Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday - 13th April 2024
Abbot Paul • April 13, 2024
It was a great joy to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Edward Harley CBE and Mrs Harley to Belmont yesterday afternoon, as one of our parishioners, Louise Wright, was presented with her British Empire Medal (BEM) on behalf of King Charles. It was a beautiful ceremony and the abbey church was packed with dignitaries, family, friends and parishioners. We congratulate Louise who, supported by her husband Andrew, has done so much to foster business and countless charitable enterprises from her early youth until now locally in Herefordshire and beyond. May the Lord also bless her with good health as she recovers from major surgery and chemotherapy.
Today’s Gospel passage from John, (Jn 6: 15-21), follows on from the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish that we read yesterday. Jesus, as we know, fled further up the mountain at the reaction of the crowd, whilst the disciples headed for Capernaum. We read, “In the evening the disciples went down to the shore of the lake and got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the lake. It was getting dark by now and Jesus had still not rejoined them.” We can wonder why it is they set out for Capernaum without Jesus. Still, they were probably keen to get back home and the trip wouldn’t take that long. A typical image in John is that of darkness or night when Jesus is not with his disciples. Nevertheless, they set off, only to find the wind getting stronger and the sea becoming rough. It is then that they see Jesus. “They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming towards the boat. This frightened them, but he said, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ They were for taking him into the boat, but in no time, it reached the shore at the place they were making for.” If it’s dark and the sea is rough, how do they manage to see Jesus and recognise him? This reminds us of the Exodus and of how the Hebrew people were guided across the desert towards the Promised Land, “a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” He is walking towards the boat and, sensing their fear, says, “It is I.” Again, this reminds us of the name revealed by God to Moses at the Burning Bush, “I am who I am.” In the Old Testament, it is also God who constantly tells his people, “Do not be afraid. Fear not.” Even before they come to a decision on whether to take Jesus on board or not, they reach the place they are making for. They must have been amazed at what had happened that night. I wonder how we would have coped, had we been one of the disciples.
Lord, even when the going gets tough and we are afraid, be with us on our life’s journey and keep us safe from all harm. Lead us to our final destination to be with you for ever in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.
