Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 7th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 6, 2023
Having celebrated the Solemnity of the Epiphany yesterday, we have but two days of Epiphanytide before being plunged into the inappropriately designated Ordinary Time on Monday. For a feast that is so important, the Epiphany should either have retained its Octave, and the same goes for Pentecost, or we should have continued referring to the weeks between now and Lent as the Sundays after the Epiphany, so as to have a proper point of reference. Life is difficult enough, and at times extremely boring, without have to put up with the abomination of Ordinary Time. Forgive the rant, it’s been a long day and I feel strongly about it!
Our Gospel passage today takes us to Matthew, (Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25), where we find that John the Baptist has been arrested and Jesus is back in Galilee. However, he has moved now from Nazareth to Capernaum, “a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali.” This town will become the centre of his activity, as prophesied by Isaiah:
“Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
These words remind us of the Epiphany and that Jesus is the Light of the world. Wherever he goes he brings the light of God’s grace and the hope of salvation. In fact, this is the moment in which he begins his own preaching with the message, similar to that of John, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” Jesus preaches a Gospel of repentance, preparing his hearers for the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew then gives us a summary of the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry.
“He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania.”
We note how Jesus travelled throughout the whole of Galilee, often in hostile territory, always beginning in the local synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and healing the sick and those in any need. He quickly becomes famous and large crowds begin to follow him round, crowds that arrive from well beyond Galilee. It’s clear that he is going to need the help of disciples and, eventually, apostles. The Gospel story is about to begin.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
