Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday - 30th May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 29, 2024
I’m sitting in the Aegean lounge at Thessaloniki Airport waiting for the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, where l will connect with another flight to Birmingham. Although feeling relaxed and rested after my brief visit here, I’m nevertheless filled with trepidation at the thought of clearing my old rooms at Belmont, storing things there and beginning a new life taking care of myself at Leominster and Bromyard. It will be a rather busy weekend to set out on that venture what with First Holy Communions in both parishes, but a clear mind and help from on high as well as from fantastic parishioners and friends will see me through, no doubt. I ended my stay in Thessaloniki by cooking lunch for my friends. I’m looking forward to cooking in my new home. Perhaps I should start taking orders!
Our Gospel reading today comes from Mark, (Mk 10: 46-52), the account of the healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who was sitting at the roadside on the way out of Jericho. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he calls out for help. When scolded by people standing by, he shouts all the louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.” He is so excited when Jesus calls him that he jumps for joy and casts off his cloak. When asked by Jesus, “What can I do for you?” He simply replies, “Rabbuni, Master, let me see again.” He only asks for what he needs, nothing more, nothing less. What a model for prayer this is, and Jesus grants his request, saying, “Go, your faith has saved you.” But he doesn’t go, he remains and follows Jesus, becoming a disciple, another example for us to follow.
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.
