Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 7th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 6, 2023
Today is the feast of St Ambrose, Doctor of the Church, elected Bishop of Milan by public acclamation before he was ordained a priest or even baptised, a man of profound learning, outstanding holiness and organisational skills, a poet and hymn writer, and he who baptised St Augustine of Hippo. We still read his homilies and treaties today and derive much wisdom and understanding from them and we sing the hymns he wrote, either in Latin or translated into English.
Today I will also be travelling from Belmont to Peru, to spend ten days or so with the community at Lurin and receive the First Profession of one of our Peruvian novices, Br Antonio Quispe Canlla. As you will notice from his Quechua surnames, Br Antonio hails from Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire and is Quechua speaking.
Advent is rather like Lent in that it is a period of preparation and penance. The great difference, of course, is that Advent is shorter and now obliterated in the world around us by commercial festivities, devoid of any religious connotation. Who apart from practising Christians of the historic Churches would even be aware today that Advent exists at all, let alone what it is about, and that fact can have a negative influence even on us. The idea of a vigil in preparation for a feast, of fasting for a religious purpose, the concept vigil as a time of prayer and preparation, let alone confession and spiritual wellbeing is sadly unknown and unappreciated by the vast majority. This is not a criticism, but a statement of fact. For us part of that vigil of prayer, penance and preparation is to hear Gospel passages that invite us to a rather more committed Christian way of life, closely following the teaching of Jesus in all we think, do and say, and today is no exception. Our Gospel passage from Matthew is, in fact, from the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 7: 21; 24-27).
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’”
Jesus calls his disciples to a life of integrity and coherence, that consists in doing the Father’s will. Prayer and supplication without integrity and obedience are of no value. True prayer comes from an obedient heart. So that we might know more clearly exactly what the Father’s will for us is, Jesus invites us to listen to his words and to act on them. What is more, he has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten us and to give us good sense, strength and courage. What Jesus says is so simple and straightforward, that there is our rule of life. Advent is a time to remember this and to renew our good intentions and the very fabric of our lives. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.