Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 18th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 18, 2022
I have been asked to post a few more photographs of the Harvest Altar at Belmont. I do so with great pleasure. I think it’s one of the most beautiful harvest arrangements I’ve seen in a long while and to think that everything came from one garden in the Herefordshire countryside. Also today, Toby and I will be driving down to South Wales to visit my mother. He has now got accustomed to climbing up his short stairway to the back seat of the car and his dog tube, so he can be assured of a comfortable journey there and back.
Today we keep the feast of the evangelist St Luke, author not only of the Gospel that bears his name but also of the Acts of the Apostles, the Good News that continues in the life of the disciples and apostles of Jesus. The Gospel passage designated for his feast is taken from his Gospel, (Lk 10: 1-9), and contains the instructions given by Jesus to a large group of over seventy disciples he sent out on their mission to prepare towns and villages for his coming. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit.” This number reminds us of the seventy helpers chosen by Moses in the Book of Exodus. Their task is to prepare their hearers for the coming of Jesus. The Word always prepares for the coming of the Sacrament.
Having thus set the scene, Luke then shares the instructions given to the seventy-two in great detail. “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house’ And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, ‘The kingdom of God is very near to you.’” Essentially, they are to trust in God and not worry about the difficulties to be encountered. They are being sent as sheep among wolves, God knows that and will protect them. Their greeting should always be one of peace and they should accept humbly whatever is offered them. Under no circumstances should they be demanding or greedy. God will provide for their needs. Above all, they are to assure people that the kingdom of God is very close to them, thus encouraging them in their faith. God has not forgotten them, but is already among them. The harvest might be rich and the labourers few, but the Lord has sent them to gather in the harvest and they should not lose heart, and neither should we!
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.
