Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 11th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 11, 2023
I found yesterday quite tiring, what with celebrating the Conventual Mass at 11am and meeting with Br Mario and his Oblates at 10am. Then, in the afternoon, an old friend came to see me. However, I’ve not got over the Flu or cold I had at Belmont, and I feel knocked out much of the time. The five hour time difference doesn’t help, especially in the evening. The climate is a pleasant 23C and a warm, gentle breeze comes off the ocean: we’re just a quarter of a mile away. Being in the monastery grounds is rather like being in an earthly paradise, what with the amazing collection of birds and flowers. Yesterday was Br Mateo’s turn to cook: all the monks are excellent chefs. They could take part in Masterchef and win!
Our Gospel passage today comes from Like, (Lk 5: 27-26), the healing of the paralytic let down through the roof by his friends. People from all over had come to see and hear Jesus, and they included Pharisees and doctors of the Law. We are told the the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Suddenly, a group of men appear carrying on his bed a paralysed man, who they try to bring in and lay before Jesus. Seeing that there is no access, they opt to carry him up onto the roof, where they can make a hole and let him down before Jesus. “Seeing their faith, he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’” The scribes and Pharisees are convinced that he has spoken blasphemy, as God alone can forgive sin. Jesus hears this and asks which is it easier to say, your sins are forgiven you or take up your bed and walk? To prove that he can forgive sin, he says to the man, “Take up your bed and go home.” The man obeys the order given by Jesus and goes home praising God. All who saw what happened, were astounded and filled with awe and praised God, saying, “We have seen amazing things today.” The scribes and Pharisees have been silenced for the moment.
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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.
