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.”
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.
