Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 5th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 4, 2023
Sunday tends to be a rather busy day for me with little chance of a moment’s rest. This has become even more the case since I took on the pastoral care of the parishes of Leominster and Bromyard two months’ ago. It also means driving in all weathers and trying to fit everything in, including my monastic duties with the brethren and caring for Toby, my faithful companion. In addition to the usual three celebrations of Mass and a few sick visits, tomorrow will also include an ecumenical remembrance service at Leominster Cemetery for the Polish soldiers buried there. It will, of course, be a great honour and privilege to take part and I commend our departed brethren to your loving intercession. We must never underestimate the Polish military contribution to the British war effort during the Second World War.
​In today’s Gospel (Mt 23: 1-12) Jesus openly criticises the scribes and Pharisees. This can only lead to trouble, but Jesus is not afraid. These are his words, “The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they!” The accusation is one of hypocrisy and of imposing exaggerated and unnecessary burdens on the backs of their followers. He also criticises them for their love of attention and adulation, the fact that they insist that people honour them and call them Rabbi (Teacher). He then goes on to warn his disciples, “You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ.” No one should put himself in God’s place, usurping his authority, but recognise that all we have, all we teach and all we are comes from God as his free gift. We have no right to be called by names that should be given to God alone.
However, we do use these words, but only in the sense that people represent a higher authority. Because I’m a priest, people usually call me father, but that’s only a courtesy title, so to speak. Everyone knows that God is really our Father and that I am no more than a servant. That fact leads us on to the final words of Jesus in today’s Gospel and these words apply to us all. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” We must never pretend or presume to be more than what or who we are; we should rejoice that God has called us to work alongside him, whether as parents or priests, or in whatever position we have been called to serve and nurture his people. That very fact should be enough for us, to know that we are doing God’s work for his glory and not ours.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. 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.
