Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 7th May
Abbot Paul • May 6, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 7th May 2022
I’m glad to hear you were able to receive my message yesterday. At the moment, I’m not quite sure how things are going to work out today. At Heathrow, I was shocked, though I shouldn’t have been, having seen it in pre-Covid days, to see holidaymakers in large numbers cheek by jowl drinking pints and chasers well before 6am. In Madrid it was rather different with compulsory masks everywhere and a Covid passport obligatory for entry. It was my first trip abroad since Brexit and so my first experience of non-EU passport control. I thought I’d never get through, until a kind guard took pity on a distressed, aged foreigner and whisked me near the front of a queue of what looked like thousands. The crush reminded me of what the Last Day might look like! I was amazed to have my passport stamped as though l came from Nicaragua or Benin. The bus ride to Burgos, masks compulsory although there we less than a dozen passengers, was delightful with splendid views over the Spanish altiplano. I was surprised to see snow still on the mountains north of Madrid. Two nuns were at the bus station to meet me. It was good to see them. Astonishingly, the Spanish government now insists on a full security check for people visiting Las Huelgas, such is the historic and artistic importance and national patrimony of this Cistercian monastery.
As I intimated yesterday, in today’s Gospel from John, (Jn 6: 60-69), we hear the reaction of his followers and disciples to the discourse on the Bread of Life. Many say, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it.” It was certainly unexpected and unusual language for sure. Jesus says that his words are spirit and life, even so there are those who cannot accept them. As a result of this discourse, John tells us that, “many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.” Jesus then turns to the Twelve. “ What about you, do you want to leave me too?” It’s Simon Peter who replies in the name of the Twelve. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” In other words, who else Is there on this earth that we can go to? “You alone have the message of eternal life, and we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” How often have I repeated these words of Peter, especially at those times in my life when I’ve been tempted to walk away. Lord, who else is there but you? Lord, to whom shall we go? They’ve always brought me through, thank 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.
