Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 23rd November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 22, 2023
I must say that since I returned from the Benedictine superiors’ meeting at Ampleforth, I’ve scarcely had time to breathe: it’s been one thing after the other, with a fair amount of driving involved as well, mostly pastoral work, Masses and meetings. Today I will be meeting up with two retired abbots, good friends, for lunch and a heart to heart not far from Oxford. I hope the weather is good. I am looking forward to retiring myself at the end of April and just becoming a simple parish priest. Today we keep the feast of St Columban, the great Irish monk and missionary. May he pray for us all.
Today’s short Gospel reading from Luke (Lk 19: 41-44) takes us a stage further in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem after he leaves Jericho. It’s the moving account of Jesus weeping over the Holy City. “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city, he shed tears over it.” Although Jesus is often moved to compassion at the sight of human suffering and pain, only rarely does he cry in sorrow or anguish. He says, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes!” Jesus is aware that he is coming to Jerusalem for the last time. Here he will find total rejection by both Jewish and Roman authorities. He will be arrested, tried, condemned and put to death. He who is the Truth, our Life and our Peace, will be rejected. He is also aware of the destruction to come, for he continues, “Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!” We know that the Roman army invaded and destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70AD, almost 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The opportunity that God is offering Jerusalem is the presence of Jesus himself, who comes to reconcile all people with God, thus establishing the peace of God’s kingdom. If only Jesus could bring about reconciliation between Israel and Palestine today. If only he were given a chance.
​This passage prompts us to ask ourselves a number of important questions. Do we weep over the state of the world today? I’m thinking only of vital questions on climate change, the environment and ecology, and those of human rights and racism. I think of the many places ravaged by terrorism and war, hatred and the desire for revenge. I also think of the spiritual state of the world and of our nation, where people ignore or reject God or reduce him to a seasonal commodity. In Jesus, God is visiting his people: in what way does he visit me? Am I willing to receive him?
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.
