Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 6th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 6, 2023
Forgiveness lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. At the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel told Mary that her divine Son would be called Jesus, because “the Lord will save his people from their sins.” (Lk 1: 31) Throughout the Gospel, Jesus assures those he heals that he also forgives them their sins, as we will see in today’s Gospel passage. In the Lord’s prayer he teaches his disciples to pray, “forgive us as we forgive,” and he constantly reminds them of the meaning of that prayer.
​Today we keep the feast of the Virgin Martyr St Maria Goretti, who was killed for protecting her virginity and refusing the advances of a 20-year-old farm hand, Alessandro Serenelli. She was not yet twelve years’ old. At her canonization by Pope Pius XII in 1950, her murderer sat beside her mother, reconciled in the love of Jesus and through the prayers of Santa Maria.
​Our Gospel is the beautiful account of healing of a paralytic, (Mt 9: 1-8).
“Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.” Jesus heals the paralytic, moved by the faith of his family and friends, who brought him to Jesus. However, Jesus says to the man, “Courage, my son, your sins are forgiven.” This talk of forgiveness causes a group of scribes to think that Jesus is blaspheming. Jesus can see deep into their hearts and knows what they are thinking, so he replies by asking which is easier, to say that the man’s sins are forgiven or that he should pick up his bed and walk? To prove that he has authority to forgive sin, Jesus orders the man to pick up his bed and go home. The people are awestruck and praise God for giving such power to men. Let us never be afraid of bringing ourselves before Jesus for healing and forgiveness.
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.
