Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 10th May
Abbot Paul • May 9, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 10th May 2022
Yesterday was a really warm and pleasant day in Burgos and, for me, quite restful. Even the nuns’ Mass with its expected homily and rules different to those in England I took in my stride. Then a free morning followed by Office, lunch and confessions, and a visit to parts of the ancient monastery I hadn’t seen before, were followed by None, a meeting with the Abbess President’s Council and a meeting in Chapter with the entire community, all ending with Vespers over which I presided and half an hour’s mental prayer together in choir. Supper brought this marathon to an end and a free evening, during which I am writing this message. Today I travel back to Belmont. I pray it all goes well. I have thoroughly enjoyed this visit and have managed to fit in some valuable relaxation and rest. I wish I could have had an extra day to visit the city of Burgos.
Today’s Gospel passage comes from John, (Jn 10: 22-30), and includes the Gospel reading we heard last Sunday. Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the Dedication, it’s Winter and he’s walking in the Temple. He’s questioned by the Jewish leaders, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” By that they probably mean, not in parables. He replies, “I have told you, but you do not believe.” Jesus has made it abundantly clear that he is the Messiah, the Christ, but the real problem is their lack of belief. They have seen the works he has done in his Father’s name, but they remain unmoved and refuse to believe, and that is because they are not his sheep, so do not hear or understand his voice. Jesus says, “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost.” In all humility, Jesus states that the sheep really belong to the Father, who will never lose them. They have been put into the safeguarding of Jesus, for “The Father and I are one.” Therein lies the truth about the Holy Trinity, the three persons are but one God. As Jesus states elsewhere, “To have seen me is to have seen the Father. To know me is to know the Father.”
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to see and know you in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. May our love for you grow ever greater and, like the disciples, may we bring others to know and love you. Amen.
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.
