Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 19, 2023
I’m on my way back to Belmont, though I’ve not got very far. We took a long, roundabout route to the airport that involved an amazing shortcut. This can only happen in Peru, an underground Via Expresa that goes right under the centre of old Lima for about three miles. It came quite unexpectedly after the worst of Lima traffic jams, when you wonder whether we’ll ever get out of this mess. Then came the airport, where I’m sitting comfortably now in an airline lounge, enjoying a comfortable seat and quality refreshments. The funny thing is that I now look so much like an old man that kind Peruvians direct me to queueless security and immigration lines, so I was whisked through the airport both on arriving and leaving. Not only that, whereas at European airports our passports now have to be stamped, not so in Lima, where everything is computerised.
Our Gospel today comes from Luke, (Lk 1: 5-25), the annunciation of the conception and birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah, while serving as a priest in the Temple. The lives of Jesus and John are so interwoven, that John is as much part of the Good News as Jesus, though each in his appointed role: John the Prophet, Jesus the Messiah, John the voice, Jesus the Word, John the witness, Jesus the Light, John the Baptist, Jesus the Christ. Today’s Gospel is exquisitely told by Luke, as only Luke can, even in translation. I won’t spoil it by commenting on it, not that I’m in the right place to set about doing so! Tomorrow I’ll be writing from a lounge in Paris.
On the Commemoration of All Souls, Abbot Brendan reflects on the experience of death within a monastic community, the meaning of Purgatory, and St Benedict’s invitation never to lose hope in the mercy of God.
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
