged his disciples to cast out deeper into the waters for a miraculous catch and then shared breakfast with them. It’s at this point that we pick up the story, with the conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. “After they had eaten, he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” Why would Jesus ask Peter three times whether he loves him? Could it be because Peter denied him three times? Or, perhaps, to make sure and confirm that Peter was making a firm commitment to the love that demands service and self-giving, for each time Peter replies that he does, even to the extent of becoming angry and impatient that Jesus should ask him three times, Jesus replies by saying, “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep”. Do we love Jesus as Peter did and to what does that love commit us?
​Then Jesus warns Peter of what that love will ultimately lead to and the death he will face for love of Jesus. “I tell you most solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go. In these words, he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’” You could say that the Gospel story begins with the calling of the first disciples, Jesus saying to those he has chosen, “Follow me.” Now the Gospel ends with the very same words, “Follow me,” for in life and in death, Jesus calls us to follow him, to take up our cross daily and follow him, to preach the Gospel by our faithfulness and humility, our love and generosity, by the very integrity of our lives. Let us remember those words of Jesus every day, no matter where we are or what we’re doing, in any and every circumstance, “Follow me.” May the Holy Spirit empower us to say with Peter, “You know, Lord, that I love you.” Amen.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
