Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th July
Abbot Paul • July 19, 2022
Yesterday it was back to work with a vengeance. We worked solidly from nine till five with just a break for Mass and lunch and two short coffee and tea breaks at eleven and four and no air conditioning. Still, my room is cool and, unlike at Belmont, here I sleep like a log! Today, as promised, I’ll be accompanying my brief message with photographs of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Torbryan, a must if you’re in Devon. But first, today’s Gospel, which comes from Matthew, (Mt 12: 46-50).
Jesus is speaking with the crowds, when his mother arrives to see him with other family members, whom Matthew calls his brothers. They are standing outside the house where Jesus is. A man goes to inform Jesus, but Jesus replies, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then, stretching his hand towards his disciples, he says, “Here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus might seem somewhat offhanded with his mother and family, but he uses their visit as an opportunity to teach the crowds this new relationship that he is building up among his followers and the meaning of what his Church is going to be, a fellowship, a brotherhood, a community, God’s family. There is no indication here of rejection on the part of Jesus or that he did not go ahead and meet with them. We also know that Mary was the first to hear the word of the Father and do God’s will. The question for us is whether we are prepared to do God’s will or not.
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.
