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.
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.
