Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 24th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 23, 2023
A number of readers expressed surprise that we should have grapes at Belmont. There was a time when we had a lot more. Abbot Jerome cared for a vine and a fig tree. I attach a photograph of Br Gildas with a little of the harvest. Our retreat began with the most sublime meditation on the Sequence for Pentecost, Veni Sancte Spiritus. You might like to find it in your Missal and join with us in Spirit.
In today’s short Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 12: 35-38), Jesus asks his disciples be ready for whenever he should return and, although he is Lord and Master, nevertheless he will come to serve and take care of them, whether it is at the end of time, the Last Day and Last Judgement, or simply when the time comes for each one of them to die and return to their heavenly Father. Let us hear what Jesus says, “See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.”
There are several images in these few words of Jesus. We are to be like soldiers, dressed for action, like the five virgins with their lamps lit and like servants waiting for their master’s return. We are to be ready for when he knocks, so that we can open the door immediately and let him in. If we are awake, prepared and ready, then our roles will be reversed and Jesus, the Lord of glory, will don an apron and set about serving us. Well, that’s one way of describing heaven, or at least giving us an impression of what it will be like. As he could come at any time, if he finds us ready and prepared, then he will look kindly on us and reward us. I look forward to his coming, but will I be ready, or late as usual?
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.
