Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 10th July
Abbot Paul • July 9, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 10th July 2022
We tend to rush headlong into the miracles and parables of Jesus, often without taking too much notice of their context in the Gospel or in the life of Jesus. Luke helps us to read and understand what is being taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan, today’s Gospel passage from Luke (10: 25-37). The lawyer who asked Jesus that most important of all questions, “Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”, obviously knows the Law very well. He knows all the answers. In fact, he knows the answer to the question he asked Jesus so well, that all Jesus can say to him is, “You have answered right, do this and life is yours.” All he wished to do was to disconcert Jesus and detract from his teaching. The situation isn’t promising, and he wants to ask Jesus one more question. Jesus isn’t angry or displeased. He is always more than happy to explain his position, so he goes ahead and asks Jesus. In Jesus’ reply he gets far more than he bargained for. If you don’t really want to know of Jesus the answer to your question, then. it’s best not to ask the questions, for Jesus takes everyone seriously.
Jesus’ answer comes in the form of a delightful short story, what we call a parable. It starts well enough and sounds pretty convincing. “A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side.” Nothing is said about the brigands other than what they did to the traveller. We are not told why the priest and the Levite failed to come to the help of the victim. When a third traveller arrives on the scene, he turns out to be a Samaritan, someone hated and despised by the Jews, but he alone comes to the aid of the victim. “But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” You could say that this man is a perfect Christian, for he is the image of Christ, who comes to our help, the brigands who attacked us being our particular devils, temptations and sins. Jesus, our Good Samaritan, come with the oil of Baptism, Confirmation and Consecration, and with the Wine of the Eucharist. He forgives us our sins, bandaging up our wounds and taking us on his own mount to a place of refreshment and peace, where we will heal.
When Jesus asks the lawyer which of the three was a true neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of brigands, there is only one answer and he gets it right. Jesus tells him, “Go, and do the same yourself.” Did he capture the full teaching of Jesus, will he pay heed? We can only hazard a guess.
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.
