Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday - 30th April 2024
Abbot Paul • April 29, 2024
​It’s interesting to note that, as we come to the end of Eastertide, we are still reading Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples given at the Last Supper, (Jn 14: 27-31). They can sense that things are coming to a head and Jesus is preparing them, as he has been doing all along, for his ultimate destiny, his Passion, Death and Resurrection. He says to his disciples, “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.” Jesus utters the word ‘peace’ three times; it is his gift to the disciples, which only he can give and is not a worldly peace. It is not the absence of conflict or of war, the absence of noise, disorder, or chaos. It is the peace that comes from a clear conscience, a living faith and the joy of the Holy Spirit. It is the peace of heart and mind that comes with forgiveness of sin and union with God in Christ. He continues, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me, you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe.” Reading their hearts, he is aware of their fear and confusion, their anxiety for the future. Without Jesus, what will become of them? Jesus comforts them, assuring them that he will return to be with them, even if beforehand he must leave them to return to the Father. It will be a test of their love for him. Nevertheless, he has warned them, so that they will not be taken by surprise when the time, which is at hand, comes.
​John presents the Passion of Christ as a conflict between good and evil, God and the powers of darkness. Jesus says, “I shall not talk with you any longer, because the prince of this world is on his way. He has no power over me, but the world must be brought to know that I love the Father and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.” The prince of this world is more than Judas, the high priests and Pontius Pilate. They are simply agents, puppets of Satan, the source of evil, death and destruction, the lord of chaos. But he has no power over Jesus, who loves the Father and is doing the Father’s will. The disciples must understand that what is about to happen is all part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. Although we love the Passion story, we still ask why God had to save us in this way, through sacrifice, suffering and death? The Byzantine Easter chant celebrates Christ’s Death and Resurrection in this way. “ΧριστÏŒς ανÎστη εκ νεκρÏŽν, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας, και τοις εν τοις μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.” Here is a translation, “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs, granting life.” Yes, in his Resurrection, Christ Jesus has trampled down death with death, thereby assuring us of eternal life. This faith gave the martyrs courage and peace to face the pain and desolation of martyrdom. May it give us the grace to live our faith boldly today, sharing God’s love and loving kindness with all we meet.
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.
