Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday - 11th April 2024
Abbot Paul • April 10, 2024
​One the most interesting and enigmatic figures of the New Testament is, without doubt, John the Baptist. He’s also one of the most attractive, if eccentric. After the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, that we have been reading this week, John moves on to recount a conversation between John the Baptist and his disciples. You will remember that he had denied that he was the Messiah, when leading priests and Levites went out from Jerusalem to question him. He told them that he was, “a voice crying in the wilderness,’ Prepare a way for the Lord.’” Now in conversation with his own disciples, he says the same thing, but also compares himself with the bridegroom’s friend, Jesus, the Messiah, being the bridegroom and his bride, the Church. In verses 28 to 30 of chapter 3 he says to his disciples, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”
Today we read what follows of that conversation in John, (Jn 3: 31-36).
“John the Baptist said to his disciples:
‘He who comes from above is above all others;
he who is born of the earth is earthly himself
and speaks in an earthly way.
He who comes from heaven
bears witness to the things he has seen and heard,
even if his testimony is not accepted;
though all who do accept his testimony
are attesting the truthfulness of God,
since he whom God has sent
speaks God’s own words:
God gives him the Spirit without reserve.
The Father loves the Son
and has entrusted everything to him.
Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,
but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life:
the anger of God stays on him.’”
What I find fascinating is that these could be the words of Jesus himself speaking to his own disciples. However, they form part of the Baptist’s testimony of Jesus, that he has come down from heaven and bears witness to what he has seen and heard from his heavenly Father, the truthfulness of God. That he possesses the fulness of the Holy Spirit and speaks God’s own word to his people, a word that brings salvation and eternal life. He repeats what Jesus said to Nicodemus, that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. These are powerful words of John the Baptist.
​However, the question that confronts us today is whether we accept the testimony of John the Baptist or, indeed, of Jesus himself. Can we step out in faith as did the first disciples? And what would we be prepared to do for that faith, bearing in mind that those first disciples, starting with John the Baptist all died a martyr’s death? Lord, show me what is lacking in my faith and grant me the grace to do something about it. 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.
