Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 21st September 2023
Abbot Paul • September 20, 2023
Yesterday morning I returned from Paris to Belmont, an easy journey apart from the heavy rain between Birmingham Airport and Hereford. Of course, I got soaked to the skin walking from the terminal to the car park, so a change of clothing was called for before the drive back. The weather in Paris was perfect, dry and sunny, in fact, heavenly. I loved walking in the streets around the monastery, just for a moment’s exercise before or after meeting sessions.
Today is the feast of the apostle and evangelist, St Matthew, author of the Gospel from which our passage is taken (Mt 9: 9-13). His is a particularly well-ordered narrative that likes to link the life of Jesus with the prophecies of the Old Testament. Today we read of how Matthew came to be called by Jesus. “As Jesus was walking on, he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” Matthew, it appears, was a tax collector, regarded as unclean by the strictest of the Pharisee sect. However, his name means “gift of God,” so Jesus sees even a sinner given him by God to be capable of discipleship. Just like the first four disciples to be called, the four fishermen, Jesus calls Matthew while he is at work by the customs house. All he has to say is, “Follow me,” and Matthew gets up and follows him. Matthew is an example to us all. How obedient are we when Jesus calls us? Have you ever thought what you might do were Jesus to turn up today and say, “Follow me”?
“While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” The way Jesus behaves angers the Pharisees. Why does he befriend sinners, even having supper with them and being entertained in their houses? But Jesus overhears their criticism and says, “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And, indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.” How wonderfully consoling are these words of Jesus for all of us. “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.” He recalls the words of the prophet Hosea, that God looks for mercy above all else; he is a God who forgives sinners and longs for their repentance and conversion. It’s a real smack in the eye for the Pharisees when he concludes by saying, “Indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.” However, for us, these are words of hope, consolation and rejoicing. So many people are convinced that God hates them or won’t forgive them their sins, but no sin is too great for God to forgive and no sinner is truly incapable of repentance and new life. Lord, forgive us our sins, heal our souls and fill us with your love, Amen.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.