Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 26th August 2023
Abbot Paul • August 25, 2023
Conscious of my own sins and shortcomings, I always find it difficult to accuse others of theirs, especially our political leaders and others. However, it’s the fashion of the age, fuelled by the media, to tear others to pieces, even in the Church. I find it particularly upsetting when people criticise the Holy Father, Pope Francis. On whose authority do these people speak? Are they guided by the Holy Spirit, more so than the Holy Father himself? Often there is arrogance, pride and sheer viciousness combined in what they say and in how they say it. Do they think they are doing the Lord a service by sowing division and fermenting hatred in his Church? What makes them so sure that they’re right and the Successor off Peter is wrong? Jesus disliked hypocrisy and often spoke out against it, especially in the scribes and Pharisees. We find him talking about it in today’s Gospel from Matthew, (Mt 23: 1-12).
“Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’”
​At no time does Jesus say that his disciples or the people in general should disobey the teaching of the religious leaders of his day. They are to follow their teaching but not their example, for they do not practise what they teach others. Jesus criticises their ostentatious and pretentious ways, always seeking the privileges that derive from their position in society. They lack humility and a generous spirit, what we might call a pastoral spirit, that would help others come closer to God by keeping the Law. So keen are they on the title of Rabbi that Jesus tells his disciples that they must never allow ordinary folk to call them by that name, or by the title of father. Their duty should be to lead others to God and not to themselves. His disciples and followers in general are to act like servants, giving themselves to others freely and lovingly. Humility alone and not self-exaltation can lead others to God and to life with God in Christ, now and for eternity.
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.
