Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday - 20th March 2024
Abbot Paul • March 19, 2024
​There are days when it’s easy to write this message, plain sailing in fact, and there are days when I have difficulty knowing just where to begin and what to say. Usually, the Gospel of the day inspires a response, but there are times when I wonder how on earth to explain in a few, simple words what Jesus is saying, something that might be helpful for us today, not that the word of God is ever irrelevant, how could it be? But Jesus spoke in one particular context and the Gospels were written in another particular context, and that is what makes it difficult at times, but not just difficult, above all fascinating and rewarding. Today’s Gospel passage from John, (Jn 8: 31-42) is no exception.
​Jesus is speaking with Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem. Some have come to believe in him, but then he says,
“If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.”
These are not easy words for them to accept. In what way are they not free, they wonder, since they are descended from Abraham. How can the truth make them free, if they are not slaves? In reply, Jesus says that, “everyone who commits sin is a slave.” He then adds, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” He knows that by birth they are “sons of Abraham” and that Abraham is their father, but what are they in reality? Abraham was obedient to God and walked with God, but they do not, because they will not listen to Jesus. He says clearly,
“If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth,
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.”
Jesus keeps repeating the fact that they want to kill him. In John, the Passion narrative seems to begin from very early in the Gospel, and it’s only in John that we find these long discussions, really interrupted discourses on the part of Jesus. His hearers are outraged and react by saying, “’We were not born of prostitution,’ and ‘we have one father: God.’” To this Jesus retorts,
“If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.”
Not to recognise and accept Jesus as Son of God and love him, means not knowing God and not loving and obeying him. To love Jesus is to love God, for Jesus is God. What we find in John’s Gospel is known as high Christology. An easy way of remembering this is to think of Jesus’ words to Philip, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." (Jn 14: 9)
​So, the question for us today is yet again, how do we see Jesus, who is he for us? A theologian once described him as being “the human face of God.” Do you find that description or definition helpful? Do you see the Father in Jesus? Personally, I just take what Jesus says as truth. For me, he is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Not only that, when I read or hear the Gospel read, I know it is Jesus speaking to my heart and I thrill at the sound of his voice. Strange, in the realm of faith, I’m still that small boy who first heard Jesus speak to me when my own father read me bedtime stories from the Children’s Bible and that was a long time ago.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
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.
