Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 17th April 2023
Abbot Paul • April 16, 2023
Yesterday we concluded the celebration of the Octave of Easter, that ancient Judaeo-Christian custom of celebrating an important feast for eight days. There was a time when the Church celebrated many Octaves, such as Christmas, the Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost and the Assumption, for example, but today we only keep two Octaves, those of Christmas and Easter. It fascinates me to see how we, as Christians, spend time celebrating and enjoying festal seasons, while the world around us moves on very quickly and soon forgets that Easter or even Christmas ever was. All that seems to matter is the commercial aspect of the feast and not that we should celebrate or meditate on the great mystery that we commemorate. It’s only Lent that seems to escape commercialisation, with the sole exception of hot cross buns., which, of course, are now available in our supermarkets all the year round.
​Today, then, Monday in the Second Week of Easter and we begin reading John’s Gospel at Mass each day, those sections that were probably not read during Lent. We start at Chapter 3, verses 1 to 8, the visit of Nicodemus to Jesus. “There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.’“ Nicodemus will reappear with Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion, when they ask Pilate for permission to bury the body of Jesus. Here we learn that he is a Pharisee and a leading Jew and obviously a secret admirer of Jesus, recognising him to be a teacher, a rabbi, come from God. Jesus replies, “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Although our translation has “born from above”, the Greek word can also be translated as “born again.” This accounts for Nicodemus’ answer, “How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Is it possible to be born a second time?
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​Jesus’ reply is similar to teaching we will hear many times from his lips in the course of the Gospel. “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.” We all need to be born again of water and the spirit if we are to enter into the kingdom of God. We need to be born of the Spirit. Although that happened with most of us when we were baptised as children or when, later in life, we asked for baptism or confirmation, nevertheless it’s a decision we have to make every day. asking the Lord anew each day to anoint us and fill us with his Spirit. We need to be born of the Spirit anew at each moment of our lives. We need to ask ourselves how often, consciously, do we ask the Lord to anoint and guide us with his Holy Spirit, to strengthen and heal us with his Spirit. Today’s Gospel invites us to renew our lives as disciples through a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit on each one of us.Yesterday we concluded the celebration of the Octave of Easter, that ancient Judaeo-Christian custom of celebrating an important feast for eight days. There was a time when the Church celebrated many Octaves, such as Christmas, the Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost and the Assumption, for example, but today we only keep two Octaves, those of Christmas and Easter. It fascinates me to see how we, as Christians, spend time celebrating and enjoying festal seasons, while the world around us moves on very quickly and soon forgets that Easter or even Christmas ever was. All that seems to matter is the commercial aspect of the feast and not that we should celebrate or meditate on the great mystery that we commemorate. It’s only Lent that seems to escape commercialisation, with the sole exception of hot cross buns., which, of course, are now available in our supermarkets all the year round.
​Today, then, Monday in the Second Week of Easter and we begin reading John’s Gospel at Mass each day, those sections that were probably not read during Lent. We start at Chapter 3, verses 1 to 8, the visit of Nicodemus to Jesus. “There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.’“ Nicodemus will reappear with Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion, when they ask Pilate for permission to bury the body of Jesus. Here we learn that he is a Pharisee and a leading Jew and obviously a secret admirer of Jesus, recognising him to be a teacher, a rabbi, come from God. Jesus replies, “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Although our translation has “born from above”, the Greek word can also be translated as “born again.” This accounts for Nicodemus’ answer, “How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Is it possible to be born a second time?
​
​Jesus’ reply is similar to teaching we will hear many times from his lips in the course of the Gospel. “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.” We all need to be born again of water and the spirit if we are to enter into the kingdom of God. We need to be born of the Spirit. Although that happened with most of us when we were baptised as children or when, later in life, we asked for baptism or confirmation, nevertheless it’s a decision we have to make every day. asking the Lord anew each day to anoint us and fill us with his Spirit. We need to be born of the Spirit anew at each moment of our lives. We need to ask ourselves how often, consciously, do we ask the Lord to anoint and guide us with his Holy Spirit, to strengthen and heal us with his Spirit. Today’s Gospel invites us to renew our lives as disciples through a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit on each one of us.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
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.
