Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 6th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 5, 2022
Yesterday we read the Lord’s Prayer as found in Luke, comparing it a little with the better-known version found in Matthew. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus places emphasis on forgiveness, warning the disciples that if they will not forgive those who offend them, then God will not forgive them their sins. In Luke, the Gospel passage which we read today, (Lk 11: 5-13), Jesus speaks at length on perseverance in prayer, trusting that God will always give us what is best for us. He begins with an example from daily life rather than a parable.
“Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, ‘My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him’; and the man answers from inside the house, ‘Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.’ I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants”. We might wonder why the man wanted three loaves of bread, unless it was that his friend had arrived unexpectedly with family or serving staff. Anyway, the lesson is clear: perseverance in asking eventually brings about the desired result. But God was not made in the image and likeness of man and his reactions are not ours. He’s doesn’t play power games, nor does he play cat and mouse with us, his beloved children. Jesus goes on to explain the mind and heart of God, hence why we should persevere in prayer.
“So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Jesus tells us that our heavenly Father will give us whatever we ask or need. Above all, he will give us the Holy Spirit, which is far more than we can imagine or desire. In fact, God will always give us those gifts of which we are most in need, rather than simply what we pray for. After all, he knows best. Prayer and perseverance in prayer conform our minds to the mind of God, our hearts to his Heart. Perhaps, that is the goal of prayer, acquiring the mind of Christ, understanding the mind and heart of God. Let us remember this when we pray and especially when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer that Jesus himself taught us to pray.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. 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.
