Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 18th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 17, 2023
You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s just as cold here as it is where you live. The monks at Prinknash live in an ancient building, that had been the hunting lodge of the medieval abbots of Gloucester, so it’s not easy to heat and keep warm. Still, yesterday was a pleasant and productive day and I believe we are more than halfway through the Visitation. I can already look forward to returning to Belmont on Thursday. I apologise for not sharing a few photographs, but I’ve not had the opportunity as yet to take any.
Our Gospel passage from Mark for today, (Mk 3: 1-6), finds Jesus once again in the synagogue on the Sabbath and present there is a man with a withered hand. The religious authorities were on the lookout to see if Jesus would heal the man on the Sabbath, as they were intent on putting together evidence on which to arrest him. Jesus asked the man to step forward where all could see him. He then asked the question, “Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save a life or to kill?” There was no answer. The Pharisees knew that he had got the better of them. Their silence aroused Jesus’ anger, so he asked the man to stretch out his hand and healed him. The Pharisees walked out and started plotting with the supporters of King Herod. We pray for the courage of Jesus always to do good, no matter what the personal cost to ourselves, and never to be afraid to stand up for the truth.
On the Commemoration of All Souls, Abbot Brendan reflects on the experience of death within a monastic community, the meaning of Purgatory, and St Benedict’s invitation never to lose hope in the mercy of God.
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
