Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 23rd January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 22, 2023
Jesus was often accused by the scribes, who were doctors of the law closely aligned with the Pharisees, of casting out devils and evil spirits by the power of the prince of devils or Beelzebul, as he was often called in Jesus’ day. This name derived from a Philistine god, who was also called the Lord of the flies or the Lord of filth. It was a pretty horrid way of criticising another religious authority, whom you hated and regarded as a rival or even an enemy. Matthew, (Mt 3:22-30), tells us that, “The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’”
Jesus patiently called them to himself in order to explain where his power to expel evil spirits came from. “So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand.’” What Jesus says is as clear as can be. A kingdom or a household divided against itself cannot stand, so he cannot be casting out evil spirits by the power of the prince of devils. Satan cannot be divided against himself. That would make no sense.
Jesus goes on to say something more important. Accusing him of casting out evil spirits by the power of Beelzebul is tantamount to blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, for they are refusing to recognise Jesus for who he really is, the Messiah, the Christ, the Incarnate Son of God. “’I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’”
All this took place two thousand years’ ago. We must pray that today people will recognise Jesus for who he is. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a good time to do this.
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.
