Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday - 9th April 2024
Abbot Paul • April 8, 2024
I continue to receive messages and cards lamenting the loss of dear Toby. I shall read them again in a few weeks’ time. At the moment I’m finding it very difficult to do so. The pain is raw, I miss him so much and, of course, our daily routine together. It’s hard to concentrate on what I’m doing, so I hope these messages make sense. I’m deeply grateful to God for giving me such a wonderful companion to share my life for the past twelve years and pray that I can be faithful to his memory and continue to give of myself each day to those who need me. I’m praying today for a very special friend, who is celebrating his birthday, that the good Lord will continue to endow him with every heavenly grace and blessing.
Today’s Gospel passage begins where yesterday’s ended, at the 7th verse of John 3, (Jn 3: 7-15). “Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’” The need to be born again from on high and to live guided by the Spirit are prerequisites for those who wish to follow Jesus and enter the kingdom of God. This is as true for us today as it was for Nicodemus, who came to see Jesus by night, curious to know what he should do to be saved, since Jesus surely had the answer. He is confused. “‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus.” Nicodemus had called Jesus Rabbi and now Jesus reminds him that he, too, is a teacher in Israel and should understand what Jesus is talking about.
Jesus goes on to explain. “I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
Now Nicodemus had come to see Jesus, because he had seen the works, that he was doing, and was aware of the quality of his teaching. However, what Jesus is saying is difficult for him to understand. Already, Jesus is talking about his culminating work, his Passion and Death, that the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent of bronze in the wilderness. That first lifting up healed those bitten by serpents, but was only a prophetic sign of the total healing Jesus would bring about through his Death and Resurrection, the healing of body, mind and spirit, the forgiveness of sins and the opening of the gates of heaven to all who repent and believe. Everyone is to have eternal life through him, who reconciles the whole of creation with God.
Nicodemus was the first to hear this message from the lips of Jesus and it’s hardly surprising that he did not find it easy to understand and accept, but he must have persevered, for we find him assisting Joseph of Arimathea at the burial of Jesus, a faithful disciple still. Lord, it’s not easy being a Christian, let alone a good and faithful disciple. Grant us the grace of perseverance and fidelity, as you did to Nicodemus, you who alone know our frailty and our need for your mercy. Amen.
We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
We are pleased to announce our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.