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.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
