Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 11th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 11, 2023
The internet appears not to be working at the moment. Not sure why, but it could be the rain that’s falling on Lima this evening. It began as we processed into Vespers. I can’t exaggerate how unusual this is, as they say that in Lima it never rains. Nevertheless, for the past four or five days there have been torrential rains in the north of the country, with many roads and bridges washed away, including some very important ones, so cities like Piura and Talara can no longer be reached. Smaller towns and villages are in dire straits as no one was prepared for the severe flooding caused by the Niño current. Please pray for the poor people, as it’s impossible to get help to many of them. The Peruvian people are long suffering and resilient. Please keep them in your prayers. If by any chance, I can’t get this to you for tomorrow, you’ll know why when you eventually read it.
Today’s Gospel is that of the Prodigal Son, that we find in Luke, (Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32), one of three parables used together by Jesus to explore and explain the accusation of the scribes and Pharisees that, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” I won’t repeat the parable, that we all know so well. The question is whether it answers the accusation. The important figure is the father rather than the younger son, who is obviously the most colourful of the three characters and the one most people focus on. He has become a proverbial figure, perhaps because most of us are or have been like him at sometime in our lives. Even Jesus becomes the prodigal son, when he takes our sins upon himself, and through his death and resurrection enables the Father to forgive them. Jesus becomes the friend of sinners in order to seek the Father’s forgiveness and reconciliation. The scribes and Pharisees are like the older son, the good and obedient one, yet the one who is unable to forgive and be reconciled with his repentant younger brother. Will he ever learn the art of forgiveness from his father? The parable teaches us that God is merciful and forgiving, wanting only the return of sinners to his loving arms. God is mercy, God is love, a lesson we all need to remember.
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.
