Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 20th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 20, 2023
It was so good to visit my mother yesterday and although the weather promised to be troublesome, in the end it was a calm, warm, dry day, at least in South Wales, the only heavy rain taking place once Toby and I were walking on the empty beach. We were so far from the car at that stage, there was no other option than to get wet and wet to the skin. Toby, of course, has a rainproof coat, so the heavy rain doesn’t affect him in the same way it does me. We enjoyed wonderful meals and I managed to get in a good siesta before venturing off to the beach. My mother was on good form and loved having me and Toby about the place.
​Today’s Gospel passage from Luke (Lk 12: 1-7) sees a crowd of thousands all “treading on one another” as they gather to hear Jesus. First of all, he speaks to his disciples “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Jesus demands integrity and truthfulness from his disciples, unlike the Pharisees, who say and teach one thing, yet do the opposite. All will be known, not necessarily at the end of time, but whenever the truth is out. He goes on to say, “To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Human beings are often afraid of their own kind. It was the French author Guy de Maupassant who wrote that, “Man is a beast to man.” This is based on the Latin proverb, “Homo homini lupus.” However, Jesus suggests that the only real fear his disciples should feel is the fear of God, with whom there is judgement and justice. Yet, lest we should be afraid of God, which is not the same as to fear him and hold him in awe, he adds, to show us God’s loving mercy, “Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.” We must fear, but not be afraid, for God loves us dearly, tenderly and with an unconditional love. Lord, help us to trust in you, relying on your providence and loving care for us, as do the birds of the air. 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.
