Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 12th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 12, 2022
Yesterday I was blessed in having to take a trip into Breconshire. It was a beautiful day and the countryside was quite spectacular. Going, I stopped briefly at the church of St Faith at Dorstone, whilst returning, I stopped at St Bartholomew’s, Vowchurch, one of my absolute favourites, such a light and airy church in an outstanding position near the bank of the river Dore. I stopped there for over half an hour simply to pray in silence. There’s so much going on in the world at the moment, so much to pray for, especially the horrific situation in Ukraine, not to mention the many uncertainties in our own country, I needed that time and space to be alone. I pray every day that God will intervene and stop the war in Ukraine, but I know that’s not how God works: he does not remove our responsibility to bring that war to an end. At times I despair at what appears to be a certain inertia, perhaps fear, that prevents Ukraine’s allies from a more committed and determined quest for peace.
In today’s Gospel from Luke, (Lk 11: 42-4), Jesus continues his attack on the Pharisees. Yesterday it was just one Pharisee, who, poor man, had invited Jesus to his house for a meal. Today it’s a more general attack on the Pharisees as a powerful and influential group in society. He says:
‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!’”
Sadly, their fundamental sin is to place so much emphasis on a ritualistic observance of the minutiae of the Law, that they forget the important fundamentals, justice and the love of God. Again, he criticises this obsession of theirs with appearance and position in society, all rather futile, to say the least.
Then a lawyer or scribe stands up, feeling insulted but Jesus has something to say to them as well.
“A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’
‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’”
Here his criticism is that instead of helping people to keep the Law and discovering the gift of faith in God, they turn people away with the exaggerated interpretation of the Law that only serves to drive people away in despair, rather than encouraging them to seek the love of God.
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.
