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.
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.
