Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 29th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 29, 2023
I’m writing this message sitting in an Airbus 220-300 belonging to Air France. Having sat in it for over an hour at Charles de Gaulle airport, waiting for the weather to improve, we are now at a standstill again, but not far from the runway. It’s been an interesting day, to say the least.
Today we keep the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany, the friends of Jesus. You can read all about them in John’s Gospel. The specific passage for today’s feast is taken from the account of the Raising of Lazarus, (Jn 11: 19-27). I’m not able to reproduce it at the moment, but you will remember the account that is often read at funerals. It centers on Martha’s proclamation of faith in Jesus and in the resurrection, a declaration that will be echoed by Mary. “I know that he will rise again on the last day.” These are Martha’s words, to which Jesus replies, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Martha listens closely to his words, so that when Jesus asks her if this is what she believes, she replies, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.” In Christ alone is life, for he is the very source of life, that not even death can take away from us. Based on this faith, Jesus raised Lazarus to life again. If this is our faith, we too in Christ will rise to eternal life.
It’s been a bumpy flight, and we are now descending into Milan Linate, the city centre airport. I only have two distant shots of Paris and one of Milan to share with you today. We’re overflying Lugano at the moment and we’ll be arriving just an hour late. It could have been much worse!
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.
