Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 13th February 2023
Abbot Paul • February 12, 2023
Reading the Gospels, Jesus seems always to have been going to and fro across Lake Galilee, always making for the opposite shore. This would seem to suggest that those disciples, who had been fishermen, still owned their boats and probably had other family members still busy bringing in the fish, part of the staple diet of the locals. Today, in our reading from Mark, (Mk 8: 11-13), we find the Pharisees coming up to him to start an argument. “The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him.” On several occasions the Pharisees and others ask Jesus for a sign, a sign to prove who he is, as though the authority with which he taught and the many miracles he wrought were not sign enough for them. What more could they have wanted to see, when they failed to see and understand the signs that were already there?
“With a sigh that came straight from the heart, Jesus said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.” That sigh of his that comes straight from the heart is a sign of his frustration and sorrow that he is completely misunderstood. His words might sound negative, but if they can’t grasp the meaning of what they can see, then what difference will a sign from heaven make? They are not disposed to understand, their hearts and minds are closed to any inspiration from God. Having said that there will be no sign at their request, we see Jesus re-embarking and returning from whence he came. As they will not become his disciples, he moves away from them. The abyss between them is cemented by their lack of belief. What about us? Do we demand signs? How deep is our faith?
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.
