Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 22nd October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 21, 2023
We are now two thirds of the way though the month of October and soon it will be Halloween, All Saints and All Souls. Next week the monastic community will be on retreat, which will be led by the Abbot of Quarr, Dom Xavier Perrin. We ask for your prayers, that we may all grow in faith and in the love of God and of the brethren as a result of our retreat. It will also be an opportunity for us to pray for you.
Much of the Gospel is composed of arguments between Jesus and his adversaries, especially the Pharisees and scribes or doctors of the law. It appears that they were always out to trick him, hoping to catch him out, trapping him with some statement or other that would prove him to be an enemy of the state or of the Jewish religion as they saw it. In the end, of course, he was arrested, tired and put to death and we know what happened subsequently. We see this as God’s plan for the redemption of creation, that we were redeemed, saved and reconciled with the Father through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross.
​Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew (Mt 22: 15-21) and records a discussion Jesus had with his enemies on the question of paying taxes. The passage begins by explaining their intentions: “The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians.” They are not really interested in what Jesus has to say. All they want is to get him embroiled in an argument from which he cannot backtrack. They begin by attempting to ingratiate themselves to him with false compliments. “Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you.” There can be no doubt about the truth of that statement, but it’s not what they believe. The devil can speak the truth! Their words reveal their hypocrisy.
Then they ask, “Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus could see this coming and is aware of their malice and hypocrisy. “You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.” They set him a trap, now he gets the better of them with an answer they have no reply to, an enigmatic answer that leaves them speechless. “They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’” The traditional translation has, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Does Jesus really think they should pay taxes to such a corrupt and immoral emperor as Caesar Tiberius? I very much doubt it, but he leaves us much more to think about. These words aren’t just meant for the Pharisees and their friends, but for the disciples and for us. How do Jesus’ word affect me? When I see tax payers’ money squandered by governments throughout the world, how do I react? This short Gospel passage invites us to reflect on much more than a simple argument between Jesus and the Pharisees.
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.
