Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 26th September 2023
Abbot Paul • September 26, 2023
Today the Church remembers the twin 3rd century physician martyr saints of Syria, Cosmas and Damian, so popular in the early Church that they even appear in the Roman Canon. They are the patron saints of medicine and pharmacy and were renowned for attending to the sick without any charge. So many miracles were wrought through their intercession that their cult spread throughout Europe and the Middle East. One of the small medieval churches well worth visiting in Herefordshire is that of Saints Cosmas and Damian at Stretford, just a few miles south of Leominster off the A4110. You mustn’t miss it. May this day’s saints pray for doctors, surgeons, nurses and pharmacists and for the NHS.
Our short Gospel reading from Luke, (Lk 8: 19-21), focusses on a visit made to Jesus by his mother and other family members. “The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.’ But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’” Jesus uses their visit to teach the crowds who follow him what it means to belong to God’s family, the family of the faithful. All can be the brothers and sisters of Jesus if they “hear the word of God and put it into practice.” We are not told by Luke why it is that his mother and brothers wish to see him, nor are we told whether he left the crowds in order to them. We know that his mother is Mary, the wife of Joseph the carpenter, but who are these brothers? Could they have been the sons of Joseph by an earlier marriage? Tradition points in that direction. Personally, being an only son, I’ve often wondered what it must be like to have brothers and sisters. One of the sorrows I’ve carried through life is that of not having a brother or sister. I envy those who do. Yet Jesus has chosen and called me to be one of his brothers and for that I’m truly grateful.
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.”
