Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 4th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 3, 2023
One of the great joys of Autumn is to see the vast number and variety of fungi in the grounds at Belmont. They never cease to amaze me. If only wish I knew which were edible and which not. I can remember, as a boy, being taken by my Italian grandmother and my unt into the woods to collect fungi, wild asparagus, thistles, nuts and salad leaves and returning home with reed baskets almost too heavy to carry. What feasts lay in store for us!
Today’s Gospel reading from Luke (Lk 14:1, 7-11) continues yesterday’s account of a meal at the house of a leading Pharisee. It’s the Sabbath and Jesus has been invited. There was no reaction from the Pharisees when Jesus healed a man with the dropsy. They kept silent, but now Jesus has something to say, an observation to make, on what he has seen at table. “He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour.” As a guest, Jesus would have been invited to address those present, just as he was often invited to speak in the synagogue. This is what he says, “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.”
Although Luke calls it a parable, it’s really just simple comparison, the only difference being the mention of a wedding feast. Jesus is referring directly to the meal they have all been invited to. It would appear that all he wishes to do is to save people embarrassment caused by their own unthinking behaviour, but he goes further. He continues, “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.” Jesus’ wish is that people don’t make fools of themselves by assuming that they can sit automatically in the best seats. It’s what these guests have done in the Pharisee’s house and at his table that is the true parable. Jesus ends with one of his famous sayings, the one about humility and exaltation. Surely, it’s up to God to decide where we will sit in the kingdom of heaven and not for us to rush and grab the best places. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lord, teach us to be humble and unpretentious, following your example. Take from us all pride and presumption. Open our hearts to receive the gifts you have prepared for us, which are not ours by right or merit but through your love and generosity. Amen.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
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9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.