Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 12th August

Abbot Paul • August 11, 2021


Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 11th August 2021

 

           Forgiveness lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. The name Jesus means “he who saves his people from their sins” and Jesus died on the Cross precisely for that reason, so that our sins might be forgiven. In the Lord’s Prayer, he taught his disciples to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The main theme of Matthew’s Gospel chapter 18 is the forgiveness of sins and offences within the Christian community. The parable contained in today’s reading, (Mt 18: 21 – 19:1), ends with this comment from Jesus: “That is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.” Nothing could be clearer, and yet Jesus needs a parable in order to get his message across to his disciples. In fact, the passage begins with a question about forgiveness. “Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’” The answer to that question of Peter is ALWAYS, but even that is not enough for Jesus. Our constant disposition should be that of someone who, like Jesus, lives to forgive others their sins.

 

           The parable itself, which is quite long, tells the story of a king, who having forgiven the large debt of one of his servants comes to hear that the same servant has not forgiven the small debt of a fellow servant. It begins: “And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants.” Needless to say, the king is angered by the behaviour of the unjust servant He says to that servant, “You wicked servant, I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” It’s really a parable based on God’s desire that we, his children, should be just, merciful and holy as he, our heavenly Father, is just, merciful and holy, and that we should be forgiving as he himself is forgiving. A child of God follows the example of a loving Father.

 

           Lord, help us to forgive our neighbour, just as you have forgiven us in Christ. Amen.

 

 

 


By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 24, 2025
New Title
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 21, 2025
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)
By Abbot Paul April 21, 2025
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.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 20, 2025
"He is not here, for he is risen." Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 20, 2025
"This is the night." Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 13, 2025
The Passion According to St Luke: Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas March 21, 2025
Abbot Brendan's homily for the Passing, the "Transitus" of St Benedict
By Abbot Brendan Thomas March 12, 2025
We look forward to welcoming the Community of St Gregory's
More Posts