Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 12th December 2022
Abbot Paul • December 11, 2022
I’m not sure how things were where you live, but yesterday here in Connemara everything came to a standstill because of the subzero temperatures and the icy roads. So I spent most of the day like a hermit, apart from the middle of the day. I said Mass for the nuns in their house chapel, had lunch with them, then met with a sick sister, gave a retreat conference, then heard half a dozen confessions and had a meeting with another sister. Then I came back to my hermitage and fell asleep in an armchair. Then I wrote this short message, exchanged a few emails, rang my mother and made a spot of supper. The warmest place is bed, so I’m planning an early night. I did feed my robin friends, who were joined by pied wagtails, song thrushes and a rook.
In tomorrow’s Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 21: 23-27), we find Jesus preaching in the Temple and the chief priests and elders of the people demanding what authority he has to do this. In return, Jesus sets them a question, and one they do not expect. “John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?” They realise the question is a trap, for if they say it came from God, then people will ask why they rejected John, but if they say it was simply something human, the crowds will object for they believe John to have been a prophet. As a result they reply, “We do not know,” which leaves Jesus free to say, “Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.” Jesus comes as one who has authority from God, for the authority is his own, he is the Son of God, God incarnate. Let us accept that authority joyfully and listen carefully to what Jesus has to say.
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.
