Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 8th November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 7, 2022
Today I hope to visit my mother together with Toby. We both hope the weather brightens up a little, as it’s grim walking with Toby and attempting to play games in the rain and wind. Yesterday I was blessed at long last to see a physiotherapist, who worked wonders on my neck and shoulder, tendons and right arm. I’ve been in agony, no exaggeration, for the past few months and, although I began treatment in Peru, this is not available in the U.K., at least not locally. Constant pain tends to get one down, so it’s a relief, as I write this, to say that this evening I feel cautiously optimistic!
Our prayers intensify for all those taking part in COP27, asking the Lord, in his goodness, to guide the hearts and minds of the leaders of the nations, rich and poor, as well as those with economic power and activists alike, to come to decisions that are truly achievable and effective.
Our Gospel passage today continues on from yesterday’s reading, so we are in Luke, (Lk 17: 7-10). Jesus is talking with his disciples: “Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, ‘Come and have your meal immediately?’ Would he not be more likely to say, ‘Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards?’ Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So, with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ’We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.’” This parable is about a master and his servant. The danger for the disciples, especially as they share in the work of Jesus and will eventually be at the heart of the Church to represent him, is that they will begin to look upon themselves not as servants but as masters. Jesus, the true Master and Son of God, Lord of all creation, has always behaved like a servant, doing the Father’s will, and will continue to serve even after his Resurrection. He, the Suffering Servant, who will do his duty by the Father in offering his life as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world, expects his disciples to act in the same way, and to say with him what the servants of the parable say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”
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.
