Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday - 14th March 2024
Abbot Paul • March 13, 2024
I appear to have a heavy cold at the moment, possibly made worse by that long walk on the beach with Toby and our frequent walks in the rain at Belmont. At first, I confused it with hay fever, which also affected me badly at the beginning of February, To relieve my chest a little, I am drinking a fiery hot ginger and honey drink, into which I put more honey and, as I get closer to bedtime, a tot or two of something stronger and possibly more medicinal. I hope it passes quickly.
​​Today’s Gospel passage is the continuation of yesterday’s reading. Jesus continues his response to “the Jews” as to his true identity, but here in John 5: 31-47 he also speaks about John the Baptist, as religious leaders were still perplexed as to his identity too. “John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.”
​​ ​ But my testimony is greater than John’s:
The works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.”
When John was questioned as to his identity, he simply gave testimony for himself. However, Jesus says that when he gives testimony as to who he is and what he does, then it is the Father who bears witness to Jesus as Son and Messiah. Not only the Father, but also the Scriptures bear witness to Jesus.
​​ ​ “You study the scriptures,
​ believing that in them you have eternal life;
​ now these same scriptures testify to me,
​ and yet you refuse to come to me for life!”
In fact, he goes further:
​​​ “I have come in the name of my Father
and you refuse to accept me;
if someone else comes in his own name
you will accept him.
How can you believe,
since you look to one another for approval
and are not concerned
with the approval that comes from the one God?”
​It’s quite clear that he sees no hope of faith in his enemies; they are far from conversion and belief; they are far from the scriptures and from God.
​​We pray today that our faith may grow deeper and become more robust as we continue on our Lenten journey towards Holy Week and Easter. We walk in the company of Jesus; he is our guide and he speaks to our hearts. In him may we discover and adore the fulness of the mystery of God, the love which is the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
