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.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.