Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 19th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 18, 2022
It was a great joy to visit my mother yesterday and spend part of the day with her. The heavy morning mist didn’t go further than the Welsh border and Pontrilas. From there onwards it was hot sunshine all day long. In my mother’s garden, we basked in the sun after lunch at 22C. It was just like a fine summer’s day. I didn’t go down to the beach with Toby as there was a problem with the car, but we went up into the woods behind my mother’s house. It was cooler there.
In today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 12: 39-48), Jesus tells his disciples a short parable as a warning that they should be prepared for the Second Coming and Judgement. He says, “You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” I love the way Jesus often compares the Son of Man returning at the end of time with a common burglar breaking through the wall of a house. Only Jesus himself would dare do that. Peter is confused and wants to know who the parable is for, so he asks, “Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?”
Jesus then goes on to expand the parable, making much more of a story out of it. As he talks about stewards, servants and masters, it would appear that it’s specifically for his disciples, but as he doesn’t actually reply to Peter’s question, let’s say it applies to us all. We can pick out a few phrases to get the gist of what Jesus is trying to say to his disciples. “Blessed that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns.” In other words, if the disciple fulfils his duties faithfully on earth, he will enjoy even greater friendship with God in the life to come. It is a call to fidelity, duty and service, but all for the love of God. Jesus goes on to say, “When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.” What more have we been given on trust than the gift of life itself and that is what we will offer back to God on the day he calls us. Let us pray that we will all give to God on that day what he expects of us and even more. Our life is his; may his Name be blessed and glorified.
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.
