Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 20th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 20, 2022
Anyone walking around the gardens at Belmont in the past few weeks will have noticed that St Michael’s star and sword were missing. They were, in fact, being renovated and regilded. Yesterday, in a simple ceremony, they were returned to the patron of Belmont Abbey and now shine gloriously in the bright autumn sunlight. I attach a few photographs to this message. Taking advantage of the hire of a cherry picker, our head gardener and maintenance manager, Mr Elwyn Williams, did the job. We concluded by reciting together the prayer to St Michael.
Our Gospel passage today is somewhat disconcerting, but we must bear in mind that Jesus was contemplating his own Passion, Death and Resurrection while warning his disciples of one of the unfortunate consequences of faithful discipleship. The text is taken from Luke, (Lk 12: 49-53). Jesus begins by telling them, “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!” The baptism he has to receive is the death that leads to life, not only for himself but for all those who will come to believe in him. All four Gospels attest to the anguish and distress this caused Jesus as he suffered in the flesh. The fire he is to bring on earth is the fire of repentance, conversion, faith and baptism that will radically change the world and usher in the kingdom of God, the fruit of Pentecost to be brought about by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Next comes the enigmatic statement that describes divisions in the family and in society caused by allegiance to the faith and the faithful following of Jesus. “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” These words of Jesus not only reflect his own experience on earth but also that of the apostles and their contemporaries, the first generation of Christians. Sadly, it also reflects the experience of Christians through the ages. The faith that should and could unite us often divides us, and not just into denominations or ecclesial bodies. Think of divisions within the Church, brought about by theological, liturgical or political viewpoints or the way we see marriage and divorce, human sexuality and gender issues, and so much more that seems to divide us, often leading the hatred and sectarianism. In the heart of the Church, we continue to pray for unity and fraternal charity, that in Christ we might all be one.
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.
