Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 12th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 11, 2023
It was good to celebrate the feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe, yesterday, especially considering the precarious state of peace and unity in Europe as the war carries on relentlessly in Ukraine and threatens to spill over into other countries. Today I hope to be visiting my mother, together with Toby my faithful companion, so when you read these words, I might well be walking on the beach with Toby, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and searching on the dunes for wimberries, one of the many wild fruits of my youth.
​Our Gospel today comes from Matthew, (Mt 10: 1-7), in which Jesus gives his disciples authority over unclean spirits and we are told the names of the Twelve, that inner group whom he names apostles. “Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.” The Twelve are chosen and summoned, given power and authority to cast out unclean spirits and so the ability to heal and cure from all kinds of sickness and disease. In other words, Jesus gives them a portion of his own spirit, authority and power. You could almost say that this is an ordination or consecration, enabling them to share in Christ’s ministry.
​Next we are given the names of these Twelve Apostles designated by Jesus. “These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him.” Of the Twelve, some we know well and meet frequently, others less so or not at all. Some were related, others not; some are mentioned more than by name, and one of the twelve turned out to be a traitor. Jesus knew, and it had to be.
​We are then told, briefly, the instructions that Jesus gave these appointed ones. “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’” To begin with, we discover the meaning of the word Apostle: someone who is sent out, in their case, sent out by Jesus to do his work of healing and making whole, forgiving sin and reconciling people with God. For the time being, they must only visit the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Later they will turn to the pagans and Samaritans, as Jesus would himself.
​When we read the Gospel, can we see Jesus speaking with us and inviting each one of us to do his work and join in his mission to bring salvation to those around us? Jesus still calls today. Are we able to hear his voice?
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.
