Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 8th June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 7, 2023
This evening I’ll be returning to Belmont, God willing. Pray that the planes are in time. As I did when flying out last Wednesday, I’ll be changing planes at Frankfurt. It was easy and relaxing coming out, so I hope it will be the same going back. I would have enjoyed another week, perhaps at the beach swimming two or three times a day. Who knows, that might be possible next visit. Yesterday we went over Mount Chortiatis to the lake and town of St Basil, such a beautiful ride through the Macedonian countryside, bedecked with wild flowers of every colour. The town of St Basil is famous throughout Greece for the traditional walking and dancing through bonfires that takes place on 1st January to celebrate his feast day. It amazes me to see the number of new monasteries of both men and women that have been built in recent years on the outskirts of the city. We passed by several of them yesterday, vast establishments, full to overflowing, so I am told, of young monks and nuns. There’s certainly big money invested in the modern, state of the art buildings. I wonder what’s holding us back in the U.K.?
Today’s Gospel passage from Mark, (Mk 12: 28-34), tells of the visit of one of the scribes to Jesus. He questions Jesus on the commandments. “Which is the first?” he asks. He finds himself in total agreement with Jesus that the greatest commandment is twofold, to love God above all and our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus comments on his wisdom. “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark comments that as a result of this agreement, no one else dares to ask Jesus another question. The question for us is whether we truly agree with Jesus as the scribe did.
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.
