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.
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.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
