Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 18th February 2023
Abbot Paul • February 17, 2023
As on weekdays in Ordinary Time we read through the three Synoptic Gospels in turn, beginning with Mark, today we come to chapter 9, (Mk 9: 2-13), and the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. We will read Matthew’s account on the Second Sunday in Lent, just two weeks away, bearing in mind that this year Ash Wednesday will be kept on 22nd February. All three accounts of the Transfiguration are remarkably similar.
​Mark tells us that Jesus led three of his disciples, Peter, James and John, up a high mountain where they could be alone. These are the three closest to Jesus and accompany him, for example, on the night of his betrayal to the Garden of Gethsemane. Without any further introduction, we are told that Jesus was transfigured in their presence. Mark describes it like this. “His clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.” He describes the clothes but not the face of Jesus. Perhaps at this stage, they cannot look at his face for the brightness of his clothes. What else do they see? “Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.” Elijah and Moses, the Prophets and the Law, but how would they have recognised them? Even so, Peter has a bright idea. “Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened.” Mark comments rightly that when men are afraid, they have the tendency to say too much and often without thinking. It is not Jesus who replies, but the Father from heaven. “And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.” The cloud reminds us of the Exodus. The disciples can hear the Father’s voice, but they cannot see him. The voice of God declares Jesus to be his beloved Son, to whom the disciples should listen, for he now speaks with the authority of the Father. Just as suddenly as the cloud appeared, it disappears, and the disciples can see no one but only Jesus, for in Jesus they see the Law and the Prophets and hear the Father’s voice.
​As Jesus and the three come down from the mountain, Jesus warns them to tell no one what they have seen until after his resurrection. Although they obey his command, nevertheless they discuss among themselves what this rising from the dead might mean. They ask him about Elijah and the tradition that he would come before the Messiah. Jesus tells them that Elijah has already been among them and was badly treated. Was this John the Baptist, perhaps? Jesus now wants his disciples to focus on his passion and death, for which he has prepared them by allowing them to see his Transfiguration and thereby enter into the very mystery of God.
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.
