Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 22nd January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 22, 2023
Today is the Sunday within the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity, so I know that Masses, Liturgies and Services will be held in churches and chapels all over the world for this intention, and Belmont is no exception. We are all praying for unity, just as we long for it and work seriously towards it, even if at times is seems an impossible task. One of the positive things we can do is to thank God for the unity we already share in Christ and for the many things we now do together which we once did apart. When I was a boy, we weren’t even allowed to say the Lord’s Prayer with other Christians, treating them as though they were pagans or worse. We have moved on leaps and bounds since then, due in great part to the Week of Prayer.
Our Gospel today, which comes from Matthew, (Mt 4: 12-23), explains to us the move from Nazareth to Capernaum, the preaching of Jesus and the call of the first four disciples, Andrew and Peter, James and John, all four of them fishermen, to whom Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew sees in the move to Capernaum the fulfilment of the prophecy of 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.’
The preaching of Jesus echoes that of John the Baptist, but there is a great difference. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, the Word made flesh. He embodies the kingdom of heaven that he proclaims. Where Jesus is, there is the kingdom.
The calling of the disciples is as radical as it is dramatic. Both sets of brothers are at their daily work, Peter and Andrew fishing, James and John mending nets with their father Zebedee. With not so much as a Good Morning, Jesus simply says, “Follow me.” They stop working, they leave their boats and their nets and the old man Zebedee and simply follow Jesus. This really is obedience without delay, not an easy or realistic example to follow, but is does make us reconsider our own following of Jesus and whether it is truly radical enough. Matthew then gives a summary of the ministry of Jesus from that moment on. “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.” As we are often reminded, Jesus himself is the Good News and where Jesus is, there is the kingdom.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.