Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 22nd May
Abbot Paul • May 22, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 22nd May 2022
Yesterday was a busy day, to say the least, but, although it was a beautifully sunny day here in Herefordshire, there was no opportunity to go out and take a walk after Toby’s 9am slot. Fortunately, another monk kindly went out with hm a few times. It was good to go with him again in the cool of the evening on his last walk of the day. His capacity for exercise and sleep never ceases to amaze me. There’s a lot to be said for a dog’s life!
During Eastertide we read from John’s Gospel every day, other than for the feasts and solemnities of saints. I wish the lectionary didn’t jump backwards and forwards from Sundays to weekdays. Having read chapter 15 last week, we return to chapter 14 today, (Jn 14: 23-29), a reading we discussed recently. I’ll try not to repeat myself, though it will be difficult. Jesus loves challenging his disciples and, when he does that, he is challenging us as well. In fact, if the Gospel does not cause us to have a crisis of faith, then we are reading it superficially and not as the word of God, which always confronts our half-heartedness and lukewarm, lethargic faith. Please don’t think I’m pointing my finger at you, I am simply pointing it at myself. Just reflect on such a saying of Jesus as, “Those who do not love me, do not keep my words.” Now, these come after he has said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.” I often think that what Jesus is offering us and the Father is willing to give us is too much for our minds to grasp. Realising that another human loves us is difficult enough to accept and understand, but to be told by Jesus that he and the Father want to make their home in us and abide in us, is just too much to take on board, yet there it is in black and white on the page of the Gospel and they are the words of Jesus, given him by the Father.
Then Jesus promises his disciples the Paraclete, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen our faith and give us understanding and with that understanding the grace to do what God asks of us. We have all received the Holy Spirit, and in each Sacrament, which the Spirit makes possible, together with Christ we receive the Spirit. How could the Father and the Son abide in us if not through the Spirit? Together with the Spirit, we are given the gift of Christ’s peace:
“Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
This is the peace that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and souls, thus transforming our whole life. If God abides in us, then why should our hearts be troubled or afraid? Lord, help us to believe your word and trust in you. Renew our lives through the gift of your Spirit. Amen.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. 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.
