Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 29th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 29, 2022
​It’s that time of year again, when we have to remember to turn back the clocks before going to bed, but things have got more complicated now that we have so many digital or apparently digital gadgets to deal with. Can you remember which ones change time automatically and which don’t? I certainly can’t, so always end up not really knowing, on the first day, what time it is.
​Our Gospel passage today, (Lk 14: 1, 7-11), recounts what happened when Jesus was invited for a meal at the house of one of the leading Pharisees. It was a sabbath day and they were watching him closely, but then he, too, was watching them closely. As they are waiting for the food to be served, Jesus entertains his fellow guests by telling them a parable. “He told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’” Jesus, who himself was God and yet took on our human nature and became man, could speak with experience of humility to his hearers, and especially to the Pharisees who frequented the house of one of their leaders. He could speak of the humility of God. All he asks of them is to be modest in their behaviour and not to seek the highest places, the places of privilege, authority and power. At the very least, they should wait patiently to see if they are invited to move higher. Jesus concludes with what has become a proverb among Christians and non-Christians alike. “The man who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” If this is how he wants them to behave amongst themselves, then how should we behave before God?
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.
