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.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. 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.
