Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 18th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 17, 2023
It was a delight, yesterday, to welcome to Belmont pupils and staff of Woking High School, thirty young musicians and singers aged between 11 and 16, who came to perform in a summer concert of orchestral music from film, theatre and popular music. It was very encouraging to see such a large and appreciative audience, particularly for the young people, their parents and staff, who had worked so hard over the years to bring themselves to perfection and entertain us all so royally. Many congratulations to the orchestra, singers and conductor.
Our Gospel passage from Matthew, (Mt 11: 20-24), sees Jesus reproaching the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked. The reason? They had refused to repent. It’s interesting to note what Jesus says, that his miracles were wrought in order to bring people to repentance. Had we ever thought of that? He laments:
“Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted as high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom on judgement day as with you.”
What do his words mean? Jesus rebukes the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance in light of the many miracles that he performed among them. He says that even the pagan and wicked cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom would have shown more repentance. Each of their respective judgment days will reflect this. We also note that this event is unparalleled in the other gospel accounts. One way of understanding this passage is that the judgement being pronounced upon these cities applies to its leadership. They will have a lot to answer for in the judgement, for seeing and knowing what is true, and not leading their people to the great benefit being offered by God in Jesus. It would seem that in condemning these towns, Jesus is likely not condemning all the inhabitants of the town—the righteous Centurion in Matthew 8, or Peter’s family, for example. Jesus is inviting you and me today to think seriously about repentance. All he wants is our true happiness and the joy that comes from being with God now and for eternity.
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.
