Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 8th August 2023
Abbot Paul • August 8, 2023
Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 8th August 2023
Today we keep the feast of St Dominic, born on this day in the year 1170 at Caleruega, Spain, and who died on the feast of the Transfiguration in the year 1221 at Bologna, Italy. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Osma, but a journey through France and direct contact with members of the Albigensian heresy made him think again of his vocation. He saw the need for preachers, who would go out among the people and preach the Gospel in all its purity and truth. For 10 years, in the company of three Cistercian monks, he went around preaching against heresy and teaching by the example of the simplicity and austerity of his life. His fellow preachers gradually became a community, and in 1215 Dominic founded a religious house at Toulouse, the beginning of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans. His ideal, and that of his Order, was to organically link a life with God, study, and prayer in all forms, with a ministry of salvation to people by the word of God. His motto was: contemplata tradere: “to pass on the fruits of contemplation” or “to speak only of God or with God.” Today we pray for the Dominican Order in all its branches, men and women, and especially in our own country. I also remember the Dominican Missionary Sisters of St Sixtus, who worked for many years with us in Peru.
Our Gospel passage comes from Matthew, (Mt 14: 22-36), the calming of a storm at sea and Peter’s attempt to walk on water like Jesus., a wonderful episode in the life of Our Lord. “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night, he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him, they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured.”
It’s important to read the passage in a spirit of prayer and silence, opening our hearts and minds to what it is that the Lord himself wishes to tell us in this reading. He begins by giving us an example of the occasional need for solitude in order to be alone with God. While in silent prayer, he comes aware of a storm brewing on the lake and of the fear his disciples might have as a result. It’s often in pray that we discover the needs of others and our own needs too. Jesus is Lord of the tempest and is able to walk on the water towards the boat in which his disciples are terrified and afraid. They see him and their fear increases, but he says, “It is I,” like God at the burning bush who said to Moses, “I am who I am.” Jesus invites Peter to walk towards him and Peter, filled with enthusiasm tries, but when he realises what he’s doing and where he is, he is filled with fear and begins to sink. “Save me, Lord,“ he screams. Jesus catches hold of him and walks him back to the boat. “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” asks Jesus. The storm is calmed and the men in the boat, disciples and others, bow down in awe, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” The miracle, both miracles lead to faith in Jesus as Messiah, Son of God. And this is where we, too, should be led as we read and pray.
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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.
