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!
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.
