Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 28th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 28, 2023
​The bitterly cold weather seems to be improving and becoming more springlike and the dawn chorus these past two days certainly gives the impression that Spring is on its way. The snowdrops are now accompanied by primroses and daffodils and there’s a feeling of hope in the air. The days are lengthening and you get a sense of light at the end of the tunnel. Toby really enjoys going out for his walks, particularly if there are canine friends to walk and play with. Next week we’ll celebrate the last of the Christmas feasts, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple or the Purification of Our lady, also known as Candlemas, and we’re already planning our Lenten parish programme.
​Today we keep the feast of St Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican philosopher and theologian, the saint who wrote the beautiful texts for the feast of Corpus Christi. We commend to his intercession all those who are studying or teaching philosophy and theology, as well as the Synod process that is taking place all over the world. May his writings and prayers illumine our deliberations.
​Today’s Gospel from Mark, (Mk 4: 35-41), sees Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee for the first time with his disciples. I wonder how many times he’d crossed previously. “With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him.” It’s not said how far they were planning to go or even their destination. Was it just to get away from the crowds for some well-earned peace and quiet? It looks as though they took nothing with them and there was more than one boat. But things didn’t go to plan. Jesus was in the stern fast asleep, leaving the sailing to others. He was a carpenter, not a sailor. A gale begins to blow. “Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’”
The boats were small and precarious in bad weather. The disciples are frightened and wake Jesus, hoping he has the solution to get them out of danger. They’re looking for a miracle and a miracle takes place. “And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’” Jesus rebukes the wind just as he rebuked the unclean spirits of those who were possessed. He questions the faith of his disciples that has proved lacking. If they really believed he was the Messiah, then fear of the elements should have no place in their lives. The calming of the storm causes them to ask each other. “Who can this be?” Can we think of events in our own lives that have led us to ask the same question?
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.
