Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 7th August
Abbot Paul • August 6, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 7th August 2022
Today we have a long Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 12: 32-48), so I hope that those who have to preach will keep their sermons short, although it’s surprising at times how much we can talk! The parables that follow really serve to explain what Jesus says in his introduction. “There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” It is really important for us to learn that our Father in heaven wants to give us the kingdom and that, in Christ, he has already done so, even if we find that hard to believe or to recognise in our lives. There is a condition though, and it's the same condition as for following Jesus. We are to put Christ first, give away or sell the treasures we have already accumulated on earth, and seek treasure in heaven, that is the virtues that will make us holy: obedience, humility, generosity, charity, patience, and so on.
There follows a parable. “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” This is similar to all the apocalyptic passages we find in the Gospels, that emphasise above all being ready for the Master’s return when he comes home from a marriage feast, the Resurrection and Ascension perhaps. Servants find joy in always being prepared for their master’s return. How many parables can you think of with this theme? When he comes, the roles will be reversed and he will serve them, even to the extent of putting on an apron, the sign of a servant or slave. It would appear, at this stage, that two parables have been joined together, for he begins to talk of a householder being vigilant lest a burglar come and rob his home. It almost sounds as though we were already at end of the year rather than in the blazing heat of an unusual British Summer. Vigilance and duty always go hand in hand in the Christian life and help us build up treasure in heaven in the sight of God.
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.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
