Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 28th April 2023
Abbot Paul • April 28, 2023
Yesterday we were talking about the Discourse of Jesus on the Bread of Life. Today we come to the conclusion of the discourse as found in John, (Jn 6: 52-59). As a result of what he has just been saying, the Jews begin to argue with one another, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” That is the question they’re asking and it’s the question that many ask still today, especially in the Protestant churches and among non-Christians. But Catholics and Orthodox have always taken Jesus at his word and believe that the Eucharistic Bread, consecrated in the Eucharist or Mass, is truly to Body of Christ, his flesh that is given for the life of the world. These are the very words of Jesus:
“I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.”
Jesus makes it quite clear that what we are invited to eat and drink are his flesh and blood. This is the only guarantee that we will have for eternal life and the fact that we will be raised to new life at the end of time in the final resurrection from the dead on the last day.
I apologise for the brevity of today’s message. Yesterday, I had no time to sit down and write this daily message.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
