Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 23rd March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 22, 2023
Yesterday’s Gospel ended with these words of Jesus. “My aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’ Jesus is speaking with the religious authorities of his day, who are angry that he calls himself Son of God, thus making himself equal with God. Jesus insists that he has been sent by the Father, to carry out the Father’s plan for the salvation of humanity and that his aim is not to do his own will, but the Father’s will. In today’s Gospel from John, (Jn 5: 31-47), the argument continues. Jesus’ constant point of reference is the Father, the Father who witnesses to the Son. In fact, Jesus says, “Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid; but there is another witness who can speak on my behalf, and I know that his testimony is valid.” His hearers, who are his enemies, are not going to accept what he says, but the Gospel has been written to make sure that we, his disciples, do accept his word and his teaching.
​Jesus compares himself with John the Baptist, whom many took to be the Messiah.
“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.”
John himself said something very similar, that whereas he baptised with water as a sign of repentance, Jesus would baptise with fire and the Holy Spirit, actually forgiving sin and filling those who are forgiven with the grace of the Spirit, God’s own life. In other words, there is no comparison. Jesus goes on to say that not only the Father gives testimony to him but the Scriptures too. “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!” It always saddens me when people reject the love of Jesus and fail to believe in him. Their loss is irreplaceable. So many people today have given up on faith in Jesus Christ, for all sorts of reasons, often on account of indifference or relativism. To them Jesus says, “You have no love of God in you. I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me.” Let us pray for ourselves, that we might always accept him, and for those who are lapsed, that they might return to him.
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.
