Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 21st January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 21, 2023
Today’s Gospel passage is very short, one of the shortest in fact, just two verses from Mark, (Mk 3: 20-21). Here they are. “Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.”
Where was the home of Jesus? By this stage his centre of activity had become Capernaum, so this is the home Mark refers to. We know that crowds followed him wherever he went and that it was difficult, if not impossible, for Jesus and his companions to have any time to themselves. Mark emphasises this fact by telling us that they didn’t even have time to take a meal, so great were the crowds at the door.
Mark isn’t one for beating around the bush. He invariably tells it straight. His relatives thought that Jesus was out of his mind. Even Mary, who had so much to ponder in her heart, must have been mystified at this stage, but neither she nor Joseph are mentioned by name. Mark simply speaks of relatives. We are not told of the outcome of this visit, but it’s clear that they were unsuccessful in their attempt to take charge of him, for Jesus continues his mission uninterrupted. Jesus, like many young people, was not understood by his own family and was often misunderstood by his disciples. Little wonder we often find him difficult to understand!
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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.
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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.
