Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday - 14th January 2024
Abbot Paul • January 13, 2024
Although we have begun the Year of Mark, today’s Gospel is taken from John, (Jn 1: 35-42), and it’s a text I commented on a few days’ ago, the calling of the first disciples according to the Johannine tradition. I find it particularly encouraging that the Church has never attempted to suppress traditions and texts that don’t always coincide. I think it might be best and a welcome change were I to say a few words about the first reading of today’s Mass, which is taken from the First Book of Samuel, (1 Sam 3: 3-10, 19).
It’s the lovely story of the boy Samuel in the Temple. You will recall that Samuel is the son of Hannah, wife of Elkanah, who was barren but then granted a child for her perseverance in prayer and her many tears. As her first born son, she offered him to God for service in the Temple, God’s most precious gift she gave back to him in thanksgiving for his loving kindness. “Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord, where the ark of God was, when the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down.” This happens three times. On the third occasion we are told, “Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” The next time he hears the voice calling, Samuel knows what to do and does it at once. He’s learned his little prayer by heart. “The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.”
​This account of the call of Samuel teaches us important lessons: first of all, that God calls the young as well as the old, that age, learning, knowledge and physical strength are of little significance for God, as he is the giver of all gifts and he will prepare those he has called for the work they must do. Secondly, that God calls us by name, he knows our name, he knows who we are, he knows us through and through. There is no need to fear God or to be ashamed of ourselves. He knows all there is to know about us and more than we know ourselves. Thirdly, that there are many prayers in the Bible for us to learn and use. What better prayer can there be than to say to God, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”? But, of course, that beggars the question, ‘Am I listening to God?’ When I pray, am I so intent on speaking, on telling God things or asking for them, that I fail to keep silent and receptive, so that I fail to hear his voice speaking to me? Lord, teach me the prayer of silence, teach me to listen with the ears of my heart. Fourth but not least, do I take advice from my elders or from those who have more experience than I have? Samuel followed Eli’s instructions; whose instructions do I follow? Lord, make me docile to your word and teach me the way of life. Amen.
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.
