Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th March 2023

Yesterday was a busy day here in Peru and, as I begin to write this message, it’s not over yet. At the Conventual Mass, the organist and music teacher, who plays for the monks on Sundays, became a novice oblate of the monastery. Just as at Belmont and all other Benedictine monasteries, there is an active group of oblates under the pastoral care of Br Mario. It was good to meet with them afterwards. In Hereford, one of our parishioners, Clare Wichbold, was collated and installed as a lay canon of the chapter of Hereford Cathedral, a great privilege for Clare and an honour for Belmont and first Catholic since the Reformation. In Lurin we congratulate Br Manuel and in Hereford, Clare Canon Wichbold. Today the monks are having their monthly retreat day. I have been asked to give the conference, but I look forward to meeting with the external confessor, who will be hearing our confessions.

Today’s Gospel passage comes once more from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 6: 36-38), in which Jesus invites his disciples, and that means you and me, to “be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” We are not to judge or condemn others, but always pardon and treat them generously. We should be so generous as to give all we can to those who need our gifts. In fact, the more we give, the more we will receive. We should never forget that all we have and all we are has been given us by God.